Behind the polished exterior and daily routines, many of us are fighting private emotional and spiritual battles—longing for healing, comfort, identity, and significance.

But instead of turning to Jesus, we often run to coping mechanisms like food, relationships, work, or addiction.

In this powerful episode, we explore how true freedom comes through complete surrender, and how to identify and release the “crutches” that may be holding you back.

Whether you’ve tried counseling that left your faith out of the process or are searching Scripture for answers but still feel stuck—this episode offers a life-changing invitation to surrender and experience deep, lasting healing.

TIMESTAMPS

• 01:14 – Introduction: The hidden struggle behind the smile
• 02:10 – First step in healing
• 03:20 – Emotional needs: identity, comfort, security, significance
• 03:34 – Common coping mechanisms we run to instead of Christ
• 04:19 – The spiritual consequence of relying on substitutes
• 04:47 – Biblical examples of full surrender: Elisha, Peter & Andrew
• 05:40 – Reflective questions: What are you holding back from God?
• 06:37 – Quick Recap
• 06:57 – Final encouragement: Choose Life Challenge
• 07:44 - Is surrender to the Lord a new concept for you?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Many emotional and spiritual struggles remain hidden behind outward strength and busyness.
• We all desire deep needs—comfort, security, significance—but often seek them in unhealthy or incomplete ways.
• Coping mechanisms can become emotional and spiritual “crutches” that prevent us from fully leaning on Jesus.
• Surrender is not just a one-time event; it’s a daily decision to trust God fully, in every area of life.
• True freedom and healing are only found when we let go of substitutes and choose full dependence on Christ.
• Biblical surrender is often radical and without a backup plan—just wholehearted trust.

DISCLAIMER

I am a licensed professional counselor, however this podcast (and the info shared on my blogs and social media) is not therapy. It is for informational purposes only; this is not a professional therapy relationship; and it is not personal advice to your specific situation. If you wonder whether professional counseling may be helpful for you in this season of life, check out this article that outlines when you might need to seek the help of a professional counselor and how to find a good one: https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor

LINKS

Keys to Freedom Study by Mercy Multiplied

DISCOVER:

https://discover.lwf.org/3-circles/#design

https://www.lwf.org/discover-jesus

https://www.gotquestions.org/take-up-your-cross.htmlHow to Find a Christian Counselor:

https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor

Sign up for my Inner Circle newsletter:

Https://shelleyspence.com

I’m cheering you on as you break free from what’s holding you back and keeping you stuck.

🔍 Episode Overview:

Ever had an outsized reaction and wondered, “Why did that hit me so hard?” You're not alone—and it might have more to do with your roots than the moment itself. In this episode, we explore whether healing requires revisiting the past, using the powerful metaphor of a tree: roots, trunk, and branches. We’ll talk about how belief systems are formed, how wounds become lies, and how true healing happens—not through behavior management, but through heart-level transformation with Jesus.

⏱️ Timestamps:

• 02:22 – The Tree Metaphor: Roots (events), trunk (beliefs), and branches (behaviors) explained
• 05:13 – Do We Have to Dig Into the Past?: Yes…and no (and why that’s good news)
• 05:52 – What Healing Actually Looks Like: From behavior modification to root transformation
• 06:19 – God's Timing & Triggers: How God reveals what needs healing
• 07:09 – Recap
• 08:26 - Practical Challenge: One step you can take this week toward healing

✅ Key Takeaways:

• Our lives are like trees: behaviors (branches) grow from beliefs (trunk), which are nourished by life experiences (roots).
• Many unhealthy behaviors are rooted in lies we believed during painful moments.
• True healing doesn't come from just "chopping off" bad behaviors—it comes from letting God transform the roots.
• We don’t have to obsessively dig through our past. God reveals what needs to be healed, in His timing.
• Emotional triggers are not random—they’re often clues pointing to deeper roots that need attention and truth.

DISCLAIMER

I am a licensed professional counselor, however this podcast (and the info shared on my blogs and social media) is not therapy. It is for informational purposes only; this is not a professional therapy relationship; and it is not personal advice to your specific situation. If you wonder whether professional counseling may be helpful for you in this season of life, check out this article that outlines when you might need to seek the help of a professional counselor and how to find a good one: https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor

📖 Resources Mentioned:

• Keys to Freedom Bible study – Mercy Multiplied
• https://mercymultiplied.com/keys-to-freedom

How to Find a Christian Counselor:

https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor

Sign up for my Inner Circle newsletter:

Https://becomingunhindered.com

I’m cheering you on as you break free from what’s holding you back and keeping you stuck.

📋 Episode Summary:

Ever have big emotions or anxious thoughts crash your day—or your bedtime? In today’s episode, I’m sharing a powerful mental health tool that my clients absolutely love: the Container Exercise. It’s a simple, Jesus-centered strategy that helps you pause, contain, and return to overwhelming thoughts or feelings—without stuffing them or pretending they’re not there.

We’ll also unpack:

• The real purpose of emotions from a faith-based perspective
• The danger of ignoring or stuffing emotions
• What it means to “contain” vs. “avoid”
• A trauma-informed, Jesus-centered visualization exercise to manage emotions
• Why this tool is especially helpful at bedtime, during stress, or when you’re short on time

If you’re tired of being ruled by your emotions—or if racing thoughts are wrecking your sleep—you’re in the right place.

TIMESTAMPS

• 01:27 - Purpose of emotions
• 02:05 - Emotions need attention
• 03:08 – What Scripture says about feelings and self-control
• 03:50 - When big emotions show up at inconvenient times
• 04:45 – Difference between containing and stuffing
• 05:15 – Step-by-step to handle big emotion
• 08:10 - Container Exercise (with Jesus!)
• 12:03 - Recap
• 12:53 – Choose Life Challenge: Try this Container Exercise again today...and before bed tonight

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Emotions are data.

Emotions don't make good leaders for our lives or decisions.

Learn to contain emotion, rather than stuff or avoid. When you contain emotion, you set an appointment with yourself to process the emotion (and whatever's behind it) for a later time, when you can give it your full attention.

DISCLAIMER

I am a licensed professional counselor, however this podcast (and the info shared on my blogs and social media) is not therapy. It is for informational purposes only; this is not a professional therapy relationship; and it is not personal advice to your specific situation. If you wonder whether professional counseling may be helpful for you in this season of life, check out this article that outlines when you might need to seek the help of a professional counselor and how to find a good one: https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor

Mentioned in This Episode:

How to Find a Christian Counselor:

https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor

Sign up for my Inner Circle newsletter:

Https://shelleyspence.com

Container Exercise – From Dr. Ricky Greenwald (Trauma Institute NY), with Christ-centered twist

https://www.gotquestions.org/managing-emotions.html

📲 Don’t Miss:

• Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode!
• Share this episode with a friend who struggles with racing thoughts or emotional overwhelm
• Tag me on Instagram @becomingunhindered if this tool helps you!

I’m cheering you on as you break free from what’s holding you back and keeping you stuck.