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Gratitude may feel impossible in grief or trauma, but it can still become a steadying anchor for your heart.

Gratitude sounds simple until life shatters. In this tender, two-part conversation, we explore what gratitude looks like in the real valleys of grief and trauma—and why it often feels out of reach when your heart is hurting.

In the first half of the episode, Larissa shares honestly from her experience as a widow and how long-rooted spiritual habits helped steady her when nothing in life felt predictable or secure. We talk about why gratitude feels harder in heavy seasons, how grief narrows your world, and practical ways to interrupt the negative spirals that come with discouragement and emotional overload.

In the second half, we’re joined by licensed professional counselor Heather Shealy-Mawhirter, who brings biblical wisdom and clinical insight to the conversation. Heather helps us understand how trauma affects the mind and body, why gratitude can feel “inaccessible” after traumatic loss, and how gentle, realistic steps can create space for healing without minimizing pain. Her metaphors and guidance bring clarity, compassion, and hope for anyone who feels overwhelmed by what they’re carrying.

Whether you’re grieving, healing from trauma, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers steady encouragement and practical tools to help you anchor your heart in God’s presence—one small step at a time.

Key Takeaways

• Why gratitude feels especially difficult during grief or trauma
• How long-term spiritual habits can hold you steady when life falls apart
• The difference between grief and trauma—and why both affect gratitude differently
• Why feelings aren’t facts, and how truth helps reframe your perspective
• Gentle ways to interrupt negative thought spirals before they take root
• How gratitude helps widen your view when trauma narrows life to survival
• Why gratitude doesn’t bypass the pain—it anchors what is still meaningful, good, and true

Heather Shealy-Mawhirter, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor in Texas and a Narrative and Solution-Focused therapist with extensive experience working with survivors of sexual trauma, anticipatory grief, and life-transition challenges. She brings a unique experiential approach

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Habits of Hope Podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice—spiritual, medical, legal, or otherwise.

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You want to be grateful—but some days, it just feels hard. Maybe life is stressful, your routines are off, or you’re simply tired. In this episode, we’re talking about the real obstacles that get in the way of gratitude and how to gently cultivate a habit that lasts—not just in the good seasons, but in the messy, ordinary ones too.

We’ll explore:

• Why gratitude doesn’t always come naturally
• How stress, loss, and emotional fatigue shape our spiritual rhythms
• A biblical framework for remembering God’s goodness
• Small, realistic ways to build gratitude into your everyday life
• What to do when you fall out of the habit

This isn’t about forcing yourself to “be thankful.”
 It’s about learning to notice God’s presence again—one small choice at a time.

Habit of Hope:
Start with one small thanks—and let it become a rhythm of the heart.

Mentioned in This Episode

✨ Free Resource from Larissa
Download Larissa’s gratitude printable to help you begin again with simple, gentle steps:
https://www.gr8tfulchick.com/

If this episode encouraged you…

Share it with a friend or leave a quick review to help others find hope and encouragement.

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Habits of Hope Podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice—spiritual, medical, legal, or otherwise.

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If we’re honest, gratitude can feel overdone—especially in November. We want to be thankful, but real life is messy. Stress, loss, disappointment, routines, and daily pressure can make gratitude feel like something we should do, rather than something that changes us.

In today’s episode, we explore why gratitude matters in a way that goes beyond seasonal thankfulness. Anchored in Psalm 92, we talk about how a simple daily rhythm of remembering God’s love in the morning and His faithfulness at night can shift your emotional world from the inside out.

This isn’t about positivity or pretending everything is okay.
 It’s about real gratitude in real life — the kind that meets you in the middle of your actual circumstances.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why gratitude is more than a feeling — it’s a spiritual practice that forms your heart
• How daily thankfulness interrupts anxiety, complaining, and emotional overwhelm
• A simple habit of hope to try this week (no journal required)
• A fresh and gentle way to see gratitude beyond the month of November

Habit of Hope:
Start and end your day with gratitude.
One moment in the morning. One moment in the evening.
A rhythm of remembering God’s love and faithfulness.

If this episode encouraged you, we’d love for you to follow, leave a review, and share it with a friend who could use a lift today. 💛

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Habits of Hope Podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice—spiritual, medical, legal, or otherwise.

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What do we do when anxiety feels overwhelming and peace feels out of reach? Today, Ginger sits down with author and Bible teacher Becky Keife to talk about her new devotional, A Verse a Day for the Anxious Soul—a gentle, grounded guide for anyone longing for calm, clarity, and God’s presence in the middle of real life.

Together, they talk about:
 • Naming anxiety honestly (without shame)
 • The difference between everyday worry and clinical anxiety
 • How to hear God’s voice when your mind feels crowded
 • Simple peace practices you can use anywhere
 • Breath prayers: “Inhale truth. Exhale trust.”
 • Why God can use us in our weakness, not in spite of it

This conversation is warm, practical, and deeply encouraging—especially if your soul has felt tangled or tired lately.

Resources Mentioned:

•  A Verse a Day for the Anxious Soul by Becky Keife (affiliate link)
•  Becky’s Website  
• Becky's Instagram

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Habits of Hope Podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice—spiritual, medical, legal, or otherwise.

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How to Filter Your Thoughts and Find Peace: A Study of Philippians 4:8–9
Ever notice how one anxious thought can spiral into fear before you realize it? In this episode of the Habits of Hope Podcast, we’re learning how to stop negative thoughts and renew our minds with truth from Philippians 4:8–9.

Read the full article.

Discover how right thinking leads to real peace — the kind that steadies your heart when life feels chaotic.

You’ll learn:

• What Philippians 4:8 really teaches about your thought life (and how to filter anxious thinking).
• How to be the doorkeeper of your mind — choosing what stays and what goes.
• The difference between thoughts from the Spirit, the flesh, and the enemy.
• Why peace is a practice, not a feeling — and how daily choices create spiritual steadiness.
• Simple ways to apply this “thought filter” in everyday life.

Key Verse: Philippians 4:8–9
Habit of Hope: Train your mind to dwell on what is true so your heart can rest in peace.

✨ You can’t always control what thoughts knock at the door — but you can choose which ones get to stay.

Listen now and learn how to stop negative thoughts, strengthen your peace, and experience the presence of the God of peace with you.

Enjoy the article version here.

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Habits of Hope Podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice—spiritual, medical, legal, or otherwise.

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Ever prayed your heart out and still felt anxious? In this episode of the Habits of Hope Podcast, Ginger and Larissa unpack Philippians 4:7 and explore what it really means to experience the peace of God that surpasses understanding. Discover how this protective peace guards your heart and mind, why it’s stronger than emotions, and how to practice it daily through prayer, gratitude, and trust.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What it means for God’s peace to guard your heart and mind
• How peace is both a promise and a process connected to prayer
• The difference between human control and divine surrender
• Why peace sometimes takes time—and how to patiently receive it
• A simple Habit of Hope you can practice right now

Listen now for biblical wisdom, heartfelt encouragement, and a fresh perspective on peace that doesn’t depend on understanding—it depends on God’s presence.

Read the full article here.

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Habits of Hope Podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice—spiritual, medical, legal, or otherwise.

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Legacy isn’t just what you leave behind — it’s what you set in motion today.

In this powerful episode of the Habits of Hope Podcast, Bill High, co-author of The Legacy Life with Hobby Lobby founder David Green, shares what it means to build a family legacy rooted in faith, values, and hope.

Bill has helped families give away billions through philanthropy, but his passion goes far beyond finances. He believes legacy is for every family — not just the wealthy or well-known. Through practical examples and biblical wisdom, Bill shows how we can all begin shaping the kind of legacy that reflects our faith and blesses generations to come.

💬 In This Episode:

• Why legacy is what you set in motion, not just what you leave behind
• How gratitude, storytelling, and generosity can transform your family culture
• What it means to “build for 150 years” — and why that mindset changes everything
• Practical tools to help families live with intention and hope
• Encouragement for those coming from broken or complicated family stories

💡 Key Quotes from Bill High

“Legacy is not what you leave — it’s what you set in motion.”
 “Gratitude is one of the simplest and most powerful habits you can practice every single day.”
 “Here’s the hope: God is in the business of redeeming broken legacies.”
 “Most businesses are built to sell or retire. God calls families to build for 150 years.”

🧭 Resources & Links

Bill High’s new book, The Legacy Life (co-authored with David Green), releases October 14. 

• The Legacy Life by Bill High & David Green
• 90-Day Legacy Devotional
• Bill's Website
• Legacy Family Assessment Quiz
• Legacy Stone Website

🔥 Why You’ll Love This Episode

If you’ve ever wondered how to pass faith, gratitude, and generosity to the next generation — this conversation will inspire you to start today. Bill’s wisdom and stories remind us that even broken beginnings can become beautiful legacies when G

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Habits of Hope Podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice—spiritual, medical, legal, or otherwise.

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How do you move from the spiral of anxiety to the steadying peace of God?

In this personal episode of the Steady Heart Series, I share how Philippians 4:6–7 became a lifeline in my own battle with worry. God gave me a simple yet powerful prayer strategy in my quiet time: bring every anxious thought to Him with thanksgiving. This rhythm shifted my focus and opened the door to His peace.

You’ll discover:

• What “be anxious for nothing” really means in everyday life.
• Why thanksgiving is the hinge between prayer and peace.
• How prayer and gratitude rewire your thought patterns (confirmed by science!).
• A personal story of how God used this passage to calm my anxious heart.

Friend, prayer isn’t just a spiritual task—it’s a lifeline in anxious moments.

👉 Visit the websit to listen, read, or watch now and learn how God’s Word offers real help when worry takes hold. 

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Habits of Hope Podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice—spiritual, medical, legal, or otherwise.

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What if joy isn’t something you have to chase—but something you can choose, even when life feels overwhelming?

In this first message of the Steady Heart Series from Philippians 4, we unpack Paul’s surprising command: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice.” Writing from a prison cell, Paul shows us that biblical joy isn’t about fake positivity or easy circumstances. It’s a spiritual decision rooted in the unshakable truth that the Lord is near.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why the context of Philippians 4 makes Paul’s words so powerful
• The difference between happiness and biblical joy—and why joy is not “toxic positivity”
• How joy protects your heart in hard times
• Ten practical ways to practice joy as a daily habit, not just a passing mood

If you’ve ever struggled to feel joy when life feels heavy, this episode offers encouragement, practical tools, and hope for your heart.

Read the full article at GingerHarrington.com/choose-joy-hard-times/

CTA:
If this episode encouraged you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend who could use a reminder of God’s nearness today.

• Sign up for Ginger’s Newsletter and the Deeper Life Collection
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Habits of Hope Podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice—spiritual, medical, legal, or otherwise.

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One year. 52 episodes. Countless moments of hope.
 

We’re celebrating the first birthday of the Habits of Hope Podcast with stories of God’s faithfulness, listener favorites, and a special giveaway just for you.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The backstory of how the podcast began
• Honest reflections from seasons of grief and joy
• What we've learned
• Favorite moments from our first 50 episodes
• An exclusive birthday giveaway + merch reveal on Ginger's website

The Habits of Hope Podcast is where everyday faith meets real life — helping you anchor your heart in Christ, one simple habit at a time.

👉 Enter the Giveaway on the blog + see details here. (Email entry and blog comment enter you in the giveaway.)

Listener Favorites Mentioned in This Episode:

• 🎧 How to Ignite Hope by Noticing God’s Faithfulness Every Day (Episode 3)
• 🎧 How to Hear God’s Voice: Simple Habits to Deepen Your Faith (Episode 25)
• 🎧 What We're Doing in Our Quiet Time Right Now: Daily Devotion Tips (Episode 5)
• 🎧 Introducing Habits of Hope: Discover the Power of Hope in Your Life (Episode 1)
• 🎧 Making Big Decisions with Faith (Episode 10)

✨ If this podcast has encouraged you, the best birthday gift you can give is to follow and leave a review — your words mean more than you know and help others discover hope, too.

• Sign up for Ginger’s Newsletter and the Deeper Life Collection
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Habits of Hope Podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice—spiritual, medical, legal, or otherwise.

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