Faith Over Fear

When we experience intense pain and hardship, our view of God can shrink. When circumstances overwhelm us, prayers seem unanswered and our suffering endures for any length of time, we may fear God isn't actually big enough to handle what we’re facing, or loving enough to do something about it. Singer, songwriter and author Tim Timmons, whose story is shared in MercyMe's Imagine 2, knows what it means to live with those types of questions. After receiving an incurable cancer diagnosis and being given five years to live more than two decades ago, Tim has learned to bring his grief, questions and uncertainty honestly to God. In this episode, Tim and Jennifer discuss what it looks like to trust a God who is bigger than our understanding and meet Him within the tension of pain and hope. They explore the intimacy that can develop through honest wrestling, why acknowledging grief doesn’t diminish faith and how shifting from “working for God” to joining Him can change the way we approach each day. Wherever life feels confusing or painfully unresolved, God remains present, attentive and at work. Scripture referenced: Genesis 32:22–32; Matthew 5:44; Matthew 16:24–25; Matthew 22:37–39; Mark 12:30–31; John 5:17; Romans 8:28; Malachi 1:6–14 Resource Referenced: Waking Up Again: A Journey of Grief & Gratitude Connect with Tim Timmons: On his website On Instagram On Facebook Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

You may know the Bible says God loves you and still struggle to feel His love deep in your soul. Shame, regret, painful relationships and years of experiencing conditional or transactional love can make God’s everlasting, unchanging love difficult to receive. In this special Scripture-focused episode, Jennifer Slattery shares passages that have helped her more fully understand and experience the depth of God’s love. Through verses from Jeremiah, Ephesians, John, Romans and 1 John, Jennifer explores what Scripture reveals about a love that existed before our failures, remains secure when we stumble and cannot be severed by hardship or suffering. She also invites listeners to take a 30-day Scripture challenge, praying Ephesians 3:16–21 each day and asking God to help His truth reach the wounded, fearful or shame-filled places that have difficulty receiving His love. Scripture discussed: Jeremiah 31:3, Ephesians 1:4–5, John 15:9, Romans 8:31–39, Romans 8:1, 1 John 1:9, John 3:16, John 10:10, Ephesians 3:16–21 Let me know what you thought of this bonus episode. If the response warrants, I'll do more of these in the future. (Likely once or twice a month.) Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever worried that you’ve disappointed God? Maybe you know intellectually that He loves you, yet past rejection, painful relationships or years of striving have made His delight difficult to experience. Bible teacher and Awaken Delight author Stephanie Rousselle shares how her own childhood wounds and performance-driven thinking created a disconnect between what she knew about God and what she could receive from Him. Jennifer and Stephanie discuss the difference between knowing God loves us and living as if that truth is real. They explore why our failures don't surprise God, how confession can deepen rather than threaten our connection with Him, and how receiving His forgiveness and delight can free us from shame and exhausting spiritual striving. Discover how God can bring His truth into our wounded places and teach us, over time, to rest more securely in His love. Resource referenced: Awaken Delight: Satisfying Your Soul's Longing for God Stephanie also has a free gift for you! An in-depth 5-day email devotional to awaken your delight in God especially when life feels full of fear) AND a giveaway prize just for Faith Over Fear listeners! Find out more here: https://www.gospelspice.com/faithoverfear Scripture discussed or referenced: Zephaniah 3:17, Romans 8:1, Mark 9:24, Psalm 34:8, Matthew 22:37–39 / Mark 12:30–31, Hebrews 12:2, Luke 15:11–32 Connect with Stephanie Rousselle: On her website On Instagram On Facebook Follow her work on Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When life takes a devastating turn, our pain can begin telling us things about God, ourselves and our future that simply aren’t true. Author and pediatric nurse practitioner Jackie M. Baker understands this firsthand. After losing her son Sebastian to suicide, Jackie faced profound grief, questions about what she could have done differently and the painful realization that she couldn’t control the choices or outcomes of those she loved. In this episode, she shares how God taught her to release control, challenge the lies grief whispered and trust Him when life looked nothing like she had hoped. Jackie and Carol also discuss the unexpected losses many of us grieve—from relationships and careers to health, dreams and expectations—and how suffering can distort our identity and trap us in regret. Jackie shares practical ways God carried her forward, including Scripture, prayer, supportive relationships and daily routines, and explains why moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting what—or whom—we’ve lost. Most importantly, she reminds us that even when we can’t see light ahead, God remains with us in the darkness, offering a hope rooted in His presence rather than a particular outcome. Featured Book: Messy Mourning: Hope for Mothers Grieving the Loss of a Child by Suicide Bible Passages Discussed or referenced: Genesis 22:1–18 , Matthew 7:24–27, Hebrews 13:5, Philippians 4:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 If this episode resonated with you, you might find "Cultivating Hope to Endure Hard and Fear-Evoking Seasons" encouraging. Today's Guest, Jackie M. Bake,r is an author, pediatric nurse practitioner, wife and mother whose life and faith were profoundly impacted by the loss of her son, Sebastian, to suicide. Drawing from her personal experience with grief and her professional healthcare background, Jackie encourages others to find hope and move forward through life’s most painful seasons. She is the author of Messy Mourning: Hope for Mothers Grieving the Loss of a Child by Suicide and is passionate about helping hurting people recognize they aren’t alone and discover strength and hope in Christ. Connect with Jackie M. Baker: On her website On Instagram On Facebook Follow her work on Amazon Find Carol McCracken: On her website On Facebook On Instagram Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever felt relatively sure God was leading you toward something, only to have it turn out nothing like you expected? Maybe an opportunity disappeared, something you worked hard for failed or you waited so long that you’ve begun wondering whether you heard God correctly or did something to forfeit the call. In this episode of Faith Over Fear, Carol talks with Andy Lee, author of From Failure to Faith, about the difference between God’s call and the expectations we attach to it. Drawing from Joshua 1:9, Carol and Andy discuss how disappointment, limitations, closed doors and waiting can cause us to question our calling and measure success by results God never promised. You’ll learn how to separate what God actually said from what you assumed He meant, recognize when a change of direction might be needed and how trust Him when the journey looks different than expected. Ultimately, Carol and Andy invite us to consider a better question: What does faithfulness look like from here? If this episode encouraged you, you might also enjoy: "Courage to 'Do the Thing' with Rebecca George" Connect with Andy Lee on: Her website Instagram Facebook Follow her work on Amazon Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When responsibilities pile up and the people and circumstances you care about feel dependent on you, it can be easy to slip from faithful diligence into anxious striving. We work harder, plan further ahead, and try to control outcomes, often without realizing fear is driving our efforts. In this episode of Faith Over Fear, Jennifer Slattery talks with Bible teacher and bestselling author Dr. Tara Dew about the peace available to us when we remember who our Shepherd is and learn to entrust ourselves and those we love to His care. Drawing from Psalm 23 and insights from her book Overflowing Peace: What God Says About a Peace-Filled Life, Tara shares how understanding the nature and care of our Good Shepherd can help us rest, recognize when fear is fueling our work, and follow God even when we can’t see where He’s leading. Together, she and Jennifer discuss practical ways to shift our focus from what feels dependent on us to God’s faithfulness, provision, and guidance—and why we can trust that the Shepherd who leads us into unfamiliar territory already knows the path ahead. Resource Referenced: Overflowing Peace: What God Says About a Peace-Filled Life Scriptures discussed: Psalm 23:1–4, Psalm 131:2, John 10, Isaiah 43:19, Matthew 6:34, Philippians 4:7, Genesis 50:20 Connect with Dr. Tara Dew:Tara Dew at New Orleans Baptist Theological SeminaryPrepare Her / Women’s InitiativeFacebookOverflowing Peace at Lifeway Find Jennifer Slattery:On her websiteInstagramFacebookAmazonSubscribe to her free newsletter Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When life feels uncertain, our minds often race toward worst-case scenarios. But Scripture repeatedly directs our attention away from shifting circumstances and back to the unchanging character of God. In this episode, Jennifer Slattery sits down with theologian Dr. Malcolm Yarnell to explore how God's attributes—His presence, sovereignty, goodness, and faithfulness—provide a secure foundation when fear, suffering, or uncertainty threaten to overwhelm us and practical ways to shift anxious thoughts toward biblical truth. Scriptures Referenced Psalm 139:7–12; Genesis 28:10–22, Genesis 32:22–32, Genesis 50:19–21; Isaiah 46:9–10; John 10:10; Romans 8:18–39, Romans 12:2; John 3:16 Dr. Malcolm B. Yarnell III serves as Research Professor of Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is editor of the Southwestern Journal of Theology. A respected theologian and author, he has written extensively on systematic theology, Baptist doctrine, and the Christian life. His Theology for Every Person series is designed to help believers move beyond intellectual knowledge to a deeper understanding of God that transforms everyday living. Through his teaching and writing, Dr. Yarnell encourages Christians to know God's character more fully and to anchor their faith in the truth of Scripture. Resources Mentioned: Word: Theology for Every Person by Dr. Malcolm B. Yarnell III God: Theology for Every Person (Volume 1) Spirit: Theology for Every Person (forthcoming) Connect with Dr. Yarnell: Pro Gloria Christi (Dr. Malcolm B. Yarnell III) Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Many of us fear that our deepest wounds will permanently define us and we'll never again experience joy. A betrayal. A divorce. A devastating loss. A season that changed everything. We wonder: Will I ever be okay again? Will I ever trust again? Will I always carry this pain? In this honest conversation, Carol sits down with her pastor, Jim Kinder, to discuss what healing really looks like and how to live from an identity rooted in Christ instead of an identity rooted in pain. Jim shares his personal story of walking through betrayal, seeking counseling, leaning on men in his faith community, and ultimately experiencing restoration, a healthy marriage and renewed purpose. Together, they explore why what is temporary should never define what is eternal. In This Episode, We Discuss: Why our worst experiences don't define us How betrayal can distort our identity The role healthy community plays in healing What healing does and doesn't look like How counseling and spiritual growth work together How to recognize when you're moving from surviving to healing Building healthy relationships after painful experiences Practical ways to avoid bitterness The first thing someone needs to hear after experiencing betrayal Find Jim Kinder at Orange Beach Church Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Life feels okay. So why do you still feel overwhelmed? Maybe you're constantly on edge. Maybe your body won't relax. Maybe you find yourself carrying the weight of heartbreaking headlines, other people's pain, or experiences you thought you'd already moved past. If you've ever wondered why you feel exhausted even when nothing seems "wrong," this conversation will help you understand what may be happening beneath the surface. In this episode, Jennifer's cohost, Carol McCracken, sits down with Rebecca Taguma of the Trauma Healing Institute to discuss why overwhelming experiences affect our minds, bodies, and faith, practical ways to calm our nervous system, and how God gently leads us toward healing—one step at a time. In this episode, you'll discover: Why you can feel overwhelmed even when life seems okay What trauma really is—and why it affects us more deeply than we realize Practical ways to calm your body when anxiety rises How safe relationships and biblical practices can support healing Why you don't have to carry your pain alone Guest: Rebecca TagumaExecutive Director of Restoring Hope Ministry, Trauma Healing Institute (American Bible Society) Bible Passages Discussed Genesis 2:18 Psalm 42:1 Psalm 46:10 Psalm 34 (lament) Job 33:4 Connect with Rebecca Taguma Trauma Healing Institute Trauma Healing Basics (Free Resources) Trauma Healing Institute on LinkedIn Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What do you do when someone who hurt you never apologizes, never changes, or never acknowledges the pain they caused? For many of us, that's where forgiveness becomes most difficult. We know we're supposed to forgive, but we wrestle with questions like: Does forgiveness mean what they did was okay? Do I have to reconcile with someone who continues to hurt me? How do I let go when the wound still feels fresh? Is it possible to find peace if the relationship is never restored? In this final episode of our Relational Peace: Loving Others Without Losing Yourself series, Carol sits down with board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and fellow podcaster Dr. Michelle Bengtson to explore one of the most misunderstood topics in the Christian life: forgiveness. Together, they discuss how unforgiveness often keeps us emotionally tethered to our pain and why forgiveness is about reclaiming freedom not excusing someone's behavior. If you've been carrying bitterness, disappointment, resentment, or unresolved hurt, this conversation offers biblical wisdom, practical tools, and hope that peace is possible even when circumstances never change. Other episodes in this series: How to Know if Your Difficult Relationship is Toxic Healthy Boundaries for Compassionate People How to Stop Letting Conflict Control Your Emotions How to Know if Your Difficult Relationship is Toxic Connect with Dr. Michelle Bengtson: On her website On Instagram On Facebook Follow her work on Amazon Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.