Growing Through the Mud

Growing Through the Mud

Ladies we want to prayer for you. Please take time to share your story or just ask for prayer. We would love to be unrelated sister to you! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2471763/fan_mail/new] How often do we spend our energy trying to change everyone around us while God is quietly asking to change us first? In this week's conversation, Shannon and Deb share honestly about slowing down, finding rest, learning to respond instead of react, and discovering that changing the atmosphere around us begins with allowing God to transform our own hearts. They talk about marriage, leadership, emotional exhaustion, brain fog, spiritual growth, and the difficult process of letting go of control. Along the way, they revisit the powerful image behind the Roots Before Fruit conference—learning to recognize the weeds that quietly wrap themselves around healthy roots before they choke out the fruit God is trying to grow. This episode is a reminder that spiritual maturity isn't about fixing everyone else. It's about surrendering yourself to God and trusting Him to work in every heart—including your own. Sometimes the greatest transformation begins when we simply let God be God.  Encouragement  Maybe you've been carrying the weight of trying to fix your marriage, your family, your workplace, or someone you love. You've prayed. You've worried. You've corrected. You've carried responsibilities that were never yours to carry. Today, God may be gently asking you to release control. Your job is not to change people. Your job is to stay rooted. When your roots remain planted in Christ, your peace isn't determined by other people's attitudes. Your joy isn't dependent on perfect circumstances. Your love isn't controlled by someone else's actions. The weeds will come. Offenses will grow. Disappointments will happen. But healthy roots know where their source is. Keep letting God remove what doesn't belong. Keep choosing peace. Keep speaking life. Keep trusting His timing. The same God who is growing you is also working in the lives of the people you're praying for—even when you can't see it. Growth is happening beneath the surface long before anyone sees the fruit.  Closing Prayer  Father, Thank You for loving us enough to keep growing us. Forgive us for the times we've spent more energy trying to change others than allowing You to change us. Help us surrender our need to control every situation and teach us to trust Your timing and Your process. Lord, search our hearts. Show us the weeds that have quietly taken root—fear, pride, frustration, bitterness, anxiety, or the desire to control. Pull them up before they steal the life You are growing within us. Help us become women who carry peace into every room, who respond with grace instead of emotion, and who create an atmosphere where Your presence is welcomed. Strengthen every listener who feels tired, overwhelmed, or stuck. Remind them that even when growth feels slow, You are faithfully working beneath the surface. Plant us beside Your living water so that our roots grow deep, our faith remains steady, and our lives bear fruit that brings You glory. We trust You with our homes, our families, our work, our ministry, and our future. In Jesus' name, Amen. Bible Verses * Jeremiah 17:7–8  * Galatians 6:9  * John 15:4–5  * Proverbs 4:23  * Philippians 4:6–7  * Romans 12:2 We want this to be truly interactive podcast. Please go in the fan mail at https://unrelatedsisterspodcast.buzzsprout.com and tell us your stories and let us know if it’s okay to share (no names). Let us know if you need prayer or how we can support you in your journey. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen.  Follow us on  Facebook @Unrelated Sister's: Truth & Grace Conversation Podcast  TikTok @Unrelated.SistersPodcast  Email us at unrelatedsisterspodcast@gmail.com

When Chaos Comes Before Calling Episode

Ladies we want to prayer for you. Please take time to share your story or just ask for prayer. We would love to be unrelated sister to you! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2471763/fan_mail/new] Some weeks leave you emotionally exhausted. In this honest conversation, Shannon and Deb pull back the curtain on what life has really looked like lately—family struggles, work stress, leadership pressures, unanswered questions, and the spiritual weight that seems to come whenever you're stepping into something God has called you to do. Together they talk about how easy it is to mistake people for the enemy when Scripture reminds us our battle is never against flesh and blood. They discuss bitterness, healthy boundaries, giving grace, protecting your peace, and learning when to "let it be" while still trusting God to handle what you cannot. If you've been asking, "God, what did I do wrong?" this episode is a reminder that sometimes you're not being punished—you may simply be standing in the middle of a spiritual battle. The enemy wants distraction, division, and discouragement. Jesus offers peace, wisdom, and strength to keep moving forward. No polished answers. No pretending. Just two women choosing truth, grace, and Jesus in the middle of real life. Bible Verses * Ephesians 6:12 — "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood..." * Ephesians 4:31-32 — Put away bitterness, wrath, anger, and forgive as Christ forgave you.  * John 10:10 — "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life..." * James 1:19-20 — Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry.  * Isaiah 26:3 — God keeps in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on Him.  Encouragement  Maybe you're listening today and your life feels a little like ours did this week. Relationships feel strained. Work feels overwhelming. Your emotions are heavier than usual. You're questioning whether you're doing the right thing. Can I encourage you? Don't let the enemy convince you that the people around you are the real enemy. Sometimes the greatest victory isn't winning the argument—it's refusing to lose your peace. Sometimes strength looks like taking a step back instead of taking revenge. Sometimes maturity looks like praying before reacting. Sometimes obedience looks like choosing grace when your flesh wants to choose bitterness. If God has called you to something, don't be surprised when opposition comes. Opposition doesn't always mean you're going the wrong direction. Many times it confirms you're walking toward something the enemy doesn't want you to reach. Keep praying. Keep forgiving. Keep setting healthy boundaries. Keep trusting God's timing. The battle may be real, but so is the One who has already won it.  Closing Prayer  Heavenly Father, Thank You for walking with us through every difficult season. Thank You that even when life feels chaotic, You remain faithful and unchanging. Lord, help us remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood. Give us eyes to recognize the spiritual battle without turning against the people You have placed in our lives. Search our hearts today. If there is bitterness, unforgiveness, pride, fear, or anger taking root, gently remove it. Replace it with Your peace, Your wisdom, and Your grace. Teach us when to speak and when to be still. Give us discernment to know the difference between healthy boundaries and hardened hearts. Help us extend the same grace that You have so freely given us. Strengthen every listener who feels overwhelmed by work, family, ministry, or life. Remind them that they are not fighting alone. You are with them in every battle, and You have already secured the victory through Jesus Christ. May we leave this week choosing faith over fear, peace over panic, and love over offense. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. We want this to be truly interactive podcast. Please go in the fan mail at https://unrelatedsisterspodcast.buzzsprout.com and tell us your stories and let us know if it’s okay to share (no names). Let us know if you need prayer or how we can support you in your journey. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen.  Follow us on  Facebook @Unrelated Sister's: Truth & Grace Conversation Podcast  TikTok @Unrelated.SistersPodcast  Email us at unrelatedsisterspodcast@gmail.com

Prayer Isn't a Wish List: Trusting God's Timing Over Our Wants

Ladies we want to prayer for you. Please take time to share your story or just ask for prayer. We would love to be unrelated sister to you! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2471763/fan_mail/new] Have you ever noticed that we often pray the hardest when something is falling apart? When we need healing...  When we need an answer...  When we need God to fix what feels broken. But what if prayer was never meant to be our emergency response? What if it was always meant to be the foundation of our relationship with Jesus? In this episode, Shannon explores why we tend to approach God with a list of requests instead of a heart that simply longs to be with Him. Together, we'll look at what Scripture teaches about praying with trust, surrender, and confidence in God's perfect timing—even when His answer isn't the one we expected. If you've been waiting on God, wrestling with unanswered prayers, or wondering why He seems silent, this conversation is for you. God's delays are never His absence. Sometimes He's strengthening the roots before He reveals the fruit. Join us as we learn how to move from praying only for what we want to praying for what God wants to do in us. Bible Verses * Matthew 6:9-10  * John 15:5  * Psalm 37:4-5  * Isaiah 40:31  * Philippians 4:6-7  * Romans 8:28  Key Takeaway: Prayer isn't about changing God's mind—it's about allowing God to transform our hearts. When we trust His timing, we discover that His presence is the greatest answer to prayer.  "Maybe today God isn't asking you to pray longer or louder. Maybe He's simply inviting you to stay. To sit in His presence without an agenda. Because the greatest purpose of prayer isn't getting God to do something for us—it's knowing the One who has already done everything for us through Jesus Christ."  We want this to be truly interactive podcast. Please go in the fan mail at https://unrelatedsisterspodcast.buzzsprout.com and tell us your stories and let us know if it’s okay to share (no names). Let us know if you need prayer or how we can support you in your journey. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen.  Follow us on  Facebook @Unrelated Sister's: Truth & Grace Conversation Podcast  TikTok @Unrelated.SistersPodcast  Email us at unrelatedsisterspodcast@gmail.com

The Difference Between Guilt and Shame

Ladies we want to prayer for you. Please take time to share your story or just ask for prayer. We would love to be unrelated sister to you! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2471763/fan_mail/new] Have you ever felt like the moment God started opening doors, everything else started falling apart? In this honest conversation, Shannon and Deb talk about spiritual warfare, open doors, guilt, shame, anxiety, addiction recovery, and learning how to stay faithful when life feels heavy. As the upcoming women's conference continues to grow beyond anything they imagined, unexpected challenges seem to be showing up everywhere—from attacks on reputation, emotional overwhelm, family struggles, and questions about helping people find recovery. Together they unpack the difference between guilt and shame, why the enemy attacks identity, and how God continues to work even in difficult seasons. If you've ever felt stretched, overwhelmed, discouraged, or questioned whether you're on the right path, this episode is a reminder that opposition doesn't always mean you're off course. Sometimes it's confirmation that you're headed exactly where God wants you to go.  KEY BIBLE VERSES God's Protection During Attack > "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly." Why It Fits The enemy attacks identity, peace, purpose, and relationships. But Jesus came to give life, hope, and purpose.  Guilt vs. Shame > "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Talking Point Guilt says:  "I did something wrong." Shame says:  "I am something wrong." Jesus convicts us to restore us.  The enemy condemns us to destroy us.  God's Strength During Hard Seasons > "Fear not, for I am with you." Talking Point When life feels heavy, God doesn't ask us to carry it alone. Keep Building > "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Talking Point The conference.  The podcast.  The ministry.  The recovery journey. Don't quit in the stretching season. ENCOURAGEMENT Maybe you're listening today and you feel overwhelmed. Maybe you're carrying anxiety.  Maybe you're carrying guilt.  Maybe you're fighting battles nobody else sees. Don't let the enemy convince you that opposition means you're failing. Sometimes opposition means you're growing. Sometimes the greatest attacks happen right before the greatest breakthroughs. The enemy attacks what threatens him. And if God is opening doors in your life, don't be surprised when resistance shows up. Keep praying.  Keep building.  Keep trusting. And most importantly... Don't pick up chains Jesus already broke off your life.  CLOSING PRAYER Father, Thank You for being faithful in every season. Thank You for carrying us when life feels heavy and for reminding us that we do not walk through hard seasons alone. Lord, help us recognize the difference between conviction and condemnation. When guilt tries to become shame, remind us who we are in You. Strengthen every listener who feels overwhelmed, discouraged, attacked, or stretched beyond what they think they can handle. Give them peace where there is anxiety.  Hope where there is fear.  Faith where there is doubt. And Lord, as doors continue to open, help us stay focused on the assignment You have given us rather than the distractions around us. We trust You with the battle.  We trust You with the outcome.  And we trust You with the next step. In Jesus' name, Amen. We want this to be truly interactive podcast. Please go in the fan mail at https://unrelatedsisterspodcast.buzzsprout.com and tell us your stories and let us know if it’s okay to share (no names). Let us know if you need prayer or how we can support you in your journey. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen.  Follow us on  Facebook @Unrelated Sister's: Truth & Grace Conversation Podcast  TikTok @Unrelated.SistersPodcast  Email us at unrelatedsisterspodcast@gmail.com

Blessed and Burdened

Ladies we want to prayer for you. Please take time to share your story or just ask for prayer. We would love to be unrelated sister to you! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2471763/fan_mail/new] Have you ever looked at your life and wondered how one area could feel completely chaotic while another seems to be falling perfectly into place? In this vulnerable episode of Unrelated Sisters: Truth & Grace Conversation, Shannon shares her heart about a difficult season of leadership, feeling overwhelmed at work, carrying the weight of a tired and frustrated team, and questioning whether she's doing enough. At the very same time, God seems to be moving powerfully through the upcoming women's conference. Doors are opening. Plans are coming together. Peace is showing up where stress should be. So why does God allow us to experience burden and blessing at the same time? Through biblical truth, personal testimony, and the stories of Moses, Mary, Elijah, Joseph, and the Prodigal Son, we'll explore how God often works in multiple chapters of our lives at once. One chapter may feel heavy while another feels hopeful, but His presence remains in both. If you've ever felt torn between pressure and purpose, frustration and faith, chaos and calling, this episode is for you. Because sometimes the greatest evidence of God's direction isn't the absence of problems—it's the presence of His peace.  PRAYER  Jesus, Thank You for meeting us in both the chaos and the calling. Thank You that we don't have to have all the answers. Thank You that we don't have to carry everything. Lord, I pray for every woman listening who feels overwhelmed. The leaders. The mothers. The wives. The caregivers. The women carrying burdens nobody else sees. Remind us today that we were never meant to carry what belongs to You. Give us wisdom where we need direction. Give us strength where we feel weak. Give us peace where we feel pressure. And Father, when one part of our life feels chaotic while another feels blessed, help us trust that You are working in both places. Teach us to recognize Your peace. Teach us to rest in Your presence. And remind us that if we have peace in our moment, it is of You. In Jesus' name, Amen. Main Scripture: 📖 John 16:33 "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." 📖 Numbers 11:14 "I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me." 📖 John 19:25 "Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother." 📖 Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Remember this: You can be blessed and burdened at the same time. You can be called and challenged at the same time. You can be walking through chaos and still be standing in God's will. And if His peace is present... keep walking. Because God is writing a beautiful story in every chapter. ❤️ We want this to be truly interactive podcast. Please go in the fan mail at https://unrelatedsisterspodcast.buzzsprout.com and tell us your stories and let us know if it’s okay to share (no names). Let us know if you need prayer or how we can support you in your journey. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen.  Follow us on  Facebook @Unrelated Sister's: Truth & Grace Conversation Podcast  TikTok @Unrelated.SistersPodcast  Email us at unrelatedsisterspodcast@gmail.com