Steps to Trusting

Notes and Quotes:

I want to hear from you!
You can find me and join in the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @stepstotrusting.

Use #stepstotrusting to Hashtag your story of God’s faithfulness and stepping out in faith.

Click here for a full transcript of the show.

Check out the last show with Faith Raider.
Want a tool to help figure out your next step? Sign up here.

In this episode, we start by looking at the pain that comes with having doubts. We shift focus to see the healing and answers that can come when we search out the character of God.

"Doubt - a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction."- Google dictionary provided by Oxford Languages

“Doubt is questioning something you already believe. Whereas belief is the refusal to believe. Doubt is a struggle, not a lack of faith. It's real, necessary to grow and has no shame."- Emma Woodcock @Emmawoodcockwrites

My doubts brought me to these questions:

Why do I need Jesus? Is God trustworthy?

Want to hear more about the struggles with doubt that I went through? Check it out here on my blog.

Verse used in today’s podcast:

• Romans 11:23
• John 1:12
• James 1:6
• 2 Timothy 2:13
• Ephesians 2:8-9
• Hebrews 12:2
• Nehemiah 9
• 1 John 1:9
• Romans 10:13
• John 1:12

“My faith grew because my faith was not in the answer to the questions "can I believe enough? Can I have strong enough faith?" It instead was in the answer to the question "is God faithful?”- Erin

Journaling Prompts:

• Look for God’s faithfulness in your life.
• How can we know if God is faithful?
• What are his actions of faithfulness you look to in the Bible? ...in your life?
• What promises do you cling to?
• How do they affect you?

Ephesians 2:10

Music by Jim Dougherty. Check out his Album City of God on Spotify or Apple Music.

Seeking God with Desperation with Theresa Miller
In this episode of Steps to Trusting, host Erin Michelle welcomes Teresa Miller to delve into profound discussions on trusting God and seeking Him with desperation. They explore the challenge of relinquishing control and placing full trust in God, admitting our need for Him. Key topics include the refinement that comes through suffering, the risk involved in trusting God wholeheartedly, and how to seek God with our whole hearts, using Bible verses such as Jeremiah 29:13 and Proverbs 2:1-4. Teresa shares personal stories and insights about her faith journey, especially relating to parenting and major life decisions, emphasizing the importance and difficulty of surrender. They also highlight the significance of abiding in God's word and maintaining a close relationship with Christ. Teresa speaks about her upcoming Bible study, 'The Posture of Victory,' and how it aims to deepen trust in Jesus.
You can connect with Theresa Miller at Theresammiller.com or on Instagram @Theresammillerauthor
You can connect with Erin at erinmichele.net
Don't forget to like and subscribe so you don't miss upcoming encouragement.
00:00 Welcome to Steps to Trusting
00:54 Introducing Teresa Miller
01:09 Seeking God with Your Whole Heart
03:38 Trusting God in Desperation
07:17 Surrendering Control to God
08:54 Desperation in Parenting
12:20 God's Trustworthiness in Our Lives
17:46 The Power of Obedience and Faith
24:29 The Journey of Surrender and Abiding
31:16 Closing Thoughts and Prayer
34:18 Final Encouragement and Resources

Sometimes we just can’t see how the circumstances we are in could be for our good. We would rather hope for change or wait for resolution. Could trusting there is meaning help us in the heartache and challenge. Join me as we walk through the promise of Romans 8:28 and look at 3 practical ways to grow this trust muscle.

Click here for a full transcript of the show.

Journaling Questions:

· How do you react to the words, “its all going to be ok?”

· Is this a message you long for? What are you longing for to make your situation ok?

· What currently feels overwhelming, painful or challenging to you?

· Does the promise that “[God will work] all thing together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28) give you reassurance?

· Does this cause you to look for deeper meaning in your challenges or suffering?

· Is this easy to see in the midst of the challenge?

· Looking back on past challenges have you seen this promise to be true?

If you are interested in more journaling questions, Click here to sign up for the newsletter and receive “What’s my next step?” a free, 5 day journaling and Bible study tool to help explore your next step to trusting God more fully.

Connect

I want to hear from you!
You can find me and join in the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @stepstotrusting.

Hashtag your story of God’s faithfulness and stepping out in faith. #stepstotrusting

Want to hear from me?

Sign up for my Newsletter and get your free gift here.

What’s in the newsletter?

Do you struggle to trust God with the big or little things? Do you want to trust God more but find yourself unsure how to grow your trust? This is part of my story and my journey. My monthly newsletter, Exploring Trust, is designed to explore deeper trust and help reveal the places in our lives we are trusting something other than God. Click here to sign up for the newsletter and receive “What’s my next step?” a free, 5 day journaling and Bible study tool to help explore your next step to trusting God more fully.

Verses mentioned in the episode:

· Romans 8:28

· John 3

· Psalm 142:3

· Jeremiah 29:11-12

· Ephesians 2:10

· 139

· Psalm 3:3

· Psalm 18:14,17

· Psalm 27

· Psalm33:7-8

· Proverbs 3:5-6

· 2 Timothy 2:13

Ephesians 2:10

Special thanks to Jim Dougherty for creating the music for the show! Check out his Album City of God on Spotify or Apple Music.

Are you like me? Do you get confused that seeking God is seeking knowledge about Him? Join me as I talk about this struggle and the reminder that knowing God is about relationship with Him and knowing His heart. The rules and the attributes, they flow from the heart of a living God who wants us to know Him. I am thankful that God says “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
Click here for a full transcript of the show.
Journaling Questions:

· What is the difference between reading the Bible for knowledge or getting to know God’s heart? Have you experienced both?

· Do you have a personal relationship with God?

· What verses encourage you about God’s character?

· What are the places in your life you see trust for God increasing?

· What are the places in your life you see a need for trust to be increased?

If you are interested in more journaling questions sign up here to receive a journaling tool to help explore your next step to trusting God more fully.

Connect

I want to hear from you!
You can find me and join in the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @stepstotrusting.

Hashtag your story of God’s faithfulness and stepping out in faith. #stepstotrusting

Want to hear from me?

Sign up for my Newsletter and get your free gift here.

What’s in the newsletter?

Do you struggle to trust God with the big or little things? Do you want to trust God more but find yourself unsure how to grow your trust? This is part of my story and my journey. My monthly newsletter, Exploring Trust, is designed to explore deeper trust and help reveal the places in our lives we are trusting something other than God. Click here to sign up for the newsletter and receive “What’s my next step?” a free, 5 day journaling and Bible study tool to help explore your next step to trusting God more fully.

Verses mentioned in the episode:

· James 1:17

Ephesians 2:10

Special thanks to Jim Dougherty for creating the music for the show! Check out his Album City of God on Spotify or Apple Music.

Navigating Expectations in Friendships

In this insightful episode of Steps to Trusting, Erin Michele explores the complex nature of friendship with Jenna Schroeder, a doula, dance instructor, child advocate, writer, and a mom. The conversation revolves around viewing friendship as a divine gift, managing expectations, and the importance of vulnerability and authenticity. They delve into how pressures between friends can turn friendship expectations into burdens, but vulnerability and honest communication in friendships can help prevent misunderstandings and unmet expectations. Jenna shares her personal experiences and discusses how different seasons of life affect our capacity to maintain friendships, highlighting the need for grace and understanding. The discussion also emphasizes the significance of turning to God and recognizing His provision through diverse friendships.

Bible verses referenced include James 4:2-3, Psalm 121, Psalm 119:176, John 20:27, James 1:17, and Ephesians 2:10.

00:00 Welcome to Steps to Trusting

00:21 The Gift of Friendship

00:35 Introducing Jenna Schroeder

00:55 The Joy of True Friendship

02:21 Navigating Friendship Expectations

03:36 The Challenge of Vulnerability

05:31 The Importance of Belonging

09:08 Managing Friendship Expectations

16:24 Balancing Expectations and Reality

23:11 Seeking Support and Setting Boundaries

We would love to hear from you.

Connect with Erin Michele Smith at www.erinmichele.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stepstotrusting/

Connect with Jenna A Schroeder:

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/jennaaschroeder/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennaaschroeder

online: http://www.jennaaschroeder.com