The Christian Habits Podcast

Do you struggle to do hard things—even when you know they're important? Do you procrastinate because a project feels overwhelming, or feel like giving up when you hit an obstacle? Maybe you've tried to break a habit or make a change in your life countless times, and you're beginning to wonder if you can actually do it.

In this episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, we'll talk about five biblical and practical steps for doing hard things when you feel like you can't. We'll look at how breaking things into smaller steps, changing our expectations, expecting ob...

Do you ever look at someone else's life and think, "If only I had what they have, I'd be happy"?

Comparison can quietly steal your joy and leave you feeling dissatisfied with the life God has given you. In this episode, we'll look at the lie behind comparison and seven biblical ways to renew your mind so you can find contentment, gratitude, and joy in Christ.

In this episode you'll learn:

Do you keep reaching for your phone... or the pantry... even when you don't really want to?

In this video, I'll share three biblical strategies that can help you break free from unhealthy food and phone habits. We'll talk about why these habits are so difficult to overcome today, how to make temptation easier to resist, and why lasting change happens as God renews our minds.

Do you ever feel like you can't relax until you get caught up? Maybe you're looking at a long to-do list, unfinished projects, family responsibilities, or upcoming events and thinking, If I could just get everything done, then I could relax.

But what if peace doesn't come from getting caught up? What if it comes from walking with God in the middle of all the unfinished tasks?

 In this episode, we'll look at the lie, "I'll have peace when I finally get caught up." We'll look at the practical and spiritual truth for the lie, a...

Worry can feel impossible to overcome because we can't control the things we're worried about. In this video, I'll share three renewing-the-mind techniques I use when anxiety, fear, and worry keep circling through my thoughts.

I include examples for how to stop worrying about your kids, your decisions, and what's happening in the world.

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night, worrying about someone or something? Do you replay worst-case scenarios over and over again, trying to figure everything out so you can finally feel at peace? Or maybe your worry doesn't always feel dramatic—but instead shows up as low-grade stress that drives you to your phone, food, busyness, or distraction. In this episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, we'll discuss 5 things you can do when you can't stop worrying. 

Have you ever had something you were really looking forward to… and it just didn't turn out the way you hoped? In this podcast and video, I share a simple, biblical way to respond when life doesn't live up to expectations—so you can move from disappointment to peace.

Have you ever wondered:

"I've been a Christian for years… why am I still struggling with this?"

Maybe there's a habit you can't seem to break. Or an emotion that keeps showing up—anxiety, anger, insecurity, envy, or discouragement.

Many of us want to change, but we're not sure how. And sometimes we even know how to renew our minds—but we can't seem to make ourselves do it consistently.

In this short episode, I introduce a brand new 4-part YouTube series called How to Renew Your Mind So You Can Actual...

What if clutter isn't just about having too much stuff—but about what's quietly pulling us away from the things that matter most to us? In today's episode, I visit with Joshua Becker, bestselling author and founder of Becoming Minimalist,  about how clutter affects our lives and our faith.

We explore why change feels so hard, how clutter quietly distracts us from spiritual growth, and why Jesus' teachings on possessions are an invitation—not a burden.

If you've ever felt stuck, distracted, or weighed down by "too much"—this conversation you and give you practical next step

Do you ever feel like you're trying to love someone well—but it doesn't seem to be working? Maybe you're putting in effort, but the other person still feels distant, unappreciated, or unexcited about the relationship. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Gary Chapman about why that happens, how love languages go deeper than we often realize, and what actually helps people feel truly loved. Gary gives practical advice for improving all types of relationships.

Have you ever felt like change just isn't possible for you?

In this episode, we talk about the lie "I'll never change"—why it feels so true, where it comes from, and what the Bible says instead. We'll explore how God brings transformation gradually, why slow progress still matters, and how to stay hopeful when growth feels frustrating.

This episode is for anyone who's tired of trying, discouraged by past failure, or quietly wondering if this is just how life will always be.

You'll also have a change to renew your mind about th...

Every January, we feel it: fresh starts, new motivation, and the quiet confidence that this year will be different. We make lists, set goals, and imagine a better version of ourselves waiting just around the corner.

And yet, for many of us, a few weeks or months later, we’re right back where we started—discouraged, frustrated, and wondering why change feels so hard.

If you’ve ever told yourself “This year will be different” and then watched nothing really change, this post is for you.

Where the Belief ‘This Year Will Be’ Dif...

If you've ever started a new year full of hope only to feel discouraged weeks later, this episode is for you. We unpack the belief "this year will be different," why it usually doesn't work, and what actually helps change stick. You'll hear practical ideas, spiritual perspective, and encouragement for taking a slower, wiser, and more grace-filled approach to your goals this year.

Full show notes and links at barbraveling.com.

A couple of months ago, I sent out a survey asking which lies people struggle with the most—today’s lie came in #1: “It shouldn’t be this hard to change.”  The next two? “I’ll never change” and “I can’t do this anyway, so why bother?”

What’s interesting is that those second two lies come after repeated failure. But today’s lie—“It shouldn’t be this hard to change”—actually causes the failure.

Why? Because if we believe change should be easy, we won’t put in the work required for real transformation. Let’s dig into thi...

If you've ever thought "it shouldn't be this hard to change," this episode will encourage you. In today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, we'll look at where this lie comes from, why real change feels so difficult, and what the Bible says about transformation. I'll also walk you through practical questions you can use to renew your mind and find hope in your struggle.

Do you ever feel like your desires are calling the shots in your daily decisions? In this episode, we tackle the lie: "I want this… so I should have it." We'll look at why desire can't be your decision-maker, how culture feeds this mindset, and what Scripture says about living by design instead of impulse. As you listen, you'll have a chance to renew your mind and learn practical ways to say no to the habits that keep pulling you off track.

Have you ever noticed how quickly a desire turns into a justification?

That looks good—so I should eat it.
That sounds fun—so I should do it.
I feel like it—so why not?

This lie shows up everywhere, especially in the habits we struggle with: overeating, overspending, over-scrolling, overworking… basically anything where desire takes the wheel and drives us somewhere we later regret.

Often people tell me, “I don’t know what I’m thinking. I can’t pinpoint the lie I’m believing.” This makes it hard to truth journa...

Have you ever wondered how to study the Bible in a way that actually feels approachable—and even enjoyable? In this episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, I had the joy of sitting down with Ellen Krause, Ashley Armijo, and Taylor Mitchell—the inspiring mother-daughter team behind the Coffee and Bible Time ministry—to talk about their new book, The Easy Bible Study Method.

These three women are passionate about helping others connect with God through Scripture in a simple, grace-filled way. Whether you’re brand new to Bible study or have struggled with consistency, this con...

Do you ever set goals and fail to reach them? I used to do that all the time. The only goals I completed each year were my recreation goals! Over the years, though, I’ve learned some tips to help me be more successful with reaching goals. On today’s podcast, we’ll discuss ten tips about how to achieve your goals this year. I’ve asked my friend and fellow podcaster and writer, Dr. Melanie Wilson, to help me with this podcast as she is the master at completing goals!

What We Discussed on the Podc...

Do you ever set goals and fail to reach them? On today's podcast, we'll discuss ten tips to help you achieve your goals. I've asked my friend and fellow podcaster/author, Dr. Melanie Wilson, to help me with this episode as she is the master at completing goals!

I also share about my new course on how to overcome procrastination. You can find out more about that here: How to Stop Procrastinating Course. 

Tips to Help You Achieve Your Goals

Do you ever feel like you’ll never get caught up? I know that feeling because I’ve struggled with procrastination for most of my life. Here’s what I’ve discovered: it’s a two-fold process to break free. First, we need to renew our minds and change the way we think so we actually want to do our dreaded tasks. And second, we need to learn practical strategies and time management tools to help us get caught up. I talk about both in my new course, How to Stop Procrastinating, but today I want to share something that’s oft...

Feel like you’ll never get caught up? I used to feel that way. Either I had a million things to do and wasn’t doing any of them, or I was busy with all the easy tasks and ignoring the big ones because they were too hard, too boring, too scary, or I didn’t know how to do them. I felt overwhelmed and depressed—and I thought I’d never be able to change.

But here’s the truth: God can help us change. He helped me, and He’ll help you! 

My new How to...

Have you ever faced a season so heavy you wondered how you’d get through the next hour—let alone the next year? Author Linda Dillow knows that place well. Today on the Christian Habits Podcast, we discuss eight “heart skills” that have helped her cling to God when life was unbearably hard from her new book, Hope for My Hurting Heart. Prepare to gain so much wisdom about dealing with grief and hardship from this episode.

Finding Hope for Your Hurting Heart

Linda is no stranger to writing about trusting God in difficul...

Have you ever felt like making friends used to be easy—but now it feels downright impossible? If you’re longing for deeper connection, author Kristen Strong gets it. In this episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, Kristen shares practical advice and hard-won wisdom about how to make friends when it doesn’t come naturally anymore from her book Desperate Woman Seeks Friends: Real Talk About Connection, Rejection, and Trying Again for the Friendships You Need. Whether you’re navigating a new season of life or just feeling a little lonely, I think you’ll walk away from our conversati...

What if the secret to getting your home in order wasn’t just about having more storage—but about asking better questions? That’s what I discovered in my latest conversation with artist and author Whitney English. She joined me on the Christian Habits Podcast to talk about her book Organize First, Decorate Second: How to Go from Clutter to Creativity—and the deeper life lessons behind our desire to get organized.

Getting Organized at Home, Life, and Work

Whitney English may be best known for her art, but she also has a gift for...

Do you ever find yourself dwelling on the negative? Or complaining a little too much? Today’s guest, Chip Ingram, knows exactly what that’s like. In fact, his powerful journey through chronic pain and hardship is what led him to write his book, I Choose Joy: Change Your Perspective, Change Your Life. In our conversation, Chip shared how renewing your mind—a biblical practice that transforms how we think—became his pathway to experiencing joy in the midst of overwhelming circumstances.

Choosing Joy When Life is Hard

Chip’s story starts with something...

Do you often find yourself giving “helpful suggestions” to your husband? Are you silently annoyed with him much of the time? Or have you made a habit of criticizing him either out loud or in your mind? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’ll love this conversation with Ann Wilson, author of How to Speak Life to Your Husband (When All You Want to Do is Yell at Him). Ann brings so much wisdom, humility, and hope to this episode. Prepare to walk away encouraged and challenged in the best way.

How to...

Have you ever felt like stress was running the show—pulling the strings on your thoughts, your body, even your faith? I know I have. In this episode, I chat with author and pastor Charles Stone to talk about what stress really is, why it sticks around, and how we can respond in ways that heal rather than harm. We explore powerful, practical tools to deal with stress grounded in both Scripture and neuroscience—including what it means to “soak your soul,” how monks can teach us to pause, and why your stress might be trying to tell you somethin...