Faith and Soul Care | Grow Closer to God | How To Find Joy In Life Again | Spiritual Growth | Biblical Counseling | Christian Mindfulness

We’ve got Trump tariffs, global trade wars, a weak jobs report, rising unemployment, concerns about SNAP benefits and stimulus payments being delayed, and Ukraine still under attack with talks of billions more in aid. And now this week, a massive earthquake in Russia that triggered tsunami warnings and caused cliffs to fall into the sea—reminiscent of Psalm 46.

It is a lot.

And for many of us—especially those trying to live faithful, intentional lives—it raises a real question:

What and how do we even pray when the world feels like this?

Resources Mentioned:

Free 5 Week Online Spiritual Formation and Soul Care Connection Cohort for Women:  https://sherryelaine.com/cohorts  Next Registration Opens 08/11/25

Email Notification List to receive notice of Free Teaching Videos on Faith & Soul Care - Topics Include Somatic Practices for Releasing Stress and Overwhelm; Give Your Anxiety to God, But How?; Setting Goals for More Peace, Intentionality & Joy and then Tricking Your Brain Into Being Motivated to Reach Them; Effective Prayer Methods....and MORE!  (Scroll down below the book images to email sign up form: https://sherryelaine.com/books )

 

 

 

What is effective faith – or what is active faith—and what does that look like?  I think this episode may go a little longer than typical based on my instructional notes here – however, I encourage you to stay through to the end -  because the answer to this question – what does effective or active faith look like – may surprise you, especially it may surprise you by its simplicity.

 

Resources mentioned:

Fall Faith & Soul Care Cohort Information (Registration Opens Aug 11):

https://sherryelaine.com/cohorts

 

Books Mentioned:  Closer to God: Simple Methods, Starting Today and The Words of Jesus Bible Study  https://sherryelaine.com/books

 

Email Notification List to receive notice of Free Teaching Videos on Faith & Soul Care - Topics Include Somatic Practices for Releasing Stress and Overwhelm; Give Your Anxiety to God, But How?; Setting Goals for More Peace, Intentionality & Joy and then Tricking Your Brain Into Being Motivated to Reach Them; Effective Prayer Methods....and MORE!  (Scroll down below the book images to email sign up form: https://sherryelaine.com/books )

 

Join My Private FB Group - Currently We are Studying Jesus's Teachings In Mark:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ministrymall/

 

We're going to look at one of the most powerful and relatable stories in the Gospels, from Mark chapter 5. And we’ll reflect together on what it really means to demonstrate a faith that pleases God.

 

How do we ask God for help? What are some effective methods of asking God for help, through prayer? In this series, we’re going to explore the way Jesus responded to people who came to Him for help, and we’ll also learn prayer methods that are simple and powerful.

Resources mentioned:

Women's Connection Cohort - Registration Open Soon for Fall 2025 -

More information: https://sherryelaine.com/cohorts

 

Subscribe to email notification list: https://www.gospellifelearning.com/p/free-book.html

 

Sherry Elaine's books and resources at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sherry-Elaine-Evans/author/B0073HVSD6

 

As the rescuers in the Texas Hill Country search for the missing, including more than 20 young girls from Camp Mystic who were washed away in the flooding in the middle of the night - it's a time when our faith shakes, we may not be able to pray or know how to pray.  Everything feels like darkness.  I've learned in these times we may have to make a conscious choice and decision to choose to continue to believe in God, especially on the days when we don't think we can or not sure if we do anymore. It's how the enemy is defeated from getting a grip into our minds during tragedy. 

 

Resources Mentioned: 

Information Request for FREE Faith & Soul Care Cohort Starting July 14

Submit your email here : https://www.gospellifelearning.com/p/free-book.html

 

July Faith & Soul Care Cohort  - Enroll Now -$0 FREE! (But please read the fine print on the form for required participation components.)

https://sherryelaine.com/cohorts

 

Sherry Elaine's Books:: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0073HVSD6

 

About Sherry Elaine:

https://sherryelaine.com/about

 

Practical strategies are on this episode today to declutter our minds using an evidence based strategy that also is demonstrated by David in the Bible.  A "brain trick" strategy for truly handing over our worries to Jesus and leaving them there are also.

Resources Mentioned: 

Information Request for FREE Faith & Soul Care Cohort Starting July 14

Submit your email here : https://www.gospellifelearning.com/p/free-book.html

 

July Faith & Soul Care Cohort  - Enroll Now -$0 FREE!

https://sherryelaine.com/cohorts

 

Sherry Elaine's Books:: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0073HVSD6

 

About Sherry Elaine:

https://sherryelaine.com/about

 

As a Christian, how do we handle grief? And how to we begin to heal?

Few things are more disorienting than losing someone you love — especially when it's sudden, unexpected, or traumatic. The world shifts. Time slows. Your nervous system is overwhelmed with waves of shock, sadness, confusion, or even numbness. And you wonder how to even begin functioning, let alone healing.

RESOURCES:

Register for the Faith & Soul Care Foundations Cohort Starting July 14, 2025 HERE

https://sherryelaine.com/cohorts

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Haddasah Treu's book Drawing Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings

https://www.amazon.com/Draw-Near-Experiences-Birthplace-Blessings/dp/B0CWSD5Q87

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Article by Haddasah to Read:  "The Art of Emotional Connection" https://onthewaybg.com/the-art-of-emotional-connection/

List for Healing Painful Emotions (from Haddasah Treu's article above):

• Acknowledging emotional disconnect
• Identifying the lies we believe about emotions
• Replacing those lies with God’s truth
• Naming and expressing emotion in God's presence
• Allowing others to witness and hold space for our pain

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About Faith & Soul Care with Sherry Elaine

https://sherryelaine.com/about

 

 

 

 

Today, I want to speak directly to the soul that’s feeling disoriented—discouraged—by everything going on in the world right now. Have you felt it too? The weight of the chaos.  The anger, the division, the fear in the news cycle, the confusion about what’s true, the constant pessimism?

It feels like shifting ground beneath our feet.

RESOURCES:

Sherry's private FB group w/live teachings: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ministrymall

 

Subscribe for free resources, updates, and online Bible Studies:

https://www.gospellifelearning.com/p/free-book.html

 

Summer 2025 Cohort - CLOSED - Check back in mid-July for Fall 2025:

https://sherryelaine.com/registration

 

Main Site | About Sherry Elaine:

https://sherryelaine.com/about

 

Faith & Soul Care Author's Books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sherry-Elaine-Evans/author/B0073HVSD6

 

But here's what I want to tell you today: as the world grows more chaotic, that's not our cue to panic—that’s our signal to come closer to God. This is what I regularly teach – whenever you have any problem – whether it be a personal problem that you have a little control over or one that you have no control over. Or whether it’s a problem in the world that you have no control over.  The key question to choosing the right option for problem solving is this key question:  Is how I am working to handle this or resolve this – is the option I’ve chosen bringing me closer to God?  Or is it taking me further away.  The decisions we make in response to stress and problems in our lives – when we have options – the option that is more likely to bring us closer to God – that is always the best option. That is where our soul will find peace, safety, and comfort that cannot be shaken.

Let’s start with a foundational truth from James 1:17. It says:

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” — James 1:17

 

I want to take us deeper. Not to guilt us into praying—but to inspire us with what’s actually happening in the spiritual realm when we do.

Let’s begin with this: Do you really understand what’s happening when you pray?

RESOUCES MENTIONED:

Teaching on Youtube on Effective Prayer Methods: https://youtu.be/wexBh0Q3IE8

 

Join Sherry's Private Facebook Group where she gives live teachings (free replays are also available in the group):

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ministrymall/

 

Free 5 Soul Care Practices in 5 Days: https://sherryelaine.com/freecourse

 

Affordable Small Group "Life-Counseling" Life Coaching with Sherry  Elaine, Registration Opens in July for Fall Cohort: https://sherryelaine.com/registration

 

Main Website:  https://sherryelaine.com/

 

What is prayer actually doing? Why does it matter?

Well, Scripture tells us some beautiful, powerful truths.