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. 6h ago

    Friendship In Different Seasons

    EPISODE 42 — FRIENDSHIP IN DIFFERENT SEASONS When the friendship isn't wrong—the season has simply changed. BIG IDEA: A relationship changing doesn't mean the relationship failed. BIBLICAL ANCHOR: David and Jonathan — 1 Samuel 18–20; 2 Samuel 1:17–27; 2 Samuel 9 KEY SCRIPTURES: Ecclesiastes 3:1; 1 Samuel 18:1–4; 1 Samuel 20:41–42; Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 27:9; 2 Samuel 9:1–7 What happens when a friendship isn’t bad…just different? In this episode of The Encouragement Well, Rachel talks about the friendships that change without betrayal, conflict, or a dramatic ending. Sometimes life shifts. Schedules change. Priorities grow. Seasons move. And a relationship that once felt constant can begin to feel quieter. Using the friendship of David and Jonathan as a biblical anchor, this episode explores how love can remain even when proximity changes, why we have to stop measuring today’s friendship by yesterday’s rhythm, and how to honor what a relationship was without forcing it to become what it used to be. You’ll also be encouraged to make room for both gratitude and grief, let your friends grow without taking it personally, and consider whether an old friendship needs to be restored…or simply reintroduced. Beautiful sister, a relationship changing doesn’t mean the relationship failed. Sometimes the season simply changed. Listen in and be reminded to honor what was, appreciate what is, and stay open to what God may still allow a friendship to become. 00:00 Intro-When the friendship isn't wrong—the season has simply changed. 02:01  SOME FRIENDSHIPS HAVE SEASONS 04:41 STOP MEASURING TODAY'S FRIENDSHIP BY YESTERDAY'S RHYTHM 06:29 DAVID AND JONATHAN: WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE THE FRIENDSHIP 08:38 YOU CAN HONOR WHAT WAS WITHOUT FORCING WHAT IS 10:06 LET HER GROW WITHOUT TAKING IT PERSONALLY 12:09 MAYBE YOU NEED TO MEET YOUR OLD FRIEND AGAIN 13:33 LOVE CAN OUTLIVE A SEASON 15:18 CLOSING ENCOURAGEMENT 17:07 Prayer 19:08 Outro

  2. 4d ago ·  Bonus

    MIDWEEK PRAYER —- Help Me Celebrate Her Without Comparing

    Have you ever been genuinely happy for another woman while quietly wondering, “God, when will it be my turn?” This week’s Midweek Prayer is for the woman who wants to celebrate others sincerely without letting comparison, disappointment, or waiting take over her heart. Together, we are asking God to help us rejoice with those who rejoice, bring our own ache honestly to Him, and remember that another woman’s blessing is not evidence that we have been forgotten. Inspired by Elizabeth’s response to Mary in Luke 1, this prayer is a reminder that there is room for another woman’s joy and your own hope at the same time. Come pray with me for freedom from comparison, a heart that celebrates sincerely, and deeper trust in the God who is still writing your story. Carry this with you today: **I can clap for her and trust God with me.** 00:00 Intro 00:31 Prayer 02:33 Outro

    MIDWEEK PRAYER —- Help Me Celebrate Her Without Comparing

  3. Sep 6

    When Your Sister Wins

    What happens when you genuinely love your sister, you are happy for her… and her blessing still hurts a little? In this episode of The Encouragement Well, we are talking honestly about comparison, jealousy, waiting, and what it looks like to celebrate another woman when she receives something you have been praying for yourself. Using the story of Mary and Elizabeth in Luke 1:39–45, we look at Elizabeth’s beautiful response to Mary’s blessing and what it teaches us about spiritual maturity, sisterhood, and making room for another woman’s joy. You will be reminded that two things can be true at once: you can be happy for her and still wish it were happening for you. The goal is not to shame the ache, but to take it to God before it turns into resentment. We will also talk about the danger of turning another woman’s blessing into a measuring stick for your own life. Her marriage is not commentary on your singleness. Her pregnancy is not commentary on your journey. Her promotion is not commentary on your career. Her platform is not commentary on your purpose. Another woman’s blessing is not evidence of your rejection. This week, you are invited to intentionally celebrate one woman without adding your own story to the moment—and to remind yourself: I can clap for her and trust God with me. Scriptures to reflect on: Luke 1:39–45, Romans 12:15, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Galatians 5:26, James 3:16 If this episode encourages you, share it with a sister who may need the reminder that someone else’s answered prayer does not mean God has forgotten her name. 🤍 00:00 TEW Episode 41 — When Your Sister Wins 02:33 Two Things Can Be True 04:38 Elizabeth Had Room to Bless Mary 06:51 Stop Turning Her Blessings Into Your Measuring Stick 09:30 Learn To Celebrate Out Loud 11:28 Closing Encouragement  12:55 Prayer 13:48 Outro

  4. Sep 2 ·  Bonus

    Midweek Prayer — Lord, I Release the Timeline

    This week’s Midweek Prayer is for the woman who is learning how to trust God without needing to control the timeline. Maybe you thought you would be further along by now. Maybe you are still waiting on an answer, a healing, a restored relationship, a new opportunity, or simply clarity about what comes next. And while you still believe God is faithful, the waiting can feel heavy. In this prayer, we are laying down the pressure of “by now” and asking God to help us surrender the timeline without surrendering the hope. We are praying for patience in slow seasons, eyes to recognize quiet miracles, grace to live fully in the present, and faith to trust that a detour does not mean God has forgotten us. Beautiful sister, you do not have to stop hoping. You do not have to stop praying. You do not have to stop believing. You can simply release the schedule. Come pray with me as we ask God to help us trust His timing, recognize His presence in the waiting, and live fully in the season He has given us right now. Scriptures to pair with this prayer: Ecclesiastes 3:1; Habakkuk 2:3; Isaiah 55:8–9; Psalm 27:14; Romans 8:28; Luke 2:36–38. Slow does not mean stagnant. Waiting does not mean wasted. And your story is still safe in His hands.

  5. Aug 30

    God’s Timing vs. Your Timeline

    Sometimes the hardest part of waiting is not the wait itself—it is realizing that life has not unfolded according to the timeline you imagined. In this episode of The Encouragement Well, we are talking about the quiet pressure of “by now.” By now, I thought I would be further along. By now, I thought God would have answered. By now, I thought life would look different. Through the story of Anna in Luke 2:36–38, we explore what it means to trust God when the route changes, the answer comes slowly, or the season lasts longer than expected. Anna’s life reminds us that waiting does not have to mean wasting. Her years became years of worship, devotion, service, and expectancy. Together, we will talk about the timelines we may be holding God to, the difference between a detour and a delay, the beauty of slow miracles, and how to keep living fully while you are still waiting for something deeply desired. Beautiful sister, surrendering the timeline does not mean surrendering the hope. You can still pray, believe, dream, and expect—and still choose to live, love, build, laugh, and worship right where you are. Key Scriptures: Ecclesiastes 3:1; Luke 2:36–38; Habakkuk 2:3; Isaiah 55:8–9; Romans 8:28; Psalm 27:14. Sometimes what looks late from where you are standing is still perfectly usable in the hands of God. 00:00 Intro- According to Whose Schedule? 03:26 Some Timelines Aren’t Even Ours 07:15 Anna Built a Life in the Meantime 09:49 A Detour Isn’t Automatically a Delay 12:29 Slow Miracles Are Still Miracles 16:27 Live Here While You Wait for There 20:48 Closing Encouragement  22:24 Prayer — Surrendering the Timeline Without Surrendering Hope 24:52 Outro

  6. Aug 26 ·  Bonus

    Midweek Prayer — Lord, Show Me Who Needs What You’ve Taught Me

    God can use the wisdom you’ve gained, the lessons you’ve learned, and even the places where you stumbled to help another woman along her journey. In this week’s Midweek Prayer, we’re asking God to show us who He has placed in front of us, give us discernment about how to pour into them well, and keep our hearts humble enough to mentor without controlling. This prayer is also a reminder that we are not responsible for producing growth in someone else. We can encourage, teach, pray, open doors, plant seeds, and share what God has taught us—but He is the One who gives the increase. May this prayer help you pour from a grounded place, stay connected to your Source, and trust God with whatever grows from the seeds you plant. Pair this prayer with Titus 2:3–5, Ruth 1:16–18, Proverbs 27:17, 2 Timothy 2:2, and 1 Corinthians 3:6–7.

  7. Aug 23

    Mentorship & Mothering the Next Woman (How to Pour into Others While Staying Grounded)

    You do not have to have everything figured out before you have something worth pouring into another woman. In this episode of The Encouragement Well, we’re talking about what mentorship really looks like and why it is less about being the expert and more about being willing to share what God has already taught you. Through the story of Naomi and Ruth, we’ll explore how to offer wisdom without controlling, share the messy parts of our stories instead of only the polished testimony, and recognize the women God may have already placed in front of us. We’ll also talk about the freedom that comes from remembering that we can plant, water, encourage, teach, connect, and pray, but God is the One who gives the increase. Beautiful sister, somebody may be coming behind you on a road you’ve already traveled. You don’t have to be at the finish line to turn around and say, “Watch your step right here.” Scriptures: Titus 2:3–5; Ruth 1:16–18; Proverbs 27:17; 2 Timothy 2:2; 1 Corinthians 3:6–7 00:00 Intro — Somebody Is Coming Behind You 03:03 Mentorship Isn't About Being the Expert 05:41 Naomi Couldn't Live Ruth's Life for Her 08:29 Tell Her the Part You Usually Leave Out 10:53 Plant the Seed; Don't Play God 13:18 Look Around: Who Can You Pour Into? 15:14 The Other Side of Mentorship : Stay Grounded 16:38 Action for this Week 17:17 Closing Encouragement 18:11 Prayer 19:51 Outro

  8. Aug 19 ·  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.

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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
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rachel Haywood
  • Show Website
    The Encouragement Well