13. The Valley (Part 2): How God Met Me, Healed Me, and Restored My Fire

19. When Your Feelings Get Hurt: Emotional Responsibility & Healthier Relationships

Have you ever found yourself replaying a conversation, feeling hurt by someone's words, or carrying resentment long after the moment has passed? What if the greatest freedom isn't found in changing the other person... but in discovering what God wants to do in you? In this episode, Stephanie continues the Relationships Series by sharing one of the most transformative mindset shifts God has taught her. Through personal stories, biblical truth, and practical encouragement, you'll discover how emotional responsibility protects relationships, why hurt feelings don't have to define your responses, and how renewing your mind looks in everyday life. If you've ever struggled with feeling "too sensitive," taking offense easily, replaying conversations, blaming others for your emotional state, or simply longing for healthier relationships, this conversation will encourage and equip you. 🌿 In This Episode You'll Hear * Why hurt feelings don't make you weak * How blame quietly hands your peace over to other people * What it means to take emotional responsibility without ignoring real hurt * The difference between reacting from false-self and responding from true-self * Stephanie's personal story of learning she had a choice in what happened after the hurt * A practical example of renewing your mind in a real-life parenting moment * How curiosity can replace defensiveness * Why "the pause" can transform your relationships * Biblical wisdom from James, Romans, Ephesians, and Hebrews woven into everyday life * How God uses ordinary relationships to shape us into becoming more like Jesus * Reflection questions to help you begin practicing these truths this week 📖 Scripture Mentioned * Romans 12:2 * James 1:19–20 * Ephesians 4:31–32 * Hebrews 12:15 ☕ Come Join Me On The Porch 30-Minute Virtual Coffee Chat I'd love to meet you! If you'd like to talk about coaching, ask questions, or explore what it might look like to work together, grab a virtual coffee chat here: https://calendly.com/stephaniesekaz/30-min-strategy-call [https://calendly.com/stephaniesekaz/30-min-strategy-call] ✍️ Pull Up Another Chair I've also started writing on Substack—a quiet little extension of the porch. You'll find reflections, God-winks, quotes, stories, and the thoughts I'm pondering throughout the week. Think of it as opening my journal and continuing the conversation beyond the podcast. I'd love for you to join me there: https://stephaniesekaz.substack.com/ [https://stephaniesekaz.substack.com/]  💌 Join My Love Letters Email Community Receive weekly encouragement, podcast updates, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and occasional surprises delivered straight to your inbox. Hit "subscribe" at: https://stephaniesekaz.substack.com/ [https://stephaniesekaz.substack.com/]   🧡 Let's Stay Connected Email: faithfirefreedompodcast@gmail.com Instagram & Facebook: @stephanie_sekaz ⭐ If You're Loving The Show Would you take a moment to leave a review and share this episode with a friend? Your reviews help more people discover Faith, Fire, Freedom and encourage someone else who may need this message today. ✝️ Dedication This episode is for the woman who longs for healthier relationships but finds herself replaying conversations, carrying hurt, or reacting from old patterns. May you discover the freedom that comes from renewing your mind, responding from truth instead of fear, and allowing Christ to transform your heart one relationship at a time. Jesus, this is Yours. Created through Him, for Him, and to Him (Romans 11:36). 🔥

18. Can You Allow Them to Be Wrong About You? Assumptions, Identity, and the Freedom of Letting Go

Have you ever found yourself replaying a conversation, analyzing someone's tone, or assuming you knew exactly what another person was thinking about you? Maybe you assumed they were upset. Maybe you assumed they were judging you. Maybe you assumed they misunderstood you. What if the story you've been carrying isn't actually true? In this episode, Stephanie continues the Relationships Series by sharing one of the most transformative mindset shifts of her life. Through personal stories, biblical truth, coaching insights, and practical reflection, you'll discover how assumptions can quietly rob us of peace, why trying to manage other people's thoughts leaves us exhausted, and how freedom begins when we stop carrying what was never ours to control. You'll learn why assumptions often feel true even when they're not, how defensiveness can keep us stuck, what it means to release people to their own thoughts and agency, and how resting in your identity in Christ changes the way you navigate relationships. If you've ever struggled with criticism, misunderstanding, people-pleasing, defensiveness, or caring too much about what others think, this episode is for you. 🌿 In This Episode You Will Hear * Why assumptions are often not facts * How mind-reading creates unnecessary hurt and frustration * Stephanie's story of discovering she was wrong 95% of the time * The powerful coaching question that changed everything: "Can you allow them to be wrong about you?" * Why trying to control other people's thoughts steals your peace * How Creation Cycles help us release others to their own agency * What it means to stop carrying opinions that were never yours to manage * The connection between identity, truth, and emotional freedom * How Jesus modeled security in His relationship with the Father even when He was misunderstood * Why the pivot from false-self to true-self gets quicker with practice * Reflection questions to help you release assumptions and remain anchored in truth 📖 Scripture Mentioned * John 8:32 * Romans 12:2 * Psalm 139 ☕ Come Join Me On The Porch 30-Minute Virtual Coffee Chat I'd love to meet you! If you'd like to connect, ask questions about coaching, or simply have a conversation, grab a virtual coffee chat here: https://calendly.com/stephaniesekaz/30-min-strategy-call [https://calendly.com/stephaniesekaz/30-min-strategy-call] Join My VIP Email Community Receive weekly encouragement, podcast updates, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and special notes delivered straight to your inbox: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1936705/171737099393828190/share [https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1936705/171737099393828190/share] 🧡 Let's Stay Connected Email: faithfirefreedompodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @stephanie_sekaz Facebook: Stephanie Adams Sekaz Substack: Faith Fire Freedom  ⭐ If You're Loving The Show Would you take a moment to leave a review and share this episode with a friend? Your reviews help more people discover Faith, Fire, Freedom and encourage others who may need this message. ✝️ Dedication This episode is for the woman who is exhausted from carrying conversations long after they're over. For the woman who has spent too much time worrying about what everyone else thinks and is ready to find freedom in what God says instead. For the woman learning to release assumptions, trust God with what she cannot control, and rest securely in her identity in Christ. Jesus, this is Yours. Created through Him, for Him, and to Him (Romans 11:36). 🔥

17. Expectations, Manuals & Hooks: The Relationship Patterns That Keep Us Stuck

Have you ever found yourself frustrated, hurt, disappointed, or resentful because someone didn't do what you thought they should do? What if the tension you're experiencing isn't actually being caused by the other person? In this episode, Stephanie continues the Relationships Series by exploring the invisible expectations, unwritten rules, and emotional "hooks" that often create frustration in our relationships. Through personal stories, mindset tools, biblical truth, and practical reflection, you'll discover how manuals, expectations, and control can quietly keep us stuck—and how freedom begins when we release what was never ours to carry. You'll learn why expectations often lead to disappointment, how trying to control others robs us of peace, what it means to release people to their own agency and the Holy Spirit, and how renewing our minds allows God's love to flow more freely through our relationships. If you've ever struggled with resentment, people-pleasing, control, disappointment, or carrying emotional burdens that feel too heavy, this episode is for you. 🌿 In This Episode You Will Hear * Why many relationship struggles begin with invisible expectations * What "manuals" are and how they quietly shape our relationships * The connection between expectations, resentment, and disappointment * Why control often feels safe but never produces freedom * How creation cycles and personal agency transform relationships * What it means to release people to their own choices and the Holy Spirit * The difference between carrying people and loving people * How "hooks" keep us emotionally attached to outcomes we can't control * Stephanie's powerful visualization of taking loved ones off the hooks * Why God's Word is the only manual worth following * Replacing hooks with forgiveness, curiosity, and compassion * How Freedom Flow is restored when we release what isn't ours to carry * Reflection questions to help you begin your own journey toward freedom 📖 Scripture Mentioned * Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." ☕ Come Join Me On The Porch 30-Minute Virtual Coffee Chat I'd love to meet you! If you'd like to connect, ask questions about coaching, or simply have a conversation, grab a virtual coffee chat here: https://calendly.com/stephaniesekaz/30-min-strategy-call [https://calendly.com/stephaniesekaz/30-min-strategy-call] Join My VIP Email Community Receive weekly encouragement, podcast updates, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and special notes delivered straight to your inbox: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1936705/171737099393828190/share [https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1936705/171737099393828190/share] 🧡Let's Stay Connected Email: faithfirefreedompodcast@gmail.com Instagram & Facebook: @stephanie_sekaz ⭐ If You're Loving The Show Would you take a moment to leave a review and share this episode with a friend? Your reviews help more people discover Faith, Fire, Freedom and encourage others who may need this message. ✝️ Dedication This episode is for the woman who is tired of carrying what was never hers to carry. For the woman learning to release control, surrender expectations, and trust God with the people she loves. This podcast is dedicated to the One who restores relationships, renews minds, lifts burdens, and leads us into freedom. Jesus, this is Yours. Created through Him, for Him, and to Him (Romans 11:36). 🔥

16. What Relationships Reveal: How God Uses People to Grow Us

What if the relationships in your life are revealing more than you realize? In this episode, Stephanie explores how God uses relationships to shape us, grow us, and reveal areas that still need healing, renewal, and freedom. Building on Episode 15's invitation into a WITH-God life, this conversation explores how time spent with God begins transforming the way we show up in our relationships. Through personal stories, coaching insights, Scripture, and practical reflection, Stephanie introduces the concept of the Freedom Flow—the way God's love is meant to flow from Him, to us, and through us to others. She also shares how relationships often become the very place where God does some of His deepest work in our hearts. If you've ever found yourself frustrated by difficult people, wondering why certain relationships seem so challenging, or sensing God inviting you into greater freedom, this episode is for you. 🌿 In This Episode You Will Hear: * Why relationships matter so deeply to God * How Episode 15's WITH-God life naturally leads into healthier relationships * Dr. Lee Warren's insights on renewal, neuroplasticity, and intentional transformation * The Freedom Flow: God's love flowing from Him, to us, and through us to others * How assumptions, expectations, resentment, people-pleasing, unforgiveness, control, and fear can interrupt that flow * Why relationships often reveal what is already happening inside of us * The powerful idea that relationships are often part of God's curriculum for our growth * How curiosity can replace judgment in difficult relationships * What true freedom looks like in relationships * A simple invitation to begin noticing what your relationships may be revealing 🌿 Scripture Mentioned * Romans 12:2 🌿 Come Join Me On the Porch ☕ Schedule a free 30-Minute Virtual Coffee Chat: https://calendly.com/stephaniesekaz/30-min-strategy-call 💌 Join the Faith, Fire, Freedom VIP Email List: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1936705/171737099393828190/share 🌿 Let's Stay Connected faithfirefreedompodcast@gmail.com 🌿 If You're Loving the Show Would you take a moment to leave a rating and review? Reviews help more people discover Faith, Fire, Freedom, and they encourage me more than you know. Thank you for being part of this growing porch community. 🌿 Dedication Relationships can be some of the greatest blessings in our lives—and some of the places where God does His deepest work. My prayer is that this episode encourages you to become curious about what He may be revealing and renewing through the people He has placed in your life. This podcast is dedicated to the One who makes all transformation possible. Jesus, this is Yours. Created through Him, for Him, and to Him. (Romans 11:36)

15. Behold and Become: How God Forms Us in His Presence

Have you ever loved Jesus… but still felt distracted, spiritually dry, or stuck in “doing mode”? Maybe your mornings feel rushed. Your mind feels noisy. Your phone gets your attention before God does. And before you know it… the day has started, your soul feels disconnected, and shame quietly creeps in. In this deeply personal episode, Stephanie shares how God met her after one of the hardest seasons of her life—and how slowing down, abiding, and learning to live a with-God life began forming her from the inside out. This isn’t about creating the perfect quiet time. It’s about presence. It’s about union. And it’s about what happens when we stop striving… and start abiding. 🌿 In This Episode You Will Hear: * Why so many believers love Jesus… but still struggle to slow down * How false-self can resist stillness, surrender, and being seen * What Stephanie’s “porch season” with God actually looked like * How Scripture, prayer, journaling, and intentional presence deepened her walk with Jesus * The shift from living like a Christian… to living like His daughter * Why union with God doesn’t just comfort you… it forms you * Simple questions to help you begin your own “with-God life” 📖 Scripture Mentioned: * 2 Corinthians 3:18 — Beholding Him and being transformed * John 15:4–5 — Abide in Me * Psalm 46:10 — Be still and know * Galatians 4:6–7 — Daughtership and identity in Christ ☕ Come Join Me On the Porch: I’d love to meet you. Book your 30-minute Virtual Coffee Chat here: Virtual Coffee Chat with Stephanie [https://calendly.com/stephaniesekaz/30-min-strategy-call?utm_source=chatgpt.com] A relaxed, no-pressure conversation for Christian women who are ready to renew their minds, deepen their faith, and walk in freedom. 💌 Join the VIP Love Notes & Letters Get weekly encouragement, behind-the-scenes podcast reflections, front-porch truth, and special surprises delivered right to your inbox: Join the VIP Love Notes & Letters [https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1936705/171737099393828190/share?utm_source=chatgpt.com]   ✨ Let’s Stay Connected Email: faithfirefreedompodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @stephanie_sekaz Facebook: Stephanie Adams Sekaz 🎧 Share the Show If this episode encouraged you… would you share it with a friend who might need it too? And if you haven’t already, leaving a written review on Apple Podcasts helps this message reach more women who are walking through hard seasons and need hope. Thank you for being here… it truly means so much. 💛 ✨ Dedication Jesus, this is Yours. May every word, every breath, and every woman who listens experience Your peace, Your presence, and the freedom that comes from placing it all in Your hands. Created through Him, for Him, and to Him. (Romans 11:36)