Peace in His Presence

Grief doesn't follow a schedule. It shows up in the grocery store aisle, while looking through recipes, when you hear a certain song. And during the holidays, grief can feel even more intense. In this final episode of the Be Still series, I'm sharing what I've learned about welcoming grief instead of trying to fix it—and how Immanuel (God WITH us) meets us right in the middle of our pain. You'll discover: • Why "small" griefs matter just as much as "big" ones • The REST framework for processing grief when it catches you off guard • How to hold both grief and joy at the same time • Why your tears are holy and collected by God (Psalm 56:8) • A powerful journaling exercise to acknowledge what you're carrying Whether you're missing someone who's gone, grieving traditions that have changed, or facing an empty chair this season, this episode offers permission to feel what you're feeling—and practical tools to help you through it. How to Hold Grief and Joy at the Same Time This isn't about toxic positivity or "looking on the bright side." It's about the deep truth that: You can miss someone AND be grateful for the time you had You can grieve what's changing AND appreciate what's growing You can cry over pepperoni bread AND laugh with your family You can feel the ache of the empty chair AND celebrate those who are present Grief and joy aren't opposites. They're companions. Where there's been great love, both will show up. Connect With Michelle Free Resources: Newsletter with additional tools from each episode Books: Promised Rest Promised Hope (Both dive deeper into the names of God and how He meets us in our struggles) One-on-One Support: Free 50-minute coaching consultation No strings attached—sometimes one conversation is exactly what you need  

Are you struggling to find joy this Christmas season? Maybe finances are tighter than usual. Maybe there's an empty chair at your table. Maybe you're exhausted from trying to make everything perfect when nothing feels right. You're not alone. In this episode, Michelle shares the beautiful encounter between Mary and Elizabeth - two women holding onto impossible promises - and a personal Christmas story that changed everything she thought about holiday perfection. You'll discover: Why God's promises are unshakeable even when your circumstances feel shaky How to find peace when Christmas doesn't match your expectations The surprising truth about what creates holiday stress (hint: it's not the circumstances) A simple breath prayer for anxious moments Where to find wonder when everything feels broken If you're feeling overwhelmed by holiday pressure, grieving during the festivities, or just trying to survive the season, this episode offers gentle hope and practical tools. Perfect for: Moms feeling guilty about not providing the "perfect" Christmas Anyone grieving a loss during the holidays People struggling with financial stress this season Those feeling anxious or overwhelmed by family gatherings Anyone who needs permission to let go of perfection Mentioned in This Episode: Join Michelle for a Special Advent Event: 📅 Peace Be Still: Advent Reflection Coaching by Candlelight December 15, 7:00 PM Central Time | Zoom Perfect if you're experiencing: Grief over an empty chair this Christmas Stress over family dynamics Pressure to make everything perfect Holiday drama you're dreading The mix of joy and sorrow this season brings What We'll Do Together: ✨ Share an Advent devotion to anchor in God's Word ✨ Guided journaling (prompts provided!) ✨ Group coaching through what's weighing on your heart Never experienced coaching? This is a gentle, beautiful introduction. Just bring an open heart. [Register Here:] Need Support This Season? If you're carrying something heavy and need someone to hold space for you, Michelle offers free 50-minute consultations. In your session, you'll: Share what's weighing on your heart Receive practical tools you can use immediately Explore whether coaching might help you find peace this season No pressure. No sales pitch. Just genuine support. [Schedule Your Free Consultation]

Are you dreading the holidays this year because someone won't be at your table? Maybe someone you love has died. Maybe your kids have grown up and moved away. Maybe traditions are changing and your heart is aching in ways you didn't expect. You're not alone. And you don't have to "get through" this season by gritting your teeth and pretending you're fine. In this episode, you'll discover: ✓ Why trying to plan or control your grief doesn't work (and what to do instead) ✓ How to process grief when it ambushes you unexpectedly—in the grocery store, looking at recipes, or decorating the tree ✓ Why you can feel grief AND joy at the same time (and why that's actually healthy) ✓ What Jesus's response to Lazarus's death teaches us about sitting with grief instead of rushing through it ✓ 7 practical tools for processing your emotions during the holidays (not just surviving them) ✓ What to say (and NOT say) if you're trying to comfort someone who's grieving ✓ How to acknowledge the empty chair without letting it destroy your peace The promise of this episode: You'll learn that grief doesn't need to be fixed—it needs to be felt. And when you give yourself permission to feel it, you make space for healing, hope, and the presence of God right in the middle of your pain. This episode is for you if: There's an empty chair at your table this year You're tired of people telling you to "stay positive" or "be grateful" You feel guilty for being sad during "the most wonderful time of the year" You don't know how to balance celebrating with grieving You're trying to help someone who's grieving and you don't know what to say You want tools to actually PROCESS your grief, not just survive the holidays What You'll Learn: Grief doesn't follow a plan - I share the story of my first Christmas without my Grandma Katherine and how God met me in a way I never expected when everything fell apart Grief ambushes us - The Walmart aisle moment that taught me we can't schedule when we'll feel our losses Traditions changing hurt - Why it's okay to grieve even when the person you love is alive and thriving (like when your kids grow up and move away) Jesus wept - What the story of Lazarus teaches us about God's response to our grief (spoiler: He doesn't rush us through it) The empty chair is real - How to acknowledge loss instead of ignoring it or stuffing it down 7 practical tools - Specific things you can do RIGHT NOW to process your grief in healthy ways Holding both joy and sorrow - Why your heart is big enough for both, and how to stop making yourself wrong for your feelings The anchor that holds - How Hebrews 6:19 and the name "Immanuel" remind us that God is WITH us in grief, not waiting on the other side of it Bible Verses Referenced: John 11:33-35 (Jesus weeping over Lazarus) Hebrews 6:19 (An anchor for the soul) Psalm 23:4 (The valley of the shadow of death) Free Resources: If you're struggling with grief this season and need someone to hold space with you, I'm offering free 50-minute coaching consultations. Sign up➡️  Here Connect with Michelle: Website: michellediercks.com Remember: Your grief isn't wrong. It's the message that you loved deeply. And you don't have to carry it alone.  

Do you struggle with feeling like you're not enough? Are you tired of comparing yourself to others and always coming up short? Does shame whisper that your past, your failures, or your struggles disqualify you from being loved by God? If you've ever wondered "why do I feel like I'm not good enough" or searched for Christian help for overcoming shame, this episode is for you. Today we look at the woman at the well in John 4 - a woman who was hiding in shame, coming to draw water alone at noon so no one would see her. But Jesus saw her. He knew her whole story - five husbands, the man she was living with now, all of it - and He didn't walk away. Instead, He chose HER to be the very first person He revealed Himself to as the Messiah. What does this mean for you when you feel unworthy of God's love? Everything. In this episode, I share my own struggle with shame and not feeling enough, we walk through what Jesus said to the woman at the well, and I teach you how God's Word can literally rewire the shame patterns in your brain. Science shows we think 80,000-90,000 thoughts a day - many of them negative. But Scripture can create new neural pathways, replacing those old shame ruts with truth. You'll Learn: Why shame makes you feel like everyone else has it together except you What Jesus really meant by "living water" and why it matters for your shame The difference between broken cisterns and the fountain of living water (Jeremiah 2:13) How your brain creates shame ruts - and how God's truth creates new pathways The Five Rs practice for replacing shame with biblical truth Bible verses for when you feel not enough Key Scriptures: John 4:1-42 (Woman at the Well) Jeremiah 2:13 (Broken Cisterns and Living Water) Romans 12:2 (Renewing Your Mind) Psalm 139:14 (Fearfully and Wonderfully Made) Romans 8:1 (No Condemnation) This Episode Is For You If: You constantly compare yourself to others You feel like you're not a good enough mom, wife, Christian, or woman Shame from your past keeps you hiding You wonder if God can really use someone like you You're exhausted from trying to measure up You want to know what the Bible says about shame and worth Resources Mentioned: Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence Free 50 Minute Consultation Call With Michelle Michelle's Email List

Do you wake up to the same negative thoughts every morning? Thoughts like "I'm not enough," "This will never change," or "I'm too broken"? You're not alone, and those thought patterns aren't permanent. In this episode, we explore the story of the woman who bled for 12 years - a woman whose thought patterns ran deep from isolation, suffering, and disappointment. We'll see how one desperate touch changed everything, and how Jesus rewrites our thought patterns with His truth. In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why negative thought patterns feel so permanent (and why they're not) How God's Word creates new neural pathways in your brain The bleeding woman's story from Mark 5 and what it teaches us about transformation The Joy Practice: A 4-step biblical tool for rewiring anxious thinking How to receive joy instead of trying to manufacture it Why gratitude + God's Word = brain change The Joy Practice (4 Steps): Name your thought rut - write down the sentence your brain offers regularly Find a Scripture that speaks truth to that lie Practice gratitude - write three specific things you're thankful for today Rest in your joy - write one way you see God at work Key Scriptures: Isaiah 61:3 - "To give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit" Mark 5:25-34 - The woman who touched Jesus' garment This Episode Is For You If: You struggle with repetitive negative thoughts You've been stuck in the same thought patterns for years You want a biblical approach to changing your thinking You're tired of trying to "think positive" and want something deeper You need hope that real change is possible Resources Mentioned: Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence Free 50 Minute Consultation Call With Michelle Connect With Michelle: Michelle's Website