By Words: Honest Faith Talks to Encourage Everyday Christian Women

If you’ve ever wondered whether your past pain disqualifies you from God’s purpose, this conversation will breathe hope into your heart.
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Carla Arges, Christian mental health coach, podcast host of Affirming Truths, and a woman who has walked through bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and childhood trauma. Carla’s story is one of redemption: how God met her in the middle of her brokenness, renewed her mind with His truth, and continues to use every piece of her journey for His glory.
Together, we talk about:
How trauma shapes our core beliefs and how God reshapes them with truth
What it means to renew your mind daily through Scripture
Moving from shame into restoration and freedom
Practical first steps if you feel stuck in old patterns
Friend, God can use all of your story. I pray this episode reminds you that you are not disqualified—you are deeply loved and called to walk in freedom.

To connect with Carla, head over to https://www.carlaarges.com or @carla.arges on IG!
Listen to Carla’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/affirming-truths-podcast-christian-mental-health-encouragement/id1584414334 
FREE Renewing Your Mind Workbook: https://carla-arges.myflodesk.com/workbook 
Carla’s plans on YouVersion Bible app: https://www.bible.com/organizations/e772d67b-ac65-45d4-aded-48671892a363?utm_source=yvapp&utm_medium=share&utm_content=partner-page

Submit a question for “Ask Han” here: https://forms.gle/qWGxyy9M5Q5N2tMz9 

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Ever feel exhausted trying to be a “good Christian”?
You pray every day, read your Bible, go to church every Sunday, serve, smile, don’t struggle, don’t doubt.
I used to think that’s what faithfulness looked like. And honestly? I was doing a pretty good job. But I wasn’t fulfilled… I was fatigued.
In this message from a recent event, we unpack what God actually calls us to — not performance, not pressure, not perfection — but faithfulness.
Through Galatians 5 and the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14–30 (ESV), we’ll talk about the difference between striving and stewarding, fear and trust, hustle and abiding. Jesus doesn’t say, “Well done, productive servant.” He says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
If you’re striving but stressed, working but weary, determined but dry, this conversation will remind you:
Faithfulness isn’t something you earn. It’s something that grows as you abide in Him. Today is the day to lay down performance Christianity and walk in peace.

Submit a question for “Ask Han” here: https://forms.gle/qWGxyy9M5Q5N2tMz9 

SUPPORT BY WORDS: https://buymeacoffee.com/bywords

My favorite Bible studies + devotionals - HANNAHHUGHES10  for 10% off: https://thedailygraceco.com?dt_id=300773 

CONNECT:
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https://www.instagram.com/thehannahhughes

We all carry stories that feel too heavy to hold: the moments that hurt, the words that stuck, the seasons that made us question God’s goodness. But what if letting go isn’t about forgetting what happened, but finally making peace with it?
In today’s conversation, I’m sitting down with Alexandra Hoover, author of You Can Let Go: Make Peace With Your Past, Break Free from Offense, and Move Forward with God. We talk about what it means to actually move forward — not just in theory, but in the quiet, everyday moments where healing feels slow.
Alexandra shares how God invited her to release offense, find peace in His presence, and soften her heart even when it still hurt. This one’s for the woman who’s tired of holding on and ready to trust again.
Today is the day to start loosening your grip. God’s already holding you.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 (ESV)

To connect with Alexandra, head over to www.alexandravhoover.com or @alexandravhoover on IG!
Get Alexandra’s book You Can Let Go: https://amzn.to/4kqAxOb 

Submit a question for “Ask Han” here: https://forms.gle/qWGxyy9M5Q5N2tMz9 

SUPPORT BY WORDS: https://buymeacoffee.com/bywords

My favorite Bible studies + devotionals - HANNAHHUGHES10  for 10% off: https://thedailygraceco.com?dt_id=300773 

CONNECT:
[email protected]
https://www.instagram.com/thehannahhughes

What do you do when hope starts to feel heavy and God feels quiet?
Today we’re sitting down with Sarah Freymuth to talk honestly about prolonged pain, unanswered prayers, and trusting God in the silence. This conversation is for the woman who’s still showing up in faith, but feels weary from waiting. Together, they explore what it means to stay anchored when life doesn’t improve quickly, how to lament honestly without losing faith, and why God’s silence doesn’t mean He’s absent.
This episode is a reminder that God meets us in the raw, unfiltered middle moments of our lives, not just the highlight reels.
If you’ve been asking, How much longer, God? — you’re not alone. And today, you don’t have to carry hope by yourself.
“If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.” (Psalm 94:17)

To connect with Sarah, head over to sarahfreymuth.com or @sfreymuthawake on IG!
Get Sarah’s book, All the Hard Things: https://amzn.to/4cd1xyi 

Submit a question for “Ask Han” here: https://forms.gle/qWGxyy9M5Q5N2tMz9 

SUPPORT BY WORDS: https://buymeacoffee.com/bywords

My favorite Bible studies + devotionals - HANNAHHUGHES10  for 10% off: https://thedailygraceco.com?dt_id=300773 

CONNECT:
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https://www.instagram.com/thehannahhughes

Somewhere along the way, many of us learned that faith meant holding it together, saying the right things, praying the right way, and never asking questions. But Scripture tells a different story.
Today we’re talking about why honest faith is better than perfect faith — and why God consistently meets us in truth, not performance. From David’s raw prayers to the desperate honesty of “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24), we see that God is not afraid of our questions, doubts, or weariness.
If your faith feels quieter than it used to, if you’re tired of pretending, or if you’ve wondered whether honesty might push God away, this episode is for you.
We’ll explore what Scripture says about lament, weakness, and grace, and why slow, imperfect faith often grows the deepest roots. You don’t have to clean yourself up to come close. You don’t have to perform to be faithful.
God meets us right here.

Submit a question for “Ask Han” here: https://forms.gle/qWGxyy9M5Q5N2tMz9 

SUPPORT BY WORDS: https://buymeacoffee.com/bywords

My favorite Bible studies + devotionals - HANNAHHUGHES10  for 10% off: https://thedailygraceco.com?dt_id=300773 

CONNECT:
[email protected]
https://www.instagram.com/thehannahhughes