Lacy Apfelbeck knows attention to personal wellbeing during the holidays can be often overlooked.
“I would just encourage people … to just be honest with yourself and take time and space to feel your feelings — there’s no shame or guilt in that,” Apfelbeck told “Practicing Catholic” radio show producer Rachael McCallum during a recent interview. This time to process can allow a person to reflect on “who I am and how do I show up,” Apfelbeck suggested.
Having founded Edge of the Red Sea Ministries — a Minnesota-based nonprofit that abides by the teachings of the Catholic Church to encourage emotional, physical and spiritual healing — Apfelbeck said sometimes sorting through emotions can start with spending time with God in prayer or journaling.
Apfelbeck also urged listeners to consider sharing those thoughts and feelings with a family member or friend, and sometimes even a trained professional.
“You might need to try a few different things until you find what works for you (and) you might need a few different things as well,” Apfelbeck said.
Apfelbeck encouraged listeners to look to Mary and Joseph as guides. “They endured many trials, and they endured many struggles” on their way to welcoming Jesus into the world, she said.
“It is hard to say yes to the Lord’s will and when we are living in that place of obedience and surrender, that’s where we find true peace, that’s where we find ourselves, that’s where we find our serenity,” Apfelbeck said. “(A)ny door that God opens, we cannot shut. And any door that God shuts, we cannot open and it’s for our benefit.”
To hear Apfelbeck’s suggestions for surrendering to God in the new year, tune in when the show debuts at 9 p.m. Jan. 3 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. Jan. 4 and 2 p.m. Jan. 5.
Learn more about Edge of the Red Sea Ministries online at edgeoftheredseaministries.org.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes an interview with Patrick Conley, so listeners can better know the “Practicing Catholic” host, and with Kate Soucheray, a licensed marriage and family therapist emeritus, about how to incorporate faith into New Year’s resolutions.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
