"Shame is an identity statement. It's saying not that I did something bad, but I am bad...And for the believer, that identity claim of shame does not stick. It's not true. By believing Jesus was who he said he was and did what he said he did, that means your identity is a child of God. Full stop." 

— Daniel Wendt

Today's Episode: Natalie is chatting about compassion with her good friend and christian counselor Daniel Wendt. Daniel shares his own story of grappling with God's goodness and compassion through a life-altering season in his early adulthood. He helps us see how God the compassion and forgiveness of God are available to all of us even (and especially) when we mess up and get caught in a cycle of shame. Finally, he unpacks the difference between offering compassion and forgiveness to those who hurt us and fully reconciling with them. It's a super helpful episode, one you won't want to miss! 
 
This month's memory verse: "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." — Lamentations 3:22-23

Today's guest: Daniel Wendt is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Harrisburg Pennsylvania, helping individuals, couples, and families through his private practice. Additionally, he provides Faith-Integrated Life Coaching virtually for those residing outside of the state. Please reach out to [email protected] if you would like to connect with him. Daniel and his wife Samantha have two children and enjoy camping, hiking, and stressing out together while watching the Philadelphia Eagles play. 

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Links from today's show: 

• Looking for a counselor or life coach? Find out more about pursuing therapy with Daniel if you live in Pennsylvania at danielwendtmft.com. Outside of PA, visit danielwendtcoaching.com for Faith-Integrated Life Coaching. 
• Read The Pour Over for unbiased news from a Christian perspective. It's FREE!
• Memorize and meditate on God's Word with a Dwell Differently membership. 
• Dig even deeper into God's Word (and memorize it!) in Natalie and Vera's new Bible study, Dwell on These Things and book, Dwell Differently. 

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Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.