When Friends Aren’t Enough: Finding Safe and Structured Support

Finding Your People When Life Has Changed

Finding Your People When Life Has Changed Have you ever looked around and wondered if everyone else already has "their people"...except you? Whether you've experienced divorce, betrayal, grief, a move, an empty nest, or another major life transition, it's easy to wonder where you fit and how meaningful friendships are even built. In this episode, we're continuing the conversation that began last week with my friend Terrie Tollerson. While Terrie's story was one of rebuilding after devastating loss, this week we explore what often comes next: discovering that God faithfully provides the people we need—not always in dramatic moments, but through ordinary faithfulness over time. Together we'll look at Hebrews 10:19–25 and Psalm 121, discovering that God never intended for us to persevere alone. As we draw near to Him, hold tightly to hope, and faithfully show up where He has planted us, we often discover His fingerprints in the relationships He has been quietly growing all along. In This Episode ☕ Why God never intended for us to persevere alone ☕ How meaningful friendships usually grow through ordinary faithfulness—not instant chemistry ☕ Why looking back can help you recognize God's faithfulness moving forward ☕ What to do if your list of safe people feels painfully short today Scriptures Mentioned * Hebrews 10:19–25 * Psalm 121:1–2 Episode 53: Unseen No More: Rebuilding After Devastation with Terrie Tollerson [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4S26srdEowzQfgIUcc09C2?si=5b6f0719f1634292] ☕️One Last Sip This week, spend a few quiet moments reflecting on the different seasons of your life. * Who has God faithfully brought into your story? * Who encouraged you? * Who prayed for you? * Who simply showed up? Growing Deeper Together Thank God for His faithfulness. Then choose one person and let them know. Send a text. Write a handwritten note. Make a phone call. And if your list feels painfully short today, ask the Lord to show you where He is inviting you to faithfully show up in this season. He is still writing your story. Remember: When you look back, you won't just see friendships. You'll see the faithfulness of God. Connect with Sherry Lynn ☕ Join the A Cup of Hope Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/acupofhopecommunity] One producer suggestionConnect with Sherry

When Friends Aren’t Enough: Finding Safe and Structured Support

Friendship is a beautiful gift, but friends were never meant to provide every kind of support we may need in every season. In this episode, we’re talking about what it means to assess the weight we are carrying and ask, “What kind of support, tools, skills, and safe people do I need right now?” When life gets heavy — grief, divorce, betrayal, financial stress, chronic illness, parenting challenges, or emotional overwhelm — the first wise step may not be fixing everything. It may be pausing long enough to notice what this season actually requires. We’ll talk about: * why different wounds need different support * how wise friends can help us recognize when more tools are needed * why one person was never meant to be your whole support system * the difference between online connection and “kneecap-to-kneecap” people * how safe friendships can grow through consistent, intentional rhythms Today’s Cup of Hope: There is safety in wise support. There is safety in not expecting one person to carry what was never meant to be carried by one person. Scripture Anchor: Proverbs 11:14 NLT — “Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.” Growing Deeper: Take five quiet minutes this week and ask: 1. What am I carrying right now? 2. What kind of support or tools might this season require? 3. Who is one safe person or resource I can reach toward this week? You were not created to carry it all alone. A Note for Women Walking Through Betrayal If broken trust, betrayal, or deception in marriage is part of your story, this is one of the reasons I created Beautifully Broken — a Christ-centered group coaching space for women who need safe, structured support as they begin healing with clarity, courage, and hope. You can learn more here: Beautifully Broken [https://www.sherrydushawcoaching.com/beautifully-broken-invitation] Additional Support Resources GriefShare — grief support groups: https://www.griefshare.org/ [https://www.griefshare.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] DivorceCare — divorce recovery support groups: https://www.divorcecare.org/ [https://www.divorcecare.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Celebrate Recovery — Christ-centered recovery support: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ GriefShare and DivorceCare offer in-person and online support and recovery groups.

Unseen No More: Rebuilding After Devastation with Terrie Tollerson

Unseen No More: Rebuilding After Devastation with Terrie Tollerson What do you do when life falls apart—and the pain is serious, hidden, or hard for other people to understand? In this episode of A Cup of Hope, I sit down with my friend, Terrie Tollerson, for a deeply personal conversation about devastation, identity, domestic violence awareness, safe support, and what it means to be seen. Terrie is a passionate speaker, Bible teacher, and overcomer with a heart for women in abusive relationships, women who have been misled by Scripture, and women walking through divorce. After being married to a pastor for 18 years while abuse was present in their home, Terrie now shares a message of hope, healing, and God's faithfulness. Her story reminds us that devastation does not get the final word. Together, we talk about: • What devastation can do to our identity • Why feeling "unseen" is such a common part of trauma • The importance of wise, safe support • God's faithfulness in the rebuilding process • Hope for women walking through difficult seasons Scripture for this episode: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." — Psalm 34:18 (NLT) Connect with Terrie: 🌿 Download Terrie's free devotional: A Soft Landing: A Seven-Day Devotional for When Life Falls Apart [https://www.terrietollerson.com/freebies#devo] https://www.terrietollerson.com Instagram: @TerrieTollerson TikTok: @terrie.tollerson Content Note This episode includes discussion of domestic violence, emotional abuse, an unsafe marriage, trauma, and rebuilding life after leaving. Please take care of yourself as you listen. If today's conversation raised concerns about your own safety or the safety of someone you love, confidential support resources are available. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 (or your local emergency services). For confidential support in the United States, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call: 800-799-7233 (SAFE) Text: START to 88788 Website: https://www.thehotline.org [https://www.thehotline.org/] If this episode encouraged you, I'd be honored if you would follow A Cup of Hope, leave a review, or share it with someone who needs a little hope today. Remember, God can take the broken pieces of your story and create something more beautiful than you could ever imagine.

Why Do I Feel So Alone?

Have you ever been surrounded by people and still felt completely alone? Loneliness is something many of us experience, yet few of us talk about honestly. Whether you're navigating a difficult season, carrying a heavy burden, healing from betrayal, or simply feeling disconnected, this episode is a reminder that loneliness does not mean you are unseen, forgotten, or abandoned. In today's conversation, we'll explore the difference between being alone and feeling lonely, why strength isn't the same as independence, and how God often meets us through connection with others. You'll learn: ☕ Why loneliness is more common than most people realize ☕ How isolation can impact our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being ☕ What Scripture teaches about carrying burdens together ☕ Why asking for support is a sign of courage, not weakness ☕ One simple step you can take today to reconnect Key Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 Growing Deeper Reflection Questions: • What burden have you been carrying alone? • Who is one safe person you could reach out to this week? • What would change if you allowed yourself to receive support instead of trying to be strong on your own? Remember: Feeling lonely does not mean you are actually alone. Thank you for joining me for another Cup of Hope. If this episode encouraged you, I'd be grateful if you'd follow the podcast and share it with a friend who may need this reminder today. God can take the broken pieces of your story and create something more beautiful than you ever imagined.

Make Room for Summer: Calendar First, Budget Second

Summer has a way of filling up fast. Cookouts. Camps. Vacations. Graduation parties. Last-minute plans. Extra spending. Extra expectations. And before you know it, your calendar — and your budget — feel completely out of control. In this episode of A Cup of Hope, we’re talking about a simple shift that can bring clarity and peace before summer chaos takes over: Calendar first. Budget second. Because your money doesn’t disappear randomly. It usually follows the pace and pressure of your schedule. In this episode, we’ll talk about: * Why overwhelm often starts with your calendar, not your bank account * How busyness quietly drains your time, energy, and money * The connection between planning ahead and emotional spending * How to create margin before summer gets too full * Simple ways to prepare your schedule and budget together This isn’t about creating a perfect summer. It’s about being intentional enough to actually enjoy it. If life has felt rushed, reactive, or financially stretched lately, this episode will help you slow down, think ahead, and make decisions with more peace and clarity. Your budget works better when your calendar tells the truth first. ☕ Enjoying the podcast? Be sure to follow, rate, and share A Cup of Hope with a friend who could use a little encouragement today. 📩 Connect with Sherry Lynn Coaching: Website: SherryDuShawCoaching.com [https://www.sherrydushawcoaching.com] Facebook Community: A Cup of Hope Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/acupofhopecommunity] One Last Sip: