Can we let go of comparison and jealousy with each other? Jenn Schultz shows us how Building God’s Kingdom Together is the answer, and she’s not your enemy. PLUS BOOK GIVEAWAY OF JENN’S BOOK, “SHE’S NOT YOUR ENEMY.” SCROLL DOWN TO ENTER.
God is the treasure. I think God always sees us as beautiful, even when we can’t really see it in ourselves. #Jenn Schultz #Godseesus #encouragement
The Behold-Her Beauty Podcast is a sacred space for the soul moving from broken to beloved. Together, we seek God’s beauty in the everyday and make room for peace in the mess of life. Through poetry, heart-to-heart conversations, and the Son’s renewing warmth, we watch our regrets become seeds of hope as we embrace our identity as God’s beautiful daughters.
Read, listen, and soar. 🕊️✨
Giving a voice to the journey from broken to beloved. 🕊️ Today I am sharing a special episode of Behold-Her Beauty Podcast with author, Sarah Freymuthto discuss her book, All the Hard Things: 50 Days Through the Valley.
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Sarah is the author of All the Hard Things: 50 Days Through the Valley, a devotional journey shaped by her own experiences of long COVID, anxiety, depression, and the repeated hardships that quietly reshape a life.
In our conversation, she opens up about what it means to find God’s presence not after the hard things—but in the middle of them. Through her story, we talk about what it looks like to anchor identity in Christ when everything else feels uncertain, and how God often speaks through unexpected “trail markers” of hope—like friendships, nature, music, and even the small reminders we almost overlook.
We also talk about beauty, soul care, and what it means to believe God is still good when life feels heavy.
If you’ve ever found yourself in a season where the “valley” feels long or confusing, this conversation will gently meet you there.
Because sometimes hope doesn’t arrive as a rescue from the valley—but as a companion within it.
The episode closes with a beautiful heartfelt prayer from Sarah to guide you through your week.
A Reflection For You
Where in your life do you feel like you are in a “valley” season—and what might God be inviting you to notice right there? I’ll meet you in the comments.
Sarah Freymuth is the content and storytelling manager for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and she writes for numerous platforms, including Proverbs 31 Ministries, YouVersion, (in)Courage, and She Reads Truth. Sarah loves unearthing God’s goodness in places that don’t feel good, with a heart especially for faith and mental health. She enjoys a simple Wisconsin life by Lake Michigan with her husband, Eric, and Beaglier pup, Alfie.
Deborah Rutherford’s Behold-Her Beauty is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Deborah and Jenn discuss Jenn’s new book, “She’s Not Your Enemy: Conquering Our Insecurity So We Can Build God’s Kingdom Together,” and the comparison and jealousy among women. They also delve into the nature of social comparison and how it can be used for motivation and inspiration. They emphasize the importance of understanding the enemy as Satan, who seeks to isolate and negatively affect believers. The conversation ends with Jenn sharing updates about her book and her podcast.
SHOW NOTES
Women’s Empowerment and Personal Routines: The conversation also touched on Jenn’s personal life, including her role as a wife and mother, her podcast, and her recent interest in running. The two shared their routines, emphasizing morning prayer, Bible reading, and exercise. Jenn shared her experiences of doing makeup with her young daughter and her daughter’s interest in her makeup.
Social Comparison: Motivation vs. Toxicity: Jenn and Deborah discussed the nature of social comparison and how it can be both a tool for personal growth and a source of toxicity. Jenn explained that contrast can be used for motivation, inspiration, and connection, but it becomes harmful when it’s about worth. Deborah shared her struggles with jealousy and how she’s learning to use it as inspiration.
Satan’s Deception and Kingdom Building: Jenn discussed the importance of understanding the enemy as Satan, who seeks to isolate and negatively affect believers. She also highlighted the need to identify and counteract Satan’s lies, using Scripture as a defense.
Women’s Experiences and Support Systems: Jenn shared insights from her book about various women and their experiences, emphasizing the importance of understanding rejection, loneliness, and comparison. She encouraged the idea of forming a support system and being vulnerable.
Faith and Temptation: A Shared Struggle: Deborah and Jenn discussed their struggles with temptation and old habits within a fallen world. They both emphasized that while they’re still working on self-improvement, God’s grace allows them to start fresh each day.
Social Media Comparison and Encouragement: Jenn and Deborah discussed the importance of seeing the whole story when comparing oneself to others on social media, not just the highlight reels often shared. They also discussed the value of encouraging and cheering on others rather than feeling threatened by their achievements. The concept of “good for her, not for me” was introduced to celebrate others’ successes without diminishing one’s worth or aspirations.
Jenn’s Book Updates and Impact: Jenn shared updates about her book, which continues to impact people through group discussions and podcasts. She mentioned that she will speak at the Esther Press Conference in April and the Open Cup Conference in Tampa.
Favorite Quotes:
Can I root myself and my identity in what God says about me? That’s what’s going to transform our mindsets when it comes to other people around us. We shouldn’t go to people first. We should go to God first.
Jenn Schultz
It really does start with how we view God. I dug back into the Scriptures to see what God says about himself and how he’s proved that it changed everything in my life.
Jenn Schultz
Rejection is a hard thing. I think to know, first of all, that you’re loved, you’re welcomed, and you belong with God. It doesn’t fix all of the pain that comes from being rejected by somebody in the world, but it’s a truth that you can cling to when it is hard.
Jenn Schultz
It’s awkward to say I compare myself to people. And yeah, I feel insecure. I feel jealous. Like nobody wants to raise their hand and say that. But I’m doing it, and I’ve found so many people are responding and saying, yeah, me too.
Jenn Schultz
Meet our Guest Jenn Schultz
Jenn Schultz
Jenn Schultz is the author of She’s Not Your Enemy, and she typically writes about messy faith, shaking off insecurity, and pursuing God’s purpose confidently. Her mission is to empower women to ditch shame and striving by finding identity in God and freedom in abundant grace.
She is a wife and mom who reads too many books at once, drinks decaf coffee, and speaks in scriptures and movie quotes. Find her @jennschultzauthor on social media and at jennschultzauthor.com.
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Deborah Rutherford is a Christian writer-blogger, poet, and makeup artist, passionate about Jesus. She enjoys a good cup of tea while journaling and Bible study. As a beauty and wonder seeker finds her soul rest on nature walks with God.
Your writing has a way of resonating with me on a deep level. It’s clear that you put a lot of thought and effort into each piece, and it certainly doesn’t go unnoticed.
Your writing has a way of resonating with me on a deep level. It’s clear that you put a lot of thought and effort into each piece, and it certainly doesn’t go unnoticed.