Growing Through It

Lyla Anne

Welcome to Growing Through It! I’m your host, Lyla Anne, and this is a space to talk about Jesus, real life, and who we’re becoming as we walk with Him.

I’ve learned that faith isn’t a destination we arrive at once we’ve gotten our lives together. It’s a lifelong journey of learning and unlearning. Trusting and surrendering. Falling down and getting back up. Asking hard questions and choosing God again and again.

There will be seasons when your faith feels strong and beautiful, and others when you’re holding onto God with everything you have. Sometimes, we’re quite literally just going through it.

But I promise, you don’t have to go through it alone. I don’t have all the answers, but thankfully, we serve a God who does. A God who is faithful, good, and loves you so much.

So come as you are. Whether you’re new to faith or have been walking with Jesus for years, we’re keeping our eyes on Him, grounding ourselves in His Word, and becoming more like Him every day. I promise He’s worth it!

Let’s grow through it, together.

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S4 · E3
Friday · 48 min
Is God Actually Asking You to Do This?
Have you ever watched another Christian say, “God told me to stop doing this” or “God convicted me to start doing that” and immediately thought… wait, am I supposed to be doing that too? Because same. Sometimes it feels like everyone has a different answer for what being a “good Christian” is supposed to look like. Should I delete social media? Stop listening to certain music? Wake up at 5 a.m. to spend time with God? Fast for a certain amount of time? And suddenly you’re wondering if you’re doing something wrong. In this episode, we’re talking about personal convictions, how to discern God’s voice, and how to know if something is actually from God or if it’s anxiety, fear, or your own thoughts. We’ll talk about the difference between biblical commands and personal convictions, Christian freedom, and why someone else’s obedience doesn’t automatically become yours. If you’ve ever looked at another Christian’s relationship with God and wondered, “Should my walk with God look like that too?” this episode is for you. Scripture Mentioned: Proverbs 31 • Ezra 8:21–23 • Nehemiah 2:7–9 • Nehemiah 4:9 • Nehemiah 4:16–18 • Nehemiah 4:20 • Psalm 139:13–14 • Proverbs 14:12 • Proverbs 3:5–6 • Romans 14 • Romans 14:5 • Romans 14:12 • Romans 9:1 • Galatians 5:22–23 • Romans 3:23 • Matthew 7:3–5 • James 1:5 • Proverbs 9:10 • Matthew 22:37–39 • Matthew 28:19 20 • Exodus 4:10–13 • Luke 22:42–44 • Luke 9:23 • Matthew 5:44 • Matthew 6:33 instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S4 · E2
September 11 · 46 min
How to Read Your Bible When You’re Confused, Bored, or Inconsistent
This episode is for my girls who are struggling to read their Bible. Maybe you open your Bible and you’re like… what is even going on?? Maybe you WANT to be consistent but somehow you keep forgetting. Or maybe you’re reading it, but if we’re being so real, you’re just….bored. I have been every single one of these girls. For the longest time I felt like I was bad at reading the Bible because I genuinely did not understand what I was reading. And then I would see other girls with their beautiful highlighted Bibles getting all these revelations and I’m like… am I missing something? So today, I’m sharing what has helped me. No perfect Bible study routine, no crazy highlighting system, and definitely no pretending I’m a Bible scholar. Just practical things that have helped me understand God’s Word, stay consistent, and actually get excited about reading it. If you’ve been wanting to get into your Word but you feel intimidated, lost, bored, inconsistent, overwhelmed, or you literally just don’t know where to start, that’s ok! Let’s start together! I love y’all and I’m so excited for you to fall in love with the Word of God! Scripture Mentioned: 2 Timothy 3:16–17 • Luke 24:27 • John 5:39 • 2 Peter 3:16 • Acts 8:30–31 • Psalm 23:4 • James 1:22 • Ephesians 2:8–10 • Ephesians 6:17 Original Language Word Study: https://www.stepbible.org/ instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S4 · E1
September 4 · 49 min
When You Feel Far From God (And Don’t Know Why)
You still love God, so why does He feel distant? Why do you feel far from Him? Life gets busy. You’re constantly thinking or worrying about the future, what’s next, your finances, relationships, plans, things you’re excited about, things you’re scared about… and somewhere in the middle of all of it, things with God just start to feel different. That’s what happened to me. I love God. I wanted to be close to Him. But, I found myself asking, “God, why do I feel so distracted? Why does it feel harder to hear You?” And of course, He checked me (with love). He brought me back to the Parable of the Sower and showed me something in the thorny soil that I had read so many times but never really understood. So today, we’re talking about the things that quietly take up space in our hearts: worry, money, our plans, our desires, and even really good things and how, without realizing it, life can get so loud that there’s barely any room left for God. If you’ve been feeling this too, you’re not alone friend. PS: Welcome to Season 4! I’ve missed you so so much!! Bible Verses Mentioned: Matthew 13 • Luke 8:14 • 2 Timothy 1:7 • Matthew 6:24 • Hebrews 12:1 • Luke 10:38–42 • Galatians 5:22–23 • John 15:4 • Jeremiah 4:3 instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S3 · E12
April 24 · 40 min
How to Wait on God Without Taking Control
Some of us feel like we’re “waiting on God”… but if we’re honest, we’re also trying to help Him make sure that dream happens. You’re watching people get the job, the house, the engagement, the marriage, or the very thing you felt like God promised you, while your own life feels slow, unclear, or like it’s not moving at all. So you start thinking maybe you need to do more, say more, fix more, plan better, be better. Maybe if you send the text. Maybe if you don’t miss the opportunity. Maybe if you just try a little harder… things will finally fall into place. And on the outside, it looks like you’re being proactive, but on the inside, it feels like pressure… like if you don’t hold it all together, it might not happen. I’ve been there too. In this episode, we’re talking about control and the difference between waiting and interfering, and how control can secretly take over even when you genuinely love God and want to trust Him. Because surrender isn’t just about what we say, it’s about what we do when nothing is happening, when the timeline doesn’t make sense, and when everyone else seems to be moving ahead. If you’ve been feeling behind, anxious about your future, or like you have to make something happen before it’s “too late”… this is for you. Because surrendering it to Him is always better. Scripture Mentioned Proverbs 3:5 • Genesis (Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph references) • James 4:17 • Proverbs 29:25 • Isaiah 40:31 • 1 John 4:1 • Habakkuk 2:3 • Psalm 37:4 • Hebrews 12 • Genesis 50:20 instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S3 · E11
March 27 · 46 min
Letting Go of What’s Between You and God | When Your Heart Is Divided
Be honest… is there something getting in the way of your relationship with God? You love Him. You care about your faith. But deep down, you know if this one thing or maybe even a few things weren’t there… you wouldn’t feel so distracted. I found myself there too. Where little things were quietly creating distance where there could have been intimacy and I didn’t even realize it at first. Because how do we know? Sometimes it just blends into our everyday lives. It feels normal. It doesn’t look like something “big”… but it still has a hold on our heart. And we feel the distance, even if we can’t explain it. In this episode, we’re talking about the “secret” high places, the things that are hard to name but are everywhere and the heart issue that allows them to stay. And how to finally start letting them go so nothing is sitting where only God is meant to be. Scripture Mentioned: Deuteronomy 6:5 • Hosea 10:2 • Deuteronomy 12:3 • Romans 13:14 • Psalm 86:11 • Psalm 139:23–24 • Ezekiel 36:26 • 1 Kings • 2 Kings instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S3 · E10
March 6 · 34 min
Leaving Survival Mode | How God Can Make You Soft Again
I think a lot of women secretly want their softness back. We want to feel gentle again. We want to feel safe enough to be feminine, to be warm. But somewhere along the way, life taught us that softness isn’t safe. So we built walls. We learned how to protect ourselves. We became “the strong one.” And sometimes that strength was necessary. Sometimes it helped us survive. But if we’re honest… a lot of us are tired of it. In this episode, I want to talk about the tension so many women feel between strength and softness. What biblical femininity actually looks like, why the world slowly hardens our hearts, and how God becomes the place where we can finally lay our weapons down. Because true femininity isn’t weakness. Gentleness isn’t fragility. And softness isn’t something you have to earn from the world. God is the place where our hearts learn how to soften again. Where we can be “just a girl” with a father who loves us. Scripture Mentioned: Matthew 24:12 • Proverbs 4:23 • Matthew 11:29 • Ezekiel 36:26 • 2 Corinthians 12:9 • Ephesians 6:11–17 • 2 Timothy 1:7 • John 14:27 • 2 Corinthians 10:5 • Philippians 4:8 • Matthew 5:44 • Micah 6:8 • Matthew 5:8 • 2 Corinthians 5:17 instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S3 · E9
February 27 · 38 min
How to Keep Hope in a Dark World
Lately I’ve felt a heaviness that’s hard to explain. Are you guys feeling it too? Not just regular sadness, something deeper. Like my eyes have been opened to how much darkness there really is in the world. And if I’m honest, it made me feel overwhelmed… and even angry. The kind of anger that makes you want to call everything out. But somewhere in that, I realized my heart was starting to feel hard and that scared me. Because I never want to look more like the world than I look like Jesus. God has taken me through such a deep spiritual journey recently, and this episode is really just me speaking from that place. No perfect outline, no polished message just me trying to process what God has been showing me with you guys. I talk about what it feels like to see darkness clearly without losing hope… how reading the Old Testament made me realize evil never really stopped… and how God met me in a moment where I honestly felt exhausted and asked Him what the point of all of this even is. And instead of pressure, like always, He met me with gentleness. This episode is about learning how to hold righteous anger without letting it turn into sin… how to discern truth and remain hopeful… and how to stay like Christ in a world that can feel harsh and confusing. Because following Jesus right now can feel complicated. The lines feel blurred. There are so many voices telling us what is right and wrong. And sometimes it feels easier to become hardened than to stay loving. But Jesus didn’t call us to perform righteousness, He called us to abide in Him. This is not a fear message. It’s not a “Jesus is coming tomorrow” message. It’s just a reminder that we are not fighting for victory, we are living from it. Jesus has already overcome the world. And even when everything feels heavy and confusing… He is still gentle with the weary. So if you’ve been feeling spiritually tired… overwhelmed by the world… or unsure how to follow Jesus without losing your heart in the process, you’re not alone. I promise you’re not. Love you guys!! John 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Scripture Mentioned: 1 Peter 5:8 • 2 Corinthians 11:14 • John 16:33 • Romans 8:1 • Ephesians 2:8–9 • Matthew 22:37–39 • Galatians 5:22–23 • Matthew 5:44 • Matthew 9:10–13 • Ephesians 4:26 • Matthew 11:28 • John 14:26–27 • Romans 8:26 • Hosea 6:6 • John 15:5 • Matthew 24:36 • James 1:27 • John 1:5 • Revelation 21:4 • Philippians 1:6 instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S3 · E8
January 16 · 27 min
It’s Time to Do the Thing God Asked You to Do, Even If You’re Scared
You’ve been avoiding that thing. Maybe it’s one thing. Maybe it’s a few. But deep down… you know exactly what this episode is about. For so long, I believed I had to wait for peace before I moved, before I started something, ended something, or took the next step God was asking of me. I thought peace was the sign. The confirmation. The green light. But Scripture tells a different story. In this episode, we’re talking about why God doesn’t always give peace before obedience and why waiting for the “right feeling” might be the very thing keeping you stuck. We’ll walk through what the Bible actually shows us about faith, obedience, fear and how God so often meets us after the yes, not before it. If you’ve been scared… unsure… anxious… or procrastinating until you feel ready, this conversation is for you. Obedience doesn’t require confidence. It doesn’t require certainty. And it doesn’t require all the right emotions. It only requires trust. Trust in Him. “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” — Luke 11:28 Scripture Mentioned: Luke 11:28 · Matthew 26:36–46 · Luke 22:39–46 · Genesis 12:1–4 · Joshua 3 · Matthew 14:22–33 · Deuteronomy 20:8 · John 10:27 · Matthew 4:1–11 · 2 Corinthians 5:7 · Romans 8:28 · John 14:15 · Matthew 6:11 · Matthew 22:37–39 Special Note: After recording this episode and sitting with God a little longer, there were a few things He kept putting on my heart that I wanted to add here and will talk about so much more in the future. Obedience isn’t only something we push through when it’s hard. Over time, it actually can become something we delight in, because it draws us closer to God. “I delight to do your will, O my God” (Psalm 40:8). I know I’m learning this so much right now. Obedience and disobedience also doesn’t just affect us. It impacts the people around us in ways we may never fully see. The way we live, love, and follow God can point others back to Him (Matthew 5:16). Something else I’m learning is that obedience isn’t something we’re meant to put off forever. Tomorrow isn’t promised. “You do not know what tomorrow will bring” (James 4:14). Sometimes when God asks us to move, there’s an urgency to it, not out of fear, but out of love. And lastly, because you guys know I never want to sell you a prosperity gospel, being obedient doesn’t mean everything will go well or feel easy. Some of my most obedient moments actually led me into the hardest seasons of my life. Obedience isn’t a guarantee of comfort. Jesus Himself obeyed the Father and still walked through suffering (Matthew 26:36–46). But God promises He will be with us. “I will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). If this episode stirred something in you, keep bringing it to God. He sees your heart, He’s patient with you, and He will meet you as you walk with Him. 🤍 Love you guys!! instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S3 · E7
January 9 · 34 min
How to Lock In With God This Year (And for a Lifetime)
A lot of us are “locking in” this year, but what does that actually look like with God? Especially when faith doesn’t feel intense anymore… when you’re still showing up, but you don’t always feel God the way everyone else says they do. Every New Year, we hear messages that fire us up: “reset your faith”, “get back on track”, “go harder this time” but so often they don’t give us the tools to actually stay with God once the excitement fades. This episode is about something deeper than motivation. I talk about what happens when faith shifts from feelings to knowing. When the spiritual highs fade and Jesus invites you into something quieter, steadier, and more secure. If you’ve been wondering whether you lost your fire or outgrew it, this conversation might bring a lot of peace. This is about letting this be the year and the way you live the rest of your life where you and God stop going back and forth. Where your faith isn’t dependent on how you feel, but rooted in who He is. Quiet doesn’t always mean distant. Sometimes it means you’re close enough to hear His voice. Scriptures Mentioned Hebrews 5:12-14 • 1 Kings 19:9-12 instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S3 · E6
Dec 17, 2025 · 45 min
Trusting God in the In-Between | Becoming While You Wait
This episode is for the girl who’s becoming, but still surrounded by the things that shaped her wounds. The one who feels caught in the in-between season, the waiting season, where you’re no longer who you used to be, but you’re still not who you’re praying to become. It’s for the one who loves God, wants to heal, and is trying to grow, yet keeps finding herself triggered by the same family dynamics, the same emotions, the same questions. It’s about that quiet fear that whispers, “If God is really working, why does this still hurt?” And the ache of becoming in public, without the space to fall apart quietly or figure things out unseen. In this episode, I share how God met me right there, not after the healing, but inside the tension and gently reminded me that becoming often feels like breaking long before it ever feels like growth. If you feel exposed, unfinished, and tired of being strong, you’re not alone. God sees you. Scriptures Mentioned Isaiah 43:19 · Genesis 16:13 · Ezekiel 37 · Philippians 3:13 · Isaiah 61:3 instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S3 · E5
Oct 29, 2025 · 58 min
Honest Girl Chat | Lust Struggles, Stubborn Crushes, Waiting Seasons, Sharing Jesus with Family + More
We’re back with another honest girl chat episode! We’re talking about all the things we usually keep to ourselves: lust struggles, stubborn crushes, faith burnout, perfectionism, figuring out God’s will, and even how to share the Gospel with family who might not understand your faith. Lots of real talk about loving Jesus while still figuring life out, walking by the Spirit when your flesh feels louder and so much more! Can’t wait to catch up with you guys!! Scriptures Mentioned Ephesians 2:8–9 • Proverbs 3:5–6 • Galatians 5:16–17 • Romans 8:5–6 • 1 Corinthians 6:18–20 • Matthew 7:16 • John 15:5 • Philippians 4:8 • Isaiah 55:8–9 • Matthew 5:16 instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S3 · E4
Oct 22, 2025 · 50 min
For the Christian Who’s Trying So Hard to Be Perfect
If you’ve ever felt like you’re not doing enough for God, like no matter how much you pray, serve, or show up, it’s still never enough… this episode is for you. We talk about that quiet pressure so many of us carry as Christians. The pressure to perform, to be “good,” to never fall short. Everyone online makes it look so easy… their routines, their faith, their peace and you start wondering, What am I missing? Why do I feel exhausted? But what if God isn’t asking for perfection? What if He’s asking for presence? In this episode, we unpack what it really means when Scripture says, “to obey is better than sacrifice.” We talk about fear, people-pleasing, burnout, and why God values mercy over performance. This isn’t about doing more, it’s about drawing closer.Because you’re not a bad Christian. You’re just tired.And maybe… God’s been waiting for you to rest. Scriptures Mentioned 1 Samuel 15:22–23 · 1 Samuel 15:24 · Hosea 6:6 · Matthew 9:9–13 · Matthew 12:1–8 · Micah 6:6–8 · Psalm 51:16–17 · Isaiah 1:11–17 · Romans 12:1 · James 1:27 · Matthew 15:8 · John 13:35 · Luke 10:38–42 instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S3 · E3
Oct 17, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Why Am I So Angry?
Everyone gets angry. We all see and go through things that frustrate us or make our blood boil. But, even if you don’t think you have “anger issues,” it’s still easy to let anger lead you into sin. In today’s episode, Drew joins me to talk honestly about our own battles with anger. What it looked like before Christ, how it still shows up now, and what the Bible really says about how to be slow to anger. We’re diving into real stories, real struggles, and the truth that God’s Word gives us to help control our anger before it controls us. Let’s learn how to honor God with our emotions, not be ruled by them. Scripture Mentioned: James 1:19–20 • Proverbs 14:29 • Proverbs 29:11 • Exodus 34:6 • Psalm 103:8 • Ecclesiastes 7:9 • Proverbs 15:18 • Matthew 5:22 • Ephesians 4:26–27 • Colossians 3:8 • Proverbs 15:1 • Galatians 5:22–23 • Matthew 5:38–48 instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S3 · E2
Oct 1, 2025 · 27 min
When Following Jesus Gets Lonely | Being Set Apart
Have you ever felt like following Jesus makes you the “weird one” in the room? Like you’re left out of family gatherings, friend groups, or opportunities because of your faith? I’ve been there too. While reading the Old Testament, I kept coming back to the Levites, the tribe God set apart to serve Him. They didn’t get land like everyone else, but God Himself was their portion. From the outside, it may have looked like they were missing out, but in reality, they had the greatest gift of all: closeness with God. In this episode, we’ll talk about what that means for us today. The same presence that once rested on the Levites now lives in us through the Holy Spirit. So if you’ve been feeling lonely, misunderstood, or left out because of your faith, remember this: you’re not rejected, you’re chosen. You’re not cast out, you’re set apart. Scripture: Deuteronomy 10:8–9 · 2 Samuel 6:6–7 · 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 · Galatians 6:2 · Numbers 1–2 · Leviticus 16 instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S3 · E1
Sep 24, 2025 · 29 min
Feeling Far from God? The Key to Staying Close
Feeling far from God lately? Maybe you’ve been distracted, maybe life feels heavy, or maybe you’ve just quietly drifted without even realizing it. This episode is a reminder that the same God who brought Israel out of Egypt is the same God who’s brought you out of your own Egypt….your heartbreak, your past maybe even just your old self. Forgetting Him is what pulls us further away, but remembering what He’s already done shifts everything. In this conversation, I talk about why we so easily drift from God and how to come back, what “fear of the Lord” really means (spoiler: it’s not about being scared), and how living in daily awareness of His presence changes us. If you’ve been feeling distant, this is for you. Come remember the God who never stopped pursuing you. Welcome to Season 3! I’ve missed you guys so much!! James 4:17, Deuteronomy 6:10–12, Proverbs 9:10, Exodus 20:20, Proverbs 14:26–27 instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S2 · E14
Jul 18, 2025 · 43 min
How to Stop Wasting Your Life
“I feel like I’m wasting my life.” If you’ve ever said that to yourself while scrolling, procrastinating, numbing out, or crying in secret, this episode is for you. It’s for the person who cries on their birthday because she feels like another year passed them by. For the dreamer who has a million ideas in their heart but feels too scared to take the first step. For the one who’s tired of feeling stuck: spiritually, emotionally, mentally and doesn’t know how to move forward. I know what it’s like to pray for a breakthrough, but refuse to move. To watch everyone else live the life you were called to live. This is the episode I wish I had when I was at my lowest. When I thought I had to wait for motivation instead of choosing obedience. When I forgot that God doesn’t just want to bless me, He wants to partner with me. If you're tired of living on autopilot, shrinking back, hiding your gifts, or wondering if you’ve missed your moment... it’s time to show up. Not perfect. Just present. You’re not alone. And it’s not too late. Scriptures: James 2:17 · Philippians 2:12–13 · Isaiah 6:8 · Matthew 25:25–26 · 2 Corinthians 5:17 · Psalm 73:25–26 instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S2 · E13
Jul 4, 2025 · 49 min
Fasting | The Practice That Can Shift Your Faith
Fasting. It’s something we’ve all heard about… but I wonder how many of us truly understand it or have actually stepped into it? The beautiful thing is, fasting isn’t just for “super spiritual” people or moments of crisis. It’s for all of us. Jesus said when you fast, not if. Fasting is one of the most powerful ways to draw close to God, hear His voice, and let Him work in your life in ways you didn’t expect.In this episode, I share what biblical fasting really is (and isn’t), how to start, and how it’s changed my walk with Jesus. I pray it encourages you to try, even if it just starts as one day, God will meet you there. instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S2 · E12
Jun 27, 2025 · 43 min
When God Doesn't Take the Pain Away
This one’s personal. I’ve been asked how I healed from childhood trauma and the truth is, I’m still healing. I haven’t “arrived,” and maybe I never fully will this side of Heaven. But what I’ve learned is this: God doesn’t wait for us to be whole to walk with us. He meets us in the wound. In this episode, I open up about what it looks like to follow Jesus while still bleeding. I talk about the thorn in my side, how God’s word taught me to lament, and the power of being honest with God when life still hurts. If you’ve ever felt like you had to be “over it” to be used by God, I pray this reminds you: you don’t have to be healed to be held. God sees you, He’s with you, and He will get the glory, even through your thorn. instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S2 · E11
Apr 25, 2025 · 34 min
Healing the Fear of Being Disliked
Have you ever said "yes" when everything in you was saying "no" just because you were scared of disappointing someone, scared of not being liked? Same. And honestly... it’s exhausting. Today, we’re getting real about people-pleasing and how, for so long, we labeled it as "kindness" or "love," when really, it was fear wearing a mask. Fear of rejection. Fear of not being enough. But here’s the hope: Jesus never called us to live for approval, He called us to live in freedom. In this episode, we’re talking about how Jesus set the precedent: obedience over being liked. And how learning to walk in that truth changes everything. If you’re tired of living for everyone else’s opinions… this one’s for you. instagram.com/growingthrough.pod
S2 · E10
Apr 18, 2025 · 7 min
A Love That Came Close
This one’s a little different. It’s not a typical episode… it’s more of a pause. I really felt the Holy Spirit tugging on me to just stop and remember what Jesus did. Not just on Good Friday, but every day — because this story is still changing lives. This episode is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and sit with the love of a God who didn’t stay distant, but stepped into our mess. Who chose the cross — not because He had to, but because He wanted to. It’s not just a story about pain. It’s a love story. And it’s for you. Whenever you’re listening — today, next week, or months from now, this is your reminder: He came close. He stayed. And He’s not finished yet. instagram.com/growingthrough.pod

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