Orderly Podcast

In today’s episode of Orderly, we’re diving into a topic that hits home for many women—independence. It’s a value we often admire and strive for, one that can feel empowering, fulfilling, and necessary in a world that encourages self-reliance. But what happens when our sense of independence keeps us from the deep, intimate relationship we truly desire with Jesus? That’s what we’re examining today.
The Blessing (and Trap) of Independence
For many women, independence brings a sense of agency. It allows us to make decisions, build careers, raise families, and carve out lives that feel meaningful and fulfilling. This isn’t necessarily bad—after all, the Bible encourages freedom in several areas. We’re called to free ourselves from:
The love of money (Hebrews 13:5)
Pride (Romans 12:16)
Fearful spirits (2 Timothy 1:7)
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible presents a theme of freedom. We were created to be free, and Jesus came to free us from death, sin, and other forms of enslavement. But here’s the twist—the Bible also emphasizes dependence on God, which can feel counter to the independence we value so much.
Trusting in God vs. Trusting in Ourselves
The Bible doesn’t shy away from warning against misplaced independence. In Jeremiah 17:5, it says:
"This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.’" — Jeremiah 17:5,7 NIV
It’s a stark reminder that when we trust in ourselves or others more than God, we risk drifting away from Him. Independence can turn into a trap, where we rely solely on our own abilities and strength. But what does true freedom look like in Jesus? It’s the freedom to depend on Him, knowing that He’s the source of everything we need.
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise — in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" — Psalm 56:3-4 NIV
Balancing Independence with Dependence on God
It’s not that independence is inherently wrong—it’s about recognizing where our independence ends and our dependence on God begins. Jesus invites us into a relationship where we can lean on Him, not just when we’re weak or struggling, but in every aspect of life. The very freedom we’re meant to enjoy comes from our dependence on Him, not from doing everything on our own.
The Importance of Community
The Bible also reminds us that we’re not meant to live isolated, independent lives. We’re part of a bigger community—the body of Christ—and we need one another:
"So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." — 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 NIV
Just as we depend on God, we also need to depend on each other. The strength of our independence can sometimes make us believe we should "go it alone," but true growth and support come when we allow others to walk alongside us in life’s journey.
Today’s Challenge:
Ask yourself, Where has your independence led you away from God? Are there areas of your life where you’ve tried to take control instead of relying on Him? Or perhaps, are you resistant to asking for help from your community, thinking you need to figure it out on your own?
Let’s start rethinking independence—not as something to idolize but as something to balance with a deep, abiding dependence on Jesus and a genuine connection to others.
BeckyCrawley.comJournaled With Steph

In this debut episode of, hosts Becky Crawley and Stephanie Hillberry introduce themselves, sharing the story behind their quirky duo nickname, "Stecky." Friends for years, these two Christian college grads discovered they were more alike than not. Both have worked in ministry, ended up in marketing, and even share eccentric hobbies like bullet journaling, homesteading, composting, and knitting. Despite their many similarities, "Stecky" is about more than just what makes them the same—it's about their differences too. Becky is all about tackling conflict head-on, while Steph tends to avoid it. Becky can take an idea and run with it, while Steph needs to ruminate. Together, their balance brings a unique dynamic to the podcast. Why This Podcast? As women, we're always searching for ways to organize our lives better, whether it's finding the latest organizational hack, a new planner, a fresh routine, or diving into the newest self-help book. But even when we sit down to do a devotional or read the Bible, we can easily turn it into a list of things we think we're not doing well enough. Why do we make things so complicated? The Bible tells us over and over again that Jesus wants to carry our burdens: Psalm 55:22: "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." This verse reminds us that God is more than capable of carrying what we can Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Jesus invites us to come to Him when we're exhausted from carrying life's burdens, promising rest in exchange. Psalm 68:19-20: "He gives us salvation over and over, then daily he carries our burdens!" It's not a one-time offer; Jesus wants to carry our daily struggles. Yet, we still compartmentalize Jesus. We often invite him into certain parts of our lives when we're in pain or need something, but shut him out of other areas. Why is it so hard to let Him into everything? In this podcast, we'll explore the hidden corners of our lives where we often don't let Jesus in: Diet & Fitness: We recently launched a "Diet Experiment with Jesus." It's not about rules or fad diets but an invitation to bring Jesus into our relationship with food and exercise. Instead of feeling guilty or overwhelmed, we ask Him to lead the way. Diet Experiment With Jesus https://www.beckycrawley.com/a-diet-experiment-with-jesus/
 
Jokes: Yes, Jesus laughs! Steph shares how she tells Jesus jokes and why she thinks He has a great sense of humor.
 
S3x: Yep, we went there in episode one! S3x is such a crucial issue in our marriages and lives, but many of us keep this area locked away from Jesus. We need to bring Him in because when we don't, it becomes a playground for the enemy.
 
Money: Whether you believe Jesus wants you to struggle financially or you don't think to ask Him for guidance on how to spend your money, we often avoid letting Him into our bank accounts. But what if we did?
 
Work: Even if you work in Christian ministry, how often do you ask Jesus to be with you in your daily work tasks? Whether it's asking for wisdom in a tough conversation or inviting Him into a brainstorming session, Jesus wants to be part of it all.
 
Quote for the Week; For a better morning: Talk with God First.”
“For a better night: Talk with God last; For a better life: Talk with God all day.
 
So why do we struggle to bring Jesus into every part of our lives? Is it a lack of belief? Are we turning to; better advisors? Is it fear— fear of hearing wrong, fear of hearing our own voice instead of His, or even fear of being misled by the enemy? Or maybe it is just busyness or forgetfulness. Whatever the reason, we're going to talk about it here, on Orderly, and figure out how to live an integrated life with Jesus, one where He's invited into every part.
 
Visit https://www.beckycrawley.com/
Visit https://stephaniehillberry.substack.com/