In this episode, we dive into Daniel 2:1–18, where Daniel faces the impossible demand to reveal the king’s dream or face execution, showing how faith moves amid pressure by seeking God first. Connecting this crisis to modern challenges like health scares and job losses, we highlight how clarity begins in prayer, not panic, and how divine revelation surpasses human expertise.

Guided by Matthew 6:33, we learn to seek God’s kingdom first, trusting His timing and provision, which shapes our responses to urgent demands and uncertainties. We offer practical advice to ask for time, pray with others, and resist rushing decisions, reminding us that even when overwhelmed, God remains in control.

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In this episode, we explore Daniel 1:9–21, where a teenager’s small, courageous request for ten days of vegetables and water—trusting obedience over argument—sets a revolutionary example of wisdom, integrity, and health amid pressures from both the king and the Lord.

We discuss how Daniel’s measured, faith-filled plan leads to visible strength, clear minds, and divine insight, modeling a holistic approach to resilience that integrates body, soul, and spirit. Reflecting on nutrition and courage, we highlight how small faithful steps yield outsized results, supported by a listener story from the HealingStrong community. This conversation offers practical guidance for anyone seeking wisdom and habits that hold under pressure—encouraging listeners to ask for a test, trust God’s outcome, and let the fruit of their faith shine.

Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:

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Please visit our website at healingstrong.org to learn more about our mission and visit our groups tab to learn more about our community groups.

HELP US GROW:

Your donation enables us to continue offering this podcast and other resources for free supporting those facing cancer and chronic illness, caregivers and others. Every donation makes a big difference. Please donate here.

In this episode, we explore Daniel 1 and the quiet strength behind his choice to refuse the royal menu, using it to examine how conviction, health, and integrity intersect amid modern pressures. We discuss the importance of setting clear standards before temptation arises, viewing God’s guidelines as gifts that protect body and soul, and emphasize leaning on the Holy Spirit and Scripture to stand firm when shortcuts tempt us. Cheryl shares a personal story of choosing resolve over immediate relief, illustrating how obedience brings unexpected peace and protection. This conversation offers practical guidance for seeking God’s voice, setting wise boundaries, and holding to your convictions with courage, encouraging listeners to stand firm in their own challenging choices. If this resonates, subscribe, share, and leave a review to support the community.

Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:

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HELP US GROW:

Your donation enables us to continue offering this podcast and other resources for free supporting those facing cancer and chronic illness, caregivers and others. Every donation makes a big difference. Please donate here.

In this episode, we reflect on Daniel 1:3–7, where Daniel and his friends are renamed by Babylon, illustrating how labels—though promising clarity—often steal identity, a pattern still seen today as culture assigns us names tied to our seasons or struggles. We explore how empires and cultures reshape people through new language, diets, and identities, contrasting this with the Hebrew names God gives that ground us in His grace and help amid hardship. Through candid reflections on labels like single, divorced, or lonely, we offer practical steps to reclaim our true identity: discovering the meaning of our names, recognizing “king’s tables” that pull us from trust, and replacing those influences with Scripture, prayer, and life-giving community.

This conversation brings hope and strength for those navigating illness, grief, or change, encouraging us to embrace the names God gives over limiting labels and find steady identity amid pressure.

Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:

The Bible App HealingStrong Bible Plans

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Holistic Curriculum - Participant Guide

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Please visit our website at healingstrong.org to learn more about our mission and visit our groups tab to learn more about our community groups.

HELP US GROW:

Your donation enables us to continue offering this podcast and other resources for free supporting those facing cancer and chronic illness, caregivers and others. Every donation makes a big difference. Please donate here.

In this episode, we explore how the heart drifts toward compromise by examining Exodus 20 alongside Daniel 1, revealing how a people called to exclusive allegiance slowly replace the living God with “little g” gods—good things like work, family, or comfort—that take first place and lead to exile.

Viewing the first commandment through the lens of rescue reframes obedience as a grateful response rather than duty, illustrated by Babylon’s siege and the desecration of temple treasures. Daniel and his friends model quiet resolve and firm boundaries amid pressure, challenging us to confront our own misplaced loves. We offer practical steps for a heart audit to identify idols, uncover fears, and reorder love through fasting, Scripture, Sabbath rhythms, and supportive friendships. This journey isn’t about shame but freedom—putting God first steadies life, fostering courage and lasting joy.

If this message resonates, we would really appreciate it if you shared it, subscribed, and even leave a review to help others find hope.

Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:

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Please visit our website at healingstrong.org to learn more about our mission and visit our groups tab to learn more about our community groups.

HELP US GROW:

Your donation enables us to continue offering this podcast and other resources for free supporting those facing cancer and chronic illness, caregivers and others. Every donation makes a big difference. Please donate here.

In launching a new series on Daniel, we focus our time in Isaiah 43:1–2, where God affirms our identity as created, redeemed, and called by name—promises that transform how we face trials, offering His presence amid flames and floods that don’t consume us. We dive into the deeper meaning of “fear not,” grounded in redemption and intimacy, inviting us to lean on Scripture as a lifeline. Through the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s unwavering trust while in the furnace, we learn to stand firm in pressure, letting our identity shape our response whether deliverance is immediate or delayed.

This episode offers a hopeful, faith-filled path through every trial—listen, share, and join us in spreading courage and hope.

Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:

The Bible App HealingStrong Bible Plans

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Listen to Previous Episodes

Holistic Curriculum - Participant Guide

Refresh Your Spirit

Support Our Mission - Donate

Please visit our website at healingstrong.org to learn more about our mission and visit our groups tab to learn more about our community groups.

HELP US GROW:

Your donation enables us to continue offering this podcast and other resources for free supporting those facing cancer and chronic illness, caregivers and others. Every donation makes a big difference. Please donate here.

We are taking a brief holiday pause, then come back to listen in January for a new series on Daniel. Listen in as we share some updates across HealingStrong and what resources we have for you over this break season.

Listeners get resources for the break, an encouragement from Luke 1 for those waiting, and a chance to double their impact through a donation match.

• January launch of a Daniel study focused on chapters 1–4
• new HealingStrong website to simplify groups and resources
• return of I Am HealingStrong podcast in January with Jim Mann
• year-end giving with gifts matched up to $50,000 going on now
• recommendations for Matthew Healing in His Presence on YouVersion
• Around the Word in 80 Days community Scripture reading
• encouragement from Luke 1 about waiting and God’s faithfulness

To help support our Ministries and free content, you can give online at healingstrong.org/donate and EVERY dollar will be DOUBLED from now until December 31st, 2025.

Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:

The Bible App HealingStrong Bible Plans

Support Group Directory

Listen to Previous Episodes

Holistic Curriculum - Participant Guide

Refresh Your Spirit

Support Our Mission - Donate

Please visit our website at healingstrong.org to learn more about our mission and visit our groups tab to learn more about our community groups.

HELP US GROW:

Your donation enables us to continue offering this podcast and other resources for free supporting those facing cancer and chronic illness, caregivers and others. Every donation makes a big difference. Please donate here.

The story of Esther demonstrates God's sovereignty as He works behind the scenes, using ordinary people for extraordinary purposes to fulfill His redemptive plan.

• Mordecai is elevated to second in command under King Xerxes, paralleling Joseph's position in Egypt
• The book highlights how God elevates women in a culture where they were marginalized
• Esther's courage, strength, and wisdom were instrumental in saving God's people
• God's divine providence turns evil plans into protection for His people
• Key lessons include being strategic rather than reactive when facing challenges
• God works invisibly even when we don't immediately see His hand
• The preservation of the Jews was essential to God's plan to bring the Messiah
• Like Esther, we each have moments where our courage and obedience matter
• God can use ordinary people with seemingly disadvantaged backgrounds

Suggested Resources:

BIBLE PLAN - Trusting God's Plan When You Don't See Him: Lessons From the Book of Esther

PODCAST - Genesis to Revelation Bible Reading

TOOLS - Refresh Your Spirit through God's Word

Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:

The Bible App HealingStrong Bible Plans

Support Group Directory

Listen to Previous Episodes

Holistic Curriculum - Participant Guide

Refresh Your Spirit

Support Our Mission - Donate

Please visit our website at healingstrong.org to learn more about our mission and visit our groups tab to learn more about our community groups.

HELP US GROW:

Your donation enables us to continue offering this podcast and other resources for free supporting those facing cancer and chronic illness, caregivers and others. Every donation makes a big difference. Please donate here.