Ep 4 Divine Worth Podcast: Navigating Life’s Twists with Faith with Janaca Seegrist

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Welcome to the divine worth podcast, where we are letting go of our self doubt anxiety, fear, and limiting beliefs so that we can step into the divine roles that God has for us. I am your host life coach, Karen Papin, and together we are embracing our divine worth.

Today we have a special guest.

Her name is Janaca Seegrist. She is a wife, mother and creator. She loves date nights with her husband. She loves the sky says ice cream is her favorite love language and enjoy seeing and dancing around the house. Janaca shares the light of Christ in a variety of ways. The highlight right now is going live on Instagram at he.

1. in. That my dot story with people eager to share their testimonies of Christ showing up for them in their heart. She hopes everyone can feel the love, the savior’s love and recognize him in the details of their lives. Love that. Jenica, thank you [00:01:00] so much for being here today.

Janaca Seegrist: Yeah. Thanks for inviting me.

So I would love

Karen Papin: to kind of hear about how have you seen the In your life, the ways that God has shown that he loves you and that he believes in you.

Janaca Seegrist: So when I think about that, I think of all the things that I’ve gone through and the blessings that have come from them. So like at a really young age, I was blessed to be involved in a lot of things and not like I was expecting all these things to come to me.

But they kind of did sometimes. And then all of a sudden when I was a little bit older and I realized, Oh, I don’t get everything that I auditioned for or worked for or things like that. I think heavenly father made it apparent to me, like, you’re still worth it, and I have other plans for you.

And so when he provides those [00:02:00] other things for me, despite what I was thinking, Was best for me. I think that shows his love for me tremendously and everything he’s been willing to give me and provide me. I think has blessed me to know that he does love me.

Karen Papin: So, it’s kind of like those experiences that you’ve had where you expected it to go a certain way, and then it didn’t, those were the times that the Lord kind of showed you, I do love you.

Oh, that’s interesting. Do you have like a specific experience that you would like to share with us?

Janaca Seegrist: I mean, there’s like a ton, probably like the main one that I kind of explained. With you first was back in high school when, I was working towards things. I had all these things in mind for my senior year and now I was on dance company.

I was part of choir. I was part of outside things, but that in particular in high school was like a big deal, your senior year and when those things didn’t [00:03:00] happen, like I was auditioning for madrigals and things, and I was not a madrigal and it was like a really devastating thing to me.

And I look back and I’m like, man, that was not that big of a deal, but to us, like a junior senior in high school, it was a big deal because you were so excited about the fun and things that. We’re going to take place your senior year. And so that didn’t happen, but I was blessed with other opportunities.

To like perform and be part of another choir group, a girl’s choir group. And then I was called on seminary council. And then that same year I also was on, dance company. So I had the opportunity to do all these things, but it just wasn’t what I had anticipated. And then I had the challenge of deciding whether I was going to stick around on Dance Company and perform like my senior recital or go on choir tour.

[00:04:00] And yeah, those two are both good things. And for me making those decisions between good and good are really difficult. And so I ended up making a decision cause I was like the president over this, choir group that I was in. So I kind of felt like there was an obligation there. And so I had to kind of go and let down my team on this other side with dance company.

And that was really tough because, I gave my whole heart and soul to it. And. Yeah, I’m not going to be performing in my senior recital. Things like that, that I know that heavenly father still loves me and he gives me agency to choose, but whatever I choose, I know deep down he loves me because he still provides ways to build me up and strengthen me.

So that’s just one example. And then there’s many others. Even more like my motherhood journey and things. So

Karen Papin: I love that you recognize, that he is there and he’s, he’s giving you even more opportunities, and showing his love in that way. I’m [00:05:00] curious, you do the Instagram lives on, on his, in my story.

So I, I want to hear more about kind of how that came to be. Like what, why did you start doing that? And the Lord’s guidance in all of that too.

Janaca Seegrist: So back in, I think it was 2019. I just had this really strong feeling that I needed to share like goodness and stories from people that were Going through hard times, but we’re able to overcome those hard times because in my life, I’ve had plenty of those opportunities.

And, if you listen to some of my stories individually, one of the main ones that started this whole thing was when my father was arrested and the feelings that came from that for myself was just like. I don’t know. It was surreal. And I wanted to, be a source for good for those that were feeling alone and struggling in their hardships.

[00:06:00] And so I decided, I’m just going to throw a podcast together. And then the great year of 2020 came around and I was like I need to take a step back. I need to focus on my family here. And then last year. Came around again, and I had more kids in school by that time. And I just had this really strong impression to start it up again.

And this time make it more centered on Christ instead of just like everyday stories, I wanted it to be more. And I was worried I wouldn’t have the time to do it and things, but because I was pulled to do it, I was like, I can make an hour a week work for me and I can just go live on Instagram.

And that’s how I made it work is I just showed up an hour each week to share stories. From my life and other people’s lives where Christ showed up for them. And you know what, back in college, we had a stake president that stood up at stake [00:07:00] conference. And what he said was so profound to me. He said, we share experiences because we never know who will need to hear it.

And that’s always stuck with me. And that’s what kind of got the ball rolling with my first podcast and still pushes me to this day to keep sharing, because you never know who needs to hear your story and the hope and goodness that comes from getting through that hard. You know, and knowing that there is someone like Jesus Christ that is there and willing to reach out his hand when you are ready for him to help you through those hard things.

And so that just really inspired me to like, get it out there and really share. So people knew they weren’t alone with whatever they were going through. So that’s kind of a little background behind he is in my story I

Karen Papin: love how the Lord takes our hard moments And turns them around so [00:08:00] that we can make a bigger impact.

And like when I was 15, my younger brother passed away and yes, extremely difficult thing to go through. And I miss him. I still miss him like years later, but I still miss him. However, that experience led me on the path that I am on today because I wanted to be able to help others to be able to go through hard times.

And so I started studying psychology and personal development way back when I was 15 years old, and I went on to get a bachelor’s degree and then pivoted into becoming a life coach. And, it all happened because of the experience that I had when I was 15 in, in having that loss and that loss being the catalyst for me to have this desire to help others. So I love how you were able to take a hard experience and let that desire to [00:09:00] help others grow within you to creating these lives and allowing others. And, and I think what you’re is great on multiple levels. Like one you’re inspiring others because You’re sharing these hard moments where the Lord was able to help people through their hard moments.

And yet also you’re giving that space to those people who are sharing their stories to be able to share their story. And that is a healing thing for them as well.

Janaca Seegrist: Yeah, that’s one thing. When, my dad was arrested, it was so easy to just not want anyone to know about it and to keep it to myself and things like that.

And it wasn’t until I was okay with opening it up and just sharing tidbits here and there. where I started feeling the relief and the atonement working in my life and being okay with it. I’m like, yeah, it’s kind of a sucky situation and nobody wants to go through [00:10:00] those kinds of situations.

But until you’re open with it and share, you don’t know who else has gone through that. You just feel alone. And since that I feel like it’s still one of those things that I still feel like I’m the minority on sometimes within especially the gospel, but at the same time, there’s so many that have gone through it that I have come to realize.

And since that time, more people specifically with similar situations to mine where I’ve been able to reach out and be like , it’s not the end, it might feel horrible for a little while, and trying to get in the groove of things and trying to, understand, like who you are again, because it kind of throws you for a loop when people do things or you do things yourself that kind of just, It just kind of is like, okay, who am I here?

You know, who is this person or whatever? You kind of just have to realign yourself and decide if you want to, you know, give [00:11:00] your heart to Christ and let him like buoy you up and lift you up and remind you how important you are because those things really confuse and, distort your mind view of things sometimes.

Karen Papin: So what do you do in those moments where you are feeling that distortion and discouragement or whatever it is that you’re feeling in that moment? What do you do?

Janaca Seegrist: Well, this morning was kind of an interesting morning. I woke up feeling fine, but as I got my kids out the door and things , I just had this like overwhelming, like either heaviness or emotions, like a lot of emotions come out of nowhere.

 So I think that’s kind of a good example of okay, here we go. And it was , all up in my head. And so I told myself when I got home that I was going to take care of myself. I was going to get a shower, you know, I was going to move my body. I was going to listen to good music that helps me sometimes.

Sometimes I sit down and journal. That’s a big one that I’ve. [00:12:00] started implementing a little bit more so in the last couple years because it just gets everything out of my mind and down on paper. And I really feel like it opens up channels where I can receive inspiration after I have let everything out of my brain.

So those are just a couple of things that I’ve done. Movement, going outside is a huge one for me. Like I said, I love looking up at the sky. There’s something about looking up at the sky that is just hope filled for me. It takes my eyes off the worldly things, like right around me. And when I cast my eyes up to the sky, it just, there’s a calming spirit to it.

It just brings me hope and peace. So those are some other things.

Karen Papin: I love those. I, I’m like you, I love the sky. Like it just, it fascinates me too. Like whether it’s cloudy or not cloudy or rainy or whatever it is, it’s, it’s. It’s an [00:13:00] amazing thing just to go out there and consider the creations of the world.

And it’s one of those things that, that helps me to know that God is there, like just the magnitude of it.

Janaca Seegrist: Yep. Love it.

Karen Papin: and also one of the great things about just going outside too, is it actually changes your state you’re, you’re changing where you are or where you were and physically removing yourself from that situation to kind of get a clearer view of, of your life.

Janaca Seegrist: Yeah, I love my drive home from dropping off my kids at school because it’s just like a little bit more quiet, but at the same time I’m like looking out , at the sky and I’m like, I wish I wasn’t driving right now because I just want to keep looking up, but I’m like, okay, come back here for a little bit and then you can go enjoy that later, but there is something about just seeing the [00:14:00] broad perspective and things like that of the horizon in the sky.

Karen Papin: So when you’re doing these lives and you do them every Tuesday, right? Okay. So when you are doing these lives on Tuesdays, do you ever like have any resistance to actually doing it?

Janaca Seegrist: Yeah. There have been plenty of mornings where I’ve woken up , it just sets the tone , depending on what’s going on in the morning, how the kids are doing.

And then I get home and sometimes I’m like, ah, I really don’t feel like making the effort to get on and like put on a face. Sometimes you feel like you have to put on a face, but honestly, every single time that Right. Bye. move forward and do it. I come out of it feeling so uplifted and strengthened and know that I am doing what the Lord has asked me to do.

I can’t even tell you like, even like, yeah, it’s just amazing when I think someone else knows the adversary. knows what goodness comes. And so [00:15:00] he preps you to be like, Oh, another one, or, Oh, this is kind of a not so good morning. I don’t want to hop on and like put on a face sometimes. And sometimes I don’t put on a face.

Sometimes I just show up , how I am because I’ve made that commitment and I want to. Spread joy, no matter what my circumstances, but yeah, sometimes it is difficult to still get on, but when I do, I am so blessed and I’m so grateful every single time because I’m just uplifted by the people willing to share their stories.

And then it fills me with the spirit for the rest of the day. So I love it.

Karen Papin: Awesome. I love that. Just that comparison. It’s like, sometimes there is that. Opposition. Like right before you’re about to do something that you know is right, that you know that God wants you to do, but there’s that opposition and that resistance and Satan really tries to keep you from doing it.

And then it’s, if you just [00:16:00] push through that and do it anyways, it’s beautiful. It’s beautiful. It happens. There’s so much more light in your life because of it.

Janaca Seegrist: Yes. For sure. I love it. The light is powerful.

Karen Papin: It’s true. It breaks through even, even in a dark room. Like if you turn off the lights and close the doors and, even at night, it’s like our eyes are like, Adjust to the darkness because there’s still some light getting through somewhere and it’s powerful.

Like even a small amount of light can help us to be able to see if we’re seeking to notice it. Right.

Janaca Seegrist: That is so good.

So what do you feel are some of the biggest things that keep you from being able to recognize your worth , and your potential?

I would say comparison is a huge one. I don’t feel like I’m like always comparing myself to other people, but I really think that is definitely a tactic of the [00:17:00] adversary because he wants you to feel insignificant and whatever you’re doing is the wrong thing or what whoever your neighbor or friend or whatever is doing is should be the right way and you’re doing it different.

Janaca Seegrist: So it’s, Not going to be as good, you know, so like we’ve been told comparison is a thief of joy, and I really truly believe that because if we let it even like an inkling of it kind of come in, it’s like, Oh, I’m not so good anymore. Or, sometimes it feels hopeless sometimes when you aren’t seeing fruits of what you’re doing, but it seems like everyone else is seeing fruits or so happy.

But I think it’s amazing what we don’t see behind closed doors, so when we think we’re comparing our lives to their lives, we’re only comparison, comparing what we see. And so that’s one thing that has, Been a struggle for me. And I think probably for everyone, I don’t [00:18:00] know, maybe some of you are not into the comparison game and you are just so confident in yourself, you know, and don’t question what other people are doing and if it’s better or not, but that has definitely been something that I’ve had to learned to be okay with is myself.

And what I’m doing is. Great. I remember back when I had just grad, we had just graduated college and we were living at my mom’s house. And I, Invited some friends over. So I was being a host, you know, and I don’t mind being a host. I actually enjoy it. But it was interesting, the little things that came in while I was there hosting, like my friend was like, oh, do you have this like for the salad or something?

And immediately when I didn’t have exactly what she was asking for, it was like this. Like I put up this wall like, oh, I don’t think I have that. And I felt like this uncomfortableness like, oh crap, I’m not measuring up. [00:19:00] As a host or something. And I took a step back and I was like, wait a second. I don’t have to have everything that everyone else has.

I can have what I have and it will be just fine. Like being different is okay. You know, little things like that here and there that I’m like, whoa, Janaca, that’s like a thought coming into your head that you’re like comparing that you’re not meeting a certain standard here, and I was like, no, it’s okay.

Like people just do things differently and we have things Differently and we’re different stages in our lives and sure, she might have this beautiful bowl or something, but your plastic bowl is just fine. Things like that, I think is just, yeah, comparison is the thief of joy.

Not like I was comparing, but inside it was kind of like a, I wasn’t measuring up type feeling. So that’s just one example of something silly, but made a difference, you know?

Karen Papin: Yeah, I like that example because [00:20:00] it’s like. More everyday example, like how often do we come across little things like that? And we do start to have those thoughts of comparison and it’s like, Oh, maybe I’m not measuring up.

and I love that you stopped yourself and you were able to catch yourself and kind of be like, no way that that’s not true. We’re different. And, that’s a good thing. Right?

Janaca Seegrist: Yeah.

Karen Papin: So I love that you shared that example, and it’s so true. Like we need to embrace those differences because it’s those things that make us unique and we are more likely to if we all work together with those differences that we have, we’re more likely to create a bigger impact on this world and, and influence more people. Whereas if we’re all the same, then it’s like, we’re just going to reach the same people, right?

Janaca Seegrist: Yeah. And that’s why you’re created differently.

Cause he needs us all in different capacities to [00:21:00] bring to pass his. Plan, you know, that also reminds me of like the scripture that I shared with you and DNC, not trying to remember what the reference is. I think it’s 1810, but where it says every soul is great in the sight of God. Now I’m totally butchering it.

It’s a really small scripture, but that’s okay. But the point of it being is that the thing that stands out to me in that scripture is every soul is great. It’s not like. Every clean house is great in the sight of God, or every manicured yard, it’s great in the side of God mentioning things that I have problems with, you know, with comparison and stuff, but it’s every soul, it’s our soul.

That is the thing that is. Magnified and worth so much more in the eyes of God. And I just love that. And it’s, sometimes I just have to remind myself, you know, like it [00:22:00] honestly is me personally. It’s not the things of the world that is the thing that’s of worth, you know, and important. So I love that.

Karen Papin: And a lot of times it’s like those things that we see they’re surface level things,

there’s a scripture, I think it’s in Samuel, where he look, it says the Lord looketh on the heart and that’s what it is. It’s yes. These, these souls are great in the sight of God. It’s it’s what’s within us. It’s

Janaca Seegrist: the most important.

Karen Papin: Yes. Why do you feel that knowing and feeling that you are of worth is, is important?

Janaca Seegrist: It’s just super important because I honestly feel like I’ve been blessed throughout my life to have that be one of my solid foundations is knowing that I am a child of God. And I can’t tell you how many times that I have reverted back to that foundation and that knowledge [00:23:00] to help me get through hard things.

It’s And I truly believe if we, like, if we struggle with knowing our worth, if we pray to our heavenly father and just ask him how he feels about us, honestly, I think he will answer us directly and tell us how much he loves us no matter what we’re going through in our circumstances. I think we could, I could only see truthfully say that he would answer everyone and be like, I love you so much.

You matter to me. You are important. You are great. Like he would build us up because he loves us so much. And if we know that, you know, I think a lot of other things that we worry about and struggle with can simmer down a little bit. I don’t want to say like, go away. Because sometimes they don’t go away as quickly as we would like.

And sometimes we have to ask him multiple times. Like, honestly, do you still love me? Even after I did XYZ, you know? And [00:24:00] yes, he will confirm to you that he still loves you. And that he is there when you want to make the change. Or if you need him to help you through something. But having that foundation and knowing my divine worth as a child of God has impacted my life.

It’s impacted the choices I’ve made. It’s impacted how I treat my children and how I, you know, just the spirit that I bring into my home when I feel good about myself and know that Heavenly Father is watching over me and guiding me . Things just are so much more smooth, smoother as I bring him along with my life and believe that he does love me,

yeah. It’s just something deep down inside I can feel and I’m just like, it’s so important. I hope everyone has, like, takes the time to invest in your knowing your self worth, your divine worth as a child [00:25:00] of God, because he created you and each one of us , divinely, just for a certain purpose. And he loves each one of us exactly , how we are, and can help us even become even greater than we could ever imagine.

Karen Papin: I love that I really love that it’s, it affects all areas of our life. Like when we embrace our divine worth, we, it affects our confidence, but it really does affect all of us. All of our relationships as well. and the different things that we end up doing with our life.

And like, if you take a look at those times that you did not act in the ways that you would have liked to, whether it be as a mom or in, well, whatever. Situation, right. It’s when you, you kind of, well, in my situation, like I I’ve lost sight of who I actually am.

Janaca Seegrist: Yeah. [00:26:00]

Karen Papin: I’m reacting versus actually intentionally responding in the ways, that I would, if I stop myself and I’m like, okay, how would I act as a daughter of God in this situation?

And then

once I get clear on that, then it’s like, okay, well now I can apply the atonement, right. And move forward. Reacting in the way that I would rather react and being more intentional. And so embracing that, that divine identity , and our divine worth can really impact every area of our life.

Janaca Seegrist: I agree.

It’s one of those things that you like want to shout from the rooftops because you feel it so deeply in your core, but you’re like, how do I put this into words? To let others know how important it is, you know, and how can I help them feel love so that they know they’re of worth.

Karen Papin: So one small and simple action that those listening can take [00:27:00] to really embrace their divine worth and potential.

Janaca Seegrist: That kind of goes back to me just saying to pray, to know you’re of worth and how much he loves you every day. If you can multiple times a day, if you need it on hard days, you know, and I think it’s But just an actionable, another actionable step is to find ways that , you can embrace to show yourself that you love yourself too, and show that you’re worth to yourself, even, as a mom, sometimes it’s hard to take time for yourself.

I can attest to that. At least for me, it’s hard to take time for myself. I have a lot of mom guilt sometimes, but. Making those intentional moments for myself to take care of myself and remember the things that I love and, dig deep, reminds me that, yeah, I’m worth it too. And when I take care of myself, then my kids [00:28:00] are even more taken care of and loved.

So, making sure that you are loving yourself just as much as Heavenly Father loves you, I think is another actionable step that sometimes doesn’t come easy, but. When you do it, it makes a big difference.

Karen Papin: And you can, you just start small, just like start looking just for one small way that you are showing yourself love.

Janaca Seegrist: Yeah. Yep. Cause sometimes it’s really hard, especially like I’ve dealt with , major anxiety and depression at times in my life. And it’s hard to get out of those slumps, but even the little things like. Making your bed or getting up and just stretching. I do that a lot because I’m like, Oh, I want to, my body feels like it needs exercise, but I’m not like up to the task sometimes.

So just sitting up in bed and stretching your arms and your legs and your body, like that feels good too. And that’s a step that I have taken when [00:29:00] it’s hard to get out of bed, but it helps me to get out of bed. When I take one step, it’s easier to take another step and another step to show love for myself.

So it

Karen Papin: builds that momentum too. It gets you going. Well, is there anything else that you would like to share with our listeners today?

Janaca Seegrist: No, there’s like so much in my heart, but I just can’t leave without emphasizing how much our heavenly father loves each and every one of us. And he cares about the little things in our lives just as much as the big things. And I know he’s there to guide us. And sometimes when I share these things, it’s like for me to hear too.

I’m not alone. Like, I’m not exempt from any of this. Sometimes I say it and I’m like, okay, Janaca, did you hear what you just said? Remember this, so sharing your story is a [00:30:00] big part of my life right now. And I know that he is in every one of our stories. And when we are ready to share our stories, I know that the spirit will uplift us and strengthen us as well as those others who need to hear it that we might not even know.

Who are struggling or just need to hear something we have to say. And sometimes it’s not even along the lines of something that comes out of your mouth that opens the pathway for the Spirit to, you know, witness to them what they need to hear. So whatever you’re going through, know your Heavenly Father loves you and is so pleased with what you’re doing.

We’re all doing the best we can and we’re doing an awesome job. But honestly, take the time every day to remember how much He loves and appreciates. What you’re doing as a disciple of Christ. And

Karen Papin: yeah, Janaca, thank you so much. I would love to hear how [00:31:00] those listening can connect with you. So that they can learn more from you and, and the things that you do.

Janaca Seegrist: Yeah, so my main focus is on Instagram right now at he is in my story and there I share every Tuesday, usually at 10 o’clock. Sometimes I have to be flexible for those who are working and things like that. Usually Tuesday at 10, we share live stories from multiple different people who are willing to come share.

And then every once in a while, I host. Some in person events and I have a prayer journal that I love that I use that you can look into and I also have something new coming out, hopefully launching at the end of this week as a connecting, group. Thing like some live calls that’s called connect and reflect and that’s another way you can connect and reflect with those around you in small groups coming together and talking [00:32:00] about different topics, sometimes taboo topics that we come and address together so that we know we’re not alone.

So that’s coming out soon. If you want to check that out.

Karen Papin: Yeah. That sounds great. Okay. And if it’s coming out at the end of this week, then by the time this launch, this episode launches, it’ll be out. So be sure to check that out. And Janaca, thank you so much for being willing and to come on here and to share your thoughts about divine worth.

And it, it’s been great talking to you.

Janaca Seegrist: Yeah. Thank you for inviting me again.

Karen Papin: If you have found this podcast to be a light, please Please share it with others at our labor review, which helps others find the podcast as well. To learn more about your divine worth and potential, you can download some free scripture cards focused on your worth at https://karenpapin.com/scripturecards. You are of worth. You have a purpose. The Lord loves you and he believes in you. And only you can make the impact on this world. That you are meant to make during the next time, as we talk more about divine worth and potential.