We all want to change, be healed, and experience freedom … but how does that actually happen? No matter what struggle you're facing, the process of transformation often follows a similar path.

In this episode, we share six biblical concepts that go deeper than behavior and reach the heart. We begin with the foundation—the gospel of Jesus Christ—then explore seeing yourself through God’s eyes (identity), replacing lies with truth (beliefs), understanding the heart needs that drive behavior (desires and motivations), dealing with past pain through forgiveness and freedom from guilt and shame, and finally moving forward with hope by putting God’s Word into practice daily.

If you're looking to grow in your walk with the Lord, this episode offers practical steps for lasting change.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more

[0:00:00] Change Begins with a New Purpose in Christ, Not Sheer Willpower

[0:00:36] Six Biblical Keys: From Identity and Lies to Needs, Past, and Hopeful Action

[0:05:00] Don’t Camp in Your Past—Touch It, Then Run Toward Hope

[0:10:00] Real Transformation Comes from Fixing Your Eyes on Jesus, Not Your Sin

[0:15:00] Saved but Stuck: Moving from Bare Salvation to Full-Life Lordship and Joy

Hope for the Heart resources

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Other Hope for the Heart Resources

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

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Bible verses mentioned in this episode

2 Corinthians 5:15 – “He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”

Philippians 4:9 – “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

James 1:22 – “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Are you overly critical of yourself? Perhaps of others? And how do you respond to negative, critical people?

In this episode, we discuss how to deal with a critical spirit – whether you are critical of yourself or others, or you have to deal with judgmental people. We discuss the misconceptions around Jesus' command "do not judge" and how a critical spirit can show up in our lives and relationships. After discussing the emotional and relational damage a critical spirit can cause in our lives, we share practical, biblical steps for breaking free from self-criticism and judgmental attitudes, and for handling negative people.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more

[00:08:06] What a “Critical Spirit” Really Is

[00:15:00] Heart, Habit, or Hurt? Three Roots of Criticism

[00:19:30] How a Critical Spirit Wrecks Relationships and Joy

[00:27:59] From Self-Hatred to Grace: Seeing Yourself as God Does

[00:40:30] Choosing Gratitude and Overlooking Offenses

Hope for the Heart resources

Book – Critical Spirit: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/store/product/critical-spirit

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Other Hope for the Heart Resources

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

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Bible verses mentioned in this episode

Matthew 7:1–5 -- “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Proverbs 15:1 – “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 19:11 -- Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

1 Corinthians 13:5 – “love keeps no record of wrongs.”

Proverbs 13:18 - If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored.

What does it really look like to care for others well – and how do you do it without becoming overwhelmed?

In this episode, Haley and Dustin unpack the biblical foundations of effective care and counsel – and why every believer is called to help in some capacity. They address common barriers that hold people back – fear, self-doubt, and feeling unqualified – and share 10 biblical principles for helping others well.

This conversation is packed with practical insight for anyone who wants to walk alongside others with confidence, reflect God’s heart, and trust Him with the outcome.

Be sure to listen through to the end because they share a special 30% discount on Hope for the Heart’s Foundations of Care course, The Care and Counsel Handbook, and their summer Called to Care training event (details in the show notes).

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more

1. [0:05:00] God Is the Ultimate Counselor and Caregiver
2. [0:10:00] God’s Correction Flows From Care, Not Condemnation
3. [0:13:09] Common Barriers: Feeling Unequipped, Pride, and Over‑Identification
4. [0:18:20] Know Your Role: Help People, Don’t Try to Fix Them

Hope for the Heart resources

Use code HOPETALKS30 to save 30% on the following resources:

Foundations of Care video course: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/store/foundations-of-care

The Care and Counsel Handbook: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Called to Care training event on Saturday, June 13, 2026: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/called-to-care

Other Hope for the Heart Resources

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

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Bible verses mentioned in this episode

Isaiah 46:4 (NLT) – “I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.”

When you care for someone, you reflect the heart of God who “cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7).

When you help someone, you reflect the heart of Go,d who is called “my helper” (Psalm 54:4 NLT).

When you help someone who has fallen, you reflect the heart of God who “upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down” (Psalm 145:14).

When you offer a gentle touch or supportive hand, you reflect the heart of God who “takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13).

When you listen to someone tell their story or share a memory, you reflect the heart of God who “turns his ear to me” (Psalm 116:2 NIV), “bends down to listen” (NLT).

When you provide wise counsel to someone, you reflect the heart of God who “counsel[s] you with my loving eye on you” (Psalm 32:8).

When you sympathize with someone grieving or crying in pain, you reflect the heart of God who promises to “wipe away every tear” (Revelation 21:4).

When you simply sit with someone and keep them company, you reflect the heart of God who says, “I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10).