Why "Doing All the Right Things" Isn't Healing You (Heather O'Brien)

Tanya sits down with Heather O'Brien — Spirit-led healing coach, author, and host of the Heal with God podcast — for an honest conversation about what happens when you love Jesus, serve faithfully, and still can't shake anxiety, fear, and old cycles of pain. Heather shares her own story, from years of unexplained anxiety and panic attacks to a divine encounter that broke a 10-year stronghold in just five minutes, and unpacks what it actually means to hear God's voice and pray beneath the symptom instead of just at it. If you've ever felt spiritually blocked, stuck despite doing "all the right things," or unsure how to set loving boundaries, this episode offers real, practical steps toward freedom. **Key Talking Points:** - Why prayer, Bible reading, and church attendance don't always lead to deep healing — and what's often missing - Heather's personal journey through depression, panic attacks, and 7 years of unanswered "why" - The "Word + Spirit = Truth" framework for discerning God's voice from other voices - A simple, practical Bible reading approach for people who feel dry or disconnected (the one-year audio plan) - Praying at "symptom level" vs. getting to the root — Heather's cigarette/addiction story as a case study - How personal healing ripples out and changes the people around you (the "bed-making" story) - Reframing boundaries as an act of love, not rejection — and how to discern loving boundaries biblically - Why isolation is one of the enemy's biggest tools, and the importance of healing in community **Resources Mentioned:** - YouVersion Bible App (one-year reading plans, audio option) - Galatians 5:22 — Fruit of the Spirit - 2 Timothy 3:16 — Scripture's role to teach, correct, prepare, equip - James 5:16 — Confess to one another and be healed - Romans 12:1 — Worshiping God with your body (sleep, nutrition, sunlight, movement) - Heather's book, *Heal with God* (available on Amazon and her website) - Heal with God Podcast **Link to Share:** Heal with God Workshop (free, live, monthly): http://healwithgodworkshop.com/ Gives listeners a next step for Spirit-led teaching, practical healing tools, and live coaching to apply what they heard in this episode. **Free Gfit : Get this free list of Christian affirmations that spell out who you are in God – actual in God’s own words. Repeat these biblical affirmations and replace these truths with the lies currently in your head! -** https://www.tanyagioia.com/affirmations 👋🏼 **GET IN TOUCH** 💻 Website - www.tanyagioia.com 📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/soberon\_purpose/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tanya.gioia.9/ 🎧 **LISTEN FOR FREE** Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faith-over-addiction-for-christian-women-navigating/id1438258805 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7vDIdU0qejEuoPI2R3szpH RSS - https://podcasts.helloaudio.fm/podcast/2fbb497f-9ffc-4d8a-802b-c862437fb6ee/8V4vMD8N9v 🙏 **LEAVE A REVIEW** If this episode spoke to you, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others find the show! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faith-over-addiction-for-christian-women-navigating/id1438258805 **Are you caught in the chaos of addiction, constantly cleaning up emotional, spiritual, and physical messes that aren't yours?** Welcome to *Faith Over Addiction*, where faith meets real life. Hosted by Family Recovery Coach **Tanya Gioia**, this podcast is designed to offer Christian women hope, healing, and practical tools to navigate the challenges of loving someone with addiction. Through biblical truths, heartfelt stories, and actionable guidance, you’ll learn how to set healthy boundaries, find peace in the mess, and reclaim your God-given identity. You don’t have to carry what was never meant to be yours. It’s time to shift from “this is happening to me” to “this is happening for me,” and let God transform the chaos into something that glorifies Him. Every week, I’m here to encourage you, offer clarity, and remind you that as a daughter of the King, **You Always Have Other Options (YAHOO)**. Together, we’ll embrace faith as the foundation, boundaries as the bridge to healing, and God’s truth as the ultimate guide to freedom, strength, and grace. Blessings, **Tanya Gioia** 🌸 🎵 **Music Credit:** Track: Luz Solart Artist: Luna Cantina Album: Luz Solart Released: 2024