Faith Over Fear

When hardship hits or we find ourselves facing challenging circumstances, we might feel as if we're ill-prepared for whatever lies ahead. Those struggling with depression or anxiety might worry they'll never experience increased joy and peace. But God doesn't want us to live as if we're defeated because, through Christ, we've been given resurrection power.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Resource mentioned: Our Father: A Study of the Lord's Prayer (A 6-Week Bible Study) Find Becky Harling at: her website Instagram Facebook Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  Discussion/reflective questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? How might you describe living in resurrection power? What most hinders you from living more consistently in that power? How might recognizing the power you have in Christ help decrease your anxiety and increase your confidence when facing challenges. What might it look like to "let the devil set the agenda" in a particular situation? How might recognizing and reflecting upon the perfect plans of God, and His power to bring them to pass, increase your peace when you feel under attack?  When has your will overshadowed or confused God's will in your life, and what was the result? What is one action step God might want you to take having listened to this episode? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The most daunting circumstances feel even darker when we feel as if we've lost hope. Conversely, when we hope through our connection with the God of hope and holding tight to His promises, our faith and strength grows and our faith to endure increases.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Find Rachel Wojo: On her website On Instagram On Facebook Find her books on Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? How would you define biblical hope? What are some ways you've intentionally cultivated hope during challenging seasons? How can hope help increase our resiliency and decrease our anxiety and fear? How do you feel regarding "wrestling" with God? What is one truth God has given you over the past year that can help increase your hope during painful circumstances? What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this episode? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We all have false securities, modern idols, we turn to when life seems uncertain and we feel anxious and afraid. But while these idols might bring comfort in the moment, they only increase our anxiety and fear because because they hinder our ability to rely fully upon the only One, God, with the power to provide, protect, and care for us. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Find Stephanie Rousselle: On her website Instagram Facebook Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Find Wholly Loved: On their website Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  Join the Private Wholly Loved Community Facebook Group Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? As you were listening, did any false securities (idols) come to mind? Who or what do you tend to turn to during waiting seasons? What truths regarding God's power, character, and promises can provide a more secure foundation than those false securities and false "saviors"? How can reflecting upon His heart for you help you find the courage to relinquish your false securities? What thoughts or concerns came to mind when Stephanie discussed staying in the wilderness where one feel comfortable verses stepping into the Promised Land, where they feared giants lurked? What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this episode? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you experience depression, your world might, at times, feel so dark, it seems no amount of light, love, or logic can break through. And if you've ever heard bad advice, or misquoted Scripture from non-understanding friends, you might also be carrying a heavy burden of shame. But depression isn't sin, laziness, nor something one can simply pray away or "positive think" their way out of. That doesn't mean, however, that the depressed individual is without hope. God wants to bring each of us to a place of increased joy, peace, and freedom. In this episode, Wholly Loved's Teresa Baumbach and Kelly Campbell discuss what depression has looked like for them and the steps God led each of them to take in their recovery journey. Find Wholly Loved (and Teresa and Kelly): On their website Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  Join the Private Wholly Loved Community Facebook Group (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions) What resonated with you most in this episode? Do you or someone you love suffer from depression? If so, how can you get help and/or provide support? What are your lifelines or anchors you can hold tight to when you are struggling? When you are feeling down, what are some verses from scripture that bring you comfort? Do you have people in your life that you trust and with whom you can share your struggles? If not, what are some other alternatives for you (i.e. pastoral counselor, professional counselor, support group?) Depression, anxiety, and suicide are at an all-time high in our society. How might we share our story of what Jesus has done for us in our lives to offer hope to a hurting world? What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this episode? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

How might you respond if you sensed God asking you to leave a successful and fulfilling career or role to embrace something new, not knowing what that might look like or where He might take you? If you would find yourself wrestling with fear of failure, my conversation with singer/song writer Mack Brock will resonate with you.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions) Find Mack Brock: On his website Spotify Apple Music YouTube Instagram Facebook Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Find Wholly Loved: On their website Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  Join the Private Wholly Loved Community Facebook Group Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? When have you sensed God calling you to leave something fulfilling or in which you experienced success? What made that challenging? When you feel fear of failure rising up, what other fears are tied up in that? (Ex: fear of financial loss, fear of losing someone's respect, etc.) How can developing a more secure identity in Christ help decrease one's fear of failure? How can deepening our sense of security in Christ, rather than our careers or skills, decrease one's fear of failure? In this episode, Mack talked about how God led him to unexpected blessings through simple steps of obedience. When has God done something similar in your life? What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this episode? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We all have a God-given need to belong. To experience connection and acceptance. To know that we are fully known–at our worst and best–and fully loved. And while this is true for each of us, past wounds and present inner lies can make it hard to fully believe and grasp Christ's unconditional, perfect, all-encompassing and never-ending love. In this episode, Stephanie Rousselle, host of the Gospel Spice podcast, shares how childhood experiences created a fear of not belonging and a distrust toward God. Combined, this made her feel alone and as if she needed to be her own savior. But God patiently, lovingly and gently pursued her and began a deep healing work.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Find Stephanie Rousselle: On her website Instagram Facebook Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? How often or consistently do you feel as if you belong? When do you most struggle to feel like you belong? How has or might wounds you experienced in the past impact your ability for fully receive God's love and the resultant sense of belonging? How has or does a fear of not belonging impact how you relate to others? In this episode, Stephanie talked about how she asks God to help her trust Him and grow in faith. How often do you or have you done this? How might seeking God's help in growing our faith or trust increase your healing? What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this episode? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We've probably all has seasons that left us fighting to catch our breath–and hold tight to our hope. During those painful periods, we might begin to doubt the heart, power, and goodness of God. In this episode, Susie Larson, childhood trauma survivor, chronic Lyme fighter, and biblically anchored writer answers the question she herself wrestled with: Is God still good when life hurts? (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions) Resource references: Waking Up to the Goodness of God: 40 Days Toward Healing and Wholeness Find Susie Larson: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Find Wholly Loved: On their website Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  Join the Private Wholly Loved Community Facebook Group Discussion/reflective questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? What lie does the devil most often use to discourage or intimidate you? What truth or truths do, or can, you reflect upon and recite when you feel under attack? In this episode, Susie discussed challenging our insecurities. What might this look like for you? Susie also talked about how the words we speak physically alter our brain. How can you utilize this information to bolster your faith and decrease your fear? Why is it important to contend for God's promises?  What is one action step God might be asking you to take, having listened to this episode? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We have had an amazing year with powerful fear-calming insights from wise and experienced guests. In this episode, we share power clips from five of our most popular episodes: In "Finding God Faithful in Hard seasons" with Kelly Minter, we discussed the call to break patterns of generational dysfunction. Next, we heard from singer and songwriter Colton Dixon on viewing disappointments as divine set-ups, taken from the episode titled "Fighting Fear by Holding onto God's Light". Next, Bonnie Gray, host of the Breathe: Stress Less podcast provided insight on how to recognize and change our automatic response to stress. That episode was titled, "Break the Grip of Anxiety and Worry: What You Can Do to Step Stress". We then heard Pastor John Meader share about a time when he felt angry and bitter toward God, and how God brought him to a place of trust. That clip came from the episode titled "God's Not Done With you".  Last, we heard from one of the most prolific and powerful writers in our time, Max Lucado, on the story of Jacob, known as the deceiver, and how Max relates to this Old Testament biblical character. That episode was titled God Won't Give Up on You". We hope these clips encourage you as you launch into 2024 with godly confidence and hope-filled anticipation.  (Scroll down for discussion questions/reflective questions.) Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Find Wholly Loved: On their website Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  Join the Private Wholly Loved Community Facebook Group Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in Kelly Minter's discussion regarding patterns of dysfunction? How has God changed some of your learned unhealthy patterns and/or attitudes? Why is it important to recognize and acknowledge unhealthy patterns learned from our family of origin.  How can we recognize these patterns through a lens of grace? Why it it important to take ownership for our learned behavior? How might God be calling you to increased health? What resonated with you most in Colton Dixon's discussion regarding "flipping the switch" in how we view setbacks?  What is one setback or disappointment you can reframe through the lens of God's love, power, and grace? And what does that reframe look like? What resonated with you most in Max Lucado's discussion of Jacob, the "weasel"?  What is one truth you can hold tight to and reflect upon in the year ahead?  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Throughout Scripture, we see numerous verses telling us not to fear. Most of these encouragements are followed by a powerful why: because our God is with us, always, and all of His power and goodness accompanies His presence. In this episode we talk about plunging our roots deep into His love, practicing resting in His presence, and gaining strength from that ongoing connection–or as Ephesians 3:19 states, that we "may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions) Find Ava Pennington: On her website On Facebook On Instagram Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Find Wholly Loved: On their website Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  Join the Private Wholly Loved Community Facebook Group   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When we land in new roles or take on new opportunities, it's normal to feel insecure and ill-prepared. Focusing upon our limitations can cause fear of failure to rise paralyze us. But in those moments, and every moment thereafter, our faithful and all-powerful God invites us to trust in Him to provide all we need to do all He's asked.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Find Wholly Loved: On their website Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  Join the Private Wholly Loved Community Facebook Group Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? When a new opportunity arises, what are some ways you discern whether or not that opportunity is God-given? How might maintaining a practice of worship help increase one's sensitivity to God's voice or "nudges" of His will? How do you tend to respond when you find yourself in a new and potentially challenging situations? What fears most often arise when you embrace new and difficult assignments or take on unfamiliar roles? Consider a past assignment you took on. In what ways did God provide what you need for that role? Consider the example of Moses Jennifer and Teresa discussed. How do you feel knowing Moses began afraid and ended well?  What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this episode? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.