Unforgiveness feels heavy because it is. It is like dragging a boulder everywhere you go. Exhausting, frustrating, and honestly unnecessary.

So what if letting it go is actually the doorway to peace?

So many women are walking around carrying bitterness that is quietly eating away at their joy, their relationships, and their connection with God. And here is the truth. Forgiveness is not pretending it did not hurt. It is choosing to release what is weighing you down so you can finally be free.

Think of it this way:
You can keep dragging the boulder… or you can set it down and let God carry what was never yours to hold.

Is forgiveness easy? No.
Is it necessary for healing? Absolutely.

Forgiveness is a decision you make over and over again. It is a process. But it is also one of the most powerful ways to restore your heart, your peace, and your relationship with God and others.

And if you are feeling stuck, angry, or even wrestling with God in the middle of your pain, you are not alone. He is big enough to handle all of it. Your questions. Your hurt. Your anger.

Forgiveness is not weakness.
It is strength rooted in trust.

Start small today:

• Say the prayer even if you do not feel ready
• Ask God for the willingness to forgive
• Take one step toward letting go

God will meet you there.

What is one small step you can take today?

If you want practical steps, biblical encouragement, and real hope on your forgiveness journey, reach out to Leslie about her new book at leslie@heartcallministries.org

#ChristianHealing #ForgivenessJourney #FaithOverFear #HealingInChrist #LetGoAndTrustGod #BiblicalTruth #ChristianWomen #EmotionalHealing #FaithAndMentalHealth

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Have you ever wondered if a habit that once helped you cope has quietly started controlling you?

In this episode of 
Encounters at the Well
, we're talking about behavioral addictions and the subtle ways they can take hold of our hearts and minds. From endless scrolling and shopping to binge-watching, emotional eating, and other compulsive behaviors, we explore why we turn to these things and what true freedom looks like through the lens of faith.

Together we'll discuss:

• How to recognize when a coping mechanism has become a captor
• Why behavioral addictions are often rooted in deeper pain, fear, or unmet needs
• The difference between shame and conviction
• How our habits can reveal where we're looking for comfort, identity, and security
• Practical, faith-filled steps toward healing and freedom

The good news is this: God sees your struggle, and He is not intimidated by it. You are not too far gone, too broken, or too stuck. Freedom doesn't begin with shame. It begins with honesty, surrender, and allowing Jesus into the places you've been hiding.

If you've ever felt trapped by habits you can't seem to break, this conversation is for you.

Grab your coffee, open your heart, and join us at the well as we discover that the only Master worth trusting is Jesus, and the freedom He offers is greater than anything holding you back.

#EncountersAtTheWell #FreedomInChrist #ChristianWomen #FaithOverFear #BehavioralAddiction #MentalHealthAndFaith #HealingJourney #IdentityInChrist #BreakingChains #JesusHeals

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Have you ever found yourself reaching for something to numb the pain, quiet the anxiety, or escape the overwhelm?

In this episode of 
Encounters at the Well
, we're having an honest conversation about substance addiction, numbing behaviors, and the hope of healing through Christ. Addiction often grows in secrecy and isolation, but freedom begins when we bring our struggles into the light and allow God and trusted others to walk with us toward healing.

We talk about why addiction is not just a physical battle but also a spiritual and emotional one, how shame keeps us stuck, and the important difference between conviction from the Holy Spirit and condemnation from the enemy. If you've ever felt trapped by a habit, behavior, or substance you can't seem to break free from, this conversation is for you.

You'll also hear practical, faith-based steps for recovery, healing, and finding lasting freedom through God's grace and truth.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why addiction thrives in secrecy and isolation
• The difference between conviction and condemnation
• How shame keeps us stuck and grace helps us heal
• The importance of community and accountability
• Practical steps toward recovery and freedom
• Finding hope and healing through Christ

No matter how long you've struggled, your story is not over. There is hope, healing, and freedom available to you.

Connect with us:
Website: hopeandhealingchristianlifecoaching.com

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who may need this message today.

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

In this deeply personal episode of 
Encounters at the Well
, I'm joined by my daughter, Alli, as she shares her journey through anxiety, depression, and faith. Together, we have an honest conversation about what it's like to walk through mental health struggles as a Christian, both from the perspective of the person struggling and the family members who love them.

Alli opens up about her experiences with anxiety and depression, the challenges she faced during college, her journey to faith, and the reality of continuing to manage her mental health through therapy and medication. We also talk about a difficult crisis season in 2023, the importance of having supportive people around you, and what helped her keep moving forward when life felt overwhelming.

If you've ever wondered whether struggling with anxiety or depression means you're failing God, this conversation is for you. We discuss common misconceptions about mental health and faith, the importance of seeking professional help, and why needing support doesn't make you weak. It makes you human.

My prayer is that this episode reminds you that you are not alone, your struggles do not define you, and there is hope even in the hardest seasons.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Alli's journey with anxiety, depression, and faith
• The impact of college and life transitions on mental health
• Why seeking therapy and taking medication is not a lack of faith
• Supporting a loved one through mental health challenges
• The importance of community and professional help
• Finding hope and strength in Christ during difficult seasons
• Breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in the Christian community

No matter where you are in your journey, we hope this conversation encourages you to reach out, seek support, and remember that God's presence is with you in every season.

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

What happens when faith feels strong on the outside… but anxiety and depression are loud on the inside?

In this honest conversation, we’re talking about the real struggle so many Christian women face with mental health and why battling anxiety or depression does not mean your faith is weak. We dive into the intersection of faith and mental health, the role the church can play in healing, and why therapy can be a beautiful tool God uses in the process.

We also look at biblical examples of people who struggled deeply and remind ourselves that God is not intimidated by our pain, questions, or hard seasons.

If you’ve ever felt ashamed for struggling, this episode is for you. You are not failing God. You are human, deeply loved, and worthy of support and healing.

✨ Takeaways:
• Faith and mental health are not in competition
• Struggling mentally is not a sign of spiritual failure
• Therapy and biblical truth can work together
• God meets us with compassion in our hardest moments

I pray this conversation encourages you to take one more step toward healing, freedom, and hope. 🤍

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

The series explores themes of comparison, body image, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and approval addiction. It delves into the impact of social media, seeking external validation, and the struggle with self-worth. The episodes emphasize embracing God's view of identity, freedom from human judgment, and anchoring identity in Christ's love and acceptance.

Takeaways

• Embrace God's view of identity
• Shift focus to God's approval

Chapters

• 00:00 Comparison and Social Media Trap
• 06:16 Identity in Christ and Trusting God
• 11:59 Defining Approval Addiction
• 18:14 Freedom from Condemnation
• 24:43 Accepting God's Unchanging Love
• 30:33 Living Free of Comparison and People-Pleasing

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

The conversation delves into the topic of perfectionism and its impact on self-worth and faith. It explores the rewards and consequences of perfectionism, its roots, and its influence on one's relationship with God. The episode concludes with practical steps to overcome perfectionism and live from a place of 'I am enough.'

Takeaways

• Perfectionism as a form of control
• The impact of perfectionism on faith and self-worth

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Perfectionism
• 07:52 The Root of Perfectionism
• 18:05 Perfectionism in Faith
• 22:53 Surrendering Perfectionism

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

The episode explores the theme of people-pleasing and the impact of performance-based worth on individuals. It emphasizes the contrast between people-pleasing and God-pleasing, highlighting the freedom and assurance found in God's love and acceptance.

Takeaways

• Performance-based worth leads to people-pleasing and a constant need for approval.
• God's love and acceptance provide freedom from the burden of people-pleasing and the assurance of worth.
• Living from a place of God-pleasing rather than people-pleasing brings freedom and authenticity.

Chapters

• 00:00 Freedom from People-Pleasing

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

The conversation explores the topics of body image, aging, and identity in Christ, focusing on the experiences and insights of Jessica Nelson, a gerontology professional. It delves into the cultural messages about aging, the importance of health, and the need to embrace aging while prioritizing self-care and mental well-being. The conversation explores the themes of embracing aging with grace, the impact of faith on aging, the lies women believe about aging, the joy of aging, and practical steps for embracing aging. It emphasizes the importance of volunteering and highlights the positive aspects of aging, encouraging a shift in mindset and behavior.

Takeaways

• Body image and aging
• Identity in Christ Embracing aging with grace
• The importance of volunteering

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Struggles
• 07:13 Aging and Identity in Gerontology
• 12:59 Cultural Messages About Aging
• 25:29 Embracing Aging and Self-Care
• 32:01 Embracing Aging with Grace
• 39:36 The Lies Women Believe About Aging
• 50:29 The Joy of Aging
• 56:07 Practical Steps for Embracing Aging

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

The conversation delves into the comparison trap and its emotional impact, particularly in the context of social media and the church. It explores the feelings of jealousy, inadequacy, and resentment associated with comparison, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and naming these emotions. The episode concludes with a call to action to notice, name, and bring these emotions into the light, moving toward freedom and self-acceptance.

Takeaways

• Comparison trap
• Impact of comparison on self-worth

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

What happens when you don’t have time to grieve?

In this deeply honest episode of Encounters at the Well, Amy sits down with Kellie Bradshaw to talk about delayed grief, survival mode, and what faith looks like when loss keeps coming and life keeps demanding more.

Kellie shares her story of profound and repeated loss, including stillbirth, miscarriage, and the tragic death of her 18-year-old son while in military training. Within one year, she buried two children. At the same time, she was caring for a medically fragile baby, navigating serious health diagnoses within her family, supporting her husband through cancer, building a home, homeschooling, and simply trying to keep everyone afloat.

There was no quiet space to fall apart. No season where everything paused.

Grief was squeezed into the cracks of time.

In this conversation, you will hear what “delayed grief” can really look like:

• Living in constant triage mode
• Pushing emotions aside to survive
• Feeling robbed of the opportunity to mourn
• Carrying anger toward God without realizing it
• Struggling to feel joy even during beautiful milestones
• Wondering if it is too late to process what happened

Kellie vulnerably shares how she coped when counseling wasn’t an option. She talks about journaling, including what she calls a “junk journal” where she poured out raw, unfiltered prayers to God. She describes putting in an “emotional epidural” just to keep going, and how that wall of protection eventually became something God gently began to crack open years later.

You will hear about the moment God prompted her, three separate times, to attend GriefShare more than a decade after her losses. Through that process, she realized that grief buried is not grief healed.

Amy and Kellie also talk about faith in the middle of unanswered prayers. What does it mean to trust a loving God when the plan feels unbearable? How do you reconcile asking God to “keep my baby safe” and then watching that child go to heaven?

This episode explores:

• The difference between peace and the absence of pain
• How heaven becomes deeply real after loss
• Why grief does not follow a textbook timeline
• The side effects of living in survival mode for years
• What it means to walk toward Jesus even when you are not ready to fully open the door

Kellie shares a powerful image God gave her during one of her lowest moments: standing at the edge of a collapsed bridge, unable to fix the rubble, and seeing a cross stretched across the ravine. The invitation was simple. Keep walking toward Him.

If you are the woman who had to be strong for everyone else…
 If your grief only shows up when you are alone at night…
 If you feel like you missed your chance to mourn properly…
 If you are afraid to revisit what you buried…

This conversation is for you.

It is not too late to grieve.
 It is not too late to heal.
 And it is never too late to let God meet you in the cracks.

The episode closes with a prayer for women who are busy, weary, and quietly carrying loss. If you or someone you love is navigating delayed grief, share this episode. Healing begins when we stop pretending we are fine and start walking toward the One who already knows.

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Shame rarely shouts.
 It whispers.

It tells us this sin was too much.
 This failure crossed a line.
 God may forgive others, but He could never forgive me.

In this teaching episode, Amy Donathan gently addresses the kind of shame many Christian women carry quietly. The shame that lingers long after confession. The shame that shapes identity, relationships, and how close we allow ourselves to get to God.

This episode grew out of a recent conversation with Regina Thompson from Grace Haven Pregnancy Resource Clinic about meeting women in crisis with compassion and truth. While that conversation centered on unplanned pregnancy and abortion, this teaching expands the lens. Because shame does not stay in one category. It shows up in many stories, many past decisions, and many hidden places of the heart.

Together, we slow down and look honestly at what Scripture actually teaches about forgiveness.

You will learn:
 • Why shame often feels louder than truth, even when we know Scripture
 • The difference between conviction and shame and why confusing them keeps us stuck
 • Why forgiveness is not based on the severity of your sin
 • What covenant grace really means and why it changes everything
 • Why consequences are not rejection and discipline is not disqualification
 • How biblical grace holds even after failure

Amy walks through powerful biblical examples including David and Peter to show that covenant grace is not canceled by sin. God may lead us through repentance and healing, but He does not revoke His love, His forgiveness, or His calling because of our failure.

This episode also includes a gentle, practical reflection to help you identify where shame may still be hiding. You will be invited to name the lie you have been believing and replace it with truth from Scripture, not as homework or pressure, but as an invitation toward freedom.

Scriptures referenced include:
 • 1 John 1:9
 • 2 Corinthians 5:17
 • Isaiah 54:10
 • Romans 8:1
 • Romans 11:29
 • Hebrews 8:12
 • Romans 5:8

This teaching is for the woman who believes in grace but struggles to receive it personally. For the woman who wonders if she has failed too many times. For the woman who loves Jesus but still carries shame she cannot seem to shake.

You are not disqualified.
 You are not condemned.
 You are not too far gone.

Grace still covers this.

At the end of the episode, Amy prays for both the woman who knows Jesus and the woman who is still searching. If shame has been keeping you distant from God, this episode is an invitation to step back into the light and live from the truth of who you are in Christ.

You can also find Amy on social media and reach out by email. She would love to hear how God is meeting you in your healing journey.

Blessings, friend.
 You are deeply loved.

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

In this episode of Encounters at the Well, Amy Donathan sits down with Regina Thompson, a licensed clinical social worker and the manager of GraceHaven, a pregnancy resource clinic in Mt. Vernon, Illinois and a ministry of Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services. Regina has worked with pregnant women since 1990 and shares what it looks like to offer truth, compassion, and practical support when an unplanned pregnancy feels overwhelming.

Regina explains what happens when a woman walks into GraceHaven for the first time, including pregnancy testing, time to talk in a private advocacy room, and two key questions every client is asked: “Are you feeling pressured?” and “Do you feel safe at home?” These questions help women slow down, feel seen, and realize they are not alone.

Amy and Regina discuss a powerful ultrasound story involving a 21-year-old who believed she was only a few weeks pregnant and was considering abortion. She discovered she was actually 16 weeks along, saw her baby moving, and heard the heartbeat. That moment helped her recognize the reality of life growing inside her and gave her space to choose a different path.

The conversation also addresses common misconceptions about pregnancy resource clinics, including the fear that women will be pressured or abandoned. Regina makes it clear that GraceHaven meets women where they are, offers education and support without judgment, and continues to care for women even if they choose abortion.

GraceHaven provides free and confidential services, including pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, STI testing and treatment, live parenting and prenatal classes, diaper giveaways, help with Medicaid applications, and an “earn while you learn” boutique program that allows parents to earn brand-new baby items by attending classes.

For women carrying shame or grief after abortion, Regina shares about the eight-week Bible study Surrendering the Secret by Pat Layton and how God brings healing, forgiveness, and restoration. The episode also explores why secrecy deepens shame, especially with chemical abortions, and why safe community and truth matter.

If you are scared, unsure, or carrying regret, this episode is for you. You are not alone. You are loved. And help is available.

GraceHaven Contact Information
Phone: 618-816-7526
Website: https://gracehavenprc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceHavenPRC

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Send a text

What does the Bible really mean when it calls something good?

For many of us, the word good has become shorthand for comfort, ease, or life going according to plan. When things are smooth, relationships are calm, and prayers seem answered the way we hoped, we’re quick to say God is good. But what about the seasons that are full, messy, painful, or unfinished? What does good mean then?

In this teaching episode, we take a closer look at the biblical definition of good and how it differs from the way we often use the word in everyday life. Instead of viewing good through the lens of circumstances, Scripture invites us to see good through the lens of God’s redemptive work in us.

Using James 1:2–4 (ESV) as a foundation, this episode explores why trials are not meaningless interruptions, but purposeful tools God uses to grow and mature His people. We unpack what James means when he says believers become “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing,” and why that language does not describe a flawless or pain-free life.

Instead, perfect in the biblical sense means fully formed and mature, a life where every season is being used to shape us into the likeness of Jesus. Complete points us to the finished work of Christ on the cross, reminding us that our identity and standing with God are secure, not earned through performance or suffering. And lacking nothing speaks to God’s faithful provision, that He supplies exactly what we need in every season to grow in faith, perseverance, and spiritual maturity.

This episode also gently addresses the tension many believers feel when trying to reconcile a good God with hard experiences. Rather than offering easy answers or spiritual platitudes, we hold space for real pain while anchoring ourselves in biblical truth. We reflect on how God’s goodness is often revealed not in the removal of hardship, but in His presence, purpose, and faithfulness within it.

Whether you are a woman who knows Jesus and is learning to trust God’s process more deeply, or a woman who is searching, questioning, and wondering if God can truly be good, this conversation offers a grounded, Scripture-based perspective that brings clarity, hope, and reassurance.

This episode includes:

• A biblical explanation of what good means in Scripture
• Teaching from James 1:2–4 (ESV)
• A reframing of suffering through God’s redemptive purposes
• Encouragement for believers in stretching or refining seasons
• A gentle invitation and prayer for those who are seeking faith

If you’ve ever wondered how God’s goodness fits with real life, this episode invites you to see good the Bible’s way, purposeful, redemptive, and rooted in Christ.

Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Send a text

Do you ever feel like you are not doing enough for God? Maybe you have moments when you wonder if you should pray more, read more, serve more, or somehow “be better” so God will be pleased with you. For many Christian women, this pressure becomes a quiet but constant weight that whispers, “You are falling behind spiritually.” In today’s episode, we confront that pressure head-on by looking at one of the most powerful and freeing stories in Scripture, the thief on the cross.

This episode explores how easily we slip into a performance mindset without even noticing. We begin thinking God approves us when we are consistent, disappointed when we fall short, and closer to us only when we are spiritually productive. Yet this mindset is not biblical, and it is not how God relates to His children. Jesus dismantled this pressure with one declaration: “It is finished.” Not “it is started,” not “keep trying harder,” but completely, fully finished. Salvation is the gift of God, rooted in grace from beginning to end.

To show this clearly, we walk through Luke 23 and revisit the moment when the dying thief looked to Jesus. He had no good works, no spiritual résumé, no time to change his behavior, and no opportunity to clean up his life. He simply believed. And Jesus responded with mercy: “Today you will be with Me in paradise.” This moment reveals a deep truth we often forget. The thief brought nothing but trust. Jesus brought everything else. His story becomes a living illustration of salvation by grace alone.

In this episode, we also talk about the drift that happens when fear, shame, comparison, and old patterns make us feel like we must earn God’s approval. Many women feel like their spiritual worth rises and falls with their performance, which leads to anxiety, discouragement, and distance from God. But the Bible reminds us again and again that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works, not by effort, and not by our ability to maintain perfection. God is not waiting for us to impress Him. He is inviting us to trust Him.

We walk through the Romans Road to show how Scripture outlines a simple and beautiful path to salvation. Every verse highlights our need, God’s love, Christ’s sacrifice, and the invitation to believe. The thief on the cross mirrors these truths perfectly. He confessed, believed, and received the gift of eternal life. His story silences the fear that we are not doing enough and replaces it with confidence in what Jesus has already done.

This episode also includes a powerful sermon excerpt, read word for word, that explains why the only correct answer to “Why are you saved?” is never “Because I…” but always “Because He…” It is a stirring reminder that most of our Christian life rests not in our performance, but in what Christ accomplished on our behalf.

Whether you struggle with comparison, spiritual perfectionism, or fear that you are disappointing God, this conversation will help you breathe again. You will hear that God is not keeping a performance scorecard. He is not tallying your successes and failures. His love is not fragile, conditional, or dependent on your ability to maintain momentum. He looks at you through the finished work of Jesus.

By the end of this episode, you will walk away with a renewed understanding of grace, a clearer picture of the gospel, and a heart that feels lighter. The thief on the cross reminds every one of us that salvation is not earned. It is received. And once you receive it, you are held securely by the One who finished the work.

If you are ready to break free from the pressure to perform, this episode will encourage you, ground you in truth, and help you rest in the freedom Jesus already purchased for you.

Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Send a text

How do you actually pass your faith on to your kids when you feel like a hot mess most days and your life looks nothing like those “perfect Christian family” posts on Instagram?

That is exactly what we talk about in this episode of Encounters at the Well as I sit down with one of my dearest friends, Keely Kuehner, a mom of three boys, new mother in law, and very proud Kiki to a four year old granddaughter who loves “God’s promises” and Noah’s ark.

Keely is not sharing a parenting formula. She is sharing a lived-out testimony of imperfect parents, real struggles, and a very faithful God.

In this conversation we talk about:

• Growing up in a military family and how early seeds of faith were planted through grandparents
• How she and her husband started praying for their kids, their friends, and even their future spouses before they were born
• Simple, everyday ways to weave faith into your home
  • Bedtime prayers and Bible stories
  • Praying over meals
  • Serving together at church and in outreach
• Why loving and serving your spouse is one of the most powerful discipleship tools your kids will ever see
• The pressure moms feel to “get it right” and what happens when your worth is tied to how well you perform
• Honest talk about mom guilt, “I’m not enough,” and that nagging comparison with other families
• How to handle it when your child struggles spiritually or pulls away from God
  • Standing on Proverbs 22:6
  • The power of praying and fasting for your kids
  • Trusting that God is still working when you see zero results

We also dive into:

• Modeling grace at home
  • Letting kids fail without shaming them
  • Correcting behavior while keeping love secure
  • Showing your children that nothing they do can separate them from your love, or from the love of God
• Letting your kids see your own struggles so they know it is normal to need Jesus
• Worship as spiritual oxygen when you are barely holding it together
  • How God used one worship song on repeat as a lifeline in a hard season

Keely also shares about the legacy she longs to leave her children and grandchildren, not just that “Mom was nice” or “Kiki was fun,” but that she fought for them on her knees, prayed heaven down over their lives, and loved them with the heart of Christ.

If you are a Christian mom who:

• Wonders if you are doing enough spiritually for your kids
• Feels like your “quiet time” is mostly reheated coffee and interrupted prayers
• Is grieving a child who seems to be wandering
• Wants practical ideas to bring faith into normal, everyday life

this episode will give you both gentle conviction and a lot of relief. You do not have to be a perfect mom to raise kids who know and love Jesus. You can be present, imperfect, and anchored in Christ, and God can still write a beautiful story through your family.

Questions we quietly answer in this episode:

• What if my kids did not grow up in a picture perfect Christian home, is it too late
• How do I start praying as a family if we never have before
• What do I do when I feel like my prayers are just hitting the ceiling
• How can I keep worshiping when my heart is breaking over my kids

Grab your coffee, your tissues, or that basket of laundry you have been ignoring, and listen in. You are not alone, you are not behind, and God is far more faithful to your children’s hearts than you can see right now.

Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Send a text

When life suddenly shifts and everything feels unsteady, how do you keep your eyes on Jesus instead of sinking into fear?
In this new season of Encounters at the Well, I am introducing short teaching episodes where it is just you and me opening God’s Word together — finding peace, clarity, and strength for real life.

In today’s teaching, “The Moment Peter Sank: Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus When Life Feels Unsteady,” we look at one of the most relatable stories in Scripture — the moment Peter stepped out of the boat in faith and then began to sink.

Peter had the courage to walk toward Jesus. But when the wind rose and the waves crashed, his eyes shifted from faith to fear. And yet — in that exact moment — Jesus reached out and caught him.

Maybe you have been there too. You started the day strong. You prayed. You trusted. But then one phone call, one diagnosis, one unexpected shift — and suddenly your peace was gone.

In this episode, we talk about how to:

• Fix your eyes on Jesus when everything feels uncertain
 • Strengthen your faith in the middle of the storm
 • Trust God’s timing even when it does not match your own
 • Pray expectantly as a daughter who knows her Father hears her

We will walk through Scripture together, including:

• Matthew 14:22–33 — Peter walks on water
 • 2 Chronicles 20:12 — “Our eyes are on You”
 • Psalm 16:8 — “I have set the Lord continually before me”
 • Romans 8:28 — “All things work together for good”
 • Hebrews 12:2 — “Fixing our eyes on Jesus”

Whether you are standing strong or feel like you are sinking, this episode will remind you of this truth — Jesus has never taken His eyes off you. Even when your faith wavers, His grip never does.

If life feels unsteady, this is your gentle invitation to lift your gaze, steady your heart, and trust the One who still walks on the waves.

Listen now to “The Moment Peter Sank: Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus When Life Feels Unsteady.”

For more faith-centered encouragement, devotionals, and Christian life coaching, visit my website:
 👉 www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

You can also connect with me and join our growing community online:
 🌿 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574602179682

🌿 Instagram: @hope_and_healing325

Wherever you’re listening from today, I pray this episode reminds you that even in the storm, Jesus is closer than the waves. Keep your eyes on Him — because He’s never taken His eyes off you. 💙

Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Send a text

Have you ever wondered if your story is too messy or too broken for God to redeem?
In this episode of Encounters at the Well, I share my own testimony — the parts I once thought were too painful, too shameful, and too far gone for God to use.

From childhood feelings of being unwanted, to a teenage pregnancy and abortion, to the trauma of an abusive relationship, my early story was marked by deep shame and loss. Later, my husband Jeff and I walked through the heartbreaking stillbirth of our son, Mark, at 38 weeks. For years, I believed God was punishing me.

But that was not the truth.

Jesus met me in the darkest places — not with condemnation, but with compassion. He showed me that nothing in my past could disqualify me from His love. Through Him, I found forgiveness, healing, and freedom as a beloved daughter of God.

Today, I can look back and see how God didn’t waste a single part of my story. He used it to draw me to Himself and now allows me to encourage and comfort others walking through their own pain.

If you have ever wondered whether you are too broken for God to redeem, this episode is for you. There is room at the well for your story too.

💻 Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

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Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

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Have you ever wondered if your story is too broken for God to redeem?
In this powerful episode of Encounters at the Well, host Amy Donathan sits down with her friend Amanda to share a raw and vulnerable testimony of insecurity, trauma, divorce, abuse, and heartbreak — and how Jesus met her in the middle of it all with unshakable love and restoration.

Amanda opens up about:

• Growing up in a home filled with instability and emotional chaos
 • Building a hardened exterior to survive while feeling alone on the inside
 • Rushing into marriage and motherhood in search of identity and safety
 • Surviving a toxic and abusive relationship that nearly cost her life
 • Facing the fear of losing her children and walking through years of warfare
 • Wrestling with God’s goodness when the suffering would not stop
 • The moment she realized God had been with her all along

Through tears and truth, Amanda testifies to the mercy of a God who never turns away the brokenhearted. Her story is living proof that He does not waste pain — He rewrites it for purpose.

This episode is for every woman who has ever felt unseen, unworthy, or beyond repair. Amanda’s journey reminds us:

✨ No trauma is too deep for God to heal
 ✨ You are never too far gone for His grace
 ✨ What the enemy meant for destruction, God can turn into a testimony
 ✨ Even when we shut down and self-protect, God patiently pursues

You may find yourself whispering, “That is my story too.” This conversation is a safe and hope-filled space for women who long to believe that restoration is still possible.

Encounters at the Well is a podcast for Christian women seeking deeper faith, emotional healing, and the freedom found only in Jesus. Each episode invites you into real stories and biblical encouragement — reminding you that you are never alone.

If this conversation encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs hope. Your story matters, and God is not finished with you.

Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

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When your health suddenly turns your entire life upside down, how do you keep your faith from crumbling with it?
In this powerful episode of Encounters at the Well, Amy Donathan sits down with guest Traci Broeker to share her honest journey of walking through chronic illness and discovering the sustaining presence of God in suffering.

After a Covid vaccine reaction triggered mast cell activation, Traci’s life changed overnight. What followed were months of fear, confusion, countless doctor visits, and prayers that gradually shifted from pleading for healing to praising God for survival, strength, and breath.

This is a raw and hope-filled conversation about learning to live with a new normal, advocate for your health, and cling to God’s character when healing is slow.

You will hear:

• The early days of illness and the confusion of searching for answers
 • How finding the right doctor finally brought direction and hope
 • The physical and emotional challenges of daily life with new limitations
 • How prayer evolved from desperation to gratitude
 • The vital role of family, coworkers, and faith community in seasons of suffering
 • What it looks like to hold onto God’s promises in the unknown

This episode is not just about illness — it is about faith in suffering, resilience in weakness, and a God who never leaves us.

Key reminders for your heart:

• You are not alone — God is close to the brokenhearted
 • Prayer may change, but God hears every whisper
 • It is okay to wrestle with doubt, fear, or grief
 • Healing may be slow, but hope is found in God’s nearness
 • Community matters more than we often realize

A heartfelt prayer is shared at the end for both the woman who knows Jesus and needs renewed strength, and the woman who is still searching for His love and salvation.

If this episode encouraged you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs hope today.

📌 Connect with Amy:

• Facebook: Hope and Healing Christian Life Coaching
  
  
• Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

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What does it actually mean to live from your identity in Christ — and how would that change the way you experience joy, even when life is uncertain?
This episode of Encounters at the Well is for the Christian woman who feels like her identity shifts with every season — empty nesting, transitioning roles, or simply feeling lost in the mundane.

I sit down with my friend and fellow Christian coach, Johnna Johnston, to talk honestly about the pressures women face, the lies we believe about our worth, and the unshakable truth that we are already fully known and fully loved by God. Johnna shares how she learned to let go of striving and begin living from the truth of who she is in Christ — not what she does or how well she performs.

You will hear us talk about:

• What identity in Christ practically looks like in everyday life
 • How social media subtly distorts our view of our worth
 • The difference between joy and happiness, and why joy is not circumstantial
 • How to replace the lie of “not enough” with the truth of Scripture
 • Simple and gentle ways to reconnect with God and rediscover joy

Whether you are feeling unsure of your purpose, stuck in comparison, or simply longing for deeper peace, this conversation will remind you that you do not have to earn God’s love — you only need to live from it.

About Johnna Johnston
 Johnna is a Christian coach passionate about helping women step into more — more purpose, more freedom, and more of the life God has for them.
 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnajohnston_coachingco

Email: johnna@johnnajohnston.com

About Amy and the Faithfully Free Program
 I am Amy Donathan, a Christian life coach and host of Encounters at the Well. I help women discover who they are in Christ, overcome fear, and walk in the freedom God offers. My Faithfully Free program equips you to live anchored in your God-given identity with practical tools, biblical truth, and supportive community.

Website: https://www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574602179682

Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

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She grew up in church. She knew all the answers. Her mom was in ministry. But she did not truly know Jesus — not until college.
In this vulnerable and hope-filled episode of Encounters at the Well, I sit down with my daughter, Alli, to share our story from both sides.

We talk honestly about what it was like raising her in the faith, watching her attend church, serve, and say all the right things — yet still knowing in my heart that she was not saved. And we share the powerful moment God met her at a Christian university, far from the expectations and routines she was raised in.

If you are a mom who has prayed for years and is still waiting for salvation to become real in your child’s life, this episode is for you. We talk about the weight of waiting, the peace that comes when we let go of control, and the truth that only God can awaken a heart.

You will hear us talk about:

• Growing up in church without a personal relationship with Jesus
 • The unspoken pressure and loneliness of being a ministry kid
 • What true salvation looks like when it finally becomes real
 • How parents can pray without striving or fear
 • Encouragement for the mom still waiting for breakthrough

This is a story of patient prayer, surrendered motherhood, and the faithfulness of a God who always finishes what He starts.

Connect with Amy at www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Follow on Facebook: Hope and Healing Christian Life Coaching

Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

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What happens when a childhood secret finally rises to the surface after forty years of silence?
In this deeply moving episode of Encounters at the Well, host Amy Donathan sits down with Brandi Cline to share her powerful story of trauma, fear, and the redeeming love of Jesus.

Sexually abused at just two years old and raised in an environment of fear and spiritual distortion, Brandi spent decades trying to earn love and avoid punishment. Her understanding of God was shaped by pain and survival. But everything began to break open when her daughter became pregnant, and buried memories came crashing back.

Through panic attacks, anxiety, and a near mental collapse, Brandi finally reached out for help. What she discovered was not an angry God, but a gentle and good Father who met her in her deepest need.

This episode is a testimony of healing, courage, and the grace that waits for us in the most broken places.

You will hear Brandi open up about:

• Carrying the secret of childhood sexual abuse for decades
 • How fear shaped her view of God and her identity
 • The unraveling moment that led her to finally ask for help
 • Encountering the kindness and gentleness of God for the first time
 • Navigating grief and rejection in the healing journey
 • Redeeming her story through a new calling as a Christian life coach

Brandi now walks with other women through her trauma-informed practice, Finding Grace Coaching. You can connect with her at www.findinggracecoaching.com

If Brandi’s story feels like your own, there is hope. You do not have to carry it alone.

Stay to the end for a heartfelt prayer for women who carry secret pain and for anyone ready to begin a relationship with Jesus.

Resources:
 • Brandi’s Coaching: www.findinggracecoaching.com

• Host Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

• Facebook Community: Hope and Healing Christian Life Coaching

If this episode encouraged you, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to know they are not beyond healing.

Until next time, be gentle with your story and keep leaning into grace.

Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

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What if your health journey was never meant to be fueled by guilt, pressure, or perfection, but instead by worship, stewardship, and freedom in Christ?
This episode of Encounters at the Well is for the Christian woman who wants to care for her body without getting caught up in diet culture or shame.

Amy Donathan sits down with faith-based fitness coach Don LaTorre to talk about what it looks like to pursue health from a place of honoring God, not obsessing or striving. This conversation is full of biblical truth, practical guidance, and encouragement for women who want lasting change, not another exhausting cycle.

You will hear:

• Why your body matters deeply to God
 • How health becomes spiritual when rooted in stewardship
 • The power of small, consistent habits over quick fixes
 • Grace-centered nutrition principles that actually work
 • How your health affects your energy, calling, and legacy
 • Hope for when you feel stuck or discouraged

Don shares real habits that help women grow stronger, eat with intention, and feel better both physically and spiritually, without extremes.

✨ Connect with Don’s coaching: www.laymansfitness.com

🌿 Explore Amy’s faith-based coaching resources: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

💬 Join the Facebook community: Hope and Healing Christian Life Coaching

If this episode encouraged you, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs hope today.

Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

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What do you do when the person who breaks your heart is a church leader — and instead of support, you are met with silence and rejection?
If you have ever been wounded by the Church or felt abandoned when you needed compassion, this episode will speak directly to your heart.

In today’s episode of Encounters at the Well, host Amy Donathan sits down with Joni Pauley, a pastor’s wife who walked through the pain of her husband’s infidelity and was left to silently carry the shame and grief alone. Joni vulnerably shares how Jesus met her in the darkness, healed what people could not, and led her into a life of restoration and ministry.

They talk openly about:

• The spiritual and emotional impact of infidelity in church leadership
 • How churches often mishandle moral failure and leave the innocent wounded
 • What Scripture teaches about true restoration and grace
 • How God proved faithful when people failed

If you have ever questioned your place in the Body of Christ because of church hurt, this conversation will remind you that Jesus never turned away the brokenhearted. He still sees. He still heals.

A gospel invitation is shared at the end for anyone ready to begin a relationship with Jesus.

—

Connect with Joni Pauley
 Website: www.jonipauley.com

Podcast: Processing Infidelity in the Church (Spotify + Apple Podcasts)

For more biblical encouragement and resources, visit www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com
or find Amy on Facebook at Hope and Healing Christian Life Coaching.

If this episode spoke to you, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs hope.

Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

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Motherhood does not end when your kids become adults — but it does change, and sometimes in ways that feel confusing, painful, or isolating.
If you have ever wondered how to love your grown children well without trying to control them, this episode is for you.

Host Amy Donathan is joined by Christian mom and encourager Wendee Turner for a real and grace-filled conversation about navigating this new season of motherhood. Together, they talk about what it looks like to release, trust, and surrender — while still loving deeply and staying present in your children’s lives.

You will hear encouragement around:

• Letting go of control while staying connected
 • Setting loving boundaries without guilt
 • Trusting God more than your fears
 • Finding your identity beyond motherhood
 • Allowing grace to heal mom guilt and anxiety

Whether you are grieving distance, navigating tension, or simply trying to figure out your place in this season, this episode will remind you that you are not alone — and that God is still faithfully parenting your children, even when you cannot.

Grab your coffee and journal. This is a grounded, hope-filled conversation for every Christian mom learning how to release her children without releasing her faith.

💬 Share this with another mom who needs to breathe again and know she is not failing.

Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

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Are you exhausted from trying to hold everything together and wondering what it really means to surrender to God?
This episode of Encounters at the Well is for the woman who is tired of striving and ready to trust Jesus again — or maybe for the very first time.

We get real about what surrender actually looks like. Not perfection. Not performance. Just coming honestly before God and laying it all at His feet. Whether you are in a season of waiting, questioning, or wrestling with fear, this conversation will remind you that God is not looking for your perfection. He is pursuing your heart.

You will hear the beauty that comes when we release control and discover that God’s faithfulness always meets us in the place of surrender.

We close with a heartfelt invitation to take that step of surrender — whether you are coming to Jesus for the first time or returning to His arms of grace.

Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

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Have you ever wondered if you have gone too far for God to still want you?
If shame, regret, or your past choices have ever made you feel unworthy of grace, this episode will speak straight to your heart.

In today’s episode of Encounters at the Well, Melissa shares her raw and powerful salvation story. She once believed her mistakes were too many and too dark for God to forgive. Then Jesus met her right in that broken place and showed her that no sin can outrun His grace.

This is a testimony of redemption, mercy, and a Savior who draws near to the woman who feels disqualified.

At the end, I will lead you in a simple and heartfelt prayer of salvation in case today is your moment to finally say yes to Jesus.

Want to grow deeper in your faith and healing journey?
 Visit www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com
to learn more about the Hope and Healing Christian Life Coaching program.

Join the Facebook community: Hope and Healing Christian Life Coaching for daily encouragement, prayer, and connection.

Be sure to follow the podcast. And if this episode touched your heart, share it with someone who needs to be reminded that she is never too far gone for God’s love.

Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

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Have you ever felt like your walk with God has become more routine than relationship — like you’re performing faith instead of experiencing Him?
This episode is for the Christian woman who longs for real intimacy with Jesus, not just religious habits or doing “all the right things.”

Amy opens up a raw conversation about what it truly looks like to follow God with honesty, trust, and love — beyond perfectionism, pressure, or performance.
 We talk about prayer that feels real (not rehearsed), grace over striving, and how to be fully known by God without fear or shame.

If you’re in a season of doubt, transition, spiritual dryness, or deep hunger for more, this episode will meet you right where you are and gently draw you back into authentic relationship with Him.

Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

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Tired of surface-level friendships and “I’m fine” conversations — when your soul is craving something real?
In this episode, Amy Donathan and special guest Shannon Donathan talk about what it truly looks like to build Christ-centered friendships that go deeper than social media smiles and polite small talk.

They share biblical wisdom, personal stories, and practical ways to intentionally cultivate relationships rooted in truth, vulnerability, growth, and spiritual purpose.

If you’ve ever felt unseen, lonely in a crowd, or unsure how to form real godly connections — this episode will give you hope, clarity, and next steps.

Website: www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email: amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith

Website:  www.hopeandhealinglifecoach.com

Email:  amydonathan@hopeandhealing.faith