"Vulnerability" is one of those words that we would all probably define a little differently. That's why Dr. Joel Muddamalle is taking us straight to God's Word to answer the question: Does the Bible instruct us to embrace vulnerability as followers of Christ?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between "being vulnerable" and "being authentic."
• The crucial distinction between "unwise vulnerability" and "wise vulnerability."
• How to overcome your fear or resistance to sharing with others.

Helpful Links:

• Get your copy of Seen, Known, Loved: Leaning on the Holy Spirit in Us and the People Beside Us, A Study of the Book of Acts.
• Download the free First 5 app.
• Have ideas for future podcast episodes? DM Kaley at @kaleyolsn to share!

Want more on this topic? 

• Listen to “It's Time To Get Honest With God" with Jennifer Dukes Lee on The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast.
• Watch "I'm Afraid I'm Being Betrayed" on the Proverbs 31 Ministries YouTube channel.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode.

Proverbs 31 Ministries is a nonprofit organization, and this podcast is funded thanks to the generous support of our one-time and monthly donors. To learn more about how to partner with us, click here!

We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

Does it ever feel like you're juggling a million things, just hoping everything doesn't come crashing down? We want to experience rest, but if we're honest, sometimes we're just trying to survive the day and complete our to-do list.

In this episode, author Laura Smith points us to the places in Scripture where we find God's instruction for finding rest, which leads to the abundant life He promised us in John 10:10.

Related Resources:

• If you enjoyed today’s teaching from Laura, get a copy of her book called The Urgency of Slowing Down: Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Renewal. You can also stay connected with Laura at @laurasmithauthor.
• Download R.E.S.T.: How To Overcome Being Overwhelmed, a FREE resource that will help you develop a rhythm of reading Scripture, evaluating your schedule, practicing Sabbath and trusting in God.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode.

Proverbs 31 Ministries is a nonprofit organization, and this podcast is funded thanks to the generous support of our one-time and monthly donors. To learn more about how to partner with us, click here!

We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

What if feeling “not enough” is actually God’s way of inviting you into His abundance? In this episode, Whitney Lowe unpacks how scarcity shapes our lives and how trusting God’s promises can transform everything.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How a scarcity mindset can subtly impact your faith and relationships.
• The difference between the world’s definition of abundance and God’s.
• Practical steps to shift from living in fear to trusting in God’s provision.

Resources From This Episode:

• Purchase Whitney’s book Set Your Eyes Higher: A 40-Day Reset to Slow Your Anxiety and Fix Your Focus on God.
• Connect with Whitney on Facebook at Scribble Devos.
• Download the free First 5 app, and join us as we read Acts together starting March 3.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode.

Want More on This Topic? 

• Listen to “Relaxed: Finding Peace in God’s Presence” with Megan Fate Marshman on The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast.
• Watch “Am I Trying To Control What Is Actually out of My Control?” with Lysa TerKeurst, Dr. Joel Muddamalle and Jim Cress on The Proverbs 31 Ministries YouTube channel.

Proverbs 31 Ministries is a nonprofit organization, and this podcast is funded thanks to the generous support of our one-time and monthly donors. To learn more about how to partner with us, click here!

We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

Feeling overwhelmed by a fresh start you didn’t choose? In this episode, Tracie Miles draws from her book God’s Got You: Embracing New Beginnings with Courage and Confidence to offer hope and guidance for navigating life’s transitions as they come.

You’ll learn:

• How to find peace when life takes an unexpected turn.
• Practical steps to move forward with confidence.
• Encouragement to trust God’s plan, even in uncertainty.

Related Resources:

• Dive into Tracie’s book God’s Got You: Embracing New Beginnings with Courage and Confidence, and find hope for navigating life’s transitions.
• Join COMPEL Pro, our training program for writers, and take the next step in your writing journey.
• Check out our new resource, "7 Secrets You Need To Know as a New Writer," to gain insight from industry experts as you start writing.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode.

Proverbs 31 Ministries is a nonprofit organization, and this podcast is funded thanks to the generous support of our one-time and monthly donors. To learn more about how to partner with us, click here!

We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

Do you ever feel weighed down by waiting or wonder how to trust God when life feels uncertain? In this episode, Jennifer Rothschild draws from her new Bible study, Heaven: When Faith Becomes Sight, to offer encouragement for those navigating life’s hard seasons, including: 

• Practical steps for waiting well and leaning on God’s timing.
• What it truly means to walk by faith, not by sight, in everyday moments.
• How the reality of heaven brings peace and purpose to life’s challenges.

Related Resources:

• 📖 Dive into Jennifer’s new study, Heaven: When Faith Becomes Sight, and explore the hope and joy of eternity.
• ✍️ Start your day with uplifting Encouragement for Today Devotions delivered daily to your inbox.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode.

Proverbs 31 Ministries is a nonprofit organization, and this podcast is funded thanks to the generous support of our one-time and monthly donors. To learn more about how to partner with us, click here!

We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

Do you feel weighed down by the pressure to have it all figured out or stuck in cycles of striving and self-reliance? In this episode, Megan Fate Marshman reveals how to break free from the chaos and embrace the peace only God can provide.

Drawing from her book Relaxed: Walking with the One Who Is Not Worried about a Thing, Megan offers relatable stories, powerful truths and practical steps to help you trade stress for trust and experience a deeper relationship with God.

You’ll discover:

• Why we’re tempted to live in “Christian autonomy” and how to move toward dependence on God.
• The surprising ways God meets us in our wandering thoughts.
• A fresh perspective on Proverbs 3:5-6 that can transform the way you live and pray.

Related Resources:

• Join Circle 31 Book Club for free — Be part of a welcoming community that dives deep into books and helps you grow through faith-filled conversations.
• Mark your calendar for February 1 — We’re kicking off Relaxed by Megan Fate Marshman as our next read. Once you join Circle 31 Book Club, head to the book space on Mighty Networks to connect with others. 
• Get your copy of Relaxed — Ready to start reading? Order now at p31bookstore.com.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode.

Proverbs 31 Ministries is a nonprofit organization, and this podcast is funded thanks to the generous support of our one-time and monthly donors. To learn more about how to partner with us, click here!

We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

As believers, we know the Bible tells us that God is with us at all times. And yet there are "dry seasons" when we don't feel the closeness of His presence at all.

Today's episode is part of an ongoing series titled "Ask a Theologian" — conversations with Proverbs 31 Ministries' Director of Theological Research, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, and Content Manager for Lysa TerKeurst, Shae Hill. Together, Joel and Shae will give you theological insight and practical takeaways.

Related Resources:

• Getting rest is not about getting more sleep or lying on the couch to watch TV. True rest for your soul only comes from God. We can actually find rest by reading Scripture, evaluating our schedules, practicing Sabbath and trusting in God. Download our free resource R.E.S.T. How To Overcome Being Overwhelmed today!
• When you're feeling stuck or stagnant, sometimes you wish you could just hit a reset button, right? That's why we wrote our brand-new study called Fresh Start: A Study of the Book of Genesis. This will be our very first study together in 2025, so get your copy and study with us! Buy Now!
• Tune in every Tuesday to Joel's Instagram for “Theology Talk Tuesday,” where he'll answer your most asked questions about God, the Bible and more. 
• Sign up on Joel’s website to receive free “bite-sized theology” through a monthly newsletter you can read in five minutes or less.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode.

Have you ever struggled to see how all the pieces of the Bible fit together?

You're not alone. Many believers find it challenging to connect the dots between the events of Scripture and how they relate to each other. But here’s the good news: Understanding the timeline of Scripture can bring clarity and a deeper sense of purpose to your Bible study, helping you see the big picture of God’s unfolding story.

In this episode, Iva May breaks down the importance of studying Scripture chronologically and why every believer should understand the overarching story arc of the Bible. You’ll gain fresh insights into how God’s plan has been unfolding since creation and how you fit into this incredible narrative.

Related Resources:

• NLT One Year Chronological Study Bible: Read the story of the Bible in historical order, broken into 14 eras. This Study Bible includes notes and devotional questions to help you see God’s grand narrative and your place in it.
• Follow on Instagram for insights and encouragement:
  • @NLTBible: Discover how the NLT Bible makes Scripture accessible and relatable for everyday life.
  • @ChronologicalBibleTeaching: Learn more from Iva May and her team as they teach practical ways to understand the Bible as one continuous story.
• The First 5 app is your go-to resource for interactive Bible study. Beginning January 6, join us as we dive into Genesis and help you unpack the foundational truths of Scripture. Download the First 5 app.
• Genesis Study Guide: Pair your study of Genesis with this comprehensive guide, filled with thought-provoking questions and insights that help you apply what you’re learning to your daily life. Get your study guide.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode.

Proverbs 31 Ministries is a nonprofit organization, and this podcast is funded thanks to the generous support of our one-time and monthly donors. To learn more about how to partner with us, click here!

We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

Despite what cruel and convincing lies shame tries to tell you ... there is never a moment in time when you are too far gone to be touched by the redemption of Jesus.

In this episode, pulling from examples in the Gospel of John, author Morgan Krueger reminds of the free, purpose-filled life Jesus purchased for us. If you've been feeling weighed down by the weight of your past or crumbling under the pressure of the present, this conversation will encourage your heart.

Related Resources:

• If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love Morgan's new book, Goodbye Hiding, Hello Freedom: Trading Your Shame for Redemption in Jesus.Pick up a copy today!
• Download the FREE First 5 app, and join us for Light of the World: 20 Scriptures for When You Can't See Through the Darkness as we end 2024 in God's Word together.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode.

Proverbs 31 Ministries is a nonprofit organization, and this podcast is funded thanks to the generous support of our one-time and monthly donors. To learn more about how to partner with us, click here!

We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

Have you ever found yourself asking God “why”?

Friend, you’re not alone. We all face situations — in our families, in our faith, in our friend groups — that sometimes have us questioning whether God’s plans really are good. But remember this: Even when things seem unfixable or unusable, God is still at work, and He will give you what you need to make it through.

This conversation includes mom, wife and CEO of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Meredith Brock; Proverbs 31 Ministries' Promotional Copywriter, Cailah Garcia Lopez; and special guest Jenni Lord from Chosen. They share powerful stories and scriptural Truth surrounding times when God turned something hard into something beautiful.

Related Resources: 

• What if today could be the start of healing — for a child, for a family and even for you? Chosen is creating lasting change by empowering parents and caregivers with the tools they need to turn chaos into calm, giving children the chance to heal from their pasts and thrive. But there are still many who need this hope. By supporting Chosen, you’re joining a powerful mission to help 100,000 people find healing from trauma. Be part of the 100k Movement today: chosen.care/100k.
• Are you looking for a way to start your day in God's Word? Subscribe to Encouragement for Today, and get free, daily devotions sent to your email inbox each weekday. After reading, you'll gain a biblical perspective for the everyday problems and questions you're navigating. Sign up now!
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode.

We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.