💡 Episode Overview:

In today’s episode, I’m diving into one of the most important skills for lifelong mental and spiritual health: the ability to self-soothe—but not in the way the world teaches. We’re talking about what it means to quiet your soul in God’s presence, and I’ll share a powerful, Biblical, and practical tool you can use to retrain your brain to run to Jesus in both the highs and lows of life. Whether you’re overwhelmed, overjoyed, or just overstimulated by life, this is for you.

⏱️ Time Stamps:

01:18 – Welcome + Why this topic matters now

01:53 – What is self-soothing and why it’s essential

02:25 – The chaos of modern life and our desperate need for soul rest

02:39 – What the Bible says about calming ourselves (Psalm 131 + 62)

03:05 – Common “false rest” habits and how they fail us

03:44 – How Moses found calm in God’s presence

04:52 – Introducing the Biblical tool: The Immanuel Approach

05:54 – Step-by-step guide to the practice

07:05 – Why this practice helps train your brain to rest in God

07:26 – When and how to use this tool throughout your day

07:46 – Final encouragement + invitation to practice with Jesus

✅ Key Takeaways:

• Self-soothing is a skill we can train, and God has already equipped us for it.
• The Bible models emotional regulation through God’s presence—not distraction or escape.
• Psalm 131:2 teaches us that we can calm and quiet our own souls with God's help.
• The Immanuel Approach is a simple 2-step practice rooted in gratitude and connection with Jesus. I learned it from Jim Wilder.
• The more we practice this, the more natural it becomes to run to God instead of false comforts.

DISCLAIMER

I am a licensed professional counselor, however this podcast (and the info shared on my blogs and social media) is not therapy. It is for informational purposes only; this is not a professional therapy relationship; and it is not personal advice to your specific situation. If you wonder whether professional counseling may be helpful for you in this season of life, check out this article that outlines when you might need to seek the help of a professional counselor and how to find a good one: https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor

LINKS

How to Find a Christian Counselor:

https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor

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I’m cheering you on as you break free from what’s holding you back and keeping you stuck.