DNDW 9: Emotional Health and Flourishing
What if the uncomfortable emotions you're experiencing aren't sins or failures—but invitations? In this raw conversation, Christine chats with Christy Boulware, author of Nervous Breakthrough, to talk about stewarding our mental and emotional health. This isn't about quick fixes or spiritual bypassing—it's an honest exploration of recognizing our emotions as information and invitations that deserve attention, not shame.
You'll discover:
How to integrate body, mind, and spirit
Why anxiety isn't proof you lack faith
How to navigate medication, counseling, and spiritual growth together
This episode is for you if:
You're tired of slapping a hope and a prayer on deep pain
You're afraid your emotions disappoint God
You're drowning in fight-or-flight
Christine and Christy share the messy, honest reality of stewarding emotional health while following Jesus. Most importantly, they offer what so many need to hear: "I believe you. You're not crazy. You deserve help.".
Content Note: This episode addresses suicidal ideation, panic attacks, anxiety, depression, divorce, betrayal, and trauma. It's honest, vulnerable, and potentially triggering—but also deeply healing for those ready to do the work.
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DNDW 9 Special Guest
Christy Boulware
is a women's ministry leader. She founded and leads the not-for-profit organization Fearless Unite. She has a deep desire to set as many free from the chains of fear and anxiety as possible, and drastically decrease the alarming statistics of fear and anxiety in our world.
Season 3 | Draw Near Dwell Well | Topics & Guests
DNDW1: My Accidental Sabbatical | Christine
DNDW2: The Theology of Invitation | Christine
DNDW3: Discerning Shifts | Emily P. Freeman
DNDW4: Practicing Simplicity | Jan Johnson
DNDW5: Sabbath Rest | Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
DNDW6: Slowing Down | Laura L. Smith
DNDW7: Stillness: Therapy & Theology | Crystal Logan
DNDW8: Relational Health | Bob Hamp
DNDW9: Emotional Health | Christy Boulware
DNDW10: Silence & Solitude | Andrew Ranucci
NOTE: Featuring a guest, resource, or organization on The Holy Shift does not necessarily constitute a blanket endorsement of their entire body of work.
Additional Relational Resources and Support
For a comprehensive list of trusted relational resources, download this free guide:
Draw Near Dwell Well Resources
The Holy Shift Resources
Scripture
ISAIAH 4110Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
PSALM 1265Those who plant in tears
will harvest with shouts of joy.
6They weep as they go to plant their seed,
but they sing as they return with the harvest.
1 PETER 5:77Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
PSALM 13923Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
PSALM 131How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
ISAIAH 263You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Quotes
Our emotions are just information, just the lights that light up on our car dashboard indicating what's going on under the hood. Things will light up when they need attention or repair—whether that be our bodies, our minds, our hearts, our needs, our relationships. — Christine Crawford
Where in the Bible does it say you won't have fear, you won't have anxiety? It says, "Do not be afraid." But it doesn't say you won't experience it. — Christy Boulware
Anger is not necessarily a sin. We are told not to sin in our anger, but we are never told never to be angry. Likewise, God never shames us for being sad. We are actually told that we're blessed when we mourn and that God weeps with us and draws near, promising to comfort us in our hurt. — Christine Crawford
It wasn't until I mixed the medication, went to a Christian counselor, and worked on my spiritual life and my physical wellbeing—when I was working on all of those things, did I really start to see the needle moving towards true peace and contentment in my life. — Christy Boulware
There is a profound difference between clean grief and dirty grief. All grief leaves a scar, but letting God tend to our wounds in silence and solitude—that's how we make sure it doesn't poison us from the inside out. — Christine Crawford
It's okay to say, "I don't know how to help you right now, but I'm gonna send you to somebody that does. And I love you, and I've got your back. And I believe you." — Christy Boulware
Trauma and neglect and abuse wreak havoc on our minds and bodies. Recent studies link things like toxic relationships, anxiety and depression to chronic pain, inflammation, adrenal dysfunction, immune disorders, and even certain types of cancer. The body does indeed keep the score. — Christine Crawford
Related Resources & Inspiration
No Sorrow Seen | by Karen Abeyta
No body breathless or casket to cradle the weight of death. No funeral or tombstone to mark the passing when death dies unseen.
Unwinding Overthinking | Resource from Dr. Alison Cook
When stress hits, do you notice yourself defaulting to the scroll, the worry spiral, or the mental loops you can't seem to escape? I found this podcast episode so helpful and encouraging.
Even Jesus Needed a Mary | by Christy Boulware
Loneliness thrives when we don’t know who belongs where or when we keep everyone at a distance to stay “safe.” We were not meant to walk alone. Even Jesus had a Mary.
Music
DRAW NEAR DWELL WELL SEASON PLAYLIST
Spanning the spectrum from contemporary worship and traditional hymns to spiritually-secular and vibey instrumental, here's a cross-genre collection to help calm anxiety and inspire connection with God.💛
Other Resources
DWELL Bible App & Prayer App
Longing for God’s Word in your life? Discover the Power of Listening to the Bible.
Hallow Prayer & Meditation App
Discover new ways to grow closer to God alongside millions of other Christians worldwide.
Biblehub: Search, Read, and Study
Online Bible Study Suite. Topical, Greek, and Hebrew study tools. Concordances, commentaries, sermons, and devotionals.
Abide Christian Meditation App
Christian Meditation Made Easy
Sleep better and stress less.
