Are you struggling with what other people think about you, questioning your worth, or allowing your past to define who you are? Learning how to see yourself the way God sees you can help you stop seeking validation, overcome fear and self-doubt, and confidently walk in your God-given purpose.

In this episode of the Rise to Freedom Podcast, Cecilia Columbus continues the conversation from Luke 7 and the woman with the alabaster box. Last week, we talked about how to come to Jesus when you don’t feel worthy. This week, we’re taking the conversation one step further.

What if the woman in Luke 7 had allowed the Pharisee’s opinion of her, her reputation, or her own fear to stop her from walking into the room?

Sometimes we do the same thing. We allow other people’s opinions, our past mistakes, fear of rejection, or feelings of inadequacy to influence decisions that should be made from a place of faith instead of fear.

In this episode, you’ll discover how to:

• Recognize when you’re making decisions from fear instead of faith
• Stop allowing other people’s opinions to define you
• See yourself through the truth of who God says you are
• Stop waiting for validation or permission from other people
• Take your next faithful step toward your God-given purpose

Your past didn’t surprise God. Your mistakes don’t have to define your future. And someone else’s opinion of you doesn’t get the final word over who God is calling you to become.

One Step Closer to Freedom:
Ask yourself: If fear wasn’t making this decision, what would faith do?

Sit with that question this week. Your answer may reveal the next step you’ve been afraid to take.

Continue Your Journey

If you’re ready to go deeper in your journey of healing, forgiveness, and freedom, read Cecilia Columbus’ book, Breaking the Chains: Finding Healing, Forgiveness, and Freedom in God.

Get Breaking the Chains on Amazon⁠

For more encouragement and resources, visit:

Freedom Encourages⁠

Connect with Cecilia:
📧 [email protected]

If this episode encouraged you, follow the Rise to Freedom Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with another woman who may be allowing fear, her past, or other people’s opinions to keep her from becoming who God is calling her to be.

God has already given you everything you need to rise, flaws and all.

Have you ever wondered if you’ve made too many mistakes for Jesus to love you?

In this episode of the Rise to Freedom Podcast, Cecilia Columbus shares a heartfelt reflection from Luke 7 and the story of the woman with the alabaster box (alabaster jar) to answer an important question:

How do you come to Jesus when you don’t feel worthy?

If shame, guilt, regret, or your past has made you feel like you’re too far gone for God’s love, this episode is for you. Through Scripture and her own personal testimony, Cecilia shares how she once believed she had to clean up her life before coming to Christ—and how Luke 7 revealed the truth: Jesus already knows your past, yet He still invites you to come.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How to come to Jesus when you don’t feel worthy
• What the woman with the alabaster box teaches us about grace and forgiveness
• Why shame is one of the biggest obstacles to experiencing God’s love
• Three practical steps to stop letting shame keep you from Jesus
• How to embrace God’s mercy, forgiveness, and purpose for your life

If this episode encourages you, visit FreedomEncourages.com to learn more about the Rise to Freedom mission and explore Cecilia’s book, Breaking the Chains: Finding Healing, Forgiveness, and Freedom in God.

If this message speaks to you, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that it’s never too late to come to Jesus.

🎁 FREE DOWNLOAD: How to Stop Shrinking Back
If fear, self-doubt, or past disappointments have been keeping you stuck, download your free workbook here:
 https://FreedomEncourages.com

Have you ever found yourself living from yesterday’s storm?

In this episode of the Rise to Freedom Podcast, Cecilia Columbus shares a powerful lesson God taught her through a series of Florida storms. What began as an ordinary week became a reminder that our perspective can change everything.

If you’ve been struggling with fear, regret, disappointment, church hurt, shame, or wondering if you’ve missed God’s purpose, this episode will encourage you to stop building your identity around a season God is already moving you through.

Together we’ll explore:

• Why some storms never reach us
• How fear causes us to expect the worst
• What Jesus teaches us in Mark 4 about trusting God in the middle of life’s storms
• How to stop allowing yesterday’s pain to define today’s purpose

Freedom Moment:
“Don’t build your identity around a season God is already moving you through.”

If this episode encouraged you, please follow the podcast, leave a 5-star review, and share it with a woman who needs this reminder today.

📖 Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

🌐 Website: FreedomEncourages.com

📚 Book: Breaking the Chains: Finding Healing, Forgiveness, and Freedom in God

Download your free workbook at FreedomEncourages.com and begin taking your next step toward freedom.

Have you ever been disappointed with God over something He never actually promised?

In this special birthday reflection, I share one of the greatest lessons God has been teaching me: stop attaching your expectations to something God never said.

We’ll talk about fear, purpose, healing, open doors, and learning to recognize the difference between God’s voice and everyone else’s. If you’ve ever questioned God’s timing, struggled with unmet expectations, or wondered if fear has kept you from saying yes to opportunities God placed before you, this episode is for you.

In this episode you’ll discover:

• Why fear can cause us to reject the very opportunities we’ve prayed for.
• How to stop measuring your life by someone else’s timeline.
• Why healing changes the way you think and respond.
• How to recognize God’s voice above culture, opinions, and fear.
• The one lesson I’m taking with me into my 46th year.

Key Quote:
“Stop attaching your expectations to something God never said.”

If this episode encouraged you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs this reminder today.

Ready to take your next step toward freedom? Download my FREE workbook, It’s Time to Stop Shrinking Back, at FreedomEncourages.com. You’ll also find additional tools and resources designed to help you move from feeling stuck to walking confidently in your God-given purpose.

Have you ever asked God, “What is my purpose?” What if you aren’t missing your purpose at all? What if you’ve simply stopped using the gifts God already placed inside of you because of hurt, disappointment, rejection, or fear?

In this episode of the Rise to Freedom Podcast, Cecilia Columbus shares a personal story about rediscovering gifts she laid down after experiencing pain and brokenness. Through the story of Moses and God’s question, “What is that in your hand?”, you’ll discover that your purpose isn’t found by waiting for another sign. It’s revealed as you faithfully use the gifts God has already given you.

If you’ve been wondering how to find your purpose, questioning your calling, or struggling to use your God-given gifts after disappointment, this episode will encourage you to take one faithful step toward freedom.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
• How to find your purpose using the gifts God already gave you
• Why hurt and rejection can cause you to stop using your gifts
• What Moses teaches us about purpose, obedience, and faith
• Why your gifts were given to glorify God, not to earn people’s approval
• One practical step you can take this week to begin using your gifts again

If this episode encouraged you, be sure to follow the Rise to Freedom Podcast, leave a review, and share it with another woman who’s ready to stop shrinking back and start walking confidently in her God-given purpose.

📖 Download your FREE healing workbook, It’s Time to Stop Shrinking Back, at FreedomEncourages.com

Have you ever wondered why you’re still hurting even after you’ve prayed, forgiven, or tried to move on?

In this episode of the Rise to Freedom Podcast, Cecilia Columbus shares how to rest while God is healing you and why healing can’t be rushed. If you’ve been trying to stay busy, searching for answers, or looking for healing in relationships, success, or distractions, this episode will encourage you to trust God’s timing and surrender the process to Him.

You’ll discover:
 • How to rest while God is healing you
 • Why healing is a process, not an event
 • How to stop looking for healing in all the wrong places
 • What Matthew 11:28 teaches about finding rest in Christ
 • One practical step to trust God while you’re healing

If this episode encouraged you, follow the Rise to Freedom Podcast, leave a review, and share it with another woman who needs hope on her healing journey.

#ChristianPodcast #HealingJourney #RestInGod #FaithBasedHealing #EmotionalHealing #WomenOfFaith #TrustGod #ChristianEncouragement #RiseToFreedom #HealingProcess

📖 Download your FREE workbook, It’s Time to Stop Shrinking Back: FreedomEncourages.com

Have you ever walked away from a relationship, friendship, or painful situation only to find yourself going back again and again?

In this episode of the Rise to Freedom Podcast, Cecilia Columbus shares how to stop reopening old wounds, protect your healing, set healthy boundaries, and trust God through the healing process. If you’re struggling with emotional healing, toxic relationships, forgiveness, church hurt, or learning to let go, this episode will encourage you to take your next step toward freedom.

You’ll discover:
 • Why healing is a series of decisions, not a one-time event
 • How to stop reopening emotional wounds
 • Why boundaries are an important part of healing
 • One practical step to protect your peace and move forward with God

If this episode encouraged you, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs hope today.

#ChristianPodcast #HealingJourney #EmotionalHealing #ProtectYourPeace #FaithBasedHealing #Forgiveness #Boundaries #RiseToFreedom #WomenOfFaith #PersonalGrowth

Download your FREE faith-based workbook, It’s Time to Stop Shrinking Back, at FreedomEncourages.com and take your first step toward healing, freedom, and God’s purpose for your life.

Have you been waiting for an apology, closure, or for someone to acknowledge the pain you’ve been carrying?

In this episode of the Rise to Freedom Podcast, Cecilia Columbus shares her personal journey of healing from toxic relationships and explains why healing doesn’t begin when someone else says they’re sorry. It begins when you give yourself permission to heal.

If you’ve struggled with rejection, shame, church hurt, people-pleasing, self-doubt, or feeling stuck in your past, this episode is for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
 • Why waiting for an apology can keep you stuck.
 • How to give yourself permission to heal.
 • One practical step you can take today to begin moving forward.

Freedom Nugget:
“Healing doesn’t start when they apologize. Healing starts when you give yourself permission to heal.”

If this episode encouraged you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another woman who needs this message.

#ChristianPodcast #HealingJourney #Forgiveness #WomenOfFaith #PeoplePleasing #EmotionalHealing #Purpose #RiseToFreedomPodcast

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE WORKBOOK:
 FreedomEncourages.com

If you’re struggling with shame, guilt, unforgiveness, self-doubt, fear, comparison, or feeling stuck in your past, download the free workbook designed to help you take your next step toward healing, freedom, and purpose.

Do you ever feel like everyone else is moving ahead while you’re standing still?

In this episode of the Rise to Freedom Podcast, Cecilia Columbus shares a personal reflection on comparison, purpose, healing, self-doubt, and trusting God’s timing when it feels like everyone else is getting ahead.

For years, Cecilia quietly carried the belief that she was behind. Behind in business. Behind in writing. Behind in ministry. Behind in life.

But what if you’re not actually behind?

What if God is preparing you for the very thing you’ve been praying for?

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why comparison often makes us feel behind in life
 • How comparing your struggles to someone else’s success steals your peace
 • Why you don’t know the full story behind another person’s success
 • The truth about God’s timing and your unique journey
 • How comparison can blind you to your own growth and healing
 • Why preparation often comes before promotion
 • How to recognize the progress God has already made in your life
 • Practical ways to stop measuring your life against someone else’s timeline

This Freedom Friday: A Moment to Rise episode is designed to encourage Christian women who are healing, growing, rebuilding, and learning how to walk confidently in their God-given purpose.

If you’ve ever wondered:

“Why is it taking me so long?”
 “Why do I feel behind?”
 “Why does everyone else seem ahead of me?”

This episode is for you.

Connect with Cecilia Columbus:
 FreedomEncourages.com

#RiseToFreedomPodcast #FreedomFriday #Comparison #GodsTiming #ChristianWomen #HealingJourney #Purpose #SelfDoubt #FaithOverFear #PersonalGrowth #WomenOfFaith #ChristianEncouragement #CeciliaColumbus #FreedomEncourages

Download your free workbook at FreedomEncourages.com

Have you ever talked yourself out of something before anyone else had the chance to?

In this episode of the Rise to Freedom Podcast, Cecilia Columbus shares a powerful conversation about fear, self-doubt, obedience, and the opportunities we often walk away from before giving ourselves a chance.

Whether it’s applying for a job, starting a business, writing a book, accepting a speaking opportunity, going live, or stepping into a new season, many of us have talked ourselves out of things that God may have placed on our hearts.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why fear often sounds reasonable
 • The difference between fear and discernment
 • How self-doubt keeps us stuck
 • Why confidence often comes after obedience
 • How to recognize when you’re talking yourself out of your next step
 • What it means to trust God even when you’re nervous

If you’ve ever found yourself saying:

“I’m not ready.”

“Maybe later.”

“What if I fail?”

“What if I’m not good enough?”

This episode is for you.

🎙️ Subscribe to the Rise to Freedom Podcast for weekly faith-based encouragement, healing, purpose, forgiveness, personal growth, and freedom.

#ChristianPodcast #FaithOverFear #SelfDoubt #Purpose #ChristianWomen #WomenOfFaith #PersonalGrowth #HealingJourney #RiseToFreedomPodcast #ObedienceToGod