“You don’t know God,” the elder leaned forward and said to me. He knew I was preparing to divorce my emotionally abusive husband. My body began to tremble. My voice shook. I realized later that he was right. His god was vindictive and cruel, like a mythological Zeus. The God I know — deeply, intimately, since I was a child — is gentle and kind and leads me away from fear and control. That was the first church meeting I ever walked out of. And the last one I ever had with those elders. It’s also when I realized that I could fly free. So can you. In this episode with licensed marriage and family therapist Naomi Norton, we discuss: - 11 dominant fears the Christian community uses to influence (CONTROL) women - Why being connected to the physical (your body, emotions) is so important - How to prioritize, process, and honor fear - What the church usually says about fear (and why their perspective is SO DANGEROUS) - How being aware of fear (the types, the ways they surface) can HELP US PROTECT ourselves - Why moving toward fear is often NOT a good or godly response - The reason you love God but you’re afraid of him (and how to get rid of that fear) - How to respond to people (often church people) who USE FEAR TO CONTROL US Listen or download the transcript at flyingfreenow.com/194 FREE: I'll send you the first chapter of my book, Is It Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage. Just hop on my mailing list at flyingfreesisterhood.com/free-download. (I will NEVER spam you or sell your information.) Desperate for real help and safe people who understand what you're going through? Find out about my online education and support program for women of faith at joinflyingfree.com And, if you are an already divorced Christian woman who wants to take back her life and get healthy, have amazing relationships, build a business or career, or even find a good man - check out joinflyinghigher.com