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What happens when God asks you to surrender something you don’t want to let go of—especially when what He is asking doesn’t seem to make sense?

Donna Kirkwood and her husband believed God was leading them to open a winery. But in the middle of that journey, God began dealing with Donna about her own relationship with alcohol. She wrestled, negotiated, and questioned: How could God lead me to own a winery and then ask me not to drink?

When I read Donna’s story in her book, He Is the Vine: From the Vineyard to the Tasting Room, I was stunned by how closely her story paralleled my own journey of surrendering alcohol more than twenty-five years ago.

In this honest conversation, Donna and I share our stories and then dig into Jesus’ words in John 15 about the true Vine, the Vinedresser, pruning, abiding, and bearing fruit.

Drawing from Donna’s experience as a winery owner, we talk about the beautiful spiritual parallels found throughout the winemaking process—from cultivating the soil and pruning the vines to fermentation and finally the tasting room.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Surrendering to God when His direction doesn’t make logical sense
• Our personal struggles with alcohol and the conviction of the Holy Spirit
• Why God sometimes prunes even good things from our lives
• The responsibility we carry as Christian leaders not to cause others to stumble
• What it means to abide in Jesus rather than striving to produce fruit on our own
• Finding a rhythm of time with Jesus that fits your season of life
• Trusting God through the slow process of spiritual growth and sanctification
• How trials and difficult seasons can become part of our transformation
• Why our testimonies are meant to be poured out and shared with others

If you are walking through a season of pruning, surrender, waiting, or change, I pray this conversation reminds you that the Vinedresser knows exactly what He is doing. Stay connected to the true Vine and trust Him with the process.

Scripture References:
John 15:1–8
Galatians 5:22–23
Revelation 19:6–9
Psalm 139:14

Donna Kirkwood is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and marriage ministry leader. She is the author of He Is the Vine: From the Vineyard to the Tasting Room.

Connect with Donna:

Website: https://donnakirkwood.com/

Book: He Is the Vine: From the Vineyard to the Tasting Room
Available on Amazon or as a signed copy through Donna’s website.

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Do you struggle to say no without feeling guilty? For many Christian women, the desire to serve others, avoid disappointing people, and be Christlike can quietly turn into people-pleasing. But how do we know when saying yes is an act of obedience to God—and when a healthy no may actually help us protect what He has called us to do?

In this episode of HER Podcast, Pat Domangue talks with Christian Communication & Boundaries Coach Tannera Lindvall about people-pleasing, pleasing God, and setting healthy boundaries as a Christian woman.

Tannera shares how God showed her that every yes comes with automatic noes and why our first yes must belong to Him. She explains how people-pleasing can become connected to our identity and need for approval, why knowing our God-given purpose helps us recognize when to say no, and how biblical boundaries can help us love God and others well.

Pat also shares from her own experience of saying yes to so many good things that she eventually became exhausted and frustrated—and the simple statement from a pastor that changed her perspective: “No is a spiritual answer.”

You’ll also hear practical wisdom about how to:

• Recognize people-pleasing and the desire for others’ approval
• Find your worth and identity in God rather than in being needed
• Discern what deserves your yes in your current season
• Set healthy boundaries without allowing guilt to control you
• Prepare for difficult conversations with family and others
• Begin a boundary conversation by assuming good intentions
• Respond when someone repeatedly crosses a boundary
• Extend grace without continually moving your boundary
• Pursue healthy relationships while remaining faithful to what God has called you to do

If you have struggled with people-pleasing, fear of disappointing others, saying no without guilt, or setting biblical boundaries, this conversation will give you practical encouragement for learning to please God while loving others well.

Connect with Tannera Lindvall

Tannera Lindvall is a Christian Communication & Boundaries Coach and founder of Communication Architect.

Website: CommunicationArchitect.org

Visit the Free Resources section of her website to download The Guilt-Free No, a free guide designed to help you know your yes, set boundaries to protect that yes, and communicate your no without guilt.

You can also find Tannera on Facebook and Instagram and join the free Communication Architect CommunityFacebook group. For women who would like personal coaching, Tannera offers a free 30-minute discovery call through her website.

Equipped & Empowered Bible Study

Ready to go deeper in God’s Word?

Join Pat for Equipped & Empowered, an upcoming Bible study designed to help women understand what Scripture teaches about the spiritual battle and how God has equipped us to stand firm in Christ.

Learn more and register at onfire-ministries.org.

On Fire Ministries

Find more biblical encouragement, free resources, and Bible studies for women at onfire-ministries.org.

Connect with Pat and On Fire Ministries on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

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God Does Not Waste Your Season: Trusting God with Your Story

Have you ever wondered why God allows seasons of waiting, disappointment, or uncertainty? Maybe you've prayed for years for healing, a prodigal child to return, restoration in a relationship, or clarity about your next step, yet the answer still hasn't come.

In this encouraging episode of the HER Podcast, Pat Domangue sits down with author and Bible teacher Moriah Hagelto discuss how God faithfully works through every season of life—even the ones we would never choose.

Together they explore:

• Why God never wastes a season of waiting
• How to trust God's timing when life feels on hold
• Finding purpose in difficult seasons
• Putting God first while you wait
• Serving God faithfully instead of putting life on pause
• Growing deeper in your relationship with Christ through every season

Moriah also shares her personal journey of waiting on God, how He used those years to prepare her for ministry, and the biblical truths that continue to anchor her faith today.

No matter what season you're facing, this conversation will encourage you to trust that God is writing a greater story than you can see.

Scriptures Mentioned

• Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
• Romans 8:28
• Job 42:10
• Philippians 1:21
• Psalm 46:10

Connect with Pat:
🌐 https://onfire-ministries.org

Learn more about Moriah Hagel:
🌐 https://hagelbooks.com

onfire-ministries.org