Jesus, Emotions, and Mental Health: Faith, Neuroscience, and Trauma with Becky Castle Miller | Steadfast Podcast

What if emotions are not the enemy but a vital part of following Jesus? Jessie Evans is joined by researcher and writer Becky Castle Miller, along with Steadfast team members Tiff Holdgate and Annalise Lind, to explore the psychology and theology of emotions—how our brains construct them, how Jesus discipled his followers emotionally, and how the church can engage emotional health more faithfully.This episode is produced by Steadfast Christian Counseling in Charleston, SC. Our team of licensed therapists helps people of all ages work through trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship struggles with a Christ-centered, research-informed approach. Learn more at steadfastchristiancounseling.com.Key themes include:Emotions as meaning-making processes of body + mindJesus as a teacher of emotions (joy, compassion, enemy love)Trauma responses, IFS therapy, and discipleshipWhy mistranslating “anxiety” in scripture harms peopleNeurodivergence and emotional regulation challengesEmotions, intuition, and recovery from spiritual abuseTimestamps00:01 – Welcome + introducing Becky Castle Miller01:08 – Defining what “emotion” really means05:00 – How Jesus discipled his followers emotionally09:15 – Trauma-informed parenting and naming emotions11:13 – A “third way” of engaging emotions in faith and culture13:54 – Differentiating emotions, trauma responses, and IFS “parts”16:30 – Becky’s personal story: emotional suppression, counseling, and healing19:49 – Seminary, PhD research, and women bringing sound scholarship to the church22:19 – Neurodivergence and challenges in emotional regulation26:59 – Mistranslating “anxiety” in Scripture31:18 – Co-regulation, not condemnation33:09 – Rethinking “the heart is deceitful”40:00 – Emotions, intuition, and spiritual abuse42:36 – Misogyny + anti-emotionalism in evangelical culture43:26 – Where to find Becky + her upcoming book46:08 – Recommended books47:16 – Closing reflectionsResources & Links:Website: beckycastlemiller.comSubstack: beckycastlemiller.substack.comInstagram: @wholeemotionJesus Was (Becky’s chapter “Jesus Was Emotional”) – Kregel PublishingFollowing King Jesus by Scot McKnight & Becky Castle Miller – AmazonPost-Traumatic Jesus by David Peters – AmazonHow Emotions Are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett – Amazon | TED TalkBetween Us by Batja Mesquita – Amazon