![Perspectives Into Practice: How to Walk with God in Real Life: Faith in Practice & Spiritual Growth podcast logo](https://res.cloudinary.com/guidedsteps/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/v1770692402/perspectivesintopractice/podcast/93c1f77c54c8d7a9.jpg) Perspectives Into Practice Podcast June 23, 2026 Season 2, Episode 2600:33:04Published June 23, 2026 # Faith Beyond the Checklist: Moving from Performance to a Deeper Relationship with God ![Podcast episode artwork for Faith Beyond the Checklist: Moving from Performance to a Deeper Relationship with God](https://res.cloudinary.com/guidedsteps/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/v1782144207/perspectivesintopractice/episode/6e1abdbfbc874796.jpg) Listen Now Click play to start listening Your browser does not support the audio element. [Listen or download audio](https://episodes.castos.com/67919520171485-95710309/2421576/c1e-zq00qi3385wf0512w-0v06x22rhzxx-key7do.mp3) ![Podcast episode artwork for Faith Beyond the Checklist: Moving from Performance to a Deeper Relationship with God](https://res.cloudinary.com/guidedsteps/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/v1782144207/perspectivesintopractice/episode/6e1abdbfbc874796.jpg) [Browse All Episodes](/podcast) Share This Episode Share episode on social media [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Faith%20Beyond%20the%20Checklist%3A%20Moving%20from%20Performance%20to%20a%20Deeper%20Relationship%20with%20God&url=undefined%2Fpodcast%2Ffaith-beyond-the-checklist-moving-from-performance-to-a)[Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=undefined%2Fpodcast%2Ffaith-beyond-the-checklist-moving-from-performance-to-a)[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=Faith%20Beyond%20the%20Checklist%3A%20Moving%20from%20Performance%20to%20a%20Deeper%20Relationship%20with%20God%20undefined%2Fpodcast%2Ffaith-beyond-the-checklist-moving-from-performance-to-a) ## About This Episode Have you ever felt like you were doing all the right things in your faith, reading your Bible, attending church, completing devotionals, and praying, but still felt like something was missing? In this episode of _Perspectives Into Practice_, I sit down with friend, Jody for an honest conversation about what happens when God reveals that faith is about more than checking spiritual boxes. Together, we explore the difference between performing faith and truly abiding in Christ. Jody shares how retirement created space for her to recognize that although she was faithfully participating in Bible studies, devotionals, and prayer, she had unknowingly settled into a passive faith. Through a season of reflection, God began showing her that He wasn't asking for more activities. He was asking for more of her heart. We also talk about surrender, control, prayer, grief, and the ongoing process of spiritual refinement. Jody vulnerably shares how losing her daughter in 2018 deepened her faith and how God continues to use both her pain and her healing to draw her closer to Him. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that our stories are never finished and that God continues shaping us in every season of life. If you've ever struggled with striving, perfectionism, spiritual performance, or wondering why your faith feels stuck despite doing all the "right" things, this episode will encourage you to slow down, listen for God's voice, and pursue a deeper relationship with Him. In this episode, we discuss: • Moving from a checklist faith to an authentic relationship with God • The difference between spiritual activity and spiritual intimacy • Learning to surrender control and trust God's leading • How prayer deepens our connection with God • Walking through grief while holding onto faith • God's ongoing work of refining and transforming us • Finding purpose in every season of life • Why your story isn't over yet Friend, if you've been feeling spiritually dry, exhausted from striving, or longing for something deeper in your walk with God, I pray this conversation reminds you that God doesn't want your performance. He wants your heart. If this episode encourages you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you don't miss future conversations. And if God is teaching you something in your own life right now, I'd love to hear your story. Visit **PerspectivesIntoPractice.com** to learn more about being a guest on the podcast. Looking for a place to rest, reflect, and reconnect with God? I'd also love to invite you to join us for the upcoming **Wholeness in the Wilderness Retreat**, a peaceful weekend designed to help women encounter God in the middle of life's wilderness seasons. ## 📝 Related Blogs 4 blog articles inspired by this episode [ ![Featured image for Prayer Journaling for Deeper Faith Beyond Checklists](https://res.cloudinary.com/guidedsteps/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/v1784928328/perspectivesintopractice/blog/prayer-journaling-deeper-faith-beyond-checklists-1784928328096.jpg) Blog article ## Prayer Journaling for Deeper Faith Beyond Checklists Prayer Journaling for Deeper Faith When Your Faith Feels Like a Checklist Friend, prayer journaling for deeper faith is for the woman who loves God, shows up for Bible study, reads the devotional, says the bedtime prayer, and still wonders why her he Read related article: Prayer Journaling for Deeper Faith Beyond Checklists ](/blog/prayer-journaling-deeper-faith-beyond-checklists) [ ![Featured image for Daily Surrender for Christian Women: Abiding with God](https://res.cloudinary.com/guidedsteps/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/v1784928308/perspectivesintopractice/blog/daily-surrender-christian-women-abiding-god-1784928307768.jpg) Blog article ## Daily Surrender for Christian Women: Abiding with God From Checkbox Faith to Abiding Presence: Daily Surrender for Christian Women Daily surrender for christian women is not one more thing to add to an already full list. Read related article: Daily Surrender for Christian Women: Abiding with God ](/blog/daily-surrender-christian-women-abiding-god) [ ![Featured image for Surrender Daily to God's Leading with Peace and Trust](https://res.cloudinary.com/guidedsteps/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/v1784928385/perspectivesintopractice/blog/surrender-daily-gods-leading-peace-trust-1784928385232.jpg) Blog article ## Surrender Daily to God's Leading with Peace and Trust A warm guide for Christian women learning to release control, pray honestly, and follow God's daily leading with peace and practical faith, one small step at a time. Read related article: Surrender Daily to God's Leading with Peace and Trust ](/blog/surrender-daily-gods-leading-peace-trust) [ ![Featured image for Grief to Purpose Through Service After Loss with Faith](https://res.cloudinary.com/guidedsteps/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/v1784928424/perspectivesintopractice/blog/grief-purpose-through-service-after-loss-faith-1784928424574.jpg) Blog article ## Grief to Purpose Through Service After Loss with Faith When loss changes your life, God can meet you with grace, comfort, and gentle steps that turn grief into faithful service, purpose, and hope in Him today. Read related article: Grief to Purpose Through Service After Loss with Faith ](/blog/grief-purpose-through-service-after-loss-faith) ### Episode Transcript (5,621 words) \[2 Speakers Detected\] \[Total Utterances: 35\] --- \[0:00 -> 1:09\] Speaker 1: Hey friend, welcome to Perspectives into Practice, a place where life's stories meet practical wisdom. Together we'll explore how faith-filled perspectives can transform the way we live, love, and grow. So grab a seat, sett... ### Share This Episode [Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Faith%20Beyond%20the%20Checklist%3A%20Moving%20from%20Performance%20to%20a%20Deeper%20Relationship%20with%20God&url=https%3A%2F%2Fperspectivesintopractice.com%2Fpodcast%2Ffaith-beyond-the-checklist-moving-from-performance-to-a "Share on Twitter")[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fperspectivesintopractice.com%2Fpodcast%2Ffaith-beyond-the-checklist-moving-from-performance-to-a "Share on Facebook")[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fperspectivesintopractice.com%2Fpodcast%2Ffaith-beyond-the-checklist-moving-from-performance-to-a "Share on LinkedIn")[WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=Faith%20Beyond%20the%20Checklist%3A%20Moving%20from%20Performance%20to%20a%20Deeper%20Relationship%20with%20God%20https%3A%2F%2Fperspectivesintopractice.com%2Fpodcast%2Ffaith-beyond-the-checklist-moving-from-performance-to-a "Share on WhatsApp")[Email](mailto:?subject=Faith%20Beyond%20the%20Checklist%3A%20Moving%20from%20Performance%20to%20a%20Deeper%20Relationship%20with%20God&body=https%3A%2F%2Fperspectivesintopractice.com%2Fpodcast%2Ffaith-beyond-the-checklist-moving-from-performance-to-a "Share on Email")[Reddit](https://reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fperspectivesintopractice.com%2Fpodcast%2Ffaith-beyond-the-checklist-moving-from-performance-to-a&title=Faith%20Beyond%20the%20Checklist%3A%20Moving%20from%20Performance%20to%20a%20Deeper%20Relationship%20with%20God "Share on Reddit")[Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fperspectivesintopractice.com%2Fpodcast%2Ffaith-beyond-the-checklist-moving-from-performance-to-a&description=Faith%20Beyond%20the%20Checklist%3A%20Moving%20from%20Performance%20to%20a%20Deeper%20Relationship%20with%20God "Share on Pinterest") ## More Episodes You Might Enjoy [ ![Podcast episode artwork for How to Hear God’s Voice in Everyday Life | Faith, Purpose, and Spiritual Growth](https://res.cloudinary.com/guidedsteps/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/v1779379751/perspectivesintopractice/episode/99c821879e8060a6.jpg) Season 2, Episode 20 Podcast episode ## How to Hear God’s Voice in Everyday Life | Faith, Purpose, and Spiritual Growth In this episode of Perspectives Into Practice, I sit down with my sweet friend Susan for a heartfelt conversation about walking closely with Jesus in... Listen to related episode: How to Hear God’s Voice in Everyday Life | Faith, Purpose, and Spiritual Growth ](/podcast/how-to-hear-gods-voice-in-everyday-life-faith-purpose-and) [ ![Podcast episode artwork for Trusting God Through Delayed Healing, Surrender, and Recovery | Finding God's Presence in the Process](https://res.cloudinary.com/guidedsteps/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/v1785207604/perspectivesintopractice/episode/14f3346d27d58acc.jpg) Season 2, Episode 31 Podcast episode ## Trusting God Through Delayed Healing, Surrender, and Recovery | Finding God's Presence in the Process What do you do when God doesn't answer your prayers the way you expected? How do you keep trusting Him when healing is slow, life changes overnight, a... Listen to related episode: Trusting God Through Delayed Healing, Surrender, and Recovery | Finding God's Presence in the Process ](/podcast/trusting-god-through-delayed-healing-surrender-and-recovery) [ ![Podcast episode artwork for When God Says Move, But Doesn’t Give You the Whole Plan | Trusting God in Uncertainty, Obedience, and Surrender](https://res.cloudinary.com/guidedsteps/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/v1780369204/perspectivesintopractice/episode/016b56da1a648520.jpg) Season 2, Episode 23 Podcast episode ## When God Says Move, But Doesn’t Give You the Whole Plan | Trusting God in Uncertainty, Obedience, and Surrender What do you do when you feel God asking you to move forward, but He doesn't give you the full roadmap? In this episode of Perspectives Into Practice,... Listen to related episode: When God Says Move, But Doesn’t Give You the Whole Plan | Trusting God in Uncertainty, Obedience, and Surrender ](/podcast/when-god-says-move-but-doesnt-give-you-the-whole-plan) [ ![Podcast episode artwork for Learning to Surrender: Trusting God's Timing, Letting Go of Control, and Finding Peace in the Waiting](https://res.cloudinary.com/guidedsteps/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/v1785494107/perspectivesintopractice/episode/a6f5e484e60a6344.jpg) Season 2, Episode 32 Podcast episode ## Learning to Surrender: Trusting God's Timing, Letting Go of Control, and Finding Peace in the Waiting Surrender sounds simple... until God asks us to live it.How do we let go of our carefully made plans? How do we trust God's timing when it doesn't mat... Listen to related episode: Learning to Surrender: Trusting God's Timing, Letting Go of Control, and Finding Peace in the Waiting ](/podcast/learning-to-surrender-trusting-gods-timing-letting-go-of) [ ![Podcast episode artwork for Finding God's Goodness in Grief, Loss, and Life Transitions, Trusting God When Life Changes](https://res.cloudinary.com/guidedsteps/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/v1784602803/perspectivesintopractice/episode/80b0db4afeb7717e.jpg) Season 2, Episode 30 Podcast episode ## Finding God's Goodness in Grief, Loss, and Life Transitions, Trusting God When Life Changes What do you do when life changes in ways you never expected? When grief, loss, health challenges, and major life transitions all seem to happen at onc... Listen to related episode: Finding God's Goodness in Grief, Loss, and Life Transitions, Trusting God When Life Changes ](/podcast/finding-gods-goodness-in-grief-loss-and-life-transitions) [ ![Podcast episode artwork for When God Feels Silent, Finding God Again Through Obedience, Journaling, and Community | Perspectives Into Practice Podcast](https://res.cloudinary.com/guidedsteps/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/v1780282804/perspectivesintopractice/episode/cc4624334e0d54fc.jpg) Season 2, Episode 22 Podcast episode ## When God Feels Silent, Finding God Again Through Obedience, Journaling, and Community | Perspectives Into Practice Podcast What happens when you obey God, but life still feels confusing, disappointing, or painfully quiet? In this heartfelt episode of Perspectives Into Prac... Listen to related episode: When God Feels Silent, Finding God Again Through Obedience, Journaling, and Community | Perspectives Into Practice Podcast ](/podcast/when-god-feels-silent-finding-god-again-through-obedience) [ Previous Episode ### When Life Feels Overwhelming, Trusting God Through Change, Motherhood, and Letting Go ](/podcast/when-life-feels-overwhelming-trusting-god-through-change) [ Next Episode ### Trusting God in Uncertain Seasons | Faith, Grief, Surrender & Life Transitions ](/podcast/trusting-god-in-uncertain-seasons-faith-grief-surrender) [View All Episodes](/podcast)