EPISODE 7: The Power of Through + Living for an “Audience of One”

I once heard someone say, learn from the pain before you leave it. 

Let me be blunt—this isn’t a cute, feel-good intro. 

Life isn’t going to hand you a “get out of pain free” card. And if you think you can just run away from every hard moment in your life, every friendship drama, or every tough situation, you’re going to be stuck in that same cycle of pain, over and over again.

So yeah, I’m saying it—learn from it first.

You can't just brush it off and hope it goes away. If you don’t deal with it, you’re only delaying the inevitable. You’ll have to face it sooner or later.

James 1:2-4 hits hard with this truth:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Translation: You can’t avoid the tough stuff. You need to face it head-on, and when you do, you’ll come out stronger. If you bail on the pain now, you’ll be stuck dealing with the same junk later.

That "joy" James is talking about? It’s not because the pain is fun. It’s because that pain is what shapes you into someone who gets it—someone who’s been through the fire and come out tougher, wiser, and more ready for what’s next.

So yeah, it sucks. You might not want to hear this, but you have to go through the fire,

Period.

Now, to learn from the pain before you leave it, that requires that we go THROUGH the mess. Right? 

Have you ever considered this… one of the most powerful prepositions in all the Bible is the word THROUGH. 

Let’s take a little trip back in time. Remember the story of the Israelites in the Bible? They were stuck in Egypt, trapped in slavery, and they wanted out. God parted the Red Sea, and they had to go through the waters to escape.

Through—not around it. They didn’t get to magically skip past the sea and land in the promised land. They had to trust God and walk through the sea, with the waters on both sides, before they could finally breathe easy. They didn’t just get delivered from Egypt. They went through the journey. Ultimately, a journey that changed them. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.

And then there’s the wilderness journey. After they made it through the Red Sea, they had to go through the wilderness to get to their promised land. Ugh, wilderness. That’s a word we don’t exactly get excited about, right? It was hot, it was dry, and there was nothing but sand and... more sand. But it was through that wilderness that they learned to trust God in a whole new way.

And here's the kicker—God didn’t leave them.

He was with them every single step of the way. And you know what?

By day, God appeared as a pillar of cloud that led the Israelites and gave them shade from the hot desert sun.

And by night, God appeared as a pillar of fire to provide light and warmth, helping them travel safely even in the dark.

But here’s the most powerful “through” in the Bible—Jesus.

Jesus didn’t get to skip the hard parts of His journey either.

He had to go through the suffering of the cross so that we could be free. I mean, through the cross?!

That was not just a hard day—it was the hardest thing anyone could go through.

But here’s the twist: He went through it so that we could live in victory.

Because sometimes, the hardest roads lead to the best destinations.

Isaiah 43:2 says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." (emphasis added).

Girl, that is good news!

You’re not going through life’s challenges alone. God is right there with you, no matter how deep the water or how hot the fire.

Okay, let’s make this super real and relatable now! I am all about practicality and application and the best way to apply what weʼve learned is to walk through an example.

Imagine you're trying to learn how to skateboard. At first, it's not easy at all—you might fall a lot, get bruises, and even get frustrated because it seems like you’re never going to get it right.

That’s like the “fire” part.

It feels tough, and you might want to give up, but here’s the thing: each time you get back up, even if you fall again, you're getting better.

Think of the bruises and falls as the “heat” that's shaping you. You’re not just learning how to skate, you’re also learning how to handle failure, how to get up when things don’t go right, and how to be patient with yourself.

Over time, you’ll get better, your confidence will grow, and one day, you’ll be skating smoothly and doing tricks without thinking twice.

Now, picture this: You finally land that first successful trick, like an ollie, and it feels amazing! You’ve just gone through the fire of practicing, getting back up, and improving. That moment when you nail it?

That’s the result of all the “refining” you went through.

On the other side of “through” we’ll find something better, something more beautiful, something closer to His purpose for our lives.

This morning, I was out for a walk, and I felt this little nudge from the Holy Spirit, like He was telling me to just slow down and really take it all in. 

So, I did!

I stopped to notice the flowers blooming, the cool breeze in my hair, and the fresh, floral scent that filled the air.

It was like this little moment of pure peace, reminding me how spring is all about fresh starts, new beginnings, and so much hope in the air.

This awareness of Spring, the Lord bringing to my attention the beauty of this season, made me reflect back on this idea of “through."

And how some of you may be coming out of a really hard season.

Not dissimilar from the winter season. Right?

Letʼs be really honest for a minute.

Winter is hard. Its cold, dark, dreary. Many overcast days where we may not see the sunshine for days on end. 

I know we’ve all felt the drag of winter. 

Winter can symbolize so many of the tough seasons we walk through, where our hopes feel small, and it’s hard to see beyond the heaviness.

But guess what?

That’s not where your story ends!

Winter isn’t the final chapter. With the closure of winter comes the arrival of an entirely new season - SPRING! 

And before we dive into our first question, I just want to leave you with this perspective today. Especially if youʼre in a heavy season.

Sis, we have to learn from the pain before we leave it.

Eventually, youʼll be glad that you did. And, in the the process, as we walk THROUGH the pain, knowing that God is with us, we can hold tightly to the one who is making ALL THINGS NEW.

And it is in that “through" process thatʼs where we see the ultimate refinement. I promise you, there is something beautiful on the other side of through, so hold fast. 

Ok, this actually is a beautiful segue into our first question today.

Sydney wrote in last week and asked, “When God says He is making all things ʼnew,ʼ what exactly does that mean?”

Syd, thatʼs such an awesome questions - thanks for taking the time to write in!

Ok, so have you ever noticed how every spring, everything feels like it’s coming to life again?

The trees start to bud, flowers bloom, and the whole world seems to be waking up from the cold, quiet winter. It’s like God is showing us that new things are always possible.

In the Bible, God talks about making all things new, and it’s just as amazing as the fresh start that comes with every spring.

Spring is like that moment when you see the sun peeking through the clouds after a storm. It's vibrant, it’s full of new life, and it’s so full of possibility! In the same way, when we’re in tough seasons, we are growing, even when we don’t feel like it. 

I know it’s easy to get stuck in the cold, dark places of life where you feel like no one sees your struggle. But just like the flowers that are quietly growing beneath the snow in winter, God is working behind the scenes. And when the season changes, you’re going to burst forth with new life!

So to answer your question, Syd - I love how the Bible reminds us that God makes all things new. There are actually (3) different verses in the bible that talk about this concept of “new things” coming to life.

We are going to unpack all three verses but for those planners out there the 3 verses can be found in: Isaiah 43:18-19, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and Revelation 21:5.

Alright Isaiah 43:18-19 reads…

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Here, God is talking to the Israelites, who’ve been through some really tough times—think like, seriously hard moments. They were stuck in their old ways, feeling lost, and everything around them felt dry and barren. But God was saying, “Hey, stop looking back at your past failures or struggles. I’m doing something NEW. Can’t you see it? Something beautiful is coming!”

This is like the first sign of spring after a long winter. Just like when you look out and start seeing flowers pop up and the trees get all green again, God’s saying, “I’m bringing fresh life. I’m making a way where it seems impossible.” God isn’t just fixing the old stuff; He’s creating new paths, new beginnings, and fresh opportunities. For you, girl, this means God is always bringing something new into your life—even when things feel dry or hard. He’s at work, even if you can’t see it yet!

Next, we jump to 2 Corinthians 5:17, it reads:

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

This one’s like a promise to anyone who’s decided to follow Jesus. It says, “If you are in Christ, you are a NEW creation.” That means all your old struggles, mistakes, and even the tough stuff you’ve been through—it’s gone. It’s like the old chapter is closed, and the new one is beginning.

Imagine this: You’re like a flower that’s been in the dark soil, and now you’re starting to push through and bloom. All the old things that might’ve weighed you down are no longer holding you back. You are new! God is making you shine with all His goodness and love. You might still face challenges, but you’re brand new in how you deal with them, like a fresh start, ready to show the world all your God-given beauty and strength!

Finally, let’s look at Revelation 21:5, it says, 

Revelation 21:5 – “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”

Here Jesus says, “I am making everything new.” 

This is at the very end of the Bible, when God is preparing a brand-new heaven and earth, where there will be no more tears, no more pain, and everything will be perfect. He’s telling us that, no matter how tough things get now, there’s an epic future ahead where all things are totally new.

This is like the ultimate spring. After all the cold, stormy, and sometimes messy seasons, everything will be refreshed, renewed, and made perfect. You know when the weather finally warms up and the flowers, the trees, and the whole world seem to burst with life?

God’s promising us that same kind of ultimate newness: a life full of joy, peace, and perfection. And the best part? You’re part of that promise—as God keeps working in your life now, it’s just a preview of whatʼs to come! 

So remember, Syd, no matter what’s going on, God’s making all things new in you—just like He promises in the Bible. So when you see flowers blooming, or the sun shining brighter, think of it as a little reminder that God is at work.

Alright, letʼs dive straight into question number two. This one comes straight out of Florida - she asks: "I have heard people say the term “audience of one,” but Iʼm not really sure what it means. Often, I hear it in a church setting or almost like “church jargon” like, “quiet time” or “born again.” Can you help me understand this “saying?”

Alright, let me offer you a basic definition or understanding of this term “audience of one” - because I think if you can “grasp” this… this will change the way you look at yourself—and the way you view social media, friends, and everything in between. 

Audience of one is this cool concept that basically means your worth, your value, and your happiness don’t come from the number of followers you have, the likes you get, or how many people are paying attention to you. It’s all about having Jesus as your audience—the only one whose opinion truly matters.

It’s about living for God’s approval only, and not the opinions of others. And here’s the thing—when we get stuck thinking everyone’s watching us, judging us, or caring about what we’re doing, we fall into what’s called the “spotlight effect” or “spotlight syndrome.” It’s that feeling like everyone’s eyes are on us, when in reality… they’re probably not.

So what does the Bible say about the "audience of one"?

In Colossians 3:23, it says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” 

This is one of the best reminders that when we’re living our lives—whether it’s at school, with friends, or on social media—we're not doing it for the approval of others. We’re doing it to honor God. When our focus is on Jesus, our “audience of one,” it means we’re living for His approval, and His approval is all we need. Isn’t that amazing?

Jesus also talked about how we should focus on His approval over man’s in Matthew 6:1-4, when He says, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them… When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” 

Here He’s reminding us that we don’t need to be constantly showing off for the crowd. We don’t need everyone to see every good thing we do. The point is, God sees, and that’s enough.

The truth is, when we begin to think that people are paying attention to us way more than they actually are that is the very moment that insecurities and self-consciousness starts to reign in our lives. I hate to break it to you, sis, but you live in the most narcissistic, self-absorbed generation that has ever existed. I promise you, theyʼre not fixated on you, theyʼre hyper-fixated on THEMSELVES! Insecure about who THEY are. 

So realize that. Because this mindset, thinking everyone is focused on us, actually makes it impossible to live for God, because we’re more concerned with what people think than what God thinks.

Colossians 3:23, the Bible says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” We’re called to do everything for God, not for the crowd.

When you stop worrying about what everyone thinks, you free yourself to live fully for Jesus.

Instead of trying to please everyone or be the most popular, you can focus on pleasing God.

When we shift our focus upward and remember that God sees us, that’s when true contentment comes.

Philippians 4:11 says, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” 

God’s opinion is the one that matters most, and when we live for Him, we find peace and joy that doesn’t depend on the world’s applause.

Girl, it’s so easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing—whether it’s following trends, getting all the comments, or trying to fit in with the “cool” crowd. But when we focus on living for God and His approval, we can start to walk in a way that’s authentic to who we are. You are unique, loved, and made by God with a purpose. And that’s more than enough.

In Galatians 1:10, Paul says, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” 

This is a reminder that our ultimate goal is not to please the crowd—it’s to honor God with everything we do. And guess what? When you’re living for Him, you’ll feel way more peace and confidence than when you’re living for the approval of others.

Contentment is one of the biggest blessings we can experience, and it’s something only Jesus can give. In Matthew 6:33, it says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” When we seek God first and make Him our focus, everything else falls into place. 

So, girl, let’s remember this: the “audience of one” is all about knowing that God’s opinion is the only one that truly matters. When you focus on pleasing Him and living for His approval, you’ll find a peace and contentment that nothing else in this world can offer. BOOM. 

I am committed to keeping these episodes under 20 minutes so weʼre going to close out with a shorter Q&A for question number three today. Abby wrote in last week and asked about Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus.

Which I thought was an astute observation, that Abby recognized that God was Jesusʼ ultimate father but that He too, had an earthly father, and that was Joseph.

She wondered why Joseph appeared so overlooked in the birth story of Jesus. Which again, is just a really brilliant observation.

To dig into this further, I went to the gospels, specifically, Matthew 1 and 2 to recapture the birth story at large, but we can also find mention of Joseph in the gospel of Luke - BUT, what I found, was that Abby was pretty largely correct.

Very little is mentioned about Josephʼs character in the Bible at the birth of Jesus but also then thereafter.

So I am going to highlight the few verses that we do see Joseph mentioned and weʼll touch on what we can takeaway from the life and impact of Jesusʼ earthly father.

While Joseph was largely in the background, his life does teach us some HUGE lessons about obedience, trust, and integrity!

First, in...Matthew 1:18-19 – Joseph’s First Response...

So, the first time we see Joseph is when he finds out Mary is pregnant. He’s probably feeling all sorts of emotions—surprised, confused, and maybe even a little hurt. But instead of acting out or doing something dramatic, Joseph chooses to handle it with kindness and respect.

He was going to quietly break up with Mary, but then the angel appears and tells him, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

Joseph’s reaction? Obedience. He didn’t hesitate—he trusted God’s plan, even when he didn’t fully understand it. This shows us that obedience isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about trusting God, even in the midst of confusion.

2. Matthew 1:24-25 – Joseph Takes Action

Once Joseph hears from the angel, he doesn’t wait around. He immediately takes Mary home to be his wife, and he names the baby Jesus just as he was told. That’s a lot of trust, right? He’s stepping into a HUGE role with barely any info, but he’s trusting God every step of the way.

This is a big moment of faithful action. Joseph is showing us that real faith isn’t just about believing—it’s about doing what God asks, even when it’s tough or confusing.

3. Matthew 2:13-15 – Joseph Protects His Family

Next, after Jesus is born, an angel warns Joseph in a dream about King Herod’s evil plan to hurt Jesus. What does Joseph do? He immediately gets up, takes Mary and Jesus, and flees to Egypt to protect them.

No hesitation. No second-guessing. He just goes into protection mode to keep his family safe.

This shows Joseph’s role as protector—and that he’s a guy who’s ready to take action when it matters most.

Even when things are scary or dangerous, he did whatever it took to protect Mary and Jesus.

4. Matthew 2:19-23 – Joseph Brings His Family Back

After Herod dies, Joseph gets another message from the angel, telling him it’s safe to return home. So, Joseph listens again, and he takes Mary and Jesus back to Israel. This shows Joseph’s role as a provider—guiding his family, making sure they are where they need to be, and taking care of them through every season.

Summary: Joseph’s Role

Joseph’s actions teach us about obedience and trust in God. Even when things didn’t make sense, he followed God’s directions with complete faith. His quick response to protect and provide for Mary and Jesus shows his integrity—he did what was right even when it was hard. And even though he was behind the scenes, Joseph was a steadfast father figure to Jesus.

The takeaway: You don’t have to be in the spotlight to make a big difference. Joseph’s quiet obedience, trust, protection, and integrity show us how to live faithfully in our own lives. Whether you’re leading, protecting, or doing the little things, it all matters. God sees you and loves you for it!

Alright you guys.

You are like seriously, the best.

Thanks for hanging out with me today—hey keep sharing, keep connecting, and keep those awesome questions coming! Hit me up on socials and let’s keep this journey going, I’m here for all of it!