Equipping Godly Women Podcast

What If You're Not Broken—You're Just Different? - with Kristen LaValley

Brittany Ann

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0:00 | 31:19

Ever feel like God loves you because He has to, but He doesn't actually like you? Like you're constantly disappointing Him and He's just tolerating you until you get it together?

In this conversation with Kristen LaValley (author of "Growing Up Saved"), we're talking about the shame so many of us absorbed growing up in church, why performing for God's love is exhausting (and impossible), and how to heal from believing you're too broken for God to genuinely delight in.

Kristen shares her story of growing up in a charismatic church feeling like God hated her because she didn't worship the "right" way, the pressure to reach spiritual milestones to earn validation, and how getting diagnosed with ADHD broke the shame she'd carried her whole life.

We talk about recognizing the "shame stories" you're telling yourself, finding "truth keepers" who remind you who God says you are, and why swinging to the opposite extreme after leaving strict church environments isn't real freedom either.

This episode is for you if:
• You believe God loves you but you're not sure He actually likes you
• You're exhausted from performing to earn God's approval
• You grew up in church and absorbed shame about who you are
• You feel broken because you don't "do faith" the right way
• You're terrified of being certain about everything or having doubts
• You compare your faith journey to others and feel like you're failing
• You struggle with perfectionism in faith, motherhood, or marriage

Kristen gives honest, grace-filled guidance on breaking shame's hold, why God went looking for Adam and Eve when they hid (He doesn't want you hiding either), and how metabolizing God's love changes everything about how you walk with Him.

Plus, why shame is a liar that keeps you from understanding how much God truly loves you.

Remember: God loves you AND He likes you. Not because of what you do, but because of who He is.

📖 RESOURCE MENTIONED:
Kristen's book: "Growing Up Saved"
https://amzn.to/40Q4q1g (affiliate)

🔗 CONNECT WITH KRISTEN:
Website: https://www.KristenLaValley.com

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