That's Just What I Needed Podcast

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I catch myself making life harder than it needs to be, and I don’t even realize I’m doing it. In this episode, I walk through some very real, everyday habits that quietly add stress, overwhelm, and heaviness to our lives. The good news? We can change them. I’ll show you simple, practical shifts, grounded in truth, that help you move from overthinking to trusting, from striving to peace. If you’re feeling tired, stuck, or stretched thin, this conversation will help you breathe a little easier and take your next step forward. And remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode! Xo, Donna Key Takeaways 00:00:12 – Podcast Purpose: Encouragement for Everyday Faith 00:02:50 – Stop Overthinking and Start Trusting God 00:04:22 – Don’t Wait: Obedience Builds Confidence 00:06:40 – Comparison Is a Distraction from Your Calling 00:19:02 – Making Time for God Changes Everything What We Talk About The hidden habits that quietly make life harder Why overthinking feels productive but isn’t The difference between waiting and obeying How avoiding conversations creates mental clutter Why comparison is more harmful than we think The cost of people-pleasing and overcommitting Letting go of control and embracing trust The importance of basic rhythms like sleep and rest Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness How time with God changes everything Signature Teaching / Framework 11 Ways We Make Life Harder (and the Better Way Forward) Overthinking → Trust Waiting → Obeying Avoiding → Speaking Truth in Love Comparing → Staying Focused Saying Yes → Setting Boundaries Controlling → Releasing Ignoring Basics → Caring for Yourself Taking Things Personally → Extending Grace All-or-Nothing Thinking → Taking Imperfect Action Seeking Validation → Standing Secure Not Slowing Down / Not Asking for Help Not Spending Time with God → Living Connected Donna’s Resources: Order a copy of my latest book -  Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret.  It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon.  If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God. It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their confidence in their faith. Let’s Connect: Instagram: @donnaajones     Website: www.donnajones.org     Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

I wanted to sit down and talk with you like a friend today, because relationships can be the very best part of our lives… or the hardest. In this episode, I share what I’ve been teaching at my church about why unity matters so much—and how to actually experience it. We talk about the one attitude that changes everything (and it’s not what most people expect), how to handle the anxiety that comes with hard relationships, and how to stay grounded when things feel tense. If you’ve been struggling with conflict, distance, or frustration in a relationship, this episode will give you a simple, practical way forward. And remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode! Xo, Donna Key Takeaways [0:00:20] Unity as the Gateway to God’s Blessing  [0:07:32] Humility: The Foundation of Healthy Relationships  [0:12:47] What True Humility Looks Like in Practice  [0:23:19] Casting Relational Anxiety on God  [0:26:52] Recognizing the Real Enemy in Conflict  What We Talk About Why relationships shape the quality of your life Psalm 133 and the power of unity The difference between humility and humiliation How pride shows up in everyday relationships What to do with anxiety during conflict Recognizing the spiritual battle behind relationship tension Practical ways to respond instead of react 3 Biblical Keys to Healthy, Unified Relationships (from 1 Peter 5): Choose Humility Think about others, not just yourself Seek to understand, not just be understood Humility makes people feel cared for, not controlled Cast Your Anxieties on God Bring your relationship stress to Him Talk honestly with God about what you’re feeling Trust that He cares deeply about what you’re walking through Stay Spiritually Aware Not every thought is from God The enemy works to create division Pause, pray, and stand firm in truth Donna’s Resources: Order a copy of my latest book -  Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret.  It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon.  If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God. It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their confidence in their faith. Let’s Connect: Instagram: @donnaajones     Website: www.donnajones.org     Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you’re walking through something heavy right now—grief, disappointment, or just a season that feels hard—this conversation is for you.  Today, I’m talking with Kirby Kelly about what it really looks like to hold onto hope when life doesn’t make sense. We dive into the power of lament, why your emotions matter to God, and how to anchor your hope in something deeper than your circumstances. Kirby shares her personal story and gives us practical ways to shift our perspective and trust God in the middle of it all. If you need encouragement today, this one is for you! And remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode! Xo, Donna Key Takeaways [0:01:04] Introducing Guest Author Kirby Kelly [0:04:12] From Family Chaos to Grieving with Hope [0:09:54] Lament as a Pathway to Hope [0:14:56] Four Pillars of Biblical Hope The 4 Pillars of Hope: God’s Promises Cling to what He has already spoken—especially through Scripture God’s Patterns Look back and remember how He has been faithful before God’s Personhood Anchor yourself in who God is—not what you’re feeling God’s Presence You are never walking through anything alone.   Donna’s Resources: Order a copy of my latest book -  Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret.    It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon.    If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.   It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their confidence in their faith. Connect with Kirby:Website: kirby-kelly.com YouTube: @kirbyisaboss Instagram: @kirbyisaboss  Podcast: Bought + Beloved   Let’s Connect: Instagram: @donnaajones     Website: www.donnajones.org     Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Hey friend, If you’ve ever wondered how to teach your kids about God in a way that actually sticks, this episode is for you.  On today’s episode, I sit down with Amanda K. Jass about how to make faith simple, engaging, and meaningful for kids without it feeling like a checklist.  We dive into:   Why your story matters  How to have deeper conversations with your kids  How spiritual growth often happens for us as parents right alongside them.  This conversation will encourage you, equip you, and remind you that you don’t have to do this perfectly; you just have to start.  Trust me, this one will meet you right where you are. And remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode! Xo, Donna   Key Takeaways[0:03:03] A Winding Road into Kids’ Ministry and Writing [0:05:56] Childhood Sparks as Clues to Your Calling [0:12:19] A Storm, a Forest, and a 30-Day Faith Adventure [0:18:20] Turning Bedtime Stories into Heart-Level Conversations [0:22:37] Making Space for Kids’ Big Questions About God Donna’s Resources: Order a copy of my latest book -  Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret.  It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon.    If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God. It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their confidence in their faith.   Connect with Amanda  Adventures in the Friendly Forest by Amanda K. Jass Amanda’s website: amandakjass.com Follow Amanda on Instagram: @amandakjass Let’s Connect: Instagram: @donnaajones     Website: www.donnajones.org     Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, I talk with Cara Shine about her powerful journey from growing up Jewish with painful misconceptions about Christians to encountering the love of Jesus through the quiet faithfulness of two “good Christians” at her school. During the terrifying DC sniper attacks, one hallway prayer changed everything.  Cara shares how kindness, presence, and Scripture softened her heart and opened the door to faith in Jesus. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that the way we represent Christ matters deeply. If you’ve ever wondered whether your quiet faithfulness makes a difference, this episode will encourage you more than you know. I’d love to have you join me at Encounter, a half-day retreat on Saturday, March 21st, at 9 AM at Crossline Church. It’s open to the public, and I would love the chance to meet you there. You can find all the details at  crosslinechurch.com/events  And remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode! Xo, Donna   Key Takeaways[0:03:16] Jewish Girl on a Christian School Bus: Wounds That Last [0:06:00] From Terror to Trust: DC Snipers and a School Full of “Good Christians.” [0:14:12] The Hallway Prayer: One Moment, One Prayer, Total Peace [0:20:12] Walking into Church for the First Time: “Welcome Everyone” Changes Everything [0:31:39] “Here I Am” and What Good Christians Actually Do   Donna’s Resources: Order a copy of my latest book -  Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret.    It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon.    If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God. It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their confidence in their faith. Connect with Cara Shine Website: CaraShine.com Instagram: @carashineauthor You can order The Hallway Miracle on Amazon or through your favorite local bookstore.Be sure to sign up for her weekly emails too—they’re a beautiful source of encouragement and spiritual direction. Connect with Donna  Instagram: @donnaajones       Website: www.donnajones.org     Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.