Courageous Overcomers

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What happens when the very thing that seems to bring us comfort is slowly destroying our lives? Today we're pulling back the curtain on a rarely discussed aspect of addiction—not the chaos it creates, but the counterfeit comfort it provides before taking everything else.
Most addictive behaviors aren't primarily about chasing highs; they're about silencing the deafening noise in our heads. That overthinking mind that never stops racing. The perfectionistic pressure to always perform flawlessly. The people-pleaser exhaustion from constantly overgiving. The suppressed anger never allowed expression. The discomfort of stillness when busyness stops. The fear of not knowing who you truly are. The relentless inner critic whispering "you're not enough." The unprocessed grief. The body shame. The paralyzing fear of failure.
When we slow down and the distractions fade, these voices grow louder. Flashbacks of moments we've worked hard to forget resurface. Guilt, loneliness, and grief for everything we never received—love, safety, security—become unbearable. Addiction temporarily hijacks our brain's pain center, telling our nervous system we're safe when we're not. It numbs emotional edges, drowns out shame spirals, and provides counterfeit peace.
But there's a profound truth we must embrace: healing starts where numbing stops. Not when we have everything figured out or feel strong enough—but in that brave moment when we stop reaching for what silences our pain and start listening to what the pain has been trying to tell us all along. The bottle, the binge, the busyness—whatever has comforted you—will never heal you. Only bringing your pain into the light through naming it, sitting with it, journaling about it, and allowing truth to speak to it will bring lasting freedom.
Remember, you're not broken beyond redemption, and you're never walking this road alone. Take courage today to stop numbing, even just for five minutes, long enough to say, "I want real healing; I'm done just surviving."

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Rich returns to Courageous Overcomers to share his deeply personal journey of faith, marked by the profound loss of his grandfather. What happens when life's hardest moments challenge our beliefs and push us towards self-doubt? Learn how Rich confronted these trials, the impact of unanswered prayers, and the solace he sought in alcohol as he grappled with feelings of inadequacy and fear of rejection. His story opens a dialogue on the delicate balance between self-reliance and spiritual dependence, especially in a society that values toughness and independence.
Join us as we explore the barriers to faith in a world that often pressures us to control our destinies. Rich and I dive into the struggle of reconciling personal pain with spiritual growth, the shame of past choices, and the courage required to embrace new identities and communities. Together, we challenge the fear of rejection and discuss the importance of finding acceptance in new circles while navigating the complexities of sobriety and Christianity. This episode sheds light on how small steps of faith can lead to hope, even when life takes unexpected turns.
We'll also share wisdom from Dr. Health, whose 103-year journey underscores the power of living without fear through trust in God. Discover how faith can become a tool for overcoming anxiety and life's challenges, fostering resilience and peace. My own experiences with the Bible offering solace and protection from negative thoughts serve as a testament to the transformative power of faith. We invite you to connect with our community, embrace faith as a pathway to overcoming fear, and share this message with others who may find inspiration in our stories.

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What if facing your deepest pain could lead to the most profound healing? Join me, Tonya Shellnutt, as I open up about a childhood trauma that shattered my sense of safety and trust, setting off a lifelong journey of healing and self-discovery. This episode of Courageous Overcomers explores the enduring scars trauma can leave, from rewiring our brains to altering our emotional responses and identity. I share how building emotional walls seemed like a refuge but ultimately became a prison of isolation and fear. Together, we'll examine how confronting these barriers, rather than burying the pain, can illuminate a path to hope and healing.
In our conversation, I celebrate 30 years of sobriety and reflect on the transformative power of community and faith. You’ll hear insights into breaking free from the shackles of unworthiness and self-doubt, and the importance of taking small, courageous steps forward. This episode isn't just about my story; it's an invitation to join a community of courageous overcomers. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share this journey with someone who might need encouragement. Plus, get ready for a delightful twist in an upcoming episode featuring my favorite person—a blend of laughter and tears awaits. Reach out to me via email with your questions or struggles; they might just be featured in a future episode. Let's spread hope together.

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Many of us build emotional walls to protect ourselves from pain, disappointment, and betrayal—but those same walls can also keep us from experiencing faith, healing, and true freedom. In this episode of Courageous Overcomers, we’re talking about the barriers that keep people from fully trusting God.

Tonya shares her personal struggles with faith, wrestling with unanswered questions, church hurt, and the belief that she had to “earn” God’s love. She explores the reasons people struggle with faith—doubt, fear, shame, cultural pressures, and even spiritual warfare—unpacking how these barriers become walls that separate us from the healing and hope we desperately need.

This episode isn’t just about recognizing those walls—it’s about breaking them down. Through the FAITH Framework, you’ll learn how to shift your focus, lean into scripture, embrace community, trust through trials, and hold onto hope as you take steps toward a deeper, unshakable relationship with God.

Key Takeaways:

• The walls we build for self-protection often become the barriers that keep us from healing and faith.
• Church hurt, judgment, and hypocrisy can deeply wound—but people fail, God doesn’t.
• Faith doesn’t require all the answers; it requires trust, even in uncertainty.
• Control feels safe, but true peace is found in surrendering to God’s plan.
• Shame and unworthiness are lies—God meets you in your brokenness, not after you “fix” yourself.
• Spiritual warfare is real—the enemy thrives on keeping you behind walls of fear and doubt.
• The FAITH Framework:
  • F – Focus on God’s Character instead of circumstances.
  • A – Anchor Yourself in Scripture to replace doubt with truth.
  • I – Invest in a Faith Community because faith isn’t meant to be walked alone.
  • T – Trust God Through Trials, knowing they refine, not destroy, your faith.
  • H – Hold on to Hope because it’s the anchor that keeps your faith steady.

If you feel like something is keeping you from fully embracing faith, maybe it’s time to take down the walls.

💬 What’s one wall you’ve built that’s keeping you from deeper faith?

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What does addiction promise you, and what does it actually steal? This powerful question forms the foundation of our exploration into the deceptive facade of addiction. Numbing feels like safety, but silently robs us of the very things we desperately seek: peace, purpose, and authentic connection.
Throughout this raw and honest conversation, we unpack the dangerous paradox of addiction. While it offers temporary relief from pain, it simultaneously prevents true healing. Though it promises escape from stress, it steals our ability to be present. When it offers control over chaos, it erodes trust. Most destructively, addiction creates a counterfeit comfort that destroys our capacity for deep, meaningful connections.
We dive particularly deep into how addiction impacts emotional resilience—a critical skill many in our society lack. When we continuously avoid difficult emotions through substances or behaviors, we never develop the internal strength to process those feelings in healthy ways. As a result, we remain emotionally stunted, often operating with the same coping mechanisms we developed in our youth.
Whether your struggle is with alcohol, food, social media, or other numbing behaviors, this episode offers a practical pathway forward. The "reclaim challenge" provides specific steps to take back what addiction has stolen: peace, time, connection, clarity, control, self-respect, purpose, and hope. By identifying your specific losses and intentionally working to restore them through prayer, service, and community, you can break free from addiction's empty promises.
Ready to unmask addiction's lies and reclaim what's been stolen from you? This conversation will equip you with the understanding and tools to begin your journey toward authentic healing and freedom.

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