What Do You See When You Look in the Mirror?

If your first instinct is criticism, you’re not alone. Research shows that 97% of women experience at least one “I hate my body” moment every single day. But what if the mirror could show you something different? In this episode of God Hears Her, hosts Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy Adkins dig into one of the most personal struggles women face—body image—and bring it straight to Scripture. Together, they explore what it really means to be made in God’s image and how that truth can interrupt the negative thought patterns we’ve carried for years. This isn’t a pep talk. It’s a Bible study, and it might just change how you see yourself.

Notes and Quotes:

“We are the temples of the Holy Spirit so that people have access to the God that dwells in us.” —Elisa Morgan

“I am going to stand before You and let You be enthralled by the beauty You have created in me.” —Elisa Morgan

“Just embrace the presence of yourself, of your body and whatever it looks like: big, small, wide, skinny. Just be here and know how wild He is for you.” —Eryn Eddy Adkins

Verses:

Genesis 1:26-28

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

John 1:14

Psalm 45:9-11

Related Episodes:

• GHH Ep 118 – Reimagining Age: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/reimagining-age/
• GHH Ep 195 – Created in God’s Image with Ellen Wildman: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/created-in-gods-image/

Links:

• God Hears Her website: https://go.odb.org/sign-up-ghh
• Subscribe to the God Hears Her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GodHearsHerODBM
• Already Whole by Ellen Wildman: https://www.amazon.com/Already-Whole-Devotions-Being-Home/dp/1640703977

When was a time when you felt disqualified? The CEO of the MomCo, Mandy Arioto, wants women to understand how Jesus calls and uses people and especially moms who feel disqualified. Mandy has cast her vision for creating honest, healing community for moms while developing them as leaders. Join hosts Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy Adkins as they talk about a mom’s influence in families, faith, and society, and address why many moms still feel insignificant. You don’t want to miss this encouraging and powerful Mother’s Day conversation on God Hears Her.

Guest Bio: Mandy Arioto is the President and CEO of The MomCo and is widely known for her unique takes on parenting, relationships, spiritual and cultural issues. Through MomCo, which influences millions of moms through thousands of groups internationally, Mandy serves as the voice of one of the most influential mothering organizations in the United States and around the world. She and her husband, Joe, live in Denver, Colorado, where they love rock climbing and adventuring with their three kids. Mandy’s most recent book, Have More Fun: How to Be Remarkable, Stop Feeling Stuck, and Start Enjoying Life, is available wherever books are sold.

Notes and Quotes:

“There’s this secret society of moms that nobody actually knows about. It happens underground. And there are sacred conversations that we have as moms that are very rarely brought to light. They happen on the sidelines of soccer practice. They happen at kids drop off after the kids have all gone into class. They’re honest, vulnerable conversations where you’re thinking . . . ‘I should never have said that out loud.’ And someone else says ‘me too.’” —Mandy Arioto

“That’s what MomCo is about: having honest conversations that we’re afraid to have as women, bringing them to light and recognizing that this is a holy space where God swoops in to heal the parts of our lives, fear, trauma, or inadequacy that we feel.” —Mandy Arioto

“I think that motherhood is incredibly rad, a sisterhood unparalleled, and the place that God uses to form us in ways that we could never have imagined beforehand.” —Mandy Arioto

“There is something unique that God does in moms that makes them influential in the kingdom.” —Mandy Arioto

“Our identity is in how faithful we are to what God asks us to do, how faithful we are to listening and knowing God’s voice, being trustworthy in what He’s entrusted us with, and recognizing that the outcomes of that can look all kinds of different ways.” —Mandy Arioto

“Our worth is not measured by how well our kids turn out.” —Mandy Arioto

“We don’t have to qualify our wants; we can put our needs before God.” —Mandy Arioto

Verses:

Matthew 1:1-17

Related Episodes:

• GHH Ep 124 – Celebrating Mother’s Day with Mary Jo Clark: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/celebrating-mothers-day/
• GHH Ep 156 – Felt Needs for Moms: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/felt-needs-for-moms/
• GHH Ep 187 – Building Community as a Mom with Tara Edelschick and Kathy Tuan-MacLean: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/building-community-as-a-mom/

Links:

• God Hears Her website: https://go.odb.org/ghh191
• Subscribe to the God Hears Her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GodHearsHerODBM
• Two-Minute Timeouts for Moms: https://www.amazon.com/Two-Minute-Timeouts-New-Moms-Devotions/dp/1640704469
• MomCo website: https://www.themom.co/home
• Bloodline and Backbone Podcast: https://www.themom.co/bloodline-and-backbone/

Guest Bio: Masey McLain is an actress, screenwriter, and producer best known for her leading roles in I’m Not Ashamed and the hit Amazon Prime series The Baxters. She’s also one half of a powerhouse creative team alongside her writing and producing partner, Taylor Kalupa. They are currently developing a television series with Jon Erwin’s The Wonder Project (I Can Only Imagine, House of David). They’re also set to adapt and produce a #1 New York Times bestselling novel alongside producer Roma Downey. Off-screen, Masey is a sought-after speaker known for inspiring women to step boldly into their purpose.

Show Summary: When was a time that you had to be bold in your faith? Has your calling ever led to you to places where people don’t know God? Masey McLain began acting when she was in high school and she truly felt like it was her gifting from God. This gift led her to Hollywood where she deepened her trust in the Holy Spirit among nonbelievers. Be encouraged to strengthen your faith during this God Hears Her conversation with hosts Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy Adkins.

Notes and Quotes:

“I think that’s my natural bend . . . wanting to please God; wanting to be good enough. I want to hear at the end of my life ‘well done, good and faithful servant.’” —Masey McLain

“When you’re doing something He’s gifted you with, you can feel the freedom in that.” —Masey McLain

“God has used them [my gifts] to sanctify me.” —Masey McLain

“One temptation in Christian entertainment is not using God to get to a means. I think it can be easy to want to use your faith so that you can be greater. You have to really check your heart. I’ve thought about that a lot . . . Am I using God to be greater?” —Masey McLain

“If you go on a mission to do it yourself, if you go into your workspace to change it, anything in your flesh will be futile. We can’t operate like that. Just walk with God and those moments will be an overflow of what He does.” —Masey McLain

Verses:

1 Corinthians 3:9

Matthew 25:14-27

Related Episodes:

• GHH Ep 10 – A Contagious Faith: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/a-contagious-faith/
• GHH Ep 53 – Pursuing A Courageous Faith with Dr. Debbye Turner Bell: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/pursuing-a-courageous-faith/
• GHH Ep 220 – Let’s Talk About Spiritual Formation with Shalini Bennett: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/lets-talk-about-spiritual-formation/

Links:

• Soul on Fire Movie: https://soulonfiremovie.com/
• God Hears Her website: https://go.odb.org/ghh191
• Subscribe to the God Hears Her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GodHearsHerODBM

Guest Bio: Anna Laura is an entrepreneur at heart. Her Grandmother’s story of waving a white tablecloth to avoid attacks by bomber planes during World War II inspired Anna to start White Flag. White Flag is a lifestyle brand aimed to spark conversations about Jesus Christ through simple designs inspired by biblical truths. She has worked with many artists and creators, including Lauren Daigle and Chip & Joanna Gaines, to bring White Flag out into the world. She is also a single mother of two in Nashville, Tennessee.

Show Summary: Have you ever asked a question in church or with a mentor and felt like it wasn’t received well? Anna Laura was in high school when she started asking tough questions within the church. The reaction to her questions led to the forging of a new path in her life as a single mom and entrepreneur. Join God Hears Her hosts, Eryn Eddy Adkins and Vivian Mabuni as they learn the trajectory of Anna’s story and how God helped her to surrender her hurts and her doubts to him.

Notes and Quotes:

“A lot of what I heard growing up was that if you questioned or doubted, or you weren’t doing things a certain way or living thing a certain way, then you had ‘lukewarm Christianity.’”

—Anna Laura

“I look back at seasons where everything felt really hard as a single parent and the bits of life and the anchor in it all were the people who were the safe space.” —Anna Laura

“The act of surrender has been a daily evolving process for me.” —Anna Laura

“Get it all out on paper and watch God connect the dots right in front of you.” —Anna Laura

“I can’t tell you how powerful it is to give yourself the freedom to share the entire spectrum of your emotions with God when you’re in the middle of it.” —Anna Laura

Related Episodes:

• GHH Ep 33 – Adventurous Obedience with Kari Jobe: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/adventurous-obedience-with-kari-jobe/
• GHH Ep 169 – Learning to Surrender with Tara Sun: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/learning-to-surrender/

Links:

• White Flag by Anna Laura: https://www.whiteflag.org/
• God Hears Her website: https://go.odb.org/ghh191
• Subscribe to the God Hears Her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GodHearsHerODBM

Guest Bio: Brenda Palmer is an author, preacher, and podcaster with a passion for helping others encounter Jesus in transformative ways. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies at Denver Seminary. As the visionary behind Come Alive Collective, a movement dedicated to hosting nationwide Bible studies and worship nights, Brenda believes life unfolds when we surrender to God’s plan. Whether she’s creating content, leading Bible studies, or preaching the gospel, Brenda’s mission is clear: to inspire others to say yes to God’s call.

Show Summary: Are you the type of person that needs to know the plan before you commit to something? Do you find yourself saying no when you don’t know the details? Or are you always saying yes to any invitation? For anyone, following God’s calling often leads to unexpected opportunities. On this episode of God Hears Her, join hosts Eryn Eddy Adkins and Vivian Mabuni as they learn from Brenda Palmer how saying yes to God can completely alter the course of your life.

Notes and Quotes:

“That moment made me want to pursue a God who wouldn’t change His mind even when I wanted Him to. Even when I tried to do what I thought was the worst things I could ever do to disqualify Him from calling me.” —Brenda Palmer

“When you are high achieving, rest feels like a betrayal to the assignment.” —Brenda Palmer

“There is a level of patience that comes with desperation. When I don’t have another option but to sit and wait—even if I feel like I’m not hearing—I can still sense that He’s here. I’m not getting any answers or relief but there’s a trust that I have in the God He’s been that gives me the capacity to wait when I feel like He’s not saying anything.” —Brenda Palmer

“To bring Him into it [your situation] is saying ‘whatever you decide, whatever you think is best, could you condition my heart to be okay with that?’ Because if not, it’s still a place of entitlement.” —Brenda Palmer

Verses:

Psalm 139

Matthew 6:25-34

Proverbs 3:5-6

1 Corinthians 1:9

Related Episodes:

• GHH Ep 95 - God’s Good Plans with Teresa Swanstrom Anderson: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/gods-good-plans/
• GHH Ep 169 - Learning to Surrender with Tara Sun: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/learning-to-surrender/

Links:

• God Hears Her website: https://go.odb.org/ghh191
• Subscribe to the God Hears Her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GodHearsHerODBM
• Brenda Palmer’s website: https://www.iambrendapalmer.com/
• Episode 218 Bible Study PDF: https://xvetrm.files.cmp.optimizely.com/download/assets/GHH+Podcast_EP218.pdf/6d7695aa31e411f19db3ae78bff3c806

When you think about Easter, what is the first thing you think of? Is it the women who were there, the faith of the disciples, or the richly layered way that Jesus showed up? When we celebrate Easter every year, it can be easy to forget all the things that are revealed to us through the story of Jesus’ resurrection and all the ways that this story matters to us every day. Join hosts, Elisa Morgan, Eryn Eddy Adkins, and Vivian Mabuni as they dive deep into Mark 15-16 to gain fresh perspective of the events of Easter.

Notes and Quotes:

“Easter is every day.” —Elisa Morgan

“If we look at what Barabas symbolizes, he’s all of us.” —Elisa Morgan

“He rose for all of us, and He rose for each one of us. He turns to each of us in our fear and trembling and says, ‘Woman, what do you need? I am here. I am risen.’” —Elisa Morgan

“He chooses women because He understood that women were faithful to Him and He wanted to honor their faith.” —Vivian Mabuni

“God calls us forward to new life. He died on a cross for all of our sins.” —Elisa Morgan

“Even in this moment, we can have the kind of life that is rich and meaningful and powerful and we don’t need to be afraid. He lives it with us. And praise God—Jesus Christ is risen!” —Elisa Morgan

Verses:

Mark 15

Mark 16

Romans 5:8

1 Peter 3:18

Luke 8:1-3

Mark 16:15

Related Episodes:

• GHH Ep 34 – The Women of Easter: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/the-women-of-easter/
• GHH Ep 153 – Hopeful End: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/hopeful-end/
• GHH Ep 184 – Waiting for Easter with Jessica Herberger: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/waiting-for-easter/

Links:

• God Hears Her website: https://go.odb.org/ghh191
• A Joyful Easter: 40 Morning and Evening Devotions from God Hears Her https://ourdailybreadpublishing.org//god-hears-her-a-joyful-easter.html
• A Joyful Easter: 7 Easter Devotions from God Hears Her https://www.odbm.org/en/reading-plans/a-joyful-easter/a-joyful-easter
• Subscribe to the God Hears Her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GodHearsHerODBM
• GHH Episode 217 Bible Study PDF: https://xvetrm.files.cmp.optimizely.com/download/assets/GHH+Podcast_EP217.pdf/994b1e882c5511f181666ed115eea297

Guest Bio: Clementine Sikiri was resettled in the United States with her family after spending years in Kiziba refugee camp in Rwanda, fleeing deadly conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Just as her life was beginning to flourish, Clementine was in a tragic car accident that left her with severe injuries. Through faith, resilience, and the support of her community, she made a miraculous recovery and went on to earn a master’s degree in clinical social work. Today, she serves as a mental health clinician in a public middle school, advocates passionately for refugees, and finds joy in her close-knit community.

Show Summary: What was a moment in your life where you felt extreme hopelessness? How did God restore your hope? Clementine Sikiri has experienced many hopeless moments in her life where she had to depend on God to make the impossible, possible. Join hosts Elisa Morgan and Vivian Mabuni as they learn how Clementine’s hope was restored as a refugee coming to the United States and then as a severe car accident survivor. You don’t want to miss this beautiful and encouraging God Hears Her conversation!

Notes and Quotes:

“The first years of my life, war was all I knew. So, I thought the whole world was that way.” —Clementine Sikiri

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that refugees choose to be refugees. It’s life or death. We don’t choose that.” —Clementine Sikiri

“In a way, [the accident] confirmed my purpose. I am supposed to be here and God wants me here.” —Clementine Sikiri

“The more I grew up to understand the Lord, the more I grew up to understand that He loved me from the beginning.” —Clementine Sikiri

“People saw His goodness in my life and that’s all I want.” —Clementine Sikiri

“The more I learn about myself, the more I learn about Him, and the more I learn about Him, the more I learn about myself.” —Clementine Sikiri

Verses:

Matthew 25:40-45

Romans 8:28

Related Episodes:

• GHH Ep 68 – Hope That Overcomes with Joyce Dinkins: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/hope-that-overcomes/
• GHH Ep 101 – Life After Tragedies with Julia Pinkster: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/life-after-tragedies/

Links:

• God Hears Her website: https://go.odb.org/ghh191
• Subscribe to the God Hears Her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GodHearsHerODBM
• Episode 216 Bible Study: https://xvetrm.files.cmp.optimizely.com/download/assets/GHH+Podcast_EP216_Final+Output.pdf/fe8694ce011911f1a4fbee48b8e1933b