What if your struggles aren’t just problems to manage—but invitations from God to heal?

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness Podcast, Steve and Colleen dive deep into the difference between sin management and true spiritual healing. Through honest stories—including a boat named Revelation that literally went down in flames—they reveal how wounds, lies, and false identities shape our lives.

Too often, we silence the “smoke alarm” of sin without dealing with the fire beneath it. Addiction, workaholism, or even seemingly harmless obsessions are symptoms of unhealed wounds. Real transformation comes not from filters, checklists, or self-help, but from surrender—allowing Jesus to meet us in our stories and replace the lies we believe with His truth.

This conversation will challenge you to go beyond surface fixes and embrace the deeper healing God longs to bring.

👉 Explore more resources, videos, and the Tree of Brokenness model at https://embracingbrokenness.org/

Here's a link to the Tree of Brokenness artwork. https://embracingbrokenness.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/8.5x11-Brokenness-TEXT-scaled.jpg

Chapters

00:00 The Revelation of Brokenness

03:07 Understanding Healing and Trauma

05:51 The False Self and Addiction

09:01 Sin Management vs. True Healing

12:06 The Role of Accountability in Healing

15:01 Exploring Core Longings and Identity

18:01 The Tree of Brokenness

20:52 The Journey of Spiritual Formation

23:47 The Process of Reformation

27:00 Conclusion and Resources

So many of us spend our lives hiding our brokenness—pretending everything’s fine while we carry deep wounds that keep us from true freedom. In this honest conversation, Steve and Colleen share their personal journeys of pain, healing, and restoration. They tackle why most people resist admitting they’re broken, what happens if we ignore it, and how Jesus transforms our deepest wounds into places of life and freedom.

From coffee-spilled meltdowns to the image of a Lamborghini built to reflect glory, they unpack what it really means to embrace your brokenness—and why it’s the essential first step toward living the abundant life God intended.

If you’ve ever wrestled with shame, performance, or simply the ache of “not enough,” this episode will remind you: your brokenness isn’t the end of your story—it’s the place where God begins His healing work.

Link to Upcoming Book: Embracing the Way

https://www.embracingtheway.com/

Chapters

00:00 The Coffee Incident: A Lesson in Healing

02:52 Embracing Brokenness: The Journey Begins

05:44 Understanding Brokenness: A Purposeful Perspective

08:57 The Process of Healing: A Personal Journey

11:42 Marriage and Brokenness: Recognizing Triggers

14:49 The Impact of Past Relationships on Healing

17:47 The Role of Vulnerability in Healing

21:00 Authenticity vs. Performance: The Struggle

23:47 The Consequences of Ignoring Brokenness

26:42 The Importance of Connection: Staying Rooted

29:46 The Journey of Restoration: Embracing the Process

32:42 The Call to Action: Living Authentically

35:44 Final Thoughts: The Beauty of Brokenness

A dark battlefield. Countless dead. One man runs tirelessly, reviving the fallen. The rescued learn to revive others. Hope spreads. But then, someone builds a shelter. Others join. Before long, a castle stands where the battle once raged. From its balcony, people laugh, feast, and celebrate… blind to the dying just beyond the walls.

In this robust conversation, Colleen shares a vivid vision that the Lord impressed on her heart—an image for the Church to ponder today. Steve and Michael join her to unpack what it means for discipleship, spiritual formation, and our tendency to trade mission for comfort.

We’ll explore:

Why revival must lead to discipleship, not complacency

How “castles” in our lives pull us away from God’s call

Warning signs that we’ve drifted from the battlefield

The difference between cultural Christianity and kingdom living

How to return to our first love and re-engage in the mission of Jesus

Whether you’re new to faith or decades in, this episode will challenge you to examine your heart, your focus, and your calling.

📖 Revelation 3:17 – “You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.”

🎧Ask yourself: Where have I left the battlefield?

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction: Castles on the Battlefield

03:30 - Personal Reflections and Summer Highlights

07:45 - Vision of the Battlefield

12:45 - The Call to Revive Others 17:30 - Building Castles of Comfort

22:15 - Spiritual Complacency and Comfort

27:00 - Importance of Discipleship

32:40 - Reflections on the American Church

37:55 - Returning to Our First Love

43:20 - Practical Steps for Spiritual Alignment

48:45 - The Role of Community and Accountability

54:10 - Overcoming Distractions in Faith

59:35 - Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

1:05:00 - Final Reflections and Farewell