Hope is Powerful

In this episode, Karen shares a great conversation with Lesley McShane. She tells her compelling story of how she found her voice. Her podcast, The New Old You, is geared to women over 50 who feel the need to find their voice. She is certainly leading by example in a brilliant way.

Lesley started small with a blog and moved forward to her podcast. After turning 50 and needing an outlet she challenged her self-belief that it was too late to start something. This podcast is for you if you relate to that feeling.
Imposter Syndrome
You may suffer from imposter syndrome - feeling unworthy to do great things.
It sounds like, "Who am I to ___________."
With Imposter Syndrome you are worried about what others will think and you stay in a safe zone. Instead, do something that scares you every day.
Ways to shatter Imposter Syndrome
1. Take care of yourself every day.
Invest the time and effort into your own selfcare. You must love yourself before you can love others.

2. Make a list of your accomplishments and/or wins.
You are more qualified than you think. Ask those closest to you what they feel your abilities are. Keep a list of experiences which qualify you to do what you want to do.

3. Disrupt the negative train of thought.
Every day your repeat 80% of your thoughts. If they are negative you will be repeating them every day. When a negative thought pops into your head - put up the stop sign.

Dealing with negative thoughts
Be aware of negative thoughts.
Stop the course of the thought by asking, "Am I being kind to myself?
Rewrite the thought into a positive one and repeat it until it makes up 80% of your thoughts.
Takeaways:
It's never too late to start something new.
Take the first step to do what "only you can do."
It is a lie that you are not qualified to reach your dreams.
Don't think too much about it - just take steps forward.
Consider that you're doing great when you are putting all your energy into what only you can do.
You can experience dark times when your life plan didn't turn out like you thought it would.
Your hopelessness can come from lack of self-care.
Stop worrying about what others think.

Follow Lesley on her Instagram page.

Subscribe and listen to her podcast : The New Old You

To increase hope and improve relationships with yourself and those that you love, check out The Hope Lady’s Facebook page – The Power of Hope and connect on Instagram – Hope is Powerful Podcast. 

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For more hope inspiration you can follow her posts on:

https://www.instagram.com/the.hope.lady
https://www.facebook.com/hopeispowerful

Rate and review this podcast to spread the hope to others who need to be reminded they can go from rock-bottom to the mountain top one step at a time.

Believing the Truth About Yourself

This episode is an interview with Stacy McCray, host of the Faithful Mom Boss Podcast. She shares insights into her experiences as a working Mom and how her faith brought her through tough seasons.

Takeaways:

Find your identity in who God says you are rather than lies you believe about who you think you should be.  

Be open to getting help from a therapist or counselor.  This is vital for mental health.

Rewire your thoughts to who God says you are rather than believing lies.

She describes the hollow feelings of depression and the dark place where she found herself.

When you push your feelings down it can be so important to take the next step.

Make room for one-on-one time with God and what fuels you.

Get moving so you can feel more alive.

Do something that empowers you.

Surround yourself with encouraging people.’

Self-care is not selfish; it is critical to take care of yourself.

You can do it all - just not at the same time. The Hope Lady

It takes discernment to know how to set boundaries with family and work.

Step back and pause when all seems to be crashing down on you.

Don’t go with the first feeling of fear - step back and ask for guidance.

Reframe what you think and reshape the negative patterns with the Word of God.

You can support and help others because of the dark places where you have traveled.

It is not what happens to you but rather how you respond to what happens

God is sovereign and will finish the work that He has started in you.

Hope has nothing to do with your feelings.

Be honest with God and how you are feelings because it opens your authenticity, vulnerability and work in you.

There is power in Scripture so your feelings will connect as you continue to say your.

You are not the only one going through this.

Thoughts can be felt without being real.

Karen's Instagram and Facebook page will provide more hope infusions.

You can follow Stacy on Instagram.

Listen to her podcast - Faithful Mom Boss: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faithful-mom-boss/id1600813841

Send a text

For more hope inspiration you can follow her posts on:

https://www.instagram.com/the.hope.lady
https://www.facebook.com/hopeispowerful

Rate and review this podcast to spread the hope to others who need to be reminded they can go from rock-bottom to the mountain top one step at a time.

Are you overwhelmed by your duties as a caregiver? Do you feel as if you're navigating through unchartered territory? Caring for the needs of a dependent loved one can be a long, sometimes frightening task—like rafting through deep canyons filled with treacherous whitewater rapids. Serving as a compassionate and seasoned guide, Karen Sebastian-Wirth equips you with hope to help you embrace and even enjoy the ride. You will discover practical ways to empower your loved one with honor and dignity. You can serve them well and complete the journey with no regrets.
Key Points:
Pray with gratitude for your temporary assignment
Prayers are powerful because to whom we pray understands what we're going through
Prayers are more effective when we releasing complaints birthed from fear

Additional Takeaways:
Prayers can be hindered by a sense of martyrdom so choose to view your assignment as a privilege and honor.
You always have a choice.
Thank the Lord for your temporary assignment.
When praying from your heart honor will begin.
You will always be prepared for what's coming next.
You will gain experience as you go.
Jesus was a caregiver as can be seen by His words on the cross to John to take care of Mary, his mother.
Turn your complaints into prayers of love and support.
Release all anger, bitterness and choose to speak loving words.
Choose to speak the language of love rather than of fear.
Prayer is your best friend.

For those who can't find the words to pray, here's sample wording:

1. Thank you Lord for this temporary assignment of caring for the needs of _______________. I am grateful I can be the one who has this privilege and I know I will miss this journey when it is complete. I choose to find joy every day and to rest in your grace and mercy.
2. Thank you Lord, that you've been through the caregiving journey. You've been tested. You've experienced the weariness I now feel. So Lord I'm going to walk right up to you and ask for strength today. I'm going to take your mercy and your help. Together we will get through this.
3. Lord, right now I'm hurting. I am angry and I know that behind that anger is the fear of what our future might look like. I can't carry this burden by myself. I trust You. I am going to embrace hope. This is a situation I never wanted to sign up for. Yet, here I am. Take my anger, my fear and replace it with love.


If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and review. You can get more hope encouragement in the following places:
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You can order The Power of Hope for Caregivers from this link:
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For more hope inspiration you can follow her posts on:

https://www.instagram.com/the.hope.lady
https://www.facebook.com/hopeispowerful

Rate and review this podcast to spread the hope to others who need to be reminded they can go from rock-bottom to the mountain top one step at a time.

In this episode Karen Sebastian-Wirth candidly shares a personal story of her struggles and victories as a caregiver.

There are some takeaways from this episode:

Choose hope instead of complaining because this only make the situation worse.

• You can choose your personal approach in hopeless situations.
• Choose a hope perspective because your caregiving journey will not last forever.
• You can gain a sense of purpose so you can know where you are in your journey
• Live the way God wants you to live and make that choice every day.
• You get to respond and set the atmosphere even when circumstances are not what you wish they were.
• Hope says, "I'm going to choose the paddle of honor for the caregiving journey - it's rough AND an adventure."
• Honor means respect and favorable regard.
• Recognize the role of this person in your life and honor their position in your family.
• You can change the legacy and the direction of your family.
• Rewrite the end of the story of your family through honor.
• You get to change the atmosphere and decide which way your life goes.
• Establish the tone and change the atmosphere with peace, abundance and hope.
• Let go of the role of a martyr as you make the decision to be a Hope Ambassador. 

HOPE Tools
You are stronger than you think you are.

1. Choose to be a Hope Ambassador
2. Choose to learn
3. Choose to laugh

Honor Key
Honor the one you care for because of who they are (not what they do or have done), and trust God to work out the details.

Hope Expressions
The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are not at all troublesome. 1 John 5:3 (MSG)

Send a text

For more hope inspiration you can follow her posts on:

https://www.instagram.com/the.hope.lady
https://www.facebook.com/hopeispowerful

Rate and review this podcast to spread the hope to others who need to be reminded they can go from rock-bottom to the mountain top one step at a time.

In this episode, Karen takes a deep dive into the Biblical perspective of the number two in Scripture. Here are a few of the nuggets she shares:

Proverbs 10:22 - Our verse and word for year.
The blessing of the Lord makes one rich and He adds to sorrow! (King James Version)
True enrichment comes from the blessing of the Lord, with rest and contentment in knowing that it all comes from him. (The Passion Translation)

The Biblical meaning of two is - faithful witness or double testimony.
These two witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord God of the whole earth. - Revelation 1:14 (TPT)

Throughout Scriptures there are many instances of the expression "out of the mouth of two or three witnesses." This indicates the awesome power of what we say and agreeing regarding anything.

Old Testament

On the 2nd day of creation God created the sky or the firmament. The sky's the limit.

Genesis 2:22 - God created woman.

Exodus 2:22 - Moses is born and is the second son.

Psalm 22:2 - I will declare your name. I will praise you.

The 222nd verse of the Bible is Genesis 9:16 where God gives the promise of the rainbow. You have a good future filled with variety and beauty.

Daniel 22:2 - God reveals the deep and hidden things. He knows what is in the darkness and the light dwells with him.

New Testament

Jesus says that is two or three are gathered in His name - He right there. There is no limit to the power of agreement.

The disciples were sent two by two.

There are 22 epistles.

Acts 2:22 is the only verse in the Bible that has these three words: Signs|Miracles|Wonders.

The book of Revelation has 22 chapters.






Follow Karen on the following:

Website: https://www.karensebastian.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeispowerfulpodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeispowerful

Send a text

For more hope inspiration you can follow her posts on:

https://www.instagram.com/the.hope.lady
https://www.facebook.com/hopeispowerful

Rate and review this podcast to spread the hope to others who need to be reminded they can go from rock-bottom to the mountain top one step at a time.

Karen Sebastian-Wirth is affectionately known as The Hope Lady. In this episode, John Chao interviews her and she shares her heart about her journey and the experiences that brought the depth of hope into her life.

Takeaways:
When you look for negatives you will find them. Switch them around by focusing on what is positive.
On your darkest days you can look up for hope rays. God will always be faithful to provide them.
If you are feeling hopeless, know that you can make a different choice even if the circumstances do not change.
Delay is often in the timing of God's plan so don't get discouraged if you are in a waiting room.
God uses every circumstance for His glory and in His plan for our good.
Sometimes the thing we want most can interfere with God's plan.
You can always choose hope - a confident expectation of a good outcome no matter what you are going through right now.
God always has a plan.
Focus on your own decision to choose to be a Hope Ambassador and take hope into dark places.
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you. Plans for good and not for evil to give you a future and a hope.

She is interviewed by John Chao who hosts The John Collective podcast.
You can find out more at https://www.thejohncollective.com.
He is on Instagram at: instagram/thejohncollective

For more hope inspiration you can follow her posts on:

https://www.instagram.com/the.hope.lady
https://www.facebook.com/hopeispowerful

Send a text

For more hope inspiration you can follow her posts on:

https://www.instagram.com/the.hope.lady
https://www.facebook.com/hopeispowerful

Rate and review this podcast to spread the hope to others who need to be reminded they can go from rock-bottom to the mountain top one step at a time.

Hello! This is the Hope is Powerful Podcast. I’m your host Karen Sebastian-Wirth affectionately known as The Hope Lady. 

 I haven’t always been known as The Hope Lady. In fact, at one point, the only way I helped others was that they felt better about their lives after hearing me complain about my problems. That all changed when I faced a serious health challenge and realized that the only one I could change in my dark place was me. A serious look in the mirror brought about a decision to become the most positive person in the room. That decision changed my life.

 This podcast is about hope – and not the wishy-washy kind where you cross your fingers and weakly say… I hope everything turns out okay… This is powerful HOPE that admits that even through right now this situation is tough it WILL get better and your hope quotient will grow. 

 You can expect to hear from me every week. I will also invite guests who have stories to share about how in their darkest moments they found a reason to keep going.

 I started this podcast because after my first husband died, I wanted to give up, yet somehow at my lowest points I would look up at the dark clouds swirling above me to discover glorious hope rays piercing the darkness. 

 You will gain a hope mindset that allows you to objectively face where you are now AND says I WILL get through this. Hope empowers you to come out on the other side stronger and able to reach back to someone who is at their rock bottom. 

https://www.instagram.com/hopeispowerfulpodcast
https://www.facebook.com/thepowerofhope
https://www.karensebastian.com

Send a text

For more hope inspiration you can follow her posts on:

https://www.instagram.com/the.hope.lady
https://www.facebook.com/hopeispowerful

Rate and review this podcast to spread the hope to others who need to be reminded they can go from rock-bottom to the mountain top one step at a time.