We explore the “missing years” of Jesus and why the Bible’s silence about long seasons can still be full of meaning. We connect Luke’s brief snapshots of Jesus’ early life to our own unseen seasons, where God grows wisdom, character, and faith without public applause. 
• the Gospel timeline from birth to the temple to age 30 
• the moment Jesus is found teaching at age 12 
• what Luke 2:51-52 reveals about quiet growth 
• wisdom stature and favor as a framework for maturity 
• why hidden does not mean forgotten by God 
• how God measures growth beyond visible results 
• roots before fruit and the purpose of ordinary faithfulness 
• practical ways to stay faithful when life feels repetitive 

https://aarondegler.com/

We keep wrestling with a tough question: am I persevering with God or forcing what I want. We lay out a clear discernment framework so we can hear God’s direction and respond with obedience, even when it feels uncomfortable. 
• perseverance and stubbornness looking similar on the surface 
• Scripture showing both “keep going” and “go a different way” 
• discernment questions that test alignment with Scripture, obedience, fruit, patterns, and wise counsel 
• how God speaks through Scripture, prayer, internal prompting, and trusted people 
• four responses to guidance: continue, pause, pivot, release 
• pause as space for rest, healing, and clarity without quitting 
• pivot as purpose staying the same while the path changes 
• release as obedience when compromise, pride, or fear drives the choice 
• biblical peace as obedience, not the absence of discomfort 
• checking whether peace comes from obedience or relief from avoidance 
You can always play this back. You can look on the app, you can on the podcast to refresh 

https://aarondegler.com/

We compare perseverance with forcing an outcome, using a simple kids’ toy to expose how easily stubbornness can dress up like faith. We walk through Scripture and practical discernment questions so we can tell when to endure and when God is redirecting us. 
• the triangle and square analogy for forcing outcomes 
• how perseverance and stubbornness can look similar 
• what perseverance says: faithful, trusting, flexible methods 
• what stubbornness says: sunk cost, pride, control, proving we’re right 
• Hebrews 12:1 and running the race marked out 
• how opposition can show up in the right calling 
• Acts 16 and Paul’s closed doors and new direction 
• discernment as spiritual wisdom and courage to follow 
• six questions to test direction: Scripture, motives, fruit, repeated warnings, wise counsel, surrender 
• deciding whether to stop or change approach 
All this again will be on the app, so then you can, because you probably don't remember, you won't remember it. And so whenever you think, well, what is that? You can go back to that and look.

https://aarondegler.com/

We compare faith to a workout and name what it feels like when the “last rep” of life is the hardest part of the set. We wrestle with weariness, unanswered prayers, and why God sometimes leaves resistance in place so our trust can get stronger. 

• pastors and personal trainers as unexpected mirrors for accountability 
• the last rep as a picture of fatigue without failure 
• unanswered prayers and the slow burn of waiting 
• Galatians 6:9 and the fight to not give up 
• faith as a choice when we feel tired, uncertain, and afraid 
• resistance as the tool that builds spiritual strength 
• 2 Corinthians 12 and God’s power in weakness 
• God as the spotter who stays close 
• the next prayer, the next step, the next rep 

Look forward to seeing you right here next time on SoulFit.

https://aarondegler.com/

We talk about why hearing God’s voice feels hard and why expecting a big, dramatic moment often sets us up to miss the ways God is already speaking. We share three practical pathways for spiritual discernment through prayer, through people, and through pain that builds perseverance. 
• getting close enough to hear through proximity and relationship 
• treating prayer as real communication rather than a perfect format 
• learning God’s voice over time the way we learn a friend’s voice 
• noticing guidance that comes through other people and timely words 
• wrestling with how God can speak through pain and trials 
• reframing struggle as a place where perseverance and wisdom grow 
I look forward to seeing you right here next time on SoulFit. 

https://aarondegler.com/

We talk about why some relationships are meant to be seasonal, not permanent, and how accepting that can free us from bitterness, guilt, and fear. We connect the idea of life seasons to Scripture and share practical ways to release, redefine, or set boundaries without turning every change into a breakup. 
• Ecclesiastes 3:1 and the idea of a season for everything 
• Expecting “forever” friendships and why that mindset backfires 
• Circumstantial relationships built around shared direction and shared goals 
• A real story of a business mentor who was vital for a season 
• How growth changes priorities, tolerance, and connection 
• Why relationships can change without being broken 
• The “rope burns” warning signs of holding on too tightly 
• Boundaries that protect you without requiring a total ending 
• Grief that blocks new relationships and new opportunities 
• Trusting God with new seasons through Isaiah 43:18-19 
Look forward to seeing you right here next time on SoulFit. 

https://aarondegler.com/

We talk honestly about life “winters” and why hard seasons can grow invisible roots that make us stronger later. We share a real-time look at how God can prepare us through our own words, our daily choices, and a shift in perspective when things feel like a blizzard. 
• winter as hardship loss and struggle that comes and goes 
• invisible roots growing beneath the surface when nothing looks different 
• resisting the message we most need to speak and hear 
• how God speaks through planning writing and our own repeated words 
• choosing action over complaint when we feel stuck 
• “When you feel helpless, get helpful” as a practical reset 
• service and meaningful projects as a way to rebuild hope 
• reflecting on growth areas like gratitude resilience compassion and faith 
• surrendering control and relying on God instead of self 
• strengthening faith through Bible time prayer and fellowship 
Join me next week for some relationships are seasonal. 

https://aarondegler.com/

We connect a funny movie memory to a serious habit: shrinking ourselves to fit the room, then wondering why we feel unseen and stuck. We challenge ourselves to live like the light God says we already are, using our gifts with confidence and humility instead of chasing approval. 
• why we hold back opinions and downplay accomplishments 
• the Matthew 5 picture of a lamp meant to shine 
• the difference between humility and pretending we have nothing 
• owning our strengths without making it about us 
• Romans 12 gifts and why every role matters 
• “dimmer switch” living and the cost of staying quiet 
• practical examples of shrinking: not calling, not serving, not praying 
• choosing obedience over people pleasing and taking up space 
And thank you to each of you for joining us on this week's Soul Fit. Look forward to seeing you right here next time on SoulFit. 

https://aarondegler.com/

We challenge the idea that influence belongs to people with big platforms and redefine leadership as the impact we make on one person at a time. Using Proverbs 31 and everyday moments, we choose intentional character and kindness so we leave people better than we found them. 
• defining influence as everyday leadership in relationships 
• grounding influence in Proverbs 31: strength, dignity, and wisdom 
• naming the traits that make people feel cared for and built up 
• rejecting the “I’m just” mindset in motherhood work and behind-the-scenes roles 
• recognizing influence in texts, smiles, and ordinary conversations 
• prioritizing character when nobody is watching 
• trusting consistency more than perfection 
• practicing small faithfulness that grows into big impact 
• leading by example through adversity, setbacks, and uncertainty 
• choosing to make people feel seen and understood

https://aarondegler.com/

We talk about how to love difficult people without losing who we are, and why biblical love includes wisdom and boundaries. We unpack the difference between helping and rescuing so we can protect our peace and still show up with real joy. 

• love often gets confused with always saying yes 
• the difference between carrying a burden and carrying someone’s load (Galatians 6:2–5) 
• encouraging people without rescuing them 
• allowing growth through choices and consequences 
• Jesus as a model for solitude and healthy boundaries (Mark 1:35–38) 
• loving everyone while trusting wisely 
• how boundaries prevent enabling, resentment, and burnout 
• forgiveness as release without automatic reconciliation or restored trust 
• asking whether our yes comes from God or guilt 

Think about this week: am I saying yes because God is leading me or because I feel guilty? 
Look forward to seeing you right here next time on Soulfin. 

https://aarondegler.com/