The Best of You

Today's Scripture: Psalm 31:14–20

Have you ever been in a painful situation where others are urging you to take action, but something deep within you is telling you to wait? There's a difference between avoiding a hard decision and discerning that the time to act hasn't yet come. Psalm 31 offers a powerful picture of what it means to face difficult circumstances honestly while entrusting yourself to God's timing.

In today's episode, we explore:

How to discern the difference between passive avoidance and the spiritual wisdom of waiting on God

What David's prayer, "My times are in your hands," teaches us about trusting God amid injustice, uncertainty, and suffering

What it means to suffer wisely

How to recognize when the time has come to speak up, advocate for yourself or someone you love, or take the next courageous step

Go Deeper:

For more on discerning when to fight for change, when to leave, and when to suffer wisely, explore I Shouldn't Feel This Way

Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook

Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison’s free email community for ongoing reflection and support.

While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.‍

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Scripture: James 4:7 (listener request)

How do you know whether painful thoughts are coming from a wounded part of your soul or from spiritual opposition? When we're caught in cycles of rumination, self-criticism, or shame, discerning what's happening within us can be complicated. But we don't always have to identify the exact source of a thought to know how to respond to it.

We explore:

*How psychology and spiritual warfare intersect

*Why painful feelings need compassion, but shaming thoughts need to be challenged

*What James 4:7 teaches us about resisting lies

*How to practice compassion and discernment in God's presenceGo deeper:

⁠Episode 197⁠: Am I Under Attack—or Just Overwhelmed? Spiritual Warfare and Personal Responsibility with Joel Muddamalle

Episode 229: Why Your Soul Needs Quiet in a Noisy World with John Mark Comer

Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook

Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison’s free email community for ongoing reflection and support.

While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.‍
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered whether you're truly burned out or simply depleted? And what happens when, in the process of meeting everyone else's needs, you lose touch with important parts of yourself?

In this episode, Dr. Alison Cook sits down with Dr. Henry Cloud, clinical psychologist, leadership expert, and co-author of the trailblazing book, Boundaries, to explore how we can recognize burnout, restore our emotional health, and reconnect with the parts of ourselves we may have lost along the way.

Drawing from his new book, Renewal: 90 Daily Readings for Restoring Your Mind, Your Boundaries, Your Relationships, and Your Peace, Dr. Cloud shares why rest alone isn't always enough, how our emotions signal when something is out of balance, and why healthy relationships help us become more fully ourselves.

Dr. Cloud also shares a powerful personal story about his own childhood that you do not want to miss.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

*The difference between depletion and burnout

*How to tell when your rhythms and boundaries need attention.

*Why structure is so important, and how to set intentional rhythms of rest and renewal

*How safe relationships can help us reclaim lost parts of ourselves.

About Dr. Henry Cloud:

Dr. Henry Cloud is a clinical psychologist, leadership expert, and New York Times bestselling author. He has written or co-written more than 45 books, including the bestselling Boundaries, with nearly 20 million copies sold worldwide. Drawing on his experience in clinical psychology, executive coaching, and leadership consulting, Dr. Cloud helps individuals and organizations strengthen relationships, develop healthy boundaries, and reach their full potential. He works with CEOs, leadership teams, and executives to improve performance, leadership, and organizational culture.

More Resources:

Dr. Henry Cloud is the author of a new book: Renewal: 90 Daily Readings for Restoring Your Mind, Your Boundaries, Your Relationships, and Your Peace

Other books of Dr. Henry Cloud

Listeners get exclusive access to the first 2 chapters of Dr. Alison’s newest book, ⁠The Secure Soul⁠.

Connect further with ⁠@dralisoncook⁠ on Instagram

📖 Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode⁠ here⁠.

Don't forget to browse this week's sponsors, who make it possible for me to bring you these resources for free + provide you with additional discounts!

Quince - How you dress affects your mood and you can trust that Quince has you covered in every day sustainable wardrobe staples. Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/bestofyou⁠⁠ for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!

Air Doctor Pro - Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code BESTOFYOU and get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty,absolutely FREE! All AirDoctor air purifiers come with a 30-day money back guarantee. Get this exclusive, podcast-only offer NOW at AirDoctorPro.com.

*Some of the links above are Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.‍

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:28-30 (Listener request)

Have you ever felt like you're always the one being blamed or misunderstood in your family or relationships? When you're repeatedly cast as the difficult or sensitive one, it's easy to begin questioning your own perspective—and even your sense of who you are.

We explore:

*What family systems theory teaches us about scapegoating and the roles we take on in relationships*How being repeatedly blamed can shape your identity and make it difficult to trust your own perspectiveWhat David's response to his brother reveals about the freedom to stop defending yourself against every accusationHow to become a truth-teller and pattern breaker, taking responsibility for what's yours without carrying what belongs to othersGo deeper: Explore The Best of You and The Secure Soul

For help navigating painful family dynamics, find therapy resources at www.dralisoncook.com/resources

Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook

Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison’s free email community for ongoing reflection and support.

While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.‍

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Scripture: John 5:1-6

Is there an area of your life where you've longed for healing but have almost given up on things changing? Maybe you've prayed, sought help, and tried everything you know to do. Sometimes we become so accustomed to our circumstances—or so attached to a particular vision of healing—that we struggle to imagine what else might be possible.explore:

*Various ways we respond to Jesus' question, "Do you want to get well?" *How we adapt to painful circumstances, and why familiar patterns can make change feel unsettling*What happens when we focus so intently on obstacles & outcomes that we lose sight of the One who offers healing*How to bring our honest longings to God

Go Deeper: Episode 227: What Trusting God Really Looks Like When You Can’t Control the Outcome with Susie Larson

Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook

Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison’s free email community for ongoing reflection and support.

While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.‍

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices