A Punishment-Based Relationship with God Hinders Mental Health

A Punishment-Based Relationship with God Hinders Mental Health

Author: Mark DeJesus September 17, 2026 Duration: 28:05
Today I open up about how a punishment-based relationship with God quietly erodes your mental, emotional and relational health. I share from my own journey how the lie of disconnection, fear, and chronic condemnation can create a constant sense of “I’m not safe,” leading to anxiety, hypervigilance, torment, perfectionism, OCD patterns, depression, and deep loneliness. […]

Mark DeJesus hosts The Healing & Freedom Journey, a space where honest conversations about personal growth intersect with practical faith. Rather than offering quick fixes, this podcast digs into the roots of what holds us back, exploring the interconnected nature of our mental patterns, emotional wounds, and relational struggles. Each episode feels like a thoughtful dialogue, where Mark draws from his experience to discuss how spiritual principles directly impact our daily health and fitness-not just physically, but in the wholeness of our lives. You’ll hear discussions that reframe challenges, offering tangible ways to move from survival to a genuine sense of freedom and resilience. It’s for anyone feeling stuck in cycles of anxiety, conflict, or self-doubt, who is looking for a resource that bridges spiritual wisdom with actionable self-improvement. Tune in to find a consistent, compassionate voice guiding you through the complexities of inner transformation, making this podcast a unique companion on the path toward becoming more authentically you.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

The Healing & Freedom Journey
Podcast Episodes
Working Through EXISTENTIAL Thoughts that Become OBSESSIVE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:33
If you find yourself stuck in your head, spiraling over big questions about God, eternity, reality, and the meaning of life, allow me to talk to you about when thoughts become existential and obsessive. Maybe you can’t s…
Embracing IMPERFECTION and Experiencing God’s Love and Grace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:11
I invite you into a gracious, Christ-centered way of relating to your imperfections in a renewed way—not as areas to compulsively fix, run away from or erase, but as places where love and grace can finally reach you and…
Working Through OCD and LOW Feelings and Emotions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:23
If you’ve ever battled OCD, scrupulosity, perfectionism, or just that “never enough” way of living, you may know what it’s like to suddenly find yourself feeling low, empty, and emotionally flat—right in the middle of tr…
Stop Catastrophizing Your Thoughts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:06
Does your mind have a habit of turning small problems into full-blown emergencies? Do your thoughts spiral into worst-case scenarios before you even have time to catch your breath? If so, you may be caught in a pattern c…
10 Ways to Stop Being Afraid of Your Thoughts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:05
If you’re exhausted from battling your own thoughts, this video is for you. In this teaching, I’m opening up about a struggle that’s been very real in my own life: being afraid of my thoughts—especially those intrusive,…
You Are NOT the Thoughts that Show Up in Your Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:37
Do you struggle with disturbing, dark or “crazy” thoughts that pop into your mind that make you immediately wonder, “What is wrong with me?” That was my life for a long time. Fear-based, anxiety-ridden, intrusive thought…