GGB Question Session | Girls Gone Bible

Summary

Girls Gone Bible – GGB Question Session | Girls Gone Bible

Hosts: Angela Halili and Arielle Reitsma
Date: August 30, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this lively and heartfelt Q&A episode, Angela and Arielle address listener-submitted questions about faith, mental health, relationships, insecurity, and more. Blending candid personal stories with practical spiritual wisdom, they explore the challenges of daily Christian life, particularly as women navigating comparison, emotional turbulence, and relationships. The tone is warm, welcoming, and vulnerable, fostering a sense of sisterhood among listeners.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Miracles, Family & God as Father

[00:40–02:35]

• Angela opens with a story about Socrates Charos, her spiritual father figure, who was healed from sudden blindness through prayer.
  • Memorable Quote:
    • “He was probably the first earthly representation of a father...that allowed me the opportunity to relate to God as father.” – Angela (01:52)
• Angela and Ari reflect on belonging and finding safety in God and in spiritual family.

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2. Communicating Openness & Faith

[03:13–04:24]

• The hosts reiterate the podcast’s purpose: a safe, loving place for everyone at any point in their faith journey.
  • Quote:
    • “Come as you are—just don’t stay that way. We love you guys so much.” – Angela (04:10)

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3. Future Communion Episode Invitation

[04:34–05:48]

• Angela invites listeners to join a future communion episode, encouraging everyday participation in Holy Communion, not just during church services.
  • “I think you’re supposed to take the body and blood of Jesus in remembrance of what He did for us, anytime you want, anywhere you want.” – Angela (05:24)

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4. Real Talk: Beach Days, Friendships, & Insecurities

[06:28–11:15]

• Shared, humorous stories about beach life lead to talking about physical insecurities and embracing how God uniquely created them.
  • They poke fun at how they look after swimming compared to others; this triggers a reflection on being fearfully and wonderfully made, even amidst self-deprecating humor.

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5. Friendship Dynamics & Growing Together

[12:15–14:44]

• Ari and Angela detail their deep friendship, discussing how their contrasting personalities and vulnerabilities shape their bond.
• Emphasis on accepting each other's strengths and weaknesses; encouragement to pursue new experiences together.

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6. Answering Listener Questions:

a. Prayer Life for Busy Moms

[20:50–22:29]

• Compassionate advice for mothers feeling too busy or distracted to pray:
  • Encourage “pray without ceasing”—making prayer a continuous, informal conversation with God.
  • Recognize that God “honors every second that you’re a mom.”
  • Quote:
    • “Give yourself grace and understand…the Lord is with you and honoring every second that you’re a mom.” – Angela (21:00)

b. Praying for Future Spouses

[22:29–29:36]

• Honest confessions: Ari admits not praying much for her future husband due to past hurts and a hardened heart.
• Angela encourages praying for a future spouse’s spiritual well-being and trusting God’s plan over personal preferences or lists.
  • Quote:
    • “I always thought…[my spouse] has to be able to understand me, and like, John is—has lived the complete opposite life as me, pretty much…” – Angela (27:57)
• Emphasize openness to God providing not what we want, but what we need.

c. Constant Comparison & Insecurity

[54:34–65:54]

• How to handle insecurity and the feeling that others are “prettier or better”:
  • Angela: “Comparison is a killer. It sucks the life out of you…Anytime you look at someone and think that they have something you don’t have...take it to Jesus.” (55:53)
  • Ari shares about insecurities, especially in competitive modeling, and how accepting God’s specific design for each person brings freedom.

d. Unequally Yoked Friendships

[31:46–36:46]

• Navigating friendships after a faith transformation: love friends where they are, recognize different dynamics, and play “the long game” of loving and praying for them.
  • Quote:
    • “You keep loving them…and keep being a testimony for people.” – Ari (33:05)

e. Hormones, Emotions, and Grief

[43:17–49:26]

• Opening up about women’s issues (periods, hormones), intrusive thoughts, and how sanctification (spiritual growth and refinement) can be messy and hard.
  • Ari: “I don’t think we talk about grief enough. How it truly changes you… Even walking with Jesus, grief can sometimes feel so paralyzing.” (44:21)

f. Living With Mental Health Struggles

[66:03–74:26]

• Discussions about religious OCD, anxiety, obsessive thoughts, and the feeling of needing to “strive” for God’s love.
  • Ari: “He’s the God that picked me up off the bathroom floor when I was drowning… and I go back to that because that’s when he loved me.” (66:41)
  • Angela: “Just know that if you’re facing depression or anxiety, it’s not something that you bow down to…but it does make things harder. And that’s okay.” (74:26)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Angela on God as Father:
  “My relationship with Socrates is what allowed me the opportunity to relate to God as father.” (01:52)

• Angela on Communion:
  “You’re supposed to take the body and blood of Jesus in remembrance of what Jesus did for us anytime you want.” (05:24)

• Ari on Prayer for Moms:
  “Those are the sweet moments when He meets you. He knows, He sees it…” (21:00)

• Angela on Comparison:
  “Comparison is literally the most devilish, evil, scary, weird thing…and it’s a daily fight.” (65:54)

• Ari on Mental Health and God’s Love:
  “He’s the God that picked me up off the bathroom floor when I was drowning in depression and sin and couldn’t clean myself up.” (66:41)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Miracle Healing Story & God as Father — 00:40–02:35
• Podcast Purpose & Welcome — 03:13–04:24
• Communion Episode Invitation — 04:34–05:48
• Beach Life & Physical Insecurities — 06:28–11:15
• Friendship Dynamics — 12:15–14:44
• Q&A: Prayer for Moms — 20:50–22:29
• Q&A: Praying for Future Spouse — 22:29–29:36
• Q&A: Unequally Yoked Friendships — 31:46–36:46
• Q&A: Periods, Hormones, Emotions — 43:17–49:26
• Q&A: Insecurity & Comparison — 54:34–65:54
• Q&A: Mental Health & God’s Love — 66:03–74:26

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Takeaways & Closing Blessing

• The episode encourages vulnerability, self-acceptance, and honest dialogue in Christian community.
• Both hosts testify to ongoing transformation, emphasizing how God meets each of us in our struggles—not through striving, but by receiving His love.
• Listeners are left with a blessing and prayer for joy, freedom, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
  • “May the Lord bless you and keep you…May he turn his face toward you and give you peace.” – Angela (80:32)

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Overall Tone & Experience

The conversation is candid, deeply personal, and infused with humor and love. Angela and Ari model vulnerability about faith, insecurity, mental health, and the ongoing work of God in their lives. The message throughout: Come as you are, rely on Jesus, stay in community, and let love—not religious performance—lead.

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If you’re seeking authenticity, encouragement, and practical Christian wisdom for navigating the messiness of life, this episode is a warm and welcoming listen.

Transcript

[Angela]

Back to school is better. With family freedom from T Mobile, we'll pay off four phones up to $3200 and give you four free phones, all on America's largest 5G network. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com familyfreedom. Up to $800 per line via virtual prepaid card typically takes 15 days. Free phones via 24 monthly bill credits with finance agreement eg. Apple iPhone 16, 128 gigabyte 8, $2009.99 eligible trade in eg iPhone 11 Pro for well qualified credits. End and balance due if you pay off early or cancel contact T Mobile. Hallelujah. Today is the day. We haven't said thank you, Jesus, Hallelujah in a long time. Should I tell about Socrates?

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

Guys, guys, you're not going to believe this. Socrates, by the way, the devil. I'm actually not kidding. Did something to Socrates phone where I can't call him. I'm the only person ever he's checked it. He literally took it to the store to see, like, why can he calls me his daughter. He goes, why? Why can't my daughter call me? I can't call his phone. My mom can. John can. Everybody can call Socrates except me. So weird. There's nothing wrong. He didn't block me or restrict me or anything. I'm not getting Socrates calls for like a week. He has a stroke. Socrates has a stroke. He goes blind for like five days.

[Ari]

He's. He can see now, right?

[Angela]

He told me he was blind for five days and then all of a sudden one day, he's like, weeping before God and is like, lord, I can't even read the word. Like, I can't read your words. Please, like, let me see. He's like crying with his eyes closed for like two hours, he said. All of a sudden he opened up his eyes and he could see again.

[Ari]

Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Hallelujah.

[Angela]

Thank you, Jesus. Hallelujah.

[Ari]

If we could all just be praying for Socrates.

[Angela]

His name is Socrates Charos. We love him so much. Oh, Socrates. He's like, been a real dad. He. I remember Socrates came into my life and I literally go, he was probably the first. Thank you. He was probably the first earthly representation of a father or like, of the father that I had where I was just like, oh, okay. So this is like, my relationship with Socrates is what allowed me the opportunity to relate to God as father.

[Ari]

Wow.

[Angela]

He's been such a dad to me.

[Ari]

He has.

[Angela]

He.

[Ari]

He makes you feel so safe too, huh?

[Angela]

And he Loves Ariel.

[Ari]

Ariel.

[Angela]

He loves Ariel.

[Ari]

I've never, I don't know if I've ever heard you say my full name.

[Angela]

He loves Ariel.

[Ari]

Every time we see him, we go, you're my best friend.

[Angela]

I know.

[Ari]

My best friend's talkative.

[Angela]

That's what I say the whole time.

[Ari]

No goofy spirits in here.

[Angela]

Uhuh. You guys better rebuke them. Goofy spirits that try to come up.

[Ari]

At you, say goofy. Goofy. Oh, oh, oh. Gimme, gimme. Jimmy, Jimmy. When somebody is like a caretaker, we don't want. No, give me, give me. Jimmy. Jimmy.

[Angela]

No, give me, give me. Jimmy. Oh, that guy wants you to pay for the gospel. No, Jimmy, Jimmy, give me, give me.

[Ari]

So anytime you feel like you, you're around some takers say, no, Jimmy, Jimmy. Gimme gimme's over here.

[Angela]

Any. What is the word that I'm looking for?

[Ari]

Goofy.

[Angela]

No. When someone's a taker, like when they're about money, Give me money, give me my money, Give me my money, give me my money. Hi, I'm Ang and I'm R. And this is Girls Gone Bible. We are a faith based podcast where we talk all things spirituality, mental health, relationships, but we talk specifically about the Bible. We love Jesus so much. If you're somebody who's new to faith or new to Christianity or you don't even know Jesus, I want you to know that you are so safe here. Like whoever you are, wherever you come from, whatever place in life you're at, no matter what, what is taking place in your life and how far you might think you are from ever being a Christian, you're so safe here. This is a great place to be because you're welcomed with open arms and like all we want to do is go on a journey with you where you find Jesus and you learn to love Jesus as we find Jesus and continue to learn to love Jesus. We always say, come as you are, just don't stay that way. Yeah. We love you guys so much. So happy to be with you today. GGB Gang forever, ever.

[Ari]

It's my favorite intro, baby.

[Angela]

Yeah, I love that intro. Before we continue, can I just say something so I don't forget?

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

Ari and I are going to do an episode on communion eventually. And so I just want to ask you guys, if you will, I'll like put something in the description. Maybe on Amazon there are these like little communion cups with the, with the grape juice and the wafer. And I would love if you guys would get those so that we can all take communion together on that episode. Whenever it comes. And if you don't have that, even obviously, like, bread and grape juice, Communion. Holy Communion is so important. And I think Ari and I have both learned the importance of communion the past couple of years, so. And a lot of people. I mean, that's. We'll get on that on another episode, but there's some sort of religious constructs that will encourage people to not take communion outside of church or outside of, like, you know, Catholics and Orthodox will encourage people that, like, you can only take communion in church with the priest. I don't believe that that's true. I think, like, you're supposed to take the body and blood of Jesus in remembrance of what Jesus did for us anytime you want. Anywhere you want. I take communion every single day almost. So. Yeah. So if you could get that so we can prepare for that episode. And I think it'll be really special for all of us.

[Ari]

I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.

[Angela]

I'm thinking about.

[Ari]

I'm thinking about. I was on the phone with my friend, and she's so, like, thoroughbred Boston. And she goes, my dad's in the other room eating communion. Like, it's like. It's pita chips. I'm like, he's just opening the thing and eating the.

[Angela]

My kids.

[Ari]

So ridiculous.

[Angela]

That is actually so insane. Oh, there's us.

[Ari]

I know.

[Angela]

I love us. What's up?

[Ari]

What's up?

[Angela]

Anything new?

[Ari]

I love when we do that.

[Angela]

What's new? I've been getting a little bit of a tan. Do you see this?

[Ari]

This is actually, like, the natural tan.

[Angela]

I've been laying out. I'm by the beach.

[Ari]

Are you putting sunblock on?

[Angela]

No. On my face. I don't put my face in the sun, but not my. Through a hat body. I try to. I don't always, but I try to.

[Ari]

Why? And they gave you the big old hat. Yeah, my fluffy hat.

[Angela]

You should see me. Okay. Should we not talk about being rats out of the water?

[Ari]

Yeah, why not? Oh, this is. Yeah.

[Angela]

I. I could literally put a picture. I. And even John, who truly loves me so much and thinks that I am a princess angel, straight up, said, what happens to you when Ari and I. Maybe it's because we're blonde. Anybody else have this where we have some friends who, like, they get out of the water, the beach, or, like, from a pool, and they're just, like, gorgeous bombshells. Bombshells. Like, beachy, super model. Just, like, the. The skin is glowing. The hair is, like, straight back, and.

[Ari]

It, like, dries Nice.

[Angela]

It dries Nice.

[Ari]

That's so true.

[Angela]

We're like, Ari and I get out of the water and we're like. Like, we literally see Merchant, like coming out of the water. The hair. The hair is like George Washington comes out this way. It's like what happens.

[Ari]

Our makeup get like, it's just the mascara. Like, I look.

[Angela]

Our lips turn blue for some reason. We literally look like the girls from like why I want and we love fearfully and wonderfully made. We're not even self deprecating. We're not even self deprecating.

[Ari]

It's hilarious.

[Angela]

Does anybody else go through that? Like, I'm telling you, John was. He. He told me that his favorite version of myself is when I'm in the water at the beach. I go to the. We've been going to the beach like every single day this summer because by the beach a lot now and I've never had this opportunity. I mean, actually, just kidding. I lived in Florida, so it is so when I lived in Florida. Anybody else by the beach don't not go to the gym. Okay?

[Ari]

Yeah, yeah, I don't. I don't go to the gym. You know, I don't.

[Angela]

Okay.

[Ari]

I am scared.

[Angela]

Can you help me?

[Ari]

Anybody by the beach or.

[Angela]

I'm going to the gym.

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

I'm scared.

[Ari]

I know.

[Angela]

What are you talking. I'm good. I don't need to say anything else.

[Ari]

We're making a clip out of this. No, you go on.

[Angela]

Does that ever happen to you when you.

[Ari]

What do you mean, does that ever happen to me? Angie, that was funny.

[Angela]

I think we know.

[Ari]

That happens to me a lot.

[Angela]

I know I got scary.

[Ari]

Kim. I thought Kim Won Joon came in talking. His name is Chris.

[Angela]

North Korea is going to bomb us if you don't stop talking about him and getting his name wrong and getting calling Abigambo, Abby Gambino, Michael Buble, Michael Bubble.

[Ari]

I just found out his name was Michael Buble. It's. I thought it was Michael Bubble. I really thought it was Michael Bubble.

[Angela]

And then. Yeah, it's a miracle. Ari and I had a meeting today at 11 and both of us, we missed it. We miss every meet. I mean, it is truly. I'm telling you, the fact that we're sitting here tuning a half years later is the grace of God himself.

[Ari]

Doing good, though.

[Angela]

I mean, you're so responsible.

[Ari]

Oh, sure.

[Angela]

Oh, okay. I won't take a compliment.

[Ari]

You're so responsible.

[Angela]

You're so respons. Oh, you need me to double down too? You're so responsible.

[Ari]

I'm not very, like, athletic.

[Angela]

That's not even true.

[Ari]

Okay, whatever. Well, I'm not. I'm not. I don't. I'm not really good at sports. Sure, but you're very good at sports.

[Angela]

Sure.

[Ari]

Like when we played. When she got me to Taekwondo and.

[Angela]

No, it was Muay Thai, first of all.

[Ari]

Yeah, Muay Thai. And we were fighting and my finger was bent for a week, and I was trying.

[Angela]

Yeah, but what else have I made you do that you didn't want to do?

[Ari]

You've made me do everything. I just wanted to. To be with you and be on the ride because I just. I didn't care. I would have jumped off a bridge with you if you jumped.

[Angela]

I just did.

[Ari]

Who? I wanted to be with her every day. But I love to surf. It's like, oh, such a big.

[Angela]

Let's go surfing together.

[Ari]

I would love to.

[Angela]

We can go next week.

[Ari]

I get scared of going in California. I love to surf in Hawaii, but I'm actually really good at it.

[Angela]

I'm sure you are, but why in California?

[Ari]

I don't know. The sharks?

[Angela]

No, there are no sharks. Don't say that. How are there sharks? It's just. No, they're gonna be sharks.

[Ari]

See a lot. You can see better in Hawaii. It's a little murky out in the oceans of. There was a. Just a great white shark.

[Angela]

What do you mean?

[Ari]

In California.

[Angela]

Talking about there was a great white shot.

[Ari]

Can I just say something? The microphone is like this on you. Yes. And I have to start watching the dues more. Mama. We both do.

[Angela]

We don't have what is going on. We have to start watching the news.

[Ari]

Yes. We don't know what's going on in the world.

[Angela]

Okay. Why don't you watch the news and you can fill me in.

[Ari]

Okay.

[Angela]

That's what I typically do. I know, but no offense, sometimes you relay the information wrong.

[Ari]

Like what?

[Angela]

Like when I ask you what somebody's name is and you say, it's Denise, And I go, hey, Denise. And she goes, my name's Sarah.

[Ari]

I do. You do.

[Angela]

You know, so you can't tell me that. Like I was gonna say something really politically incorrect. Let's not do that.

[Ari]

No, no.

[Angela]

I don't want to get in trouble.

[Ari]

I love when you do that. What?

[Angela]

Oh, guys, before we get into today's episode, we want to remind you of our three major, continual, ongoing announcements, which is, first of all, we're going back on tour. You can get your [e-mail] tour. We're excited to be with you guys again. We are so excited for the cities that we're going into. You can go in the description and we have all the cities listed that we have planned out right now. We're so excited. Please get your tickets and come see us on tour. Next thing is that we have our book, our 31 day devotional which is called out of the Wilderness 31 devotions to walk with God through your hardest seasons. The book has just been really, really one of the most beautiful parts of all of this for Ari and I because your guys responses to the book, the way that you guys have encountered Jesus through the devotional, how every single person it seems have feel, felt so seen and loved and and spoken to through the devotional means the world to us. So I would really encourage you guys to get your copy@girlsgone Bible.com book and last but definitely not least, you guys know that we are doing GGB plus, which is our exclusive subscription based platform where Ari and I get to go and have conversations that we don't have anywhere else. It's so raw, it's so real. Like nothing is planned and we just literally let you guys into our hearts in a way that we don't anywhere else. And so yeah, you guys can go to GirlsGone Bible.com/ and subscribe. We really want to see you on GGB Plus. All right guys, let's talk about a subject that seems like the world wants us to ignore. Our hormones. Hormone health affects everything. Our mood, energy, sleep, skin, even how clear headed we feel. When they're balanced, you feel like yourself, but when they're off, it's brain fog, breakouts, fatigue, mood swings, the works. So what if one scoop could fill in the gaps and keep you feeling your best? Would you give it a shot? Well, that's why we recently started using Glow by Beam. It's a once daily hormone balancing blend for women that has made a huge improvement in our lives and we need you to try it too. It contains 18 comprehensive active ingredients, vitamins, minerals and natural antioxidants and added electrolytes for a hydration boost. Since it comes in the form of a tasty low sugar drink mix, it makes hydrating your body simple and delicious. And I found Glo to be the simplest way to keep up with my hormones, my hydration and everything in between. You just simply mix one scoop with 8 ounces of water, shake, stir or froth and you're good to go. And the results? Glow helps with common hormone fluctuations, supports healthier skin, hair and nails, eases PMS symptoms and even improves skin sleep patterns. Over 40,000 women have trusted GLOW by BEAM to support their hormone health. And now it's your turn. GLOW is here to help bring you back to balance, because balance isn't a luxury, it's essential. And for a limited time, BEAM is offering our listeners up to 35% off Glow. Just visit shop beam.com GGB and use code GGB at checkout. That's shop b a m.com GGB and don't forget to use our code GGB for your exclusive discount. Foreign this episode is sponsored by Glorify, the number one Christian daily devotional app and literally one of our favorite ways to connect with God throughout the day. You know those days when your mind just won't slow down? You sit down to pray or read and suddenly you're thinking about your to do list or what you're making for dinner? Yeah, same. Well, that's why we love the Glorify app, because it helps you pause, breathe, and actually focus on God. Glorify helps you spend time with God in a way that feels easy and meaningful. Their daily devotionals only take five minutes, and you can either read or listen whatever you prefer. Whether it's first thing in the morning or right before bed, Glorify gives us a way to pause, reset, and come back to what matters most his presence. Each morning, you can start with the Bible verse of the day, read a short daily devotional, and listen to their daily walk with God. It's such a grounding routine, and Glorify makes it easy to build into your life. And during the day, if you need a pause, you can throw on one of their meditations or worship playlists. They're short but powerful, and at night, their sleep meditations will help you clear your head and rest on His Word. Whether you've been walking with Jesus for years or you're just starting to explore your faith, Glorify makes it so easy to draw closer to God anytime, anywhere. Over 20 million people use the Glorify app, and I can totally see why. It will truly help you stay centered and keep God at the heart of your day. So if you're longing to spend more time with God but don't know where to start, we truly encourage you to download the Glorify app. So go ahead, download the Glorify app and create space for God today. Visit glorify-app.com GGB right now to download the Glorifi app for free. That's glorify-app.com GGB to download the Glorify app for free. Glorify-app.com ggb so I will answer this one. Someone said, I'm struggling to pray. I'm a mom of three. I feel so distracted all day long. And I just want to say we have so much compassion and love for moms. Ari and I are not moms. So we. It's like, obviously not the easiest for us to speak on something we don't have experience in, but I can only imagine what it's like to try and even without children and without being married, the just, like, what it takes to still your mind and still your heart and zero in and focus on Jesus and on prayer when you don't have children. I can't even imagine what moms go through to try to get still and try to get focused when you have children who, like, depend on you and who you're their life source and, like, they need you every second. So to even, like, disconnect from that for a second. So I think what I would say is I would remind you of the scripture that encourages to pray without seizing and that, like, prayer can be just a continual thing that you do, and it doesn't need to be like, of course I love creating a sacred space for myself where, like, I focus in and I'm like, this is where I'm gonna pray and meet God. But, like, if you're a mom and you have three kids, give yourself grace and understand that, like, first of all, the Lord is with you and honoring every second that you're a mom. It's the greatest, most difficult, most rewarding job you can have. And so God is already with you. He's already in you. And, like, he. He's aware of your heart. He's aware of the time that you don't have. But I would just say pray without ceasing. Pray all day. Pray as you' the dishes. Pray while you're breastfeeding. I've heard that those moments in the night that you're breastfeeding your child, I've heard women be like, please don't get on your phone during that time. You're missing out on this moment where as your child is so dependent on you to be fed, to be full you. It, like, literally symbolizes and represents our relationship with God where we are so dependent on him and he's our life source. And so I've heard women say that, like, when they're breastfeeding is the moment where they connect with God the most. And those like, little quiet Moments in the night to just have a conversation with God. And prayer doesn't have to be this long, structured, formulated thing where you have to get on your knees and, like, you can't do anything else. Like, it's a conversation. And I was even walking back from Pilates this morning, from Pilates to my house, and I had spent time with Jesus in the morning, and I was about to get on my phone and call someone, and I felt the Holy Spirit be like, hi. And I literally put my phone in my pocket, and I was like, hi, Holy Spirit. I love you so much. And I said, God, would you let the spirit of intercession fall on me? Would you let the spirit of intercession come upon me right now? All of a sudden, as I'm walking five minutes, literally, the spirit of intercession comes on me. I start interceding so powerfully for somebody in my life. I am going in warfare prayers. Five minutes on a walk, on the go. And it was so powerful and so random, and I had no intention. And, yeah, I would just encourage you to take every. Like, every moment can be a moment of prayer, you know, and it doesn't need to look like something. It doesn't need to look like I'm gonna get rid of everything else and be in this still place. Like, if you're a mom. Yeah, just pray without ceasing. Just continually have a conversation. Jesus, I need you. I don't know what to do right now, so I need you. You. That's a prayer.

[Ari]

You know, as you were saying that, I just got this picture of being so exhausted with, like, a baby on your arm. And like, Jesus, your loving father, who sees how exhausted you are, just, like, being your comforter with the baby on the arm, being like, I am so tired. Like, comfort me. Like, those are the sweet moments where he meets you. He knows, like, he sees it. He sees when you're tired. He sees how stressed you are. He sees that your life isn't your own anymore. And so those moments of just even. Like, when you were saying when you were walking us rocking back and forth, I know when you were walking back from Pilates, I'm walking a lot now, too, because I encounter Jesus so much. Just, like, looking up and just seeing the truth, just the beauty, you know, I'm just like, I've never really taken in the beauty on my walks. I'm always going, going, going. And so I just got another picture when you were talking of just. Just when you're. When you're walking your child or with the babies or whatever. You're just, like, taking it in on your walks. You're looking up and you're just smiling. You're talking to him, telling them about your day. Like, that's. That's our dad. Like, he sees. He's the God that sees us. So.

[Angela]

And he's already there. You don't need to do something to get to him. He's already here. He's already within you. He's already around you. He's in your house. You just have to become aware of his presence. And it's actually not that hard to, like, get into his presence. You call on him and then know that he's there and you're right there.

[Ari]

You know, how should I be praying for my future husband? You know, when I read this today, I thought to myself, wow, that's such a good question. Because I have no idea, first of all. And I never pray for my husband. Do you know that? I don't know if I shared that with you, but, yeah, I don't. I don't really pray from. I. I see it. I see. I always have this one vision, but I never really talk to God about my husband.

[Angela]

Wow. Yeah.

[Ari]

So I know that something that you do well, I. Something that I'm working through, but I just felt like the way God saved my life, and I'm like, he's done enough for me. Like, he saved my life. It's okay. Like, I. I don't want. I. You know, I think I also have really figured out this past couple months how hard in my heart has been. I say I want to be a wife, and I say I want to be a mom and all these things, but the truth is, is that there's been such a blockage of my heart.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

You know, I've really. My heart is hard, and I feel like it's a little bit closed off. And so I think a part of me is scared.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

And so now I'm just working through that of, like, opening my heart again. And. Yeah, I'm. Yeah. And to be honest with you, too, I think I know what I need, but I don't really think that's what I really need. Do you know what I mean? And so, yeah, I'm trying to work through that because I've had this idea in my head of what I think I want.

[Angela]

Want.

[Ari]

But I know Jesus is like, no, I know what you need.

[Angela]

Yeah. He knows what we need. And so often I think, yeah, God, he just. I love when he. I love when we think we know who we need. And then he's like, you have no idea.

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

What you need. I think. Thanks for sharing that. That's so beautiful. And if I could maybe offer even another perspective. I and I and. Which doesn't mean what you just said is like not real because I agree, like if that your heart hasn't been hardened and all that stuff. And I also think God protected you so much. I know, like you're just this sweetest, most sensitive girl angel ever. And like, I don't know, he's just made you strong.

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

You know, he really has in so many ways. And like protected your heart and. Yeah. What was the question?

[Ari]

Pray for your future husband. It doesn't need to be like. It just. I remember you really did this so well, letting your walls down and just being like, I want what you want for me. And I think that's so beautiful because so many of us have this one sided view of what we think we should have.

[Angela]

Yeah. I think. And I wonder if that person means praying for your husband as in, because I know a lot of girls and I didn't do this. Actually a lot of girls pray for their husband as in like they pray for their husband as if they know their husband. Like they're like, God, protect them, Lord, like be with them, comfort them. Wherever they are, bless them. And so that's something really important that even if you're not dating anyone to start praying about your husband or wife because they're out there, they're alive somewhere. And sometimes I've had the sweet thought, obviously I'm not married or have like whatever I have thought so many times I wonder if like the, the sovereign hand of God on my life. Imagine I marry into like a really beautiful Christian family where the guy that I marry prayed for his wife his whole life, his parents, because a lot of Christian parents pray for their children's spouse since they're babies. And I had the thought before, like, you know how God has rescued me and like protected me when I was so far from him. I always wonder if like my husband and his parents prayers protected me a lot in my life, which is just like kind of a cute thought. If So I think it's so important to pray for your spouse and be like Jesus, wherever they are, bless them, bless them, Jesus, protect them. Like bring them close to you if they're thinking anything off. If they're just like, if something is wrong, just help them encounter them, keep them pure, keep them safe. So if that's what you meant, I, I think we should all Be praying for our people, our spouses, like that, because our prayers are so powerful. And then if you're praying for what you want in a spouse, if you. A husband or a wife, I think, like, what Ari said, I. I literally was like, yeah, I'm gonna date a six foot or a basketball player with the tattoos.

[Ari]

Like, shut up.

[Angela]

Like, what are you talking about? I was just like, saying, I don't know. I feel like, yeah, it was just so. And I'm not saying that you can't do that and say what you want physically, but it's just like, who cares? Yes. You need to be attracted to your spouse. We don't know what we want. We don't know what we need. I never thought that I would be. I always thought the person that I dated, I'm obviously not married, but, like, I thought the person that I would date would have a past similar to mine, would be like, me, because I always said he has to be able to understand me. And like, John is. Has lived the complete opposite life as me, pretty much. And. And we've had to fight to understand each other.

[Ari]

I love that.

[Angela]

And that's beautiful, you know, and hard sometimes and uncomfortable. And you even have thoughts like, not like actually, but like, you. Yeah. It crosses your mind. Like, wow. Like, it would be easier if it was different or if it was what I originally wanted, but I wouldn't change it for the world because what a beautiful foundation to a relationship when you guys have to fight for understanding. And so I just encourage you guys to just pray for the things that, you know, God also wants in your spouse. And it's okay to ask for him to be this height and this hair color and this eye color, that's okay. But as long as it's not what you're actually focused on, like, what do you want to see him as spiritually? Like, these are the things I feel like the Holy Spirit cares about. Like, what are. Yeah. Do you. Does that make sense?

[Ari]

Yes, absolutely.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

It's so funny. Did I tell you this? That when I. Like when I get a shot or like something is about to hurt, like, you know. You know when you get a shot and you have to distract yourself. I have a thing where I always block my ears for some reason. It makes it hurt less. But when I close my eyes, I get the same vision every time for years. Wow. And I'm in this beautiful church. It looks like a Greek Orthodox church. It's just a beautiful church. And I have the veil over my head and I can. Can see the back of my husband's head. I. I see it. Wow. He's got dark hair and. Yeah. And I can only see, like, the side of him. I can't see his face, but it's the same this. This person. And he's at the end and he's just so kind.

[Angela]

And he's your protector.

[Ari]

He's so kind.

[Angela]

Wow, that's so special. You heard it here first, you guys. Yeah. So that's so special.

[Ari]

You wanna share that?

[Angela]

I can't wait to see sweet baby Oz. Oh, my brother. Do you know how much I love him?

[Ari]

I know.

[Angela]

I love him so much. I'm gonna be so annoying. He's gonna. He won't be able to stand it. How do you deal with unequally yoked friendships? Yeah, I think Ari and I can definitely speak on this because we came from the world and had many friends and then become Christians and then your whole life changes and you change completely. And the things that you want to do and the. The things that you like and things that you care about completely change. That's probably the one thing for me the most that I deal with is like, the things I care about, specifically the things I care to talk about. If I'm unequally yoked, that's where I get the most disconnect. Not because I'm like, oh, they're whatever. Not saved or inappropriate or scandalous or anything. It's not like I don't even really struggle with that. Maybe I did in the beginning because I was like. I had a little bit of fear of, like, like, oh, no, I don't want people to be a bad influence on me, but as time has gone on, I don't struggle with that. I just struggle at times there being a disconnect because the things that I care about are not oftentimes the things that someone who's not equally yolked cares about. And there's beauty in choosing to care about what someone else cares about and being involved in those conversations. But I think I would say that I am. I just have an awareness of my friendships and what I get from each friendship and, like, how I relate to each friend. And there are some friends that I might not necessarily take advice from. And then there are some friends who I know are a friend of God and who I know I can trust their advice. And I know that whatever they tell me is going to be spirit filled. And so my walls are let down a little bit more. And then I probably. If somebody's unequally yoked, you're just more aware of the advice that's given or, like the feedback and stuff like that. Does that make sense?

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

Yeah. And then. But with unequally yoked friends you love. Yeah. So much and you. And like, it's just like, not. It shouldn't be like a weird thing. It's not like, oh, they're my unequally yoked friend and they, like, don't know Jesus. And it's not like a judgmental thing at all. It's just like you love them and you keep loving them. And then there's some friends that I play the long game with kind of.

[Ari]

What's that mean?

[Angela]

Where you are gonna, you know, you're gonna have someone in your life forever or for a really long time and you play the long game. Like, it might not happen today, it might not happen in a year, but like, I feel all to be in this friendship that, like, I'm gonna play the long game. I'm gonna keep living like Jesus and keep talking about Jesus and keep trying to bring this person to Jesus. Yeah. Like that, you know?

[Ari]

Yeah. That's.

[Angela]

What do you think?

[Ari]

I think. Yeah, what you said, that's the long game.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

Yeah, that's me. It's hard because my friends are just. They're everything to me. Yeah, Everything. I mean, they've gotten me through everything in my life. They've. They would give their life for me tomorrow. And they're women of integrity and just, they're full of love and respect and I don't know what kind of friend is it? I mean, I've had my friends since I'm like a kid.

[Angela]

Totally.

[Ari]

So they've been with me through the mud. And you just, like you said, you gotta just keep praying and keep loving them. Loving them and keep being a testimony for people.

[Angela]

That's so good. And I even think, like, I even think. I don't know. And I just had this thought. But, like, to make your faith strong and solid, I think it's so easy to have unshakable faith around believers and other Christians who think exactly like you. Like, it's easy to stand firm in your faith because everybody around you, which is important, and those are the people that you want around you, obviously speaking into your life. But then I even think it's almost like the Lord could potentially use your unequally yoked friends to. To prove your faith. And like, if you're able to stand firm in your faith. And so if I'm able to be with an unequally yoked friend, who is this and that and doesn't believe what I believe and maybe speaks differently or all these things or wants to encourage me to do something that I don't necessarily agree with. I think it's a great way to prove even my own faith of being like, I'm able to be here and like, not waver. And that's not always been the case. Like when I think when I first really started to go in all in with Jesus, I would have. I always felt like left out. And so it was a weird transition because you still, like, you have this pull where you're like, but I don't want to be weird. I don't want to be left out. I don't want people to. I would experience a lot people being like, oh, we can't talk about this in front of Angela. And I hate. I was just like, I don't know, it just like bothered me so much. I felt it like embarrassed me. And then I'd be like, no, you, like, talk about it.

[Ari]

Yeah, talk about it.

[Angela]

Instead of being like, thank you, I appreciate it.

[Ari]

Right, right. You know that that goes with long with people, please.

[Angela]

Yeah, exactly. So I think I've tried to. Or then even like. And some times people can get in your head because I think I've heard people be like, well, if you talk like them, then they feel more comfortable with you and that then they'll listen about Jesus. And I'm just like, I don't agree with, like, I don't agree with that. I think people will relate to you if you share your heart and you share your life experience and your struggles and the things you've been through. You don't have to start cussing and like all this stuff for them to relate to you and open up to you. Do you agree?

[Ari]

Yeah. And I'll give you in a little example. I just went through this recently where I'm realizing that not everyone is gonna have the walk that I have basically. And sometimes I think, no, it should be like mine.

[Angela]

But I'm realizing I feel so seen right now.

[Ari]

But I'm realizing, like, like, no, I. I remember when I felt judged.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

And like, why am I being like that? And I called one of my best friends. I've been friends with her for 17 years. She's my first friend in LA. And I was like, hey. I was like, do you feel that I judge you? Like, do you feel judged by me? I. I want to know the truth. I'm someone like you. Tell me the cold hearted truth. Do not button it Up. Like, I like the truth. And she goes, you know, Art. Yeah. Sometimes she goes. And I go, okay, give me an example so I can change it. Thank you for telling me the truth. And she was like, you know, like, I'll tell you that I'm going on dates, and the first thing that you say is, well, does he know Jesus?

[Angela]

Okay, but can I just say, you don't make anyone feel judged, that you do things in such a way that, like.

[Ari]

But, you know, like, for someone who isn't on the walk, I guess.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

It's like. It's frustrating to them, but you're hilarious.

[Angela]

You're like, throw out the vape. What are you doing? Like, you can get away with it.

[Ari]

And so she said, you know, r. She's like, well, I know where your heart posture's at. I know you're coming from a good place and you want the best for me. She's like, sometimes I just need you to love me. You know, Sometimes I just need you to love me. And I was like, okay. So I've been practicing that of really just. Just loving them. And you really. You have to be careful because some people really, when they're so new.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

They do feel so judged. Yeah. And so the best way to get through people is through love.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

Sorry.

[Angela]

I'm just thinking about just all the fights that I've gone into with my mom about Catholicism and Christianity. You guys don't know. Well, because once you know the truth about something, you're, like, so hard. Well. And then. So listen to what my mom always does. Because I used to do, like. I used to do, like, New Agey stuff, like, if there was a full moon, like, you wrote on a piece of paper, like, all the things you want, and you put it out in the moon, like, where the moon could see it. And then you would burn a piece of paper of what you wanted to get rid of. And my mom, whenever she, like, says something that's theologically, like, inaccurate, and I correct her, she's like, oh, yeah, Angela, next week we're gonna be in the moon, writing, burning the paper. And I'm like, no, Mom, Finally I know the truth. That doesn't change. Okay? And then one time, Ari comes in the bathroom. No, we're in a hotel room, like, on tour or something, and she hears me. I'm in the shower, on the phone, and I go, all Ari hears she was somewhere else. She walks in, like, the hotel room, and then she's like. All she hears is, mom, Mary's a sinner. Only Jesus was sinless.

[Ari]

Bye.

[Angela]

I'm done with you. And it's just like, why are we doing that? Like, why are we fighting so hard to get a point across instead of just like, you know what I mean? And there are, and there's like, you're always truthful, but you also just like love people and let the Holy Spirit do what the Holy Spirit does, which is sometimes it's so hard.

[Ari]

I'm gonna tell you, I've my, you know the, the feeling where like that like anger burns right here. You're like when people start talking about like one of the, one of the biggest things that I, I just can't listen to is like how the Bible was written 2,000 years ago and all these things and I just. Oh, but I'm just learning patience. Patience. Enjoy the look.

[Angela]

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[Ari]

You feel like Christians should talk about more that we don't talk enough about?

[Angela]

Good question. What do you think?

[Ari]

Think first thing that comes to my mind and this is personal but and I don't even know if we've ever talked about it. But, like, periods. Yes.

[Angela]

I knew it.

[Ari]

Periods. Hormones.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

How we feel things.

[Angela]

How.

[Ari]

Yeah. We feel so much.

[Angela]

That's women. Yeah.

[Ari]

How we have, like, thoughts sometimes that are unwanted, lustful thoughts. Thoughts.

[Angela]

How.

[Ari]

Yeah. We don't talk enough about it. You know, I recently just went through this, and I was having thoughts and I was feeling all these things, and you guys know I struggle with pcos, so I don't really. My body as a woman works differently. So it was like the first time in so long that I was having hormones and it was. I was out of my head.

[Angela]

Yeah. Totally.

[Ari]

With thoughts and all these things. Things. So I don't think we talk about that enough.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

I don't think we talk about grief enough.

[Angela]

Right.

[Ari]

How it truly changes you. How it. It. It's just. It's a lifelong journey. How even if we have Jesus and have all the faith in the world, that grief just can sometimes feel so paralyzing. Even with walking with Jesus.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

Yeah. I don't think we talk. And I just don't think we talk about, like. I don't think we talk about how crazy the sanctifying process is. I was just talking about this with a mentor. Of how fast I laid down my life.

[Angela]

Right.

[Ari]

The spiritual warfare, the. The feelings of, like, feeling completely lost for a little bit of feeling like I didn't even know who I was.

[Angela]

Of just.

[Ari]

When you're stripped, you're just like. The refining period is so hard. It's so difficult, and you go through so much, and I don't think we talk about that enough.

[Angela]

Totally.

[Ari]

It's worth it. His glory is worth it. But I think we do need to talk more about the process, about how hard it is, about how it's not easy to lay down your life. I don't think we talk enough about how when you come from the world and then you come into Christianity and you're in this push and pull.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

Of dealing with family dynamics, of how they are in the world. But you're trying to live a different way, but you have to be in your family dynamic and you have to be around it and how difficult that is.

[Angela]

Totally.

[Ari]

That is so difficult.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

And you go through so much and you feel different and you have thoughts, and I just. Yeah. I just feel like so many people feel condemned at times because of all these thoughts and lustful thoughts and hormones and all these things. And I think it would free a lot of people if we start doing episodes about it, too.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

And I don't think we talk about that enough as Christians.

[Angela]

Totally. I love that you say that so much. Something. It's so crazy with the hormones and the emotions and the things that we go through, especially as women, but even guys, I think, like, obviously, obviously we have always talked about mental health so much on here and just emotional health and what that's like. Like we all go through so much. And having Jesus in your life doesn't mean that just like the negative patterns of thinking or being or feeling stop actually, like, it's a lifelong process of, like Ari said, sanctification, purification, and healing that has to take place. I've been walking with Jesus for like, what, a few years? And I feel like now more than ever I am uncovering this world of hurt ins of me and dysfunction that I'm like, oh my gosh, I didn't even know that this was here. Like, I thought it was just the big things. I thought I needed to get sober. I thought I needed to live in purity. And then like the Lord is like bringing all of this out. That's like, actually, no, you are deeply hurt in all these ways. You. You operate out of a dysfunctional family system that you think that you're far away from. But the second you're in a close relationship with people in your life, everything begins to come out. And so something. And I've realized so much recently that I'm way more emotional than I even thought. And emotions are insane at times. And like you said, emotions aren't a lie. Because they are or not that they're not a lie. Emotions are real, but they're just not good counselors, they're not good directors, they're not good leaders every single day. You guys, if I could give you an exercise to do. This is what I do every single day. Because what I'm working on the most with my therapist is not. Is like allowing myself to feel emotion, but not being overtaken by emotion, not letting emotion be the driver. Jesus has to be the driver. The Holy Spirit is bigger than our emotions, Way bigger. But we give our emotions so much, much liberty and access to drive us. And so every single day. And it's actually this simple. Like, it really is. Even with the thoughts, having lustful thoughts, all these things, it's just a refocus and reorienting back to Jesus and being like. And I know we say this all the time, focus on Jesus, but this is all it is. It's actually not that complicated. Every single morning I put out my hands and I say, I declare there because There's a throne on my heart, there's a throne in my mind, and there's a throne over my body. Jesus has to be Lord. And on the throne of all of these things, my body is going to feel things that I'm going to want. Things. Obviously, when the Holy Spirit is lord over your body, he empowers you to not give in. Having impulses, having thoughts. I will say one thing, being so full of Jesus, so full of the Spirit, and specifically so full of the world Word, you will have a lot less of these feelings.

[Ari]

Oh, so, yeah.

[Angela]

So it's not something that you're just like, oh, I just have to live. I'm just like, turned on all the time. You don't need to live like that. Being full of Jesus causes you to not feel like that. But, like, obviously you have hormones and you have all these things that are natural, normal. You have thoughts. You can even have thoughts while you're praying. You have intrusive thoughts. I've said this before, but I'll say it again. If you're someone who has sexual intrusive thoughts, thoughts even while you're praying or you're at church or something, or you see weird images, just know that you're not crazy, you're not dirty, you're not bad. It's an attack. It's evil. And Satan, that's what he does. And it's. And it's. It's not like, okay, but it's not. You are not bad. It's not you. And it's. And it really is okay. And I would just say every single day I say, jesus, you're on the throne of my heart. Heart. So I'm not putting any of my relationships before you. I'm not putting any of my problems before you. And I literally say, anxiety is not on the throne. My emotions are not on the throne. Ari's not on the throne. John's not on the throne. Ministry is not on the throne. Nobody's on the throne except Jesus. Jesus, you're on the throne of my mind. Every thought has to be obedient to Christ. I take every thought captive. I have the mind of Christ. The life of journeying with Jesus is so simple. That's why, like we said last week, we'll come on here every day for the next 10 years and let you guys know that it's so simple. We come back to the same things. You declare the mind of Christ over your mind and take your thoughts captive and say, I'm not thinking this way. Plead the blood of Jesus over your mind, plead the blood of Jesus over your body, plead the blood of Jesus over your emotional life and say, I am not governed by my emotions. I'm governed by the spirit of God. I will not let my emotions take me on a ride where. Where I'm just out of control. And that's what I'm learning more than anything. I want to let my emotions take me somewhere because that's all I've ever known, that's all I've ever seen. I don't have to do that. I'm not a victim to my emotional life. When I get triggered and I get upset, I actually have the ability to stop, take a second, think logically, ask the Holy Spirit to show me the truth, and then wait to react. And that's what I'm learning more than anything.

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

I. With Jesus, I'm in control.

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

And I think so many of us feel so out of control to the impulses in our bodies, to the intrusive thoughts in our minds, to the emotions that are just going crazy. You're not. You're not out of control.

[Ari]

No.

[Angela]

You are in control. With Jesus, take every thought captive, take every emotion captive, Plead the blood of Jesus sent to yourself and say, jesus, you're on the throne. You are on the throne. Everything else must come off the throne in Jesus name. If you're feeling so anxious, say anxiety. You're off the throne, Jesus, come back on the throne.

[Ari]

And also, one of the greatest gifts that God gives us is each other.

[Angela]

Yeah. And so good.

[Ari]

And I. And sometimes I will say that sometimes, like, my. I get so out of, like my mind is spinning sometimes. And just picking up that phone and calling a friend, like, that's. That is the greatest gift he's given us, is each other. And sometimes we just. We sit in isolation and we just. And that's why we feel crazy. People heal, friends heal. Family heals. Like, we have to be in community. We have to talk about. About this stuff. We cannot be buried in shame. We have to confess it. We have to talk about when we're feeling things. And even if it's crazy, you talk about it and then you know what the other person says to a trusted friend that's so normal. Or they'll talk it through with you, or they'll say, hey, me too.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

And it just like loses its power totally. And so just having one another to talk to, to. Yeah. To grieve with, to cry with, to just talk about this crazy stuff. It's the greatest gift. As we have each Other. So good friendships are everything. They really are.

[Angela]

Yeah. And I would even encourage you guys. I think what's been really good in my life is because everyone wants to feel validated. I want to feel validated. I want to get on the phone and someone tell me what I want to hear and validate me in my feelings. But I think one of the biggest gifts for me is having people in my life where I'll call them and be like, hey, I'm feeling this. I don't think it's right because I'm out of control. Tell me the truth. Even if it hurts me right now, tell me the truth. Tell me I'm wrong. I invite people to tell me that I'm wrong, and then it just puts everything into perspective, and then the crazy emotions lose power. That's what I'm walking through a lot right now, is getting a hold of this emotional life where. Where.

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

I just don't want to be ruled by emotions.

[Ari]

No.

[Angela]

And they do lie so much, you know?

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

Great question. I love this. Someone said, how to deal with insecurity in relationships. Feeling like other girls are prettier or better.

[Ari]

Can I just have a sip?

[Angela]

Of course.

[Ari]

My mouth is so dry.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

Talk about it. Okay. Really? I want to do everyone. You know, everyone's asking, can you talk about relationship? Relationships?

[Angela]

Really?

[Ari]

Yes.

[Angela]

Relationships. No.

[Ari]

People want to hear about relationships, how to navigate them, purity, everything. I can't talk about it, but Angela can, and I'll interview her.

[Angela]

Yes, you can. You have so much wisdom and so much knowledge. Insecurity in relationship. Feeling like other girls are prettier or better.

[Ari]

Do you go through that?

[Angela]

Oh, like, in a relationship? Is that what they mean? Yeah.

[Ari]

Yeah. In relationship. Like in your relationship.

[Angela]

I don't. I don't feel like I struggle with that, specifically. Feeling like other girls are prettier or. I don't want to say that, though. I feel bad because people go through that.

[Ari]

Yeah, but it's the truth. You don't, but it's okay. You be honest. You. You. You don't.

[Angela]

You.

[Ari]

You. You're just a very secure woman. You always have been. Your mom raised you that way. You're very secure.

[Angela]

Thanks for saying that. You're welcome. I mean. Yeah, I think I can speak to this. That if you feel like. Because I might not have that in my relationship, but I've had that. It's. Of course I've experienced. Both of us. All of us have experience. Experience. You know, feeling inadequate compared to someone else. Comparison's a killer. It sucks. My gosh, it sucks the life out of you. It sucks the life out of your relationships and friendships. Anytime you look at someone and think that they have something that you don't have. And I think what's helped me in terms of security is learning that, like, people do have things that I don't have. You know what I mean? Ari has things that I don't have. Ari has things that I look at her and I could be jealous of or I could be insecure about, or I could, like, really wish and want that I was like her. And I do feel that at times. And, like, that's normal, though. Like, when you love someone, when you admire someone, when you respect someone, there are going to be feelings that come up when you see something in them that you don't have. But it's about obviously taking it to Jesus with these feelings. I take it to Jesus immediately. I hate these feelings. I hate comparing myself. I hate feeling less than. Because. Because I see what somebody else has in them and I immediately take these feelings to Jesus and. And I'm like, please, Lord, just. Just like, heal this. It's good that it comes up so that God can tend to it and love on you in that I try to tell people what I'm feeling. If I feel jealous of somebody, if I feel like I did this with Ally the other day, I was like, I. I felt something where I was just. Just like, I wanted to confess. I was like, I was watching you and. And then I started to think, like, should I be more like her? Maybe I should be more like her in this way. She has the. And. And I said that. And it literally. And then she literally goes, I was thinking the same thing about you. And it just, like, loses its power. Loses its power. And you realize that, like, we are all so different. Of course Ari is going to have things that I don't have. Of course I'm going to have things Ari doesn't have. And so if we. We both choose to focus on what the other one has and not what we have, what God gifted us with, like, the things in us that people love and. And what God loves, what type of life is that, you know?

[Ari]

Yeah. I just. I've always felt this terrible insecurity.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

Of just not ever feeling enough. Like, I say this so much of just, like, not feeling smart and all this stuff. And like, ever since Girls Gone Bible, like, he's truly taken me on such a journey of, like, you need to accept yourself from who you are and really understanding how God really did intricately make each and every one of us. Like, when I read that he knows every hair on our head, I'm just like, you made us so specifically. And so. So it's like we get. We compare and do all these things and then we forget that, like, Jesus made us just how he wants us to be. And so I think that's a good gentle reminder too.

[Angela]

That's so good. The scripture talks about.

[Ari]

No go.

[Angela]

Whenever I see your mouth going, oh, I go. We're about to say something. The scripture talks about how we are the body, but we're all different parts of the body. You might be the leg, I might be the arm. And we're all. We make up different parts of the body. Why would we both need to. I guess there are two arms. Okay. Why would we both need to be belly buttons? I don't know. Why would we both need to be the same part, the exact same part of the body rather than being another part of the body that completes and makes the body whole. Why would you and I want to come here and be the same exact person? Think. Who thinks the same experiences Jesus the same. Like the beauty and even what we do in our relationship and. And girls gone Bible is that we're so, so different and so similar, but so different. And like, that's what makes it beautiful. Why would we be the same?

[Ari]

I know.

[Angela]

And so just con. Continuously reminding yourself of that. I've experienced this so much in ministry where I'm like, do I want to be like this person. Person. But I. Or do I want to be like that person? Should I be like that person? Should I speak like that? Should my voice sound like that? Should I care about that? And then constantly coming. It's helped me so much. Spending so much time with Jesus has caused me to fully settle into it. Not fully. It's always going to be a thing that I'm. I'm trying to get to and letting God take me into. But it's let me begin to settle into myself. And that's where you develop a strong foundation in who you are in your identity is when you're alone with God. God, you don't have anyone else to look at. If you don't spend time with Jesus, you will go into the world and compare yourself to everybody else because you didn't get still and allow him to speak into you and show you who you are.

[Ari]

It's true. And we're women. Like, it's so normal. I remember being at castings when I was a model and I would be sitting with eight other blonde girls that look just like me, but that were taller and that got the part and that were skinnier or that were whatever. And it was like, brutal what I went through for so many years. Constant comparison, constant getting the door shut on my face, constantly looking at that girl, being like, but why do you know, why wasn't I good enough? Like, it was just like a rollercoaster ride of competitiveness.

[Angela]

Yeah, totally.

[Ari]

And I look now and I'm just like, if we're getting so poured into. In the secret place, we're in the Bible, we're in worship. We're constantly seeking Jesus as faith face. We're not really so worried about that.

[Angela]

You're just not going to think about it as much. You're not.

[Ari]

We're like, we're. We're just. And that is the beauty of walking with Jesus. It's like you're. Everything changes. Everything that you. Not saying that we don't compare and do all this stuff, but, like, it just. It just changes. You know, you're just. You don't care so much about that stuff. And so when I think about confidence, I go back to it. I just think about being so filled up serving, and then I'm confident and then I'm not so worried about the looks. And is this one smarter and is this one prettier? Is this one. Because I'm so filled up that my outpouring is just serving and changing. And so.

[Angela]

Yeah. And you love the uniqueness about you. And you begin to be like, I am special.

[Ari]

Yes, I do. You know, for the first time in my life. And you guys play a big part of it. And so don't you. You help me so much. See myself of these little quirks.

[Angela]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Ari]

And I want the things that I hated. And it's like, no, you should love it. That's what God did. That's what he loves.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

So.

[Angela]

Yeah. Yeah. One more thing I think I'll say about that. Something that I have struggled with a lot is obviously, like, body stuff can be hard at times. Not even comparing, like, that girl has a better body or like, I like her. Nothing like that. It's always about the state of someone's, like, thin. Thinness. That has been a challenge. I think social media could be hot. Especially before I followed a lot of models and girls and I was on social media a lot more. And so my algorithm was just different, obviously. And I see girls in bathing suits and I just see really, really thin girls. And I would. I realized that there were times Where I'd have. I'd be, like, praying, like, jesus, just make me feel comfortable in my body at the weight that I am, the size that I am, what I look like, how much skin is and me is on my bones, like, just how I am when I'm healthy. Like, let me love that and accept that. And then you go on Instagram and you see a girl, and this is. And. And this could totally be her normal weight. But, like, you see girls with bones showing or, like, with, like, lines and muscles and all this stuff, and then that has been probably one of my biggest battles of not even being, like, I want that body. It's like, I want that thinness. And then it will send me into a spiral of, like, do I need to be that thing? And I think my dream. And then I'll start this thing of, like, my dream is to be that thin. Like, so. And then I can get out of it. But that's what I deal with when it comes to comparison is, like, body stuff where I'm just, like. I try so hard to be okay with, like, you don't have to be so thin. You don't. I want to have meat on my bones. I want to be able to healthily take, like, conceive a baby, which means I need to be a healthy weight. And I. I pray every day that God makes me happy about how my body looks at the weight that is my good weight, you know, not me at, like, a major calorie deficit. Not me at whatever. Like, when I'm healthy and. And I don't have to try to starve myself to be at a weight, my normal weight, I want to be happy at that. That's what I pray every single day. That's what I work on every day, day. And I'll feel that I'll be good. And then I get on Instagram and I see a body that is, like, not realistic for me. I can't look like that. It's just not how I'm built. I. I don't look like that, and that's okay. And I don't want to look like that. But then it sends me into this thing. So comparison is literally the most devilish, evil, scary, weird thing. And you just have to consistently go back to Jesus, and it's a daily fight. Daily, daily, daily. You go through it.

[Ari]

Because we all do it.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

Especially with Instagram.

[Angela]

Instagram, yeah.

[Ari]

Thanks for sharing that.

[Angela]

Thanks, Lucia.

[Ari]

I think I'm just walking through, like, I talked about this last episode, but just really feeling loved and Freedom in my mind.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

I think it's been really hard in my journey because I've struggled so much with religious ocd and just, like, if I do one little thing, everything will be taken away from me. Like, these thoughts that are so far from the truth of Jesus. And so, yeah. And feeling like I have to climb the ladder for love.

[Angela]

Right.

[Ari]

And so I think he's really walking me through freedom. Like, freedom and the love of Jesus. And just, I just, I really go back to me being on that bathroom floor. And, like, I just, I find myself saying so much, like, you're the God that picked me up off the bathroom floor when I was drowning in depression and sin and couldn't clean myself up. And I go back to that because that's when he loved me. And so I, I listened to Francis Chan say this, and it hit me so hard. And Francis Chan was like, john, the beloved said, I'm the, I'm the son that Jesus loves. And that's so sweet. And I want to, to really know that. That. Yeah, I want to really. Because when you, when you really know that, when you know you don't have to, to strive when you know you don't have to, like, if I'm not in my Bible for this amount of time, then he's gonna, like, I've had these thoughts. This is true. Like, I've really had these thoughts. And that's not Jesus.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

And I, I've, I've gone through so much in my mind. I really have. And it's taken away, away from my relationship with him. And so really just, I'm in a season of just feeling loved, of remembering. He's the God that got me off the bathroom floor. He's the God. I was sitting there when I was just drowning in sin and being like, come home. Like, I'm getting you off this bathroom floor and you're coming home. That's who Jesus is.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

Isn't that so sweet? Like, he doesn't love me. Me because I spend five hours in the Bible. He doesn't love me because, you know, I'm worshiping at 5 in the morning. He loves me because I'm his daughter. He loves me because he just loves me.

[Angela]

That's who he is.

[Ari]

And so, like, learning about Jesus as my father is something that I always preach about because I feel so safe and because I, I, I did find true love, love. But then I went back to this thing of having to strive to almost earn his love.

[Angela]

Yeah, totally.

[Ari]

And so, yeah, just, like, really knowing Jesus Just loves me because he loves me. And like, he. Yeah. And like when I mess up or when I fall, like I picture like my dad when I fall or I mess up, my dad still loves me and my dad is still like, come on, come here, R. And he like holds me and like, Jesus, that's Jesus. And so, yeah, I'm just, I'm walking through that right now. Just the love, the love, the freedom in my mind, just being, enjoying just the joy, joy of the Lord. Like, that is what I'm really, really. I really want to experience in this season of my life.

[Angela]

I love that. R. Yeah, I love that. That is so beautiful. And I think what people don't talk about a lot is just like mental. I mean, we talk about mental health, but like, just like mental health struggles while walking with Jesus and how confusing that might be because you maybe if you have a mind that works against you in some ways, maybe you have a mind that struggles with chemical imbalances and you are just like clinically there's something not completely right or balanced. It makes your life so much more difficult. It makes the fight in your mind that much more difficult where you're like, but I want to love Jesus and I want to spend time with him and I want to experience his love. But like, my mind is anxious and my mind goes through these things and it makes me feel like a bad Christian and it makes me feel like I'm not good enough. And it makes me feel like I don't really know him. And that's just not the truth at all. Of course you know him and he knows you. More importantly, what Ari's talking about, the love of Jesus, look at the cross. It is the most exemplified. It is literally love manifested. Is the cross of Jesus someone who gives up his life for others. When he does, he. He knows that they might never even accept him or receive him. That's what you need to remember when you mess up and you fall and you think that Jesus is all mad at you and disappointed and doesn't love you anymore. You have to remember that on the cross Jesus died knowing that you might never accept him. And he still died anyways. That's how much he loves you, is that even if you never accepted him, he still loves you. So imagine if you're trying your best and you fall how much he loves you and adores you, you and, and is in your weaknesses and is in your sin and helps like it's just not who he is. It's. It's literally about going from Peter To John. Peter, so impulsive, constantly proclaiming, I love Jesus. I love Jesus. I'll never deny you. I'll always follow you. I'll follow you wherever you go. Peter, with a good heart, so impulsive, is focusing on how much he loves Jesus.

[Ari]

This.

[Angela]

And where does that get him? He denies Jesus three times. He falls, he turns away, he runs away from him. That's what. And then ultimately is completely redeemed in the end. But, like, when you focus on how much you love Jesus, which is all performance, and we see that a lot in this day and age because we have Christian content and Christian social media, and it's all. Everybody telling each other how much they love Jesus when it's like, that doesn't get you anywhere. That's literally operating out of your own strength versus being John the beloved, who says, I am the disciple whom Jesus loves. I am my. I am his beloved and he is mine. And John is faithful, steadfast, because he is constantly focusing on how much Jesus loves him. It's the difference between in your own might or in the might of Jesus. And so I love that you say that so much. I've been on a long journey with. With becoming the beloved. And I truly feel, for the first time in my life, I feel like the beloved. Yeah. I don't feel like I have to do anything.

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

It's a beautiful feeling. Yes. Yes.

[Ari]

Freedom.

[Angela]

Yeah. And you can still be disciplined and you can still want to get up in the morning and do these things and spend the time and all the. And you can still want to have routine and all this stuff. But, like, I don't do that because I feel like I have to. I love Jesus and I want to spend time with him, you know, I love that.

[Ari]

I love that you just brought up, if you struggle, like. Like, mentally, because one of my. The thorn of my flesh is flesh is, you know, always I struggle with obsessive compulsive thinking and dwelling, like that's my thing. And so I think that goes hand in hand with the feeling like I never measure up and all these things with Jesus. Yeah. And so I. I just love that you say that because we don't talk about that enough. We don't.

[Angela]

And I will say some people have a different journey than other people do. Someone who grew up in a perfect Christian family not saying by any means that they don't struggle or have problems, because everybody does. It's all about. But there is a reality where some people suffer more than others. There is a reality where some people come from such brokenness and dysfunction. And they basically spend the rest of their lives trying to undo what happened in their childhood.

[Ari]

And.

[Angela]

Some of us have a different reality than other people. Some of us have to fight harder. Some of us do have to do that extra time or do that extra thing or stay even, like some of us do because we can go back to what we know and how we were raised and the dysfunction and like. For Ari and I, both who have struggled with mental health, who struggle with anxiety, anxiety, it's a different fight than somebody who doesn't struggle with anxiety. Me and my emotions that have felt somewhat out of control and abandonment stuff and feeling really anxious and really unloved at times and just like believing lies that I am not worthy. Struggling. I've been struggling with self worth for a while, it feels like. And I am aware that I just have a different battle than other people. I'm fighting things, things that other people don't have to fight right now. I'm fighting this emotional life that God wants me to get under, that he's going to get under control for me. And I'm just aware that, like, yeah, I have a different battle when I was facing anxiety, like, I had that battle. And so just know that if you're facing depression or anxiety, it's not something that you bow down to and surrender to and just accept as your reality, but you also just embrace that, like, okay, this is my reality right now. And it doesn't make sense any me a worse Christian, but it does make things harder. And that's. And so we just want you to not feel alone in that. That if you're struggling with your mental health, it. It will feel like it makes your relationship with Jesus a lot harder. Harder to maintain, harder to focus. When I get anxious, it's so hard for me to focus on Jesus.

[Ari]

I know.

[Angela]

It's so hard for me to want to, like, sit. I don't feel like I adore you right now, Jesus, you.

[Ari]

But that's good. Yeah, I love that. I don't feel like I can sit with you. Do you know when you let that out like this? Oh, it's like freedom.

[Angela]

Yeah, yeah. So good.

[Ari]

It's freedom.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

Someone said, what part of Christian culture do you think breaks God's heart the most? And this is something that I'm thinking about a lot recently. Is that just. Just like religious hypocrisy where people. And this is like the issue with the world right now and Christianity and culture, is that like what we just talked about, how you can say so many things, and so much of it is performative a lot of the time. Like, people want to tell other people how much they know Jesus and how much they love Jesus, but, like, it might not even actually accurately reflect their personal relationship with him. I think we just so desperately have to break away from performative Christianity, where we all want to be seen as something. Like, there are really trendy words right now. Like, intimacy with Jesus is really trendy. And I imagine there's so many people. And I'm talking to myself, too. Like, I'm. I'm. I'm Am passionate about this for myself. But just, like, people talking about, like, intimacy with Jesus and, like, how to have it when they might not even have intimacy with Jesus or talking about, like, the secret place when they might not even be getting into the secret place. So talking about the things of God rather than living them for yourself and then letting it be, like, an outward expression of what's already in you as opposed to. To, like, living your. Like, expressing your lived experience. And that's how. And I just. I think. I can't imagine how much God's heart breaks when he's like, why are my children talking about me rather than talking to me? You know, they're talking about me online rather than have it there. It literally reminds me of, like, depart from me. I never knew you. I did all these things, but, like, I never even. I focused on them more than I focused on you. It's hypocrisy, like, to sit here and talk about things. Things that. And. And. Right. You don't have to be an expert. That's not what it's about. But it's about lived experience. Like, talking about things that haven't actually. That you're neglecting in your own life. And, And. And you can still talk about them. Right. Like, here we talk about emotional health while maybe working through our own emotional health and letting them know we're not there yet. There's so much healing that needs to take place. Like, we have outbursts and we have all this stuff, but there's a difference of coming on and being. Being like prayer life is the most important thing, and you have to pray and then, like, never pray and. But, like, you don't pray. It's just, like, a scary world to live in. And I imagine it breaks God's heart so much, you know?

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

It's crazy. Yeah.

[Ari]

Thanks for saying that.

[Angela]

All right, guys, we love you so. We love you guys so much. Thanks for being here. Thanks for being our sweet Sweet friends, thank you for letting us speak into your lives and going on this journey with you. We can't tell you how much we love you and it's just one of the greatest honors of our life lives doing this with you, letting us live a life with Jesus and then coming on to tell you what we're living in hopes that it helps you and pushes you towards Jesus. We pray today that you just you encounter God. That you feel God's comfort and love and that he fills you with love and that he fills you with joy and that the hope of God comes over your life today and that yeah, I just pray in Jesus name that the Holy Spirit would fill you afresh today. And Holy Spirit, we pray that you'd possess us in Jesus name.

[Ari]

Freedom in the minds.

[Angela]

Freedom.

[Ari]

Have freedom in the minds today as you go on your day. Jesus in Jesus name and I, we just want to say thank you for letting us be so. It's so vulnerable to talk about these things from comparison to depression to mental health. But you got guys don't judge us and you guys just love us through it and it's just, it's so comforting. It's, it's. It's a. It's an incredible feeling to know that we have you guys and you guys just love us through it all. So thank you.

[Angela]

We love you guys so much. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May he turn his face towards you and give you peace.

[Ari]

Shalom. That was good. Should we start a beer?

[Angela]

That was a riff. What was that? Thomas, did you hear that?

[Ari]

Okay, I. I was too.

[Angela]

Did you go to heaven?

[Ari]

S Love you guys.