Ever flip back through an old journal and immediately cringe? You're not the only one.

In this episode, we explore why revisiting past entries can stir up shame—and how to approach those pages with compassion instead of criticism.

If you're carrying regret, embarrassment, or old emotions you're not sure what to do with, this gentle conversation will help you see your past self the way God does. As always, a simple journal prompt is waiting for you at the end.

RELATED EPISODES:

· Episode 167: Why I Trashed My Past Journals--And Deciding If You Should, Too

· Episode 163: Letting God Use Our Wounds: A Conversation with Russell Joyce

· Episode 155: When Talking Doesn't Help

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently Program: 8 week writing program to start healing from grief and trauma

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Book Kari as a speaker for your next event:

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

If you're an introvert who wants to journal but feels overwhelmed the minute you face a blank page, this episode will feel like a deep exhale.

We'll talk about why the pressure to "do it right" can shut you down—and how a gentler, simpler rhythm can open you back up. You'll walk away with a journal prompt and a practical shift that makes writing feel doable again.

RELATED EPISODES:

· Episode 176: My Biggest Tip for Beating Perfectionism in Journaling

· Episode 146: Introduction to Journaling: Creating Your Own Journaling Routine

· Episode 144: How to Create Both a Short and Long Journaling Routine

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently Program: 8 week writing program to start healing from grief and trauma

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Book Kari as a speaker for your next event:

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Ever feel like you're holding more than your heart can handle? In this episode, we explore what happens when life starts to pile up inside us… and the gentle invitation God offers when it does.

If you've been feeling stretched, stuffed, or overwhelmed, this quiet conversation will help you pause, breathe, and bring just one honest thing to Jesus.

RELATED EPISODES:

· Episode 103: 6 Strategies to Manage Overwhelm, Stress, and Change

· Episode 122: Feeling Anxious? Try This 5-Minute Journaling Session

· Episode 139: 3 Truths to Remember During a Difficult Holiday Season

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently Program: 8 week writing program to start healing from grief and trauma

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Book Kari as a speaker for your next event:

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Sometimes the things we love most can actually get in the way of connecting with God. In this clip from the Lead Well Conference, I share a personal story about how even journaling—something I teach and cherish—was keeping me from spending time with the Lord the way I really wanted.

If you've ever felt like your "good habits" or spiritual routines are keeping you from truly engaging with God, this episode is for you. I'll walk you through a small shift I made that helped me listen to God more authentically throughout my day—and how you can do the same.

>> Book Kari for your next event:

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

RELATED EPISODES:

· Episode 176: My Biggest Tip for Beating Perfectionism in Journaling

· Episode 144: How to Create Both a Short and Long Journaling Routine

· Episode 76: Have a Hard Time Sensing God's Presence? Go Outside!

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently Program

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

Two trees. Same kind. Standing side by side—yet one is bare while the other is full of golden leaves. In today's quiet reflection, Kari uses this simple scene from her neighborhood to remind us that healing doesn't happen at the same pace for everyone.

It's easy to look at someone else's joy and wonder why we're still struggling. But God tends to each of our hearts with patience and care, layer by layer. This episode is a gentle invitation to release comparison, trust the pace of your healing, and bring your broken pieces to the One who knows how to restore them.

>> Journal Gently Program

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

RELATED EPISODES:

· Episode 117: Running Away From God: A Devotional Bible Study on Jonah 1

· Episode 122: Feeling Anxious? Try This 5-Minute Journaling Session

· Episode 184: Could This Be Why You're Not Hearing from God?

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Speaking

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Have you ever let fear keep you quiet, hesitant to use a gift you know God has placed inside you?

In this episode, Kari unpacks a familiar verse, 2 Timothy 1:7, and discovers it means something deeper than we often realize. It's not just about overcoming fear in general—it's about refusing to let fear silence the gifts God has given us.

Through Paul's letter to Timothy, we're reminded that God calls us to fan into flame the gifts already within us, using them with power, love, and self-discipline. If you've been feeling restless or discouraged, this gentle reflection will help you rekindle your confidence in what God has entrusted to you.

>> Get your free ticket to Make the Move, a live online conference happening November 20 to help you discern God's direction in your business or ministry.

https://prayforyourbusiness.com

RELATED EPISODES:

· Episode 117: Running Away From God: A Devotional Bible Study on Jonah 1

· Episode 122: Feeling Anxious? Try This 5-Minute Journaling Session

· Episode 184: Could This Be Why You're Not Hearing from God?

______

>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Speaking

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Have you ever felt unsure what step to take next, but also restless just sitting still?

In today's episode, Kari shares how God has been guiding her through her own season of uncertainty and reveals what's next for her ministry through Love Does That. You'll hear how one simple phrase from coach Christa Hutchins—"Clarity comes from action"—has reshaped the way she's discerning her next move.

This short reflection will encourage you to take one small step forward, trusting that God often brings direction as we move, not before.

>> Get your free ticket to Make the Move, a live online conference happening November 20 to help you discern God's direction in your business or ministry.

https://prayforyourbusiness.com

RELATED EPISODES:

· Episode 77: Three Prayers for Discernment: Making Difficult Choices in Difficult Seasons

· Episode 134: You Have to Push Yourself to Grow (Podcast Rebrand)

· Episode 160: When Life Changes, Re-evaluate

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Speaking

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Hey, friend. Whether you are someone who has been listening to the podcast since the beginning or you just found me through one of the recent conferences I spoke at, I want to say welcome, and I'm glad you're here.

It would seem as if God has a funny sense of timing, and He's asking me to pause the podcast for a while. I need to practice what I preach: taking breaks, caring for my family first, and leaning in to my relationship with Him so that I can continue doing the work He has called me to. That's the very thing I spoke about last week, and at the Lead Well conference this past Saturday.

So for the time being, I'll be stepping away from the podcast.

Kari

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Other Resources

· Daniele Evans – spiritual director with trauma and writing

· Karen Altzier – grief coach

· Julie Lynn Ashley – grief coach

· Kristin Vanderlip – writing and grief

· Kristen Joy – coach for Christian women and ministry leaders

· Jennifer Shook – inner healing coach

· Heather O'Brien – healing with God

>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week grief and trauma journaling program

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Speaking

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Music by DappyTKeys