Ep 190: Battling Spiritual Resistance When All Hell Breaks Loose with Teresa Whiting
I hate to burst your bubble, but whenever you step out in obedience to God, all hell breaks loose. That is exactly what happened when my guest embarked on writing her Bible study for sexually broken women: Graced: How God Redeems and Restores the Broken.
Today, I welcome back my friend Teresa Whiting for Part 2 of our 2-part conversation where we talk about what to do when you encounter spiritual resistance. Teresa shared some solid truths about herself and others through writing this study. We discuss our mutual aversion toward a thing that appears on both of our To-Don’t Lists. And Teresa encourages the woman who feels sexually broken today.
Here are the highlights of our conversation
Hope and Healing
– Sexual brokenness and identity
– God’s ability to restore, redeem, and heal
– Importance of seeking help and not staying silent
– Finding beauty from ashes
Fighting the Spiritual Resistance that Comes with Obedience to God’s Call
– Singing worship music
– Reading the Psalms
– Pursuing spiritual things
– Fasting for spiritual sensitivity
– Addressing oppression at the root
– Fighting with spiritual weapons
-The importance of prayer warriors
Fun Stuff
– The challenges of a book launch
-Self-publishing > Traditional publishing
– What Teresa learned about herself through this book-writing process
-What is on Teresa’s To-Don’t List (aka our mutual aversion to social media)
-a Chrome extension you can use to hide your SM feed!
Timestamp Overview
[00:02:57] The responsibility of sharing a serious biblical message requires careful consideration and prayer to avoid misleading others,
[00:03:41] Pursuing spiritual things brings challenges, with the closer it gets to putting an idea into practice, the more challenges arise. Teresa experienced strain on her marriage, body, and family, warning other women that studying God’s word is a battle. Satan wants women silenced and will go after their families.
[00:06:49] Teresa uses worship music and singing praise as a battle strategy to reduce anxiety. She is gathering people to pray for her and acknowledge grief, finding comfort in reading the Psalms.
[00:14:45] Focus on doing your best and leave the outcome to God. Life is always hectic.
[00:19:04] Having other people around is important because they can reorient and see things we can’t, and the kindness and support of others is surprising but appreciated.
[00:20:22] “Find Hope Here” podcast is about finding joy and peace in the midst of brokenness through God’s work in our lives. Season one is a Bible study featuring women’s stories from Scripture and guests sharing their own experiences. Listeners are encouraged to do the study for themselves. Season two is undecided.
[00:24:46] Women in Florida can attend a four-day intensive healing program in September with biblical teaching, group counseling, and individual counseling with licensed therapists.
[00:26:38] Subscribe to the author’s email list for a monthly newsletter containing links to her podcast, book reviews, Bible study updates and more; and avail her services for speaking at church events.
[00:28:53] Teresa and Sandy are friends who share an aversion to social media. She has unfollowed everyone on Facebook and only uses it minimally for online groups. She uses a Chrome extension called Newsfeed eradicator to avoid distractions when using Facebook.
[00:32:16] Teresa’s encouragement to women with sexual brokenness, reminding them that it doesn’t define them and that God can restore and redeem them. Encouragement to seek help and not suffer in silence.
More about Teresa:
Teresa is passionate about helping women connect God’s word to their everyday lives. As a pastor’s wife and ministry leader of almost 30 years, she has walked with countless women through their life struggles. Teresa has a degree in Bible and counseling. Additionally, she has lived the truths she teaches. A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, she has experienced God’s power to make beauty from ashes. Her ministry is marked by vulnerability, empathy and compassion while firmly grounded in Biblical truth.
LINKS:
– The articles Teresa has written about scars: Every Scar a Story Sanding & Scars Brave Enough to Bare Our Scars
–Graced Guide to Restoration: A free collection of trusted resources from Teresa for you!
–Hope Restored Trauma Intensive.
3 Night / 4 Day Trauma Healing Intensive in Sunny Florida.
September 21-September 24, 2023 // $1,500
For more info, email: brenda@wellspring.email
– Teresa’s Podcast: Find Hope Here or Find Hope Here on Apple Podcasts
– Teresa’s Website: teresawhiting.com
(Some links of these links may be affiliates)
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