In this powerful episode, I sat down with my friend Paula—a licensed professional counselor with a heart for helping others through the lens of faith. Paula shared her deeply personal journey from struggling with depression as a teenager to discovering her purpose through Christian counseling. She opened up about her experiences with postpartum depression, a spiritual crisis moment during the pandemic, and how God radically intervened in her life.

We talked about what it looks like to bring Jesus into mental health spaces, the power of sharing your story, and how biblical truth can ground us in seasons of emotional and spiritual struggle. If you've ever felt alone in your pain or unsure of how to support someone walking through it—this conversation will encourage you, equip you, and point you back to the Healer.

• Paula’s personal testimony: from religion to relationship with Jesus
• Her teenage battle with depression and the surprising gift of music as healing
• The supernatural encounter that changed everything during the pandemic
• Why Christian counseling matters—and how to find one
• Practical ways to support someone in emotional distress
• Using Scripture to combat shame, isolation, and fear
• How to integrate faith, psychology, and spiritual disciplines
• Paula’s recommended resources for biblical counseling and soul care

• 2 Timothy 3:16–17 – On using God’s Word to equip and counsel
• Job’s story – A reminder that presence often matters more than solutions
• Philippians 4:7 – The peace of God that surpasses understanding

• Boundaries for the Soul by Dr. Alison Cook
• Theology, Spirituality, and Psychology by Dr. Stephen P. Greggo
• Jackie Hill Perry's Bible teaching
• Faith-based podcasts and worship playlists
• Meditation on Scripture and the Holy Spirit (not just secular mindfulness)

You don’t need to have it all together to seek help. Paula reminds us that Jesus meets us in the mess and uses our pain for purpose. If you’re in a season of struggle, don’t stay silent. You’re not alone—and healing is possible.

Need someone to talk to? Reach out. DM me, or use the links below to find a Christian counselor near you.

• Psychology Today Profile
• Website: [Coming Soon]

Make sure you’re subscribed to Thrive Through the Fire for more episodes that blend real-life struggles with biblical hope.

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In this episode, I’m opening up about something we don’t talk about enough—vulnerability. So many of us have been taught to hold it all together, to smile through the pain, and to act like everything’s fine. But vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s one of the strongest, most Christ-like things we can embody.

Together, we explore what the Bible says about vulnerability, how Jesus modeled it, and why embracing our own brokenness opens the door to real connection and healing. I share a personal story about my cancer journey and how learning to be vulnerable transformed not only my faith but the way I connect with others.

• What vulnerability really means through a biblical lens
• How Jesus modeled honest emotion and deep humanity
• Why showing up honestly creates deeper healing and connection
• The power of your testimony and why your story matters
• Practical ways to be vulnerable without oversharing
• How God can use your pain for His purpose
• A few personal stories from my own walk through faith, fear, and finding my voice

• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – “My power is made perfect in weakness…”
• John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.”
• Matthew 27:46 – “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
• Revelation 12:11 – “They overcame… by the word of their testimony.”
• Psalm 62:8 – “Pour out your hearts to Him…”

1. Start with God – Be honest in your prayer life. He can handle your fears, doubts, and questions.
2. Find Safe People – Share with those who will point you back to truth and not shame.
3. Share From Scars, Not Open Wounds – Process privately first when needed, then share as you're led.

Tell the truth to one person about something that’s been heavy on your heart. It doesn’t have to be dramatic. It just has to be real. And if you don’t have someone safe to talk to, DM me. I’m here to pray with you.

If this episode spoke to you, would you share it with a friend? It might be exactly what they need today.

You can also find me on Instagram or at Tools 2 Thrive for encouragement, resources, and more ways to live out your faith through the fire.

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In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire, I’m diving into one of the most powerful things we can do with our faith—share our story. I know firsthand how scary it can be to speak up, especially when you feel like your story isn’t dramatic enough or you’re still walking through it. But here's the truth: your testimony carries weight, and someone out there needs to hear it.

I’ll walk through:

• Why your story matters—even if you think it doesn’t
• What Scripture says about the power of your testimony
• How to share your story with confidence, not fear
• My own journey with opening up about my cancer diagnosis and how God met me in the middle of it
• A few practical tips to help you start telling your story today

We’ll also look at some amazing biblical examples—from the woman at the well to the man born blind—who simply shared what Jesus had done in their lives, and lives were changed because of it.

If you’ve been feeling like your voice doesn’t matter, or like you don’t have the words to explain what you’ve gone through, this episode will encourage you to speak anyway. Your story could be the bridge that helps someone meet Jesus. And if you’re still in the middle of your journey, that’s okay too—because testimonies aren’t about having it all together. They’re about pointing to the One who holds it all together.

Plus, I’ll tell you more about the testimony journal I created to help you write out your story, organize your thoughts, and find clarity and confidence in sharing what God has done in your life. Check the show notes for the link.

Scriptures we explore in this episode:

• Revelation 12:11
• John 4:39
• John 9:25
• 2 Corinthians 1:3–4
• Romans 10:17

If this episode encouraged you or you’re ready to share your story, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out and let’s talk. And if you know someone who needs this message, send it their way.

God doesn’t waste anything—not your pain, not your past, not even your process.

If your looking for a tool to help you write your testimony, CLICK HERE for my recommendation.

Let’s thrive through the fire together.