Have you ever found yourself replaying a conversation, analyzing someone's tone, or assuming you knew exactly what another person was thinking about you?

Maybe you assumed they were upset. Maybe you assumed they were judging you. Maybe you assumed they misunderstood you.

What if the story you've been carrying isn't actually true?

In this episode, Stephanie continues the Relationships Series by sharing one of the most transformative mindset shifts of her life. Through personal stories, biblical truth, coaching insights, and practical reflection, you'll discover how assumptions can quietly rob us of peace, why trying to manage other people's thoughts leaves us exhausted, and how freedom begins when we stop carrying what was never ours to control.

You'll learn why assumptions often feel true even when they're not, how defensiveness can keep us stuck, what it means to release people to their own thoughts and agency, and how resting in your identity in Christ changes the way you navigate relationships.

If you've ever struggled with criticism, misunderstanding, people-pleasing, defensiveness, or caring too much about what others think, this episode is for you.

🌿 In This Episode You Will Hear

• Why assumptions are often not facts
• How mind-reading creates unnecessary hurt and frustration
• Stephanie's story of discovering she was wrong 95% of the time
• The powerful coaching question that changed everything: "Can you allow them to be wrong about you?"
• Why trying to control other people's thoughts steals your peace
• How Creation Cycles help us release others to their own agency
• What it means to stop carrying opinions that were never yours to manage
• The connection between identity, truth, and emotional freedom
• How Jesus modeled security in His relationship with the Father even when He was misunderstood
• Why the pivot from false-self to true-self gets quicker with practice
• Reflection questions to help you release assumptions and remain anchored in truth

📖 Scripture Mentioned

• John 8:32
• Romans 12:2
• Psalm 139

☕ Come Join Me On The Porch

30-Minute Virtual Coffee Chat

I'd love to meet you! If you'd like to connect, ask questions about coaching, or simply have a conversation, grab a virtual coffee chat here:

https://calendly.com/stephaniesekaz/30-min-strategy-call

Join My VIP Email Community

Receive weekly encouragement, podcast updates, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and special notes delivered straight to your inbox:

https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1936705/171737099393828190/share

🧡 Let's Stay Connected

Email: faithfirefreedompodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @stephanie_sekaz

Facebook: Stephanie Adams Sekaz

Substack: Faith Fire Freedom

⭐ If You're Loving The Show

Would you take a moment to leave a review and share this episode with a friend?

Your reviews help more people discover Faith, Fire, Freedom and encourage others who may need this message.

✝️ Dedication

This episode is for the woman who is exhausted from carrying conversations long after they're over.

For the woman who has spent too much time worrying about what everyone else thinks and is ready to find freedom in what God says instead.

For the woman learning to release assumptions, trust God with what she cannot control, and rest securely in her identity in Christ.

Jesus, this is Yours.

Created through Him, for Him, and to Him (Romans 11:36). 🔥

Have you ever found yourself frustrated, hurt, disappointed, or resentful because someone didn't do what you thought they should do?

What if the tension you're experiencing isn't actually being caused by the other person?

In this episode, Stephanie continues the Relationships Series by exploring the invisible expectations, unwritten rules, and emotional "hooks" that often create frustration in our relationships. Through personal stories, mindset tools, biblical truth, and practical reflection, you'll discover how manuals, expectations, and control can quietly keep us stuck—and how freedom begins when we release what was never ours to carry.

You'll learn why expectations often lead to disappointment, how trying to control others robs us of peace, what it means to release people to their own agency and the Holy Spirit, and how renewing our minds allows God's love to flow more freely through our relationships.

If you've ever struggled with resentment, people-pleasing, control, disappointment, or carrying emotional burdens that feel too heavy, this episode is for you.

• Why many relationship struggles begin with invisible expectations
• What "manuals" are and how they quietly shape our relationships
• The connection between expectations, resentment, and disappointment
• Why control often feels safe but never produces freedom
• How creation cycles and personal agency transform relationships
• What it means to release people to their own choices and the Holy Spirit
• The difference between carrying people and loving people
• How "hooks" keep us emotionally attached to outcomes we can't control
• Stephanie's powerful visualization of taking loved ones off the hooks
• Why God's Word is the only manual worth following
• Replacing hooks with forgiveness, curiosity, and compassion
• How Freedom Flow is restored when we release what isn't ours to carry
• Reflection questions to help you begin your own journey toward freedom

• Romans 12:2

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..."

30-Minute Virtual Coffee Chat I'd love to meet you! If you'd like to connect, ask questions about coaching, or simply have a conversation, grab a virtual coffee chat here:

https://calendly.com/stephaniesekaz/30-min-strategy-call

Join My VIP Email Community

Receive weekly encouragement, podcast updates, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and special notes delivered straight to your inbox:

https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1936705/171737099393828190/share

Email: faithfirefreedompodcast@gmail.com

Instagram & Facebook: @stephanie_sekaz

Would you take a moment to leave a review and share this episode with a friend?

Your reviews help more people discover Faith, Fire, Freedom and encourage others who may need this message.

This episode is for the woman who is tired of carrying what was never hers to carry.

For the woman learning to release control, surrender expectations, and trust God with the people she loves.

This podcast is dedicated to the One who restores relationships, renews minds, lifts burdens, and leads us into freedom.

Jesus, this is Yours.

Created through Him, for Him, and to Him (Romans 11:36). 🔥

What if the relationships in your life are revealing more than you realize?

In this episode, Stephanie explores how God uses relationships to shape us, grow us, and reveal areas that still need healing, renewal, and freedom. Building on Episode 15's invitation into a WITH-God life, this conversation explores how time spent with God begins transforming the way we show up in our relationships.

Through personal stories, coaching insights, Scripture, and practical reflection, Stephanie introduces the concept of the Freedom Flow—the way God's love is meant to flow from Him, to us, and through us to others. She also shares how relationships often become the very place where God does some of His deepest work in our hearts.

If you've ever found yourself frustrated by difficult people, wondering why certain relationships seem so challenging, or sensing God inviting you into greater freedom, this episode is for you.

🌿 In This Episode You Will Hear:

• Why relationships matter so deeply to God
• How Episode 15's WITH-God life naturally leads into healthier relationships
• Dr. Lee Warren's insights on renewal, neuroplasticity, and intentional transformation
• The Freedom Flow: God's love flowing from Him, to us, and through us to others
• How assumptions, expectations, resentment, people-pleasing, unforgiveness, control, and fear can interrupt that flow
• Why relationships often reveal what is already happening inside of us
• The powerful idea that relationships are often part of God's curriculum for our growth
• How curiosity can replace judgment in difficult relationships
• What true freedom looks like in relationships
• A simple invitation to begin noticing what your relationships may be revealing

🌿 Scripture Mentioned

• Romans 12:2

🌿 Come Join Me On the Porch

☕ Schedule a free 30-Minute Virtual Coffee Chat:

https://calendly.com/stephaniesekaz/30-min-strategy-call

💌 Join the Faith, Fire, Freedom VIP Email List:

https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1936705/171737099393828190/share

🌿 Let's Stay Connected

faithfirefreedompodcast@gmail.com

🌿 If You're Loving the Show

Would you take a moment to leave a rating and review?

Reviews help more people discover Faith, Fire, Freedom, and they encourage me more than you know. Thank you for being part of this growing porch community.

🌿 Dedication

Relationships can be some of the greatest blessings in our lives—and some of the places where God does His deepest work. My prayer is that this episode encourages you to become curious about what He may be revealing and renewing through the people He has placed in your life.

This podcast is dedicated to the One who makes all transformation possible.

Jesus, this is Yours.

Created through Him, for Him, and to Him. (Romans 11:36)