Leading from Wholeness | Boundaries, Faith, Identity, Coach

Ep 22 | How to Build Trust in the Workplace Through Love

Show Notes
What does it actually look like to love people you don't like? Not the people who are easy to love — but the ones who rub you the wrong way, misunderstand you, or feel like they were placed in your path on purpose? In this episode, we're talking about Agape love — the selfless, unconditional, sacrificial love that God calls us to — and why choosing it is one of the most spiritually transforming things you can do.
We're pulling back the curtain on what it looked like to shift from a "forget people, cut them off" mindset to one of empathy, obedience, and genuine care for others. If you've ever struggled to love someone despite their presentation, their personality, or their past — this episode is for you.
In This Episode
What Agape love is — and what it is not
How unhealed rejection shapes the way we relate to people
What happens when you say yes to loving someone you'd rather avoid
How obedience to God's command to love grows your relationship with Him
What empathy really means 
Key Scriptures
1 John 4:20 — “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” 
John 14:15 (NLT) — "If you love me, obey my commandments." Love and obedience are not separate — they are woven together.
John 3:16 — For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT) — "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."
Psalm 139:13–16 (NLT) — "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous — how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
1 Peter 4:8 — "Love covers a multitude of sins.
What We Unpack
From "Forget People" to Forgiveness
Growing up with a philosophy of "if you don't like me, get out of my life" felt like self-protection. But beneath the toughness was fear, a lack of self-worth, insecurity, and a deep need to feel loved. Unhealed rejection at a young age shaped friendships, romantic relationships, and the ability to extend grace. God had to do real work — and He did it through the people He assigned.
The Assignment You Almost Missed
God assigns people to us — and sometimes, because of how they show up or how they approach us, we write them off before they ever get a chance. Think about the people you may have dismissed because of their presentation. What if God sent them to you? What if you were the assignment God gave someone who almost said no?
Empathy Changes Everything
Empathy is choosing to understand where someone is coming from. There have been situations where I was so grateful I was wrong — what I thought was the worst about someone turned out to be a simple misunderstanding.
Homework
Ask God to show you how you can love others more.
That's it. One prayer. One honest ask. Watch what He does with it.
Connect With Us
Instagram @AudreyTousantShelby
Learn more at www.praywithoutceasingministries.com 
We would love to hear how this episode landed with you. Share it with someone who needs it, leave a review, and come back next week as we continue to lead from wholeness.

Ep 21 | 12 Years of Marriage: What We Know Now

Show Notes
If this conversation is stirring something in you and you want to go deeper — we want to go there with you. Join us at the 2026 Pray Without Ceasing Conference on August 15th in Buena Park, CA.  Details and registration are linked below!
Register today:  https://praywithoutceasing2026.eventbrite.com
 
Episode Overview
 
What does it really take to make a marriage last? In this episode, we get honest and personal as Brandon and Audrey reflect on 12 years of marriage — the hard seasons, the joyful ones, and everything God taught them in between. This conversation is real, it’s relatable, and it’s rooted in faith.
 
Whether you’re newlywed, years in, or still believing for a covenant partner, there’s something in this episode for you.
 
What We Cover
Brandon’s three pillars of a lasting marriage: Jesus, communication, and togetherness
Why Audrey says the most important thing you can do is surrender your marriage to God
The truth that marriage was God’s idea — not yours 
Why communicating when you don’t feel like it often the most important time to speak up
The danger of isolation in marriage and why sharing yourself fully with your spouse matters more than you think
Key Takeaway
Marriage is not a feeling you fall in and out of — it’s a covenant you tend, surrender, and grow inside of. When God is at the center, even the hard years become part of a beautiful story.
Reflection Questions
What has God been teaching you in your current season of marriage or relationship?
Is there an area where you’ve been waiting for your spouse to make you happy instead of bringing that to God first?
Where might isolation be creeping in, and what’s one step you can take toward openness?
Scripture Referenced
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.”
— Ecclesiastes 4:9
 
Connect With Us
Instagram @AudreyTousantShelby
Learn more at www.praywithoutceasingministries.com 
Share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement in their marriage
If this episode blessed you, leave us a review and let us know. We’d love to hear your story.

Ep 20 | Is Fear of Disappointment Stealing Your Identity as a Leader and Mom? Here's How to Protect Your Momentum

SHOW NOTES
Find encouragement and hope despite life’s deepest disappointments.
Have you ever felt like just when you were gaining momentum, disappointment showed up and knocked the wind right out of you? Maybe it was a relationship that didn’t work out, a door that closed before you could walk through it, or a moment — like Mother’s Day — that reminded you of something painful you’ve carried for a long time. Friend, you are not alone. Today we are talking about how to manage through life’s disappointments without letting them rob you of the abundant life God has already promised you. 
Scriptures for This Episode
1 Peter 5:10 (AMP)
“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace {who imparts His blessing and favor}, who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you {making you what you ought to be}.”
John 10:10 (AMP)
“The thief comes in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance {to the full, till it overflows}.”
I want you to know that this isn’t a “just get over it” conversation. Disappointment is real. Grief is real. The ache of unmet expectations — in relationships, in your family, in your own heart — is real.
There have been seasons where I sat with the weight of what I didn’t have instead of recognizing what God had already placed in my hands. Maybe you know that feeling. The failed relationship that left you questioning your worth. The opportunity that fell through after you prayed so hard for it. The holiday that felt more like a reminder of loss than a celebration.
The enemy wants you stuck. Stuck in rejection. Stuck in grief. Stuck replaying who left, what failed, and what never came. But God calls us to something different. He doesn’t promise a life without disappointment — but He does promise that after we’ve suffered a little while, He will complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish us.
That promise is for you.
 
3 Steps Toward Gratitude
Step 1: Speak Truth to Your Discouragement
We’ve talked about cognitive behavioral therapy in past episodes, and I want to revisit it here because it is so powerful. The way you think impacts the way you feel — and the way you feel drives your behavior.
Step 2: Practice Gratitude — Intentionally
Gratitude is not a feeling that arrives on its own. It’s a practice. And science backs this up: gratitude mindfulness shifts your focus from scarcity to abundance, lowers cortisol, reduces anxiety, and even improves sleep. Most importantly, it builds resilience — and you need that because life will bring more disappointments. The goal isn’t to avoid hard seasons; it’s to build a toolkit so you can endure and recover.
Two practical ways to start:
Gratitude Mindfulness: Take five minutes to ground yourself in the present — what you can see, hear, smell, touch, taste — and find the good in it. A helpful resource to get you started: 5-Minute Gratitude Practice at Mindful.org
Gratitude Journaling: In the morning, write down one or two small things you’re looking forward to — taking the kids to school, going for a walk, feeling the air on your face. Simple things. Then at the end of the day, come back to your journal. Did those moments happen? What else showed up that you’re thankful for? This practice trains your eyes to look for the hand of God in your everyday.
Step 3: Remember God’s Faithfulness
When disappointment crowds your vision, it’s time to look back before you look forward.
Where has God shown up for you? Maybe this Mother’s Day was hard. Maybe it surfaces loss or longing every single year. But pause and ask: Where did God fill in the gap? 
The enemy wants you fixated on what’s missing. God wants you to see how He has kept you. Recall His faithfulness. Remember the times He came through, the doors He opened, the people He sent. 
If this conversation is stirring something in you and you want to go deeper — we want to go there with you. Join us at the 2026 Pray Without Ceasing Conference on August 15th in Buena Park, CA. We are going to dig into the very things that have been stealing from you — and we’re going to walk out with tools, truth, and a renewed sense of purpose. You don’t want to miss it. Details and registration are linked below!
Register today:  https://praywithoutceasing2026.eventbrite.com
 
If this podcast has encouraged you, would you take 30 seconds and leave us a review? It helps more women find this community — and it truly blesses us to hear how God is moving in your life. Screenshot this episode, share it on your stories, and tag us so we can celebrate with you!
 
Connect with Us:
Merch: www.praywithoutceasingmerch.com 
Email: hello@praywithoutceasingministries.com
Instagram: @AudreyTShelby

Ep 19 | The Real Reason You Feel Depleted Isn't Your Faith - It's Your First Hour

Show Notes
Are you coming to the 2026 Pray Without Ceasing Conference? I would love to see you!
Grab your tickets here: 2026 Pray Without Ceasing Conference in Buena Park, CA
Episode Overview
What if the reason you feel distant from God, depleted, and off-center as a leader has nothing to do with your faith — and everything to do with your first hour?
In this episode, we are talking about something that sounds simple but changes everything: establishing a routine of quietness. Not a productivity hack. Not a five-step morning checklist. A deliberate, daily practice of slowing down so you can actually hear God speak.
Because here is the truth: if you want to know what to do with your life, with your leadership, with your family — slow down. God will tell you. But you have to make the space to hear Him. And most of us aren't doing that.
God is not optional. He is not a last resort you call on when things fall apart. He is a Father who wants to be in a relationship with you every single day — starting with the first moments of your morning.
The 2020 Wake-Up Call
In 2020, I had a seven-month-old and a three-year-old. I remember standing in the store staring at an empty shelf — no diapers, no wipes — holding my baby and feeling like I couldn't breathe. Full panic.
That moment showed me something: I had been professing faith but not building it. I had only been going to God when I needed rescuing — not in the quiet, ordinary seasons.
Don't wait for a crisis to build the relationship. Start now.
God Is Not Like Your Earthly Father
He knew you before you were born. (Jeremiah 1:5) You don't have to earn His love. He chose you before you did anything. He gives good gifts — freely. "How much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him." — Matthew 7:11 (NLT)
And if your father left — God adopts. "Although my father and my mother have abandoned me, yet the Lord will take me up." — Psalms 27:10 (AMP) "Father to the fatherless — this is God, whose dwelling is holy." — Psalms 68:5 (NLT) "Fear not, for I am with you… I will strengthen you, I will help you." — Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
Come to Him with your whole heart — wounds and all. He can hold all of it.
Write the Vision First
Before you build a routine, get clear on what you're building toward. "Write the vision and make it plain." — Habakkuk 2:2 (NKJV)
Ask yourself: If your routine was already established, what does tomorrow look like? What is different about you? Then ask God to give you the strategy. He knows your season better than your calendar does.
Just Start 
Can you give God 15 focused minutes? Then start there.
Don't fall for all-or-nothing thinking — "If I can't give God an hour it's not worth it." That is a lie that keeps you from starting at all.
"Those who seek me early and diligently will find me." — Proverbs 8:17 (AMP)
He is not hard to find. If you seek Him, you will find Him. 
My Morning Routine
Deep breathing to slow down and arrive
Prayer — honest and conversational
Bible reading and a book
Highlighting and journaling as I go
Worship music in the background to welcome God into the atmosphere
Build yours around what works for your season. Ask God what it should look like.
Routine Is Order — Order Takes Discipline
"If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding." — Proverbs 15:32 (NLT)
A morning routine is not a productivity habit. It is  spiritual order. It is saying: God, You are first — before my phone, my to-do list, and the noise of the day.
That decision, made consistently, will change who you are.
"I love those who love me; and those who seek me early and diligently will find me." — Proverbs 8:17 (AMP)
This Week's Challenge
Pick your start time — what is actually realistic for your life right now?
Write down what 15–30 minutes with God looks like for you.
Show up tomorrow and let it begin.
Resources:
Ep 11 | The Neurodivergent Leader
Connect With Us
2026 Pray Without Ceasing Conference
Merch: www.praywithoutceasingmerch.com 
Email: hello@praywithoutceasingministries.com
Instagram: @AudreyTShelby

Ep 18 | Why You Don't Need a Break - You Need Your Faith and Identity Back in Order

Episode Overview
Want to continue this conversation in person? We would love to have you join us at the 2026 Pray Without Ceasing Conference on August 15th in Buena Park, CA. It's a beautiful day set aside just for women who are ready to grow deeper in prayer, faith, and purpose. We hope to see you there. Register today!
In this episode, we are taking a hard, honest look at one of the most talked-about topics in leadership today: burnout. But we are not going to hand you a five-step productivity plan or tell you to book a vacation. We are going deeper than that.
Because if you feel out of balance, the first question to ask is not "what do I need to cut from my schedule?" It is "Am I out of order?"
Balance is not something that happens to you. It is something you build — intentionally, daily — by putting the things of God first. And when that order gets disrupted, it can feel chaotic.
Key Scriptures
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
James 5:7–11 (AMP)
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.  Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
John 15:5 (NLT) "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."
The Reality: Burnout Is a Leadership Crisis
The data is sobering — and we are not going to look away from it:
56–70% of C-suite executives are experiencing burnout or are at serious risk of it
~40% are considering quitting their role because of it
47% report that burnout has negatively impacted their personal relationships
Most cite 60–80+ hour workweeks as the primary driver of their collapse
This is not just a corporate problem. It is happening in ministries, churches, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations, too. 
But here is where this conversation goes in a different direction than most: the solution is not just rest, boundaries, or a better morning routine. Those things matter. But if God has been quietly squeezed out of your daily life by the sheer busyness of your commitments as a leader — you are not just burned out. You are out of order. And that requires a different kind of fix.
The Truth About Balance
Balance is intentional. It does not happen by accident.
If you feel out of balance, before you reorganize your calendar — check your order. The sequence matters more than the schedule.
Endurance Is Not Just Physical
The opposite of endurance is not rest. It is burnout.
When we hear the word endurance, most of us think of the physical — eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep. And those things matter deeply. Your body is the vessel God uses to carry out His work in the world. Steward it well.
But real endurance operates on three levels:
Physical Endurance Eat right. Exercise. Rest. You cannot lead well from a place of depletion. You cannot pour what is not in you. Physical stewardship is not vanity — it is obedience.
Spiritual Endurance This is the one most leaders sacrifice first — and it costs the most. Remain in the vine (John 15:5). Apart from God, you can do nothing — and that includes leading your family, your team, and your organization well. When you cut your time with God to make more time for other things, you have confused the trunk for the branches.
 Mental Endurance: Renew your mind daily. Guard your thoughts intentionally. Be selective about what you read, who you listen to, and what voices get the most access to your inner world. Your mind is a battlefield — and neglecting it is not neutral.
The Warning We Cannot Ignore
"We cannot let the busyness of our commitments as leaders squeeze God out of our lives. If we do, we will look up one day and be completely off track — out of alignment with the very God we are trying to serve."
Job endured. The prophets endured. And the Lord was kind to Job at the end — because the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy (James 5:11). Your season of endurance is not punishment. It is preparation. The harvest is coming. But you have to stay in the vine long enough to see it.
This Week's Challenge — Audit Your Order, Not Your Schedule
Before you change what you are doing, change the sequence in which you are doing it.
Write down your actual daily routine — then ask honestly: where does God appear in it? Is He first, or is He what is left after everything else is done?
Identify one specific thing God has been asking you to do that you keep pushing to the end of the day, delaying, or avoiding.
Do that thing first tomorrow. Before email. Before meetings. Before social media. Before everything else.
Remain in the vine. Abide. Produce fruit from a place of rest and connection — not hustle and depletion.
Balance will follow order. Fruit will follow abiding. Endurance will follow trust.
Stop calling it burnout and start asking what got out of order. The answer might change everything.
Connect with Us
Email: hello@praywithoutceasingministries.com
Instagram: @AudreyTShelby
W: www.praywithoutceasingministries.com
 

Ep 17 | Healing & Spiritual Growth for Leaders

Show Notes
Episode Overview
Join us for the 2026 Pray Without Ceasing Conference in Buena Park, CA
Healing doesn't just happen — it takes intentional work, attention, effort, and time. In this episode, we challenge you to take one brave step toward wholeness today. Using Philippians 2:12 as our anchor, we explore what it looks like to actively pursue healing across every area of your life — spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Key Scripture
Philippians 2:12 (AMP) "So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]."
Matthew 4:4 "Man shall not live by bread alone."
What We Cover in This Episode
Healing takes intentional work. We're resisting the thought that says "I don't have time for this" or "I'll start when I'm ready." What does readiness actually look like? If not being ready means continuing to walk around broken, is that really the alternative you want? We encourage you to be brave and start one thing today.
God wants us whole. Healing isn't optional maintenance — it's God's desire for every area of your life.
Where should I start? Start where you struggle the most. Ask yourself honestly:
Are you struggling with submitting to authority, frustrated with leadership, and resistant to direction?
Are you battling depression, wanting the abundant life Jesus speaks of, but feeling stuck in the same dark pit?
Are you dealing with low self-worth, allowing poor boundaries, and undervaluing yourself?
The Investment Framework: Learn · Practice · Grow
Just as you go to school or learn a trade to grow in your career, invest the same intentionality into your healing.
Learn — Seek out resources, voices, and wisdom that speak to your specific areas of struggle.
Practice — The more you learn and practice, the stronger your skills will be.
Grow — Personal and spiritual growth don't happen by accident. You have to focus on them.
Working out your salvation (Philippians 2:12) is the same principle. The more you invest in your healing, the stronger and more secure you will be — spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.
This Week's Challenge
Take a moment this week to ask God:
"What do You want me to focus on right now?"
"What do You want me to read?"
"Who do You want me to listen to?"
"Where are You calling me to grow?"
Then — listen, obey, and invest in your healing.
Here's to the journey. Don't worry about the destination — just enjoy the trip. 
 
Connect With Us
Have a question or want to share how this episode spoke to you? We'd love to hear from you. Reach out at hello@praywithtoutceasingministries.com and follow us on social media for more encouragement for the whole woman @AudreyTShelby 

Ep 16 | Is It Your Way or the Highway? How to Relinquish Control and Lead God's Way

SHOW NOTES
 
Episode Overview
Have you ever found yourself redoing someone else's work because it just wasn't done your way? Or maybe you're the leader who needs to be copied on every email, approve every decision, and stay five steps ahead of everything — just to feel okay? We need to talk.
In this episode, we're getting honest about one of the most common — and most unexamined — patterns in leadership: the need to control. We're pulling back the curtain on where it really comes from, what it costs us and the people we lead, and how God is inviting us into something so much better than white-knuckling our way through.
Anchor Scripture
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life… But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
What We Cover in This Episode
The root of control — Spoiler: it's not strength. At its core, controlling behavior is fear and anxiety dressed up in a power suit. We mask it as confidence or "knowing what we want," but underneath, something else is driving the bus. We break down three root causes: fear of exposure, anxiety management, and a deep trust deficit. 
Control as a coping mechanism — For many of us, the need to control everything around us didn't start at work. It started much earlier. Control creates predictability when life has been unpredictable. It gives us a sense of power when we've felt powerless. Understanding this doesn't excuse it — but it does open the door to healing.
How to know if you're a controlling leader — We walk through the key signs: difficulty delegating, constant monitoring, caring more about your process than the actual results, a team that can't make a move without your approval, and low morale that nobody seems to be able to explain.
Do you trust God with your job? — This might be the question that stops you in your tracks. We get vulnerable about what it looks like when things get hard and we start running — and what God might actually be doing in the pressure instead.
Scriptures Referenced
Matthew 6:25-34 — Do Not Worry (anchor scripture)
Romans 8:6 (NLT) — "Letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace."
Proverbs 21:1 — God directs the steps of leaders
Key Takeaways
Control is not a leadership style — it's a fear response.
You can be in charge without being in control. Those are two very different things.
If you're controlling at work, it's showing up at home too. It's worth asking God to reveal every area where this pattern lives.
Healing is not optional for leaders — it's the work. Not perfection. Wholeness.
God has not forgotten you, your team, your ministry, or your future. Rest in that.
Reflection Questions
Where in my leadership am I trying to control outcomes that belong to God?
Is there a hard season I've been running from instead of leaning into?
Who on my team have I not trusted enough — and what would it look like to change that?
What coping mechanisms did I develop long before I ever had a leadership title?
Connect With Us
Have a question or want to share how this episode spoke to you? We'd love to hear from you. Reach out at hello@praywithtoutceasingministries.com and follow us on social media for more encouragement for the whole leader @AudreyTShelby 
 

Ep 15 | The Leadership Trait No One Talks About - And Why God Requires It

Show Notes
Episode Overview
What does it actually look like to lead with God at the center? In this episode, we get real about what it means to honor God in your role as a leader — not just in theory, but in the hard, messy, everyday moments. Because how you lead is a reflection of who you belong to.
 
In This Episode, We Cover:
Integrity as a Foundation
Your faith isn’t just personal — it shows up in how you handle responsibility, resources, and the trust people place in you. Integrity isn’t optional for the God-honoring leader.
When you’re connected to God, you have access to wisdom and creativity that goes beyond your own understanding. Your spiritual growth directly benefits the organization you serve.
Discretion & Discernment
∙ People will confide in you. Be someone who can be trusted with that.
∙ Not everything you know needs to be said. Stop the information leaks that cause strife and panic.
∙ Gossiping — being a part of it or just a witness to it — is off the table.
Apart from God, We Can Do Nothing
We close out with a reminder that’s both humbling and freeing: our fruitfulness as leaders isn’t self-produced. We are branches. He is the vine.
 
Scriptures Referenced:
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
— Colossians 3:23 NLT
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
— John 15:5 NLT
 "When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.
 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected?  You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
— Genesis 4:3-7
Key Takeaway
God-honoring leadership isn’t a title or a style — it’s a daily surrender. When your spiritual life is growing, the people around you benefit. Your team, your organization, your community all get the overflow of a leader who is rooted in Christ.
Want to continue this conversation in person? We would love to have you join us at the 2026 Pray Without Ceasing Conference on August 15th in Buena Park, CA. It's a beautiful day set aside just for women who are ready to grow deeper in prayer, faith, and purpose. We hope to see you there. Register today!
 
Connect with Us:
Website: www.praywithoutceasingministries.com
Instagram | @AudreyTShelby
Email: Hello@praywithoutceasingministries.com
If this episode blessed you, share it with a leader in your life — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

Ep 14 | How to Know the Will of God: 4 Changes You Can Make Now.

SHOW NOTES
Join us for the 2026 Pray Without Ceasing Conference in Buena Park, CA
Episode Overview
In this episode, we dive deep into what it truly means to seek God — not casually or occasionally, but wholeheartedly. Whether you're a leader navigating tough decisions, someone feeling distant from God, or simply looking to grow in your faith, this episode is your reminder that God is near. We explore practical ways to pursue God daily and why staying focused on His presence changes everything.
Key Topics Covered
Seeking God with Your Whole Heart — What does it actually mean to seek God, and what does Scripture promise to those who do?
Drawing Near to God — If we prioritize Him, He will prioritize us. The relationship is mutual.
Practical Ways to Seek Him — Prayer, fasting, and reading your Bible aren't just religious habits — they're lifelines.
The Power of Paying Attention — Are you watching for God daily? Listening for His instruction? We break down why attentiveness to God leads to life and favor.
Quieting Yourself Before God — Especially for leaders: not every challenge has a quick fix. Some situations require stillness, surrender, and waiting on the Lord.
Stop Getting Distracted, Stay Focused — In a noisy world, focus is a spiritual discipline.
Scriptures Referenced
📖 Jeremiah 29:13 — "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." — Read it here
📖 Lamentations 3:25 — "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him." — Read it here
📖 1 Chronicles 16:11 — "Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!" — Read it here
📖 Psalm 145:18 — "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." — Read it here
📖 Proverbs 8:33–36 — "Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don't ignore it. Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death." — Read it here
Key Takeaway
To whom much is given, much is required. As a leader — in your home, your workplace, your community — you will face situations that keep you up at night. The answer isn't always found in strategy or hustle. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is be still, seek God, and wait. He is faithful to those who watch for Him.
Want More? Listen to Ep 2| Leading at Full Capacity: Inviting God into Your Leadership
If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs the reminder to seek God today. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and come back next week for more.
Email: hello@praywithoutceasingministries.com 📱 Instagram:@AudreyTShelby 🌐 Website: www.praywithoutceasingministries.com 🎙️ Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts

Ep 13 | Is Fear Stealing Your Peace? Three Barriers that Keep Leaders from Accepting God's Peace

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Episode Overview
Peace sounds simple — until life gets loud. In this episode, we dig into a comforting promise Jesus made: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)
But if that promise is real, why do so many of us still feel anxious, drained, and restless? The problem isn't the promise — it's the barriers we build (often without realizing it) that keep us from receiving it. 
In This Episode
Barrier #1 — Guilt About Needing Alone Time We live in a culture that rewards busyness and equates constant availability with love and loyalty. But what happens when your soul desperately needs to be still and you feel selfish for wanting that? We explore why rest isn't a spiritual weakness — it's a necessity — and how guilt can quietly rob you of the very space where peace is found.
Barrier #2 — Our Relationships With Other People Sometimes the people closest to us are the greatest source of our unrest. Conflict, unmet expectations, people-pleasing, and broken trust can make peace feel completely out of reach. We talk about what it looks like to hold onto God's peace even when our relationships are messy and unresolved.
Barrier #3 — Not Being Able to Rest in Jesus' Peace This one is subtle but powerful: we can know the peace of Christ exists and still not fully receive it. Whether it's perfectionism, control, or just not knowing how to let go — we walk through why surrendering to peace can feel harder than it sounds, and what it practically looks like to stop striving and start trusting.
Key Takeaway
The peace Jesus offers isn't the absence of hard circumstances — it's a settled confidence in the middle of them. Fear doesn't have to have the final word.
Reflection Questions
Where in your life are you feeling the least at peace right now? Which of the three barriers resonates most with you?
Are you carrying guilt about rest or quiet time? What would it look like to give yourself permission to slow down?
Is there a relationship in your life that's disrupting your peace? How might you bring that before God this week?
What's one small step you can take to practice resting in Jesus' peace — not just believing it exists, but actually receiving it?
Scripture to Sit With This Week
John 14:27 — "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you..."
Romans 12:18 — "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
Philippians 4:6-7 — "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition..."
Matthew 11:28 — "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Isaiah 26:3 — "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."
Connect & Share
If this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who needs a reminder that God's peace is for them — right now, exactly as they are.
Don't forget to follow, leave a review, and reach out — we love hearing how these conversations are landing with you.
 
📧 Email: hello@praywithoutceasingministries.com 📱 Instagram:@AudreyTShelby 🌐 Website: www.praywithoutceasingministries.com 🎙️ Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts