ABOUT THIS EPISODE
What if you never had to earn your way back to God? 🤍
In the final part of this conversation on Authentic Beyond the Couch, Jirzia Blackman and Rev. Ciara Simonson explore the freedom of grace, the weight of religious legalism, and what it means to reconnect with God without hiding your humanity.
Rev. Ciara shares a powerful reminder: God knows our history, our wounds, our doubts, and our longing—and grace invites us back into relationship without requiring us to earn our belonging.
Together, they discuss how religious rules and fear can shape our view of God, why we sometimes label what is unfamiliar as wrong, and how embracing differences can help us build deeper connections.
IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE:
What it means to experience God's grace without trying to earn it
How religious legalism can leave us feeling unworthy
Why God is not intimidated by our humanity
Challenging beliefs we inherited about faith and spirituality
Embracing differences instead of creating barriers
How Imago therapy and personal growth can transform relationships
Returning to connection and receiving love without shame
✨ A message to carry with you:
“God knows all about us… our history, our wounds, our wandering, our doubts, our hunger, our longing.”
You don't have to hide the messy parts of your story to be worthy of love. Grace is an invitation to return to connection.
🎙️ Watch the final part of Jirzia's conversation with Rev. Ciara Simonson.
If this conversation speaks to you, share it with someone who needs the reminder that grace is still available.
Subscribe to Authentic Beyond the Couch for honest conversations about faith, mental health, relationships, and healing.