if you are someone who struggles with behavioral addictions such as BFRBs and are Christian you have come to the right place. To anyone else who's listening this is a place where I share my personal struggle with chronic skin picking and my healing journey through scripture and insights as I grow in my walk with Jesus. Whether you are somene who deals with chronic skin picking (dermatillomania) or related conditions such as trichotillomania and other BFRBs or not, I created this so that you might learn something about Jesus, myself, and other people that live with mental health conditions
In this latest episode I discuss some lies of the enemy that I have believed regarding my skin, my BFRB related attitudes and cognitive distortions, along with lies I have believed about the state of my health as relates to my journey living with chronic health conditions. Some verses mentioned in this episode to refute those lies are 1 Cor 6:19, Rom 12:1, Deut 31:6, 1 Jo 3:20, Eph 4:30, Matt 23:37, Gen 6:5-6, Jas 1:14, Gal 5:24, 2 Cor 10:5, Ecc 3:16, Rom 18:28, Heb 4:12, and Rom 8:37. I'm aware that some of these are repeats of verses that have been brought up in previous episodes, but I apply them to different lies or lies that Satan cleverly repackages and whispers to us. I also tie in a concept/theme that I have come across in anime and apply it to spiritual warfare and our battle with temptation. Lastly, I have included the link to the playlist I wanted to share with songs that get me in the right headspace to face these cognitive distortions and step into my identity in Christ.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5emkqRy6wn7ks4iKHFfOss?si=hSvfSRTNTji-0C4c0RwaZg&utm_source=copy-link&pi=unTy2oasQtmnF
9 Jul 2026
finding peace & clarity about mental health challenges and in a treatment plan
In this episode I invite my close friend Grace into a conversation about her journey with mental health and to finding a treatment plan that she has come to accept and one that she is open to sharing about regarding her experiences as a person living with bipolar disorder. She is actively involved in her local church and is very open about finding doctors and treatment for bipolar as well as inviting God in to be part of that journey. I also share a bit about my past experience with mental health conditions and chronic illness and discuss interactions I've had with people in the church community about healing as well as the 2 critical mistakes that can be made by Christians when we are faced with mental health challenges. We explore the connection between spiritual maturity and having loving and respectful interactions when people open up about their mental health challenges regardless of our own opinions or personal experience. Some bible verses covered in this episode are 1 Cor 14:33, 1 Jo 4:1, & Phil 3:21.
28 Jun 2026
A child of God-precious & protected
I start out by highlighting how our feelings sometimes distort our perspective and keep us from seeing ourselves the way that God sees us-that is as a beloved child and a uniquely beautiful person of Christ. Next, I revisit a scripture from Matt 20:21 & Mat 7:7 on prayer that I discussed in episode 4 and a recent insight that I've had on that passage. Then I move into discussing another element of the armor of God, specifically the shield of faith. I tie this in with the covering of protection God provides for his followers to shield us from the lies of the enemy and Satan's tool of suggestion. I share how this tool is essential in coping with BFRB urges with the armor of God and a powerful example in the Old Testament of one of God's prophets that had unwavering faith in the protection God provides for his people. I fold this into a more broad discussion about spiritual warfare and the shield of faith at work in the unseen world. Lastly, I share an unexpected takeaway about my skin and the healing process I discovered from going to the creation museum recently, and how it has inspired me to adapt my own rendition of the Serenity Prayer. Other bible verses referenced in this episode include Deut 32:10, Lam 4:2, 1 Jo 3:1, Matt 6:10, 2 Ki 6:9-17 & Eph 6:16
https://www.christianbook.com/things-loves-about-simple-reminders-most/9780310460503/pd/460503?srsltid=AfmBOoratOsZhOv4Qh_wE82oq4ArtBw1K0XA5oguvpIhqMzD4-vp1r5S
26 Apr 2026
Finding and Clinging to your Identity in Jesus
Journey with me into an honest conversation with a friend Philip about his life growing up with a learning disability and walking through the challenges of navigating public education and how his faith in Jesus brought him to a place of acceptance and community. We discuss some shared experiences between living a Christ-centered life with a learning disability and living a Christ-centered life with chronic illness. We also share about our creative outlets and interests and how we honor God through them. A bible verse mentioned in this episode is 2 Cor 12:9-10.
31 Dec 2025
Dealing with disappointment & setbacks in your BFRB journey
Do you ever feel like you're backsliding or stagnating in your journey with BFRBs or management of other mental health conditions? Encouragement through scripture is a key element in maintaining a healthy self-image and in our relationship with Jesus as well as overall in the sphere of mental health. I discuss what this looks like practically because for most people who struggle with BFRBs, perfectionism and self-criticism tends to be louder than the still small voice through which the Holy Spirit often speaks. Also trying to motivate yourself to open up/pull our your bible in the middle of a compulsive urge has not been an effective strategy for me, but I share some scripture-based strategies that I have found to be more effective. Bible verses featured in this episode include Eph 6:10, Eph 6:16, 2 Cor 1:20, Isa 41:10, and Psa 42:5. I also discuss different forms of Behavior Tracking for BFRBs and how there is some freedom for creativity in that.
Behavior tracking resources:
https://courage-counseling.com/free-download-log-track-skin-picking-hair-pulling-body-focused-repetitive-behaviors-bfrbs/
https://trichotillomania.com/hair-pulling-habit-tracker/
https://pickingme.org/resources/skinpickinglog.html
Peer Coaching Resources:
https://habitaware.com/products/virtual-peer-bfrb-coach-session?srsltid=AfmBOor5ny05xUq2CuIAroUyYYSj-gmgwbPcpSEab3BRPwKLLddU6MUU
https://www.heypeers.com/meeting_utilities/303?peer_supporter_id=174184
7 Oct 2025
Neuroscience, My Recovery Perspective, & Bibical insights
Have you ever thought about what might recovery from BFRBs look like for you? Like beyond being pull-free or pick-free, what might your life look like? Not everyone believes complete recovery/healing from BFRBs is possible and I'm not here to condemn anyone who feels/thinks that way. that is not the viewpoint I hold currently, but I also recognize that there are still things I don't know and I'm learning about these conditions all the time! I provide the reasons I hold the position that I do and discuss the connection between the concept of "renewal of the mind" found in Romans 12:2 and what that could mean for BFRB recovery. I also discuss the numerous scriptural references of being "set free" and "freedom from sin" such as in Rom 6:6 & Gal 3:22. I talk about going deeper with God, and how being vulnerable with Jesus and focusing on the things He has for us can diminish the need to engage with our BFRBs . Other bible verses brought up in this episode include 2 Cor 10:5, Ps 148:7-13, Rom 13:14, & Gal 5:16
30 Jul 2025
When your prayers for deliverance seem to be bouncing off the ceiling
Have you ever been in a place where you read a scripture that is generally regarded as being one that is deeply encouraging/empowering and felt like you just wanted to pretend like it isn't there at all? What are some practical steps you can take when you're feeling this way? I also discuss some strategies for dealing with BFRBs when there are no negative thoughts that come up about your skin or hair and you start picking or pulling as a way to escape your own thoughts. Some Bible verses I talk about in this episode are Matt 21: 21-22, Jas 4:2, 1 Thess 5:15-16, Num 14:2-3, & Psa 116:1-2.
As promised, here is a link to my audio recording that I listen to frequently in my trigger spaces:
https://recorder.google.com/4fff71aa-eb44-4f69-bc92-9b7f2fd693d8
And here is a link to my Praise Worship Playlist that I also listen to in my trigger spaces:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4sfsRRgQ3bSamglKkX7z84?si=y9kbi0amSzyExUQZFlj3Mw
14 Jun 2025
Confronting Difficult Questions Raised by Unpopular Scriptures
The episode explores challenging scriptures, particularly Hebrews 10:26-27, addressing concerns about God's anger versus love and offering a balanced perspective on habitual sin, mercy, and grace.
17 Apr 2025
Exploring Spiritual and Secular Tools for BFRBs
This episode explores both spiritual and secular tools for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, incorporating scripture and therapy options to combat negative thought patterns.
25 Feb 2025
Strategies for Combatting the Lies of the Enemy
The host shares personal struggles with skin picking, explores the deceptive tactics employed, and offers strategies using scripture, music, and meditation to overcome temptation.
7 Feb 2025
Divine Curses and the Lure of the Victim Mentality
This episode of "Picking Jesus" explores divine curses and victim mentality.
9 Oct 2024
Proverbs, Pet Owners, & Perspectives on BFRBs
The host explores Proverbs 26:11 and its impact on individuals with Body Focused Repetitive Disorders, offering an alternative perspective on emotion-driven responses to scripture and sharing a personal journey with chronic skin picking.
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Picking Jesus host the show. Published by Mandi Halloran.
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