About Poppy Smith:

• I’m originally from England and was raised in a loving but non-believing family. My father served in the British Royal Air Force, which meant my childhood was shaped by constant movement. My parents loved to travel, and by the time I was grown, I had lived in many parts of Britain as well as Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Kenya. Change felt normal—until God used it to change me.

At seventeen, friends shared the Gospel with me, and I responded immediately to God’s love. That decision set the direction of my life, but it didn’t spare me from struggle.

As a new Christian in Nairobi, Kenya, I attended a very small, very English church, where I met and married my American husband, a Peace Corps doctor. Just six weeks later, we arrived in the United States. I was only twenty-two and expected life to feel like an exciting adventure.

Instead, I felt profoundly alone.

My husband disappeared into the hospital for five years of surgical training, coming home only to sleep and study. I was navigating a foreign culture, a demanding marriage season, and early motherhood without family support. The result? Anger, bitterness, and depression quietly took root. Even the joy of two delightful children couldn’t erase the deep sense of hopelessness I carried.

More than once, I considered leaving—returning to England or Nairobi. But God intervened through the wise encouragement of someone I trusted. I realized that running away was not God’s answer.

Over time, God gently transformed my anger and bitterness into acceptance. I didn’t suddenly understand His ways—but I learned to trust Him even when I couldn’t.

(For a candid, humorous, and practical look at growth in marriage, see my book Why Can’t He Be More Like Me?)

As my emotional health began to strengthen, my hunger to know God more deeply grew. I joined Bible Study Fellowship, which provided the structure, discipline, and biblical foundation I lacked. For twelve years, it became God’s primary training ground in my life—especially during the seven years I spent teaching more than 350 women each week.

After our children left for college, God opened doors to teach and encourage women at retreats and conferences across the United States and in over twenty countries. I discovered something profound: women everywhere—whether in India, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Lebanon, Oman, England, Australia, or New Zealand—share the same longings.

We may live in different cultures, but we wrestle with the same fears, disappointments, relationships, and questions about God.

Alongside my travels, I attended seminary and earned a Master’s degree in Spiritual Formation and Direction. Wanting to serve women more effectively, I became a Certified Life Coach with the American Association of Christian Counselors and a Certified Domestic Abuse Advocate. Encouraged to write what I was teaching, my books and Bible Studies became additional vehicles to share the reality of God’s presence in our lives.

Each season—joyful and painful—has shaped who I am and my calling and passion to help women flourish through offering Christ-centered counsel, coaching and Spiritual direction.

As we spend time together, you will gain insight and learn to:

• Recognize and release what’s holding you back: Fear, anger, bitterness, despair, temptation? These powerful emotions can derail your walk with God. I know, because I’ve faced them myself.

• Apply practical, biblical tools for change: Identifying your self-talk, negative thinking patterns, expectations.

• Experience God’s grace in real-life struggles: Forgiveness, love, acceptance, knowing you are precious to Him.

• Move from surviving to flourishing as the woman God intended you to be.