On paper, Christa Black Gifford’s resume appears quite impressive by the world’s standards.
Touring as a musician for over a decade with artists like The Jonas Brothers and Michael W. Smith, her songs have sold millions of copies, recorded by American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, Kim Walker-Smith of Jesus Culture, Bethel Music, Kari Jobe, and Michael W. Smith. In 2012 and 2013, she had her first #1 hit as a songwriter when Passions version of One Thing Remains topped the radio charts. Christa has shared the Women of Faith Revolve Tour platform with speakers like Christine Caine and Lisa Bevere, releasing two books, Heart Made Whole and God Loves Ugly, and her articles have been featured in the ‘Best Of’ section on The Huffington Post.
But what she does and how she does it mean nothing without understanding why. Christa has experienced agonizing levels of pain. And she believes that no one should ever experience pain alone.
Early sexual trauma and the aftermath that come with it, eating disorders, substance abuse, rejection, betrayal, depression, and losing her infant daughter, Christa’s heart has been smashed repeatedly by the normal punches of life. But after years of dealing with heart-pain incorrectly (by trying to hide it, numb it, quote scripture at it, or ignore it), she discovered that pain doesn’t go away with time, religion, striving, or denial.
All inner pain must be faced, embraced, and surrendered into an experience with Love.
Every day, Christa releases content that spans the globe, providing resources for those broken by the traumas of life, teaching practical steps towards inner healing and giving support and encouragement for the journey. Her most popular works are her two books. The first, entitled God Loves Ugly (and the correlating study guide), were written specifically for those who can’t seem to see past their past, struggling with self-hatred, insecurity, and the destructive behaviors that come with it.
Her newest work Heart Made Whole (hitting #1 on two categories on Amazon), was written after the death of her daughter Goldie. Christa chronicled her own journey out of the hell of death, teaching the broken hearted how to take their unhealed pain, dive into their hearts, find God in the midst of brokenness, and see pain transform into greatest strength.
In today's episode I sit down with Christa as we discuss:
- Being brave, leaving everything behind to follow your dreams and calling.
- Embracing and loving your true feminine self.
- The power of your feminine nature and how to experience wholeness and authentic love as a woman.
- Healing and processing pain with God and finding strength on the other side of trauma. (Christa discusses the loss of her daughter Goldie and her ongoing healing process)
- Emotional health body, soul and spirit.
- Waking up, thinking for our ourselves, and developing our sense of self as a christian woman.
- Becoming like Christ through the cyclical nature of being a woman.
You can follow Christa here on instagram @christablackgifford
and @the.whole.woman
Join the Make Your Passion Pay You Community here https://www.facebook.com/groups/makeyourpassionpayyou/
PASSIONISTA PODCAST SHOW NOTES:
lindseynadler.com/podcast