The Encouragement Well

Rachel Haywood
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

This show is for every woman who’s tired, overwhelmed, overlooked, or unsure of her purpose. Here, we get real about faith in life’s messiness—illness, heartbreak, family struggles, and hard seasons. Through testimony, scripture, transparency, and a whole lot of Holy Spirit, each episode aims to pour hope into the cracks you didn’t even know you had. You'll feel like sitting with your Spirit-led friend who tells the truth, points you to Jesus, and reminds you of who you really are. If you’re ready to walk boldly, believe again, and breathe again, come sit at the well. There’s room for you.

  1. 9h ago ·  Bonus

    Midweek Prayer- Lord, Send Me Elizabeths....And Make Me One Too!

    In this week’s Midweek Prayer, we’re asking God for more than good friendships, we’re asking for discernment, healing, and the wisdom to recognize who is truly good for our spirit. We’re also turning the prayer inward: “Lord, send me Elizabeths, and make me one too.” This prayer is for the woman who desires safe, faith-filled relationships, who may be healing from friendship wounds, or who wants to become a more trustworthy, encouraging, and godly friend herself. May God surround you with people who strengthen your spirit and shape you into someone who does the same for others.

  2. 3d ago

    The Power of Godly Friendships

    In this episode of The Encouragement Well, we’re talking about the power of godly friendships and the quiet influence the people closest to us have on our faith, our choices, and even the way we see ourselves. Using the story of Mary and Elizabeth in Luke 1, we’ll explore what it looks like to have friendships that are safe, honest, encouraging, and rooted in God. We’ll also talk about how to recognize when a relationship is strengthening your spirit, why healthy friendships still require grace and repair, and the importance of becoming the kind of friend you’re praying for. This episode will challenge you to ask one simple but powerful question: Who am I becoming around the people closest to me?  0:00 Intro — Who Has Access to Your Spirit? 03:14 Friendship Is Influence 06:33 Elizabeth Was Safe for Mary's Calling 09:56 Does Your Circle Have Room for God? 11:47 Become What You're Asking God For 14:23 Closing Encouragement — Take Inventory Without Taking Attendance 16:30 Prayer 19:12 Outro

  3. Aug 12 ·  Bonus

    Midweek Prayer- Lord, Help Me Say No Without Guilt

    If saying no leaves you feeling guilty, anxious, or afraid of disappointing people, this prayer is for you. In this Midweek Prayer, we’re asking God for freedom from people-pleasing, wisdom to recognize what He has actually assigned to us, and courage to set loving, healthy boundaries without shame. We’re praying for discernment to know when to serve, when to rest, and when obedience may require a no. Come breathe, release the pressure, and let God remind you that you do not have to prove your love through constant availability. 🤍 Scriptures referenced: Matthew 5:37, Galatians 1:10, and Proverbs 4:23.

  4. Aug 9

    Learning to Say No & Still Be Loving

    Episode 37: Learning to Say No & Still Be Loving Saying no doesn’t make you selfish, difficult, or unloving. Sometimes, it’s simply good stewardship. In this episode of The Encouragement Well, we’re talking about the difference between serving from love and saying yes out of fear, guilt, or people-pleasing. We’ll look at how Jesus modeled purposeful boundaries, what the Shunammite woman teaches us about generosity and discernment, and why protecting your peace, family, health, and calling can be an act of obedience. If you’ve ever struggled to set a boundary because you were afraid of disappointing someone, this conversation is for you. Scriptures: Matthew 5:37, Galatians 1:10, Proverbs 4:23, Luke 10:41–42, Colossians 3:23–24, and 2 Kings 4. Remember: every yes requires a no somewhere else. The question is whether your yes is making room for what God has actually asked you to carry. 00:00 Intro 03:32 Why Saying No Feels So Guilty 07:20 Jesus Didn't Respond Immediately to Every Demand  10:59 The Shunammite Woman : Generous AND Discerning 14:36 Boundaries Protect What God Entrusted to You 18:24 Closing Encouragement  21:21 Prayer 24:16 Outro

  5. Aug 5 ·  Bonus

    Midweek Prayer: Lord, Teach Me to Serve Without Losing Myself

    In this midweek prayer, we bring our exhaustion, overcommitment, and need to be needed before God. Together, we ask Him for discernment, healthier rhythms, renewed strength, and the courage to serve from overflow instead of emptiness.

  6. Aug 2

    Serving Others Without Burning Out

    In this episode of The Encouragement Well, we talk honestly about what happens when serving others begins to leave us exhausted, resentful, or emotionally empty. Through Mark 6:30–32, Luke 5:15–16, Galatians 6:9, Psalm 23, John 10:10, and the story of Dorcas in Acts 9, we explore how to recognize depletion, release unhealthy expectations, build rhythms of rest, and serve from a place of overflow instead of burnout. This is a reminder that your worth is not measured by how much you carry—and rest does not make you less faithful. 00:00 Intro 02:35 Jesus Did Not Stay Available to Everybody 07:04 What Serving From Depletion Actually Looks Like 11:48 Dorcas Was More Than What She Did 16:17 You Need Rhythms, Not One Emergency Vacation 21:09 Closing Encouragement 23:58 Prayer 26:10 Outro

  7. Jul 29 ·  Bonus

    MidWeek Prayer: Laying Down the Weight of Being the "Strong Friend"

    MidWeek Prayer: Laying Down the Weight of Being the "Strong Friend" Have you been carrying more than anyone knows? In this week's MidWeek Prayer, we pause to release the pressure of always being "the strong one" and rest in the comforting presence of God. Together, we'll pray for the courage to be honest with Him, the wisdom to trust safe people with our hearts, and the healing that comes when we stop pretending we have it all together. If you've been exhausted from holding everyone else up while quietly carrying your own burdens, this prayer is an invitation to lay those burdens at the feet of Jesus and remember that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Scriptures Referenced: • Psalm 34:18 • 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 • 2 Corinthians 12:9 Take a deep breath, settle your heart, and spend a few moments being reminded that you were never meant to carry this life alone. If this prayer encourages you, please follow The Encouragement Well, leave a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and share this prayer with someone who could use a reminder that God meets us in our weakness. New full-length episodes release every Sunday, with a special MidWeek Prayer every Wednesday. Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook at The Encouragement Well for more encouragement rooted in God's Word.

  8. Jul 26

    Taming the "Strong Friend" Myth

    Episode 35: Taming the "Strong Friend" Myth Somewhere along the way, many of us started believing that being "the strong friend" meant never crying, never asking for help, and never letting anyone see us struggle. But that's not the picture Scripture paints. In this episode of The Encouragement Well, we're exposing the myth that vulnerability is weakness and discovering that God never asked His daughters to be emotionally invincible. Through the life of Naomi, the example of Jesus, and the truth of God's Word, we'll explore what biblical strength really looks like—and why honesty with God and trusted people is often the first step toward healing. If you've been carrying everyone else's burdens while quietly hiding your own, this conversation is for you. It's time to lay down the pressure to hold everything together and embrace the freedom that comes from being fully known and fully loved by God. Scriptures Referenced: • Psalm 34:18 • Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 • James 5:16 • Romans 12:15 • 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 • Ruth 1 If this episode encourages you, please follow The Encouragement Well, leave a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and share this episode with a friend who may need the reminder that she doesn't have to carry it all alone. Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook at The Encouragement Well for weekly encouragement, Scripture, and updates. New episodes release every Sunday, with a special MidWeek Prayer every Wednesday. 00:00 TEW Episode 35: Taming the "Strong Friend" Myth 01:44 The Lie That Vulnerability Equals Weakness 03:30 Jesus Modeled Vulnerability 05:04 Naomi's Honesty Didn't Disqualify Her 06:37 Healthy Vulnerability 07:38 Closing Encouragement 08:43 Reflection Questions 09:15 Challenge 09:40 Prayer 11:00 Outro

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

This show is for every woman who’s tired, overwhelmed, overlooked, or unsure of her purpose. Here, we get real about faith in life’s messiness—illness, heartbreak, family struggles, and hard seasons. Through testimony, scripture, transparency, and a whole lot of Holy Spirit, each episode aims to pour hope into the cracks you didn’t even know you had. You'll feel like sitting with your Spirit-led friend who tells the truth, points you to Jesus, and reminds you of who you really are. If you’re ready to walk boldly, believe again, and breathe again, come sit at the well. There’s room for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Rachel Haywood
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rachel Haywood
  • Show Website
    The Encouragement Well