That's Just What I Needed Podcast

Do you ever feel like you're doing all the right things for God but still feel disconnected from Him?

My guest, author and podcast host Jeanine Amapola Ward, knows what it's like to chase success, check all the Christian boxes, and still feel spiritually empty. In this conversation, Janine shares how a season of heartbreak and burnout led her to discover what it really means to abide in Jesus.

We talk about practical ways to stay connected to God throughout your day, why knowing Jesus matters more than religious performance, and how to trust Him even when life doesn't make sense.

If you're tired of striving, this conversation is for you!

Remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones or on my website at www.donnajones.org. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

Xo,

Donna

Key Takeaways:

0:02:31 - A YouTube Hobby Becomes a Calling

0:04:02 - Abide Means Stay Connected

0:07:31 - From Striving to Surrender

0:11:30 - Make Everyday Moments Checkpoints with God

0:20:08 - Jesus Meets Us in Grief

What We Talk About

• How Jeanine's journey as a social media influencer led to a deeper relationship with Jesus
• What it means to abide in Christ according to John 15
• The difference between performing for God and living in relationship with Him
• Simple ways to stay connected to Jesus during busy seasons
• Why spiritual growth is a lifelong journey, not a finish line
• How heartbreak, isolation, and burnout can reveal where we've placed our identity
• The comforting and challenging characteristics of Jesus
• Finding God's presence in grief and unanswered prayers
• Why surrendering control can replace anxiety with peace
• Jeanine's 40-day devotional, The Abiding Way, and how it helps women know Jesus more deeply

The Abiding Way: Four Practices for Staying Connected to Jesus

Janine shares practical ways to make abiding in Christ part of everyday life:

1. Remain in God's Word. Start with John 15 and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what it means to stay connected to Jesus.
2. Create daily connection points. Talk to God throughout your day. Invite Him into your decisions, responsibilities, and relationships instead of limiting your time with Him to a morning devotional.
3. Examine your heart and actions. Regularly ask yourself:

Does this honor Jesus?

Does this help me bear fruit?

Does this make me more like Him?

1. Choose surrender over striving. Trust God's character and His leading, even when circumstances are difficult or the outcome isn't what you hoped for.

The goal isn't to follow a perfect spiritual routine. It's to cultivate a lifelong relationship with Jesus, one faithful step at a time.

Donna’s Resources:

Order a copy of my latest book - 

Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. 

It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon. 

If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.

It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their faith.

Connect with Jeanine: 

The Abiding Way: https://www.amazon.com/ABIDING-WAY-Gospel-Forty-Faith/dp/0557781388/ref=sr_1_2

Happy & Healthy Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/HappyandHealthyPodcast

Jeanine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanineamapola

Let’s Connect:

Instagram: @donnaajones    

Website: www.donnajones.org    

Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever stopped to think about who your pastor turns to when life gets hard? Ministry leaders carry the struggles of others while often facing pressures, expectations, and challenges of their own. This can have a ripple effect on you, the person in the pew: Healthy ministry leaders → healthier churches → stronger communities of believers → greater impact for God’s Kingdom. But the reverse is also true: unhealthy ministry leaders ultimately produce unhealthy churches with less impact for God’s Kingdom. 

My guest, Joanne Beckwith, spent 45 years as a pastor’s wife and now serves with Standing Stone Ministry, where she and her husband Dave, come alongside pastors, spouses, and ministry leaders, to  “shepherd the shepherds”.  In this conversation, Joanne gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the realities ministry families face and shares simple, practical ways we can support them. You don’t have to be in ministry for this episode to matter. If you’re part of a church, there’s something here for you.

Fun Fact: Did you know that October is “Pastor “Appreciation” month?

Remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones or on my website at www.donnajones.org. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

Xo,

Donna

Key Takeaways:

0:03:30 - A Lifeline for Ministry Leaders

0:05:33 - Support Beyond the Retreat

0:10:30 - Confidential Care Can Restore

0:14:47 - Trade Expectations for Encouragement

0:25:05 - Small Acts Make a Big Difference

What We Talk About

• How Standing Stone Ministry began and why it exists
• Why pastors and ministry leaders need confidential support
• The emotional and spiritual pressures that come with ministry
• Unrealistic expectations placed on pastors and their families
• Why pastors’ spouses and children need our prayers too
• The difference encouragement and affirmation can make
• How Standing Stone provides support at no cost to ministry leaders
• Practical ways church members can encourage their pastors
• Why investing in healthy ministry leaders strengthens the entire church

Three Simple Ways to Support Your Pastor and Ministry Leaders

1. Pray for them.

Pray not only for your pastor, but also for their spouse and children. Ministry families face real-life struggles just like everyone else.

1. Encourage them specifically.

Write a note. Tell them what you appreciate. Thank them for the ways their ministry has impacted your life. A little affirmation can go a long way.

1. Give them grace.

Take your pastor off the pedestal. Don’t expect one person to meet everyone’s idea of what a pastor should be. Allow them the freedom to follow God’s calling rather than trying to meet impossible expectations.

The Ripple Effect:

Healthy ministry leaders → healthier churches → stronger communities of believers → greater impact for God’s Kingdom.

Donna’s Resources:

Order a copy of my latest book - 

Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. 

It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon. 

If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.

It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their faith.

Connect with Joanne:

Standing Stone Ministry Website: www.standingstoneministry.org

Let’s Connect:

Instagram: @donnaajones    

Website: www.donnajones.org    

Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever walked away from a moment and thought, Why did I say that? Why did I act that way? Stress, fear, and overwhelming circumstances can affect us more than we realize. And surprisingly, David knew exactly what that felt like.

In this episode, I’m unpacking Psalm 34 and the very relatable story behind it. We’ll talk about what David did when life became overwhelming, why seeking God is different from simply seeking relief, and how God meets us without shame, even when we haven’t handled things perfectly. If life feels a little crazy right now, Psalm 34 offers practical truth, hope, and a way forward.

Remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones or on my website at www.donnajones.org. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

Xo,

Donna

Key Takeaways:

0:01:55 - When Life Makes You Crazy: Even David Lost It 

0:07:55 - Seek the Lord, Not the Rescue: He Does the Delivering 

0:08:50 - Deliverance Is a Birth, Not Amazon Prime 

0:10:10 - Radiant, Not Ashamed: God Convicts but Never Shames 

0:12:30 - Jesus Camps Around You: Taste and See That He's Good

What We Talk About

• The surprising backstory behind Psalm 34
• Why David fled into enemy territory and pretended to be insane
• What David did after fear and circumstances got the best of him
• The difference between seeking deliverance and seeking the Lord
• Why God’s deliverance can take time
• How to recognize the difference between conviction and shame
• What it means to look to God and become “radiant”
• Why desperation can lead us into deeper prayer
• What “taste and see that the Lord is good” looks like in real life
• Using Psalm 34 as a go-to passage when life feels overwhelming

What to Do When Life Makes You Feel a Little Crazy

1. Seek the Lord.

David didn’t say he sought deliverance, he said he sought the Lord, and the Lord delivered him from his fears.

1. Trust the process.

Deliverance isn’t always like Amazon Prime. Sometimes it’s more like delivering a baby, it develops over time. Just because you don’t see immediate change doesn’t mean God isn’t working.

1. Look to God instead of looking at your shame.

God convicts us, but He doesn’t shame us. When we turn our eyes toward Him, we’re reminded of His love, acceptance, and help.

1. Pray when you’re desperate.

You don’t have to wait until you have it all together to pray. Desperation can be the very thing that drives you to seek God.

1. Take refuge in Him.

Don’t just know about God’s goodness. “Taste and see” it for yourself by experiencing His presence and trusting Him in the middle of what you’re facing.

Donna’s Resources:

Order a copy of my latest book - 

Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. 

It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon. 

If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.

It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their faith.

Let’s Connect:

Instagram: @donnaajones    

Website: www.donnajones.org    

Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We all want God’s blessing but what does it actually mean to be blessed? And how do we experience more of it in our everyday lives?

In this short and personal episode, I’m sharing something from Psalm 1 that has been changing the way I think about God’s Word. We’ll talk about what it really means to meditate on Scripture (it might not mean what you think!), and how speaking God’s truth to yourself can replace worry with peace, fear with courage, confusion with direction, and weariness with endurance. If you’ve ever struggled to delight in God’s Word, this practical shift might be exactly what you need.

Remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones or on my website at www.donnajones.org. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

Xo,

Donna

Key Takeaways:

0:00:42 - Hashtag Blessed: What Does It Actually Mean?

0:02:30 - Psalm 1: The Word of God Paves the Path to Blessing

0:04:15 - Delight Means Pleasure: Why Scripture Feels Boring

0:06:20 - Meditate Means Mutter, Not Woo-Woo

0:11:40 - Five Minutes a Day: Start Reading, Then Memorize

What We Talk About

• What it really means to be “blessed” by God
• Why Psalm 1 connects blessing with delighting in God’s Word
• How Scripture provides guardrails for everyday life
• What the Bible means when it tells us to “meditate” on God’s Word
• Why speaking Scripture out loud can be so practical and powerful
• Using God’s Word when you’re dealing with worry, fear, anger, confusion, or discouragement
• Simple ways to become more immersed in Scripture
• How to start small if Bible reading has felt difficult or overwhelming

5 Ways to Get God’s Word Into Your Life

1. Read it.

Spend time actually reading the Bible even if you begin with just five minutes a day.

1. Hear it.

Listen to Scripture through church, sermons, Bible teaching, or audio.

1. Memorize it.

Choose verses you can recall when you need God’s truth in a real-life situation.

1. Apply it.

Don’t stop at knowing what Scripture says. Put it into practice in your everyday life.

1. Meditate on it.

Speak God’s truth to yourself. Mutter it under your breath. Bring it to mind when worry, fear, anger, confusion, or discouragement creeps in.

The goal isn’t simply to know more Scripture, it’s to allow God’s Word to shape how we actually live.

Donna’s Resources:

Order a copy of my latest book - 

Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. 

It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon. 

If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.

It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their faith.

Let’s Connect:

Instagram: @donnaajones    

Website: www.donnajones.org    

Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever wanted to pray with more confidence but wondered if you were doing it “right”? Or maybe you’re walking through a transition or watching someone you love struggle through one and you’re tempted to step in and fix everything.

Today, I’m talking with someone very special to me: my daughter, Ashton Jones Weber. Ashton shares how leaving home for college deepened her faith, transformed her prayer life, and taught her to depend on God in a whole new way. We talk about why hard seasons can actually grow us, how to pray Scripture when you don’t know what to say, and why your prayers matter more than you may realize.

Remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones or on my website at www.donnajones.org. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

Xo,

Donna

Key Takeaways:

0:00:02 - Formed by Prayer: Ashton's Story Begins

0:04:27 - From Fasting to a Decision

0:09:36 - Transition as Formation, Not Something to Be Rescued From

0:12:21 - The Bench, the Bible, and a Stranger's Invitation

0:18:50 - Taking the Pressure Off Prayer

What We Talk About

• How transitions can deepen our relationship with God
• What our children learn by watching how we handle decisions, prayer, and faith
• Why helping someone through a struggle can be better than rescuing them from it
• Ashton’s lonely first day of college—and the simple decision that changed everything
• Why prayer doesn’t have to sound polished or perfect
• How a 21-day season of prayer and fasting transformed Ashton’s prayer life
• Practical ways to begin praying Scripture
• How to personalize Romans 8 when praying for yourself or someone you love
• Ashton’s “boxing coach” analogy for listening to God’s truth
• What it means to pray with confidence and authority in Christ
• Why we need people around us who elevate our faith and expectation

Praying Scripture: Let God’s Word Guide Your Prayers

When you don’t know what to pray, you don’t have to invent the perfect words. Start with what God has already said.

1. Choose a passage of Scripture.

Romans 8, Psalm 139, and Ephesians are great places to begin.

1. Make it personal.

Put your name—or the name of someone you love—into the truth you’re reading.

1. Turn the truth into a prayer.

For example, Romans 8 says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Pray that truth over yourself or someone you love, asking God to replace shame, fear, or defeat with the truth of their identity in Christ.

1. Believe what you’re praying.

Let Scripture—not your circumstances, feelings, or the voices around you—shape what you believe.

The Boxing Coach Picture

Think of life like rounds in a boxing match. When you’re tired and catching your breath between rounds, don’t listen to the crowd. Listen to your Coach.

Romans 8 reminds us:

You are not condemned.

You are victorious in Christ.

Nothing can separate you from God’s love.

You don’t have to live controlled by fear.

Life and peace are found in walking by the Spirit.

Take those truths into your next round.

Donna’s Resources:

Order a copy of my latest book - 

Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. 

It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon. 

If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.

It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their faith.

Let’s Connect:

Instagram: @donnaajones    

Website: www.donnajones.org    

Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We’re all being formed by something. The question is: Are the things shaping us making us more like Jesus? In this conversation with Monica Ritchie, author of Fashioned by Faith, we talk about how simple spiritual practices like prayer, fasting, Scripture, rest, and community can deepen our relationship with God. Monica shares practical ways to make these disciplines part of real life, not as another spiritual checklist, but as space for God to transform us. We also talk about social media’s influence, letting go of control, wrestling honestly with God, and learning to trust Him even when we don’t have all the answers.

Remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones or on my website at www.donnajones.org. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

Xo,

Donna

Key Takeaways:

0:00:02 - Fashioned by Faith: Monica’s Story Begins

0:02:30 - From Fashion Influencer to Seminary

0:07:10 - Social Media as a Forming Force

0:17:45 - Spiritual Disciplines as Whole-Person Formation

0:32:20 - Fasting, Control, and Trusting God in the “No”

What We Talk About

• How social media and algorithms quietly shape us
• What spiritual disciplines are and why they matter
• Bringing our head, heart, and whole self into our relationship with God
• Practical ways to deepen your prayer life
• Monica’s “wandering prayer” practice
• Why fasting is about more than giving up food
• Monica’s three-month “no-buy” fast and what it taught her about trust
• Letting go of control and making room for God to provide
• Practicing spiritual disciplines without shame or perfectionism
• Why spiritual formation requires endurance rather than quick fixes
• How our spiritual practices can change with different seasons of life
• Why wrestling with God can be part of a healthy, growing faith
• Learning to live with unanswered questions while trusting God

Spiritual Formation Starts with What Is Forming You

Monica reminds us that we are always being shaped by what we repeatedly give our time and attention to. Instead of allowing our culture or our social media feed to do that work without our awareness, we can intentionally create rhythms that form us into greater Christlikeness.

Some of the practices Monica highlights include:

• Prayer
• Fasting
• Scripture
• Rest
• Community
• Lament
• Mystery, wonder, and wrestling well with God

The goal isn’t to do every discipline perfectly or even to do them all at once. The goal is to practice them from a place of knowing we are already loved by God and allow Him to transform us over time.

The reminder I love: Spiritual formation is less about a quick fix and more about endurance faithfully turning toward God again and again.

Donna’s Resources:

Order a copy of my latest book - 

Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. 

It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon. 

If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.

It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their faith.

Connect with Monica:

Monica’s Website :https://monicaritchie.com/

Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmonicaritchie/

Let’s Connect:

Instagram: @donnaajones    

Website: www.donnajones.org    

Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What do you do when you’re grieving, but no one has died? Maybe it’s the loss of a marriage, a relationship, a dream for your child, your health, or simply the life you thought you’d have. In this conversation with therapist, speaker, and author Nicole Langman, we talk about how to recognize and process the losses we don’t always call grief. Nicole shares practical ways to stop unhealthy thought spirals, make space for honest emotions, and keep trusting God when life hurts. If you’re carrying a story you never would have chosen, I hope this conversation reminds you that grief and hope can exist at the same time and God is still at work.

And that He loves you deeply, no matter how things look right now.

This is a conversation you don’t want to miss and you will definitely want to share.

Remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones or on my website at www.donnajones.org. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

Xo,

Donna

Key Takeaways:

0:03:14 - Naming Hidden Grief

0:04:38 -What Nicole learned from responses to the death of her marriage versus the death of her mom. 

0:11:42 - How to Grieve Losses No One Sees (free advice from a therapist who's been there!)

0:16:09 - Carrying Scars, Not Open Wounds

0:23:09 - Breaking Rumination with Simple Habits

What We Talk About

• Why we can grieve even when no one has died
• Nicole’s experience with betrayal and the loss of the life she expected
• Why certain types of grief can feel invisible
• Divorce, infertility, health crisis, job loss, estrangement, addiction, mental health struggles, disability, prodigal children and other life-altering losses
• Why comparing or minimizing grief keeps us from healing
• How to support someone when you don’t know what to say
• The difference between healthy grieving and unhealthy rumination
• How grief can become part of our identity
• Practical ways to interrupt negative thought spirals
• Why where we put our focus matters
• Trusting God when we’re hurt by what He allowed
• Moving from asking “Why?” to asking, “What now?”
• How grief can become a scar instead of an open wound
• Holding grief and hope at the same time

Nicole’s Practical Path Through Grief

1. Pray honestly.

Bring the real hurt to God—even when all you can say is, “God, help.”

1. Name the loss.

Ask yourself: What exactly hurts so much? What did I lose? What story did I think I would have?

1. Face it instead of running from it.

Grief is messy and rarely linear. Give yourself permission to do the work instead of rushing yourself to “get over it.”

1. Notice your thought patterns.

Ask: Does this thinking heal me or hurt me? Help me or harm me? Move me toward God and the person I want to become—or away from them?

1. Interrupt unhealthy rumination.

Move your body, engage your senses, listen to worship music, write Scripture, or call a healthy friend who can help redirect your focus.

1. Ask, “What would my future self want me to do right now?”

Choose the action that moves you toward healing, even when it isn’t what you feel like doing.

1. Move from “Why?” to “What now?”

You may never receive an answer that makes the loss make sense. Instead, ask God how He wants to meet you, grow you, and use your story from here.

Donna’s Resources:

Order a copy of my latest book - 

Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. 

It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon. 

If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.

It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their faith.

Connect with Nicole:

Nicole’s Website: https://www.nicolelangman.com/

Nicole on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nicolelangman/

Nicole’s Book: This Isn’t the Story I Wanted: Grieving the Life You Lost and Trusting the God Who Stayed: https://www.nicolelangman.com/thisisntthestoryiwanted

Let’s Connect:

Instagram: @donnaajones    

Website: www.donnajones.org    

Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do you ever feel like your week is running you instead of you running your week? I know I do! My friend Heather Brown joins me to talk about simple, practical ways we can care for our minds, bodies, and spirits without adding another overwhelming item to our to-do lists. We talk about creating intentional rhythms, managing chronic stress, protecting what matters most, and letting God help us see where our lives need a reset. Heather also shares some incredibly doable ways to slow down and care for ourselves in the middle of real, busy life. If you're tired of running on empty, this conversation is for you.

Remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

Xo,

Donna

Key Takeaways:

0:02:24 - “Sunday Reset” for Overwhelmed Women

0:08:34 - Start With God’s Vision for Your Week

0:17:18 - Chronic Stress and the Overloaded Nervous System

0:21:19 - Box Breathing as a Daily Reset Tool

0:24:34 - Simple Hydration & Salt Hacks for Energy

What We Talk About

• Why busy women so easily end up running on empty
• What it means to love your neighbor as yourself
• Heather's Sunday Reset and how to begin creating one
• Asking God what your ideal day and week should look like
• Making your calendar reflect your actual priorities
• Recognizing where distractions are stealing your time
• Prioritizing your closest relationships
• How chronic stress affects the body
• The importance of sleep and true rest
• Using box breathing as a quick way to calm your nervous system
• Simple ways to incorporate prayer, Scripture, and worship into everyday routines
• Creating small habits that support your physical, mental, relational, and spiritual health
• Why caring for yourself sets an example for your children and family

Heather's Sunday Reset

Heather's approach begins with slowing down long enough to intentionally look at your life with God instead of simply reacting to everything coming at you.

1. Start with God.

Ask: Lord, what do You want this season, week, or day to look like?

1. Identify what matters most.

Consider your relationship with God, your closest relationships, your physical and mental health, and the specific calling God has placed on your life.

1. Look honestly at your calendar.

Do the things taking up your time match the things you say are important?

1. Find the gaps and distractions.

Ask where you're wasting time, what may need to be removed, and which habits aren't serving you well in this season.

1. Put your priorities on the calendar.

Schedule the important things instead of assuming they'll happen once everything else is done.

1. Reset instead of expecting perfect balance.

Some weeks will get crazy. The goal isn't perfection; it's recognizing when you've gotten off track and intentionally resetting.

A Simple Stress Reset: Box Breathing

Heather also shares a practical breathing exercise you can use in just a few moments:

Inhale for 4 → Hold for 4 → Exhale for 4 → Hold for 4

Repeat for a few cycles to intentionally slow your breathing and create a moment of calm.

Donna’s Resources:

Order a copy of my latest book - 

Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. 

It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon. 

If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.

It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their faith.

Connect with Heather:

Heather’s Website: www.healthybyheatherbrown.com

Healthy by Heather Brown Podcast: https://mylifewellloved.com/podcast

Let’s Connect:

Instagram: @donnaajones    

Website: www.donnajones.org    

Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/ 

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What happens when the life you thought was secure suddenly falls apart? My friend Danna Demetre knows what it’s like to face deep betrayal and to discover God’s faithfulness right in the middle of it. We talk honestly about heartbreak, forgiveness, rebuilding trust, and what it means to anchor our identity in Christ when everything feels shaken. Danna also shares how her own painful experience inspired her debut novel, Beyond Betrayal, which she wrote in her 70s! This conversation is a beautiful reminder that God doesn’t waste our pain, forgiveness and trust aren’t the same thing, and you are never too old or too young to pursue the purpose God still has for you.

Remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

Xo,

Donna

Key Takeaways:

0:00:12 - Never Too Old to Pursue New Dreams

0:03:00 - Turning Personal Betrayal into Powerful Storytelling

0:07:08 - When Long Marriages Are Shattered by Infidelity

0:15:00 - Identity in Christ Amid Layered Midlife Crises

0:27:44 - Forgiveness vs. Trust: Two Very Different Journeys

What We Talk About

• Why Danna decided to write her first novel in her 70s
• How her personal experience with marital betrayal inspired Beyond Betrayal
• What happens to our identity when someone we love rejects us
• Learning to depend on Jesus when the outcome we desperately want isn’t guaranteed
• Giving yourself permission to grieve while continuing to live with purpose
• The difference between forgiveness, reconciliation, and trust
• Why reconciliation requires two willing people
• Recognizing the spiritual battle without avoiding personal responsibility
• Why guilt can lead us toward repentance while shame keeps us stuck
• How friendship, journaling, prayer, and Scripture can help us process pain
• The reminder that God still loves us even in our deepest brokenness
• Why age should never keep us from pursuing a new dream or calling

Forgiveness, Trust, and Reconciliation Are Three Different Things

Forgiveness: I release the offense rather than living in bitterness, resentment, or constant scorekeeping.

Trust: Trust is not automatically restored because forgiveness has been given. Trust must be rebuilt through consistent actions over time.

Reconciliation: A restored relationship requires two people. I can do what God asks of me, but I cannot control another person’s choices.

Danna’s reminder is so important: forgiveness doesn’t mean pretending something didn’t hurt. It doesn’t mean forgetting, immediately trusting again, or skipping the grieving process. It means releasing the offense to God while allowing Him to guide what comes next.

Donna’s Resources:

Order a copy of my latest book - 

Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. 

It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon. 

If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.

It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their faith.

Connect with Danna:

Lean Healthy Ageless: https://leanhealthyageless.com/

Danna’s Book: Beyond Betrayal: A Story of Heartbreak, Healing, and Redeeming Love: https://ageless-woman-store.com/collections/books/products/beyond-betrayal-autographed-copy-bookmark

Let’s Connect:

Instagram: @donnaajones    

Website: www.donnajones.org    

Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if sleep isn't just something your body needs but a gift from God that can actually teach you something about Him?

In this fascinating conversation with Brett McCracken, author of The Wisdom of Sleep, we explore why God designed us to spend nearly a third of our lives asleep, how sleep gives us a beautiful picture of grace and the gospel, and why our resistance to rest may reveal more than we realize. We also talk about dreams, Sabbath, hustle culture, and what to do when good sleep feels impossible.

I walked away seeing something I do every single night in a completely new way, and I think you will, too.

Remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

Xo,

Donna

Key Takeaways:

0:02:27 - Sleep as a Gift and Theology, Not Just a Health Hack

0:07:59 - Sleep, Hustle Culture, and Spiritual Warfare

0:11:02 - Nightly Sleep as a Living Picture of the Gospel

0:15:31 - Dreams as God’s Classroom in the Night

0:23:33 - Sabbath, Limits, and Resisting the Idol of Productivity

What We Talk About

• Why Brett wrote The Wisdom of Sleep
• What a "theology of sleep" actually means
• Why Scripture describes sleep as a gift from God
• The physical, mental, and emotional benefits of sleep
• How sleep gives us a miniature picture of the gospel
• Why waking up can be viewed as a picture of resurrection
• What science tells us about why we dream
• How God uses dreams throughout Scripture
• How to discern whether a dream might have spiritual significance
• Why Scripture must always be our standard for discernment
• The connection between sleep and Sabbath
• How hustle culture can keep us from receiving God's gift of rest
• Why accepting our limitations is an act of trust
• Finding hope when good sleep feels elusive

Sleep as a Nightly Picture of the Gospel

Brett offers a beautiful way to rethink something we normally take for granted:

We lie down.

Sleep requires us to stop striving and surrender control.

We receive.

While we sleep, restoration happens without our effort. We don't achieve the benefits of sleep—we receive them.

We rise.

Each morning, we wake to new life, giving us a small picture of resurrection.

We remember.

Sleep reminds us that we're limited, God isn't, and His grace sustains us even when we're doing absolutely nothing.

That changes the way I think about going to bed!

Donna’s Resources:

Order a copy of my latest book - 

Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. 

It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon. 

If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.

It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their faith.

Connect with Brett:

Brett’s Website: https://www.brettmccracken.com/

Brett’s Book: The Wisdom of Sleep: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310175712

Let’s Connect:

Instagram: @donnaajones    

Website: www.donnajones.org    

Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.