Faith Over Fear

Our world provides numerous reasons for us to feel uncertain and afraid. But Scripture tells us we have an even greater reason to live courageously. We have an all-powerful, loving, faithful God who watches over us, wants the best for us, and has the power to bring that best to pass. In this episode, Bible teacher Mary DeMuth shares a unique approach to Scripture that has greatly helped her experience decreased fear and increased peace.  (Scroll down for discussion/contemplative questions) Recommended Resource: 90-Day Bible Reading Challenge: Read the Whole Bible, Change Your Whole Life Connect with Mary DeMuth: On her website On Instagram On Facebook On her Amazon Author Page Connect with Jennifer Slattery: 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 most challenges your Bible reading time? When you do read Scripture, how does this impact your understanding of God's nature, heart, and plans? How can knowing God better help decrease our fears? In this episode, Mary DeMuth encourages readers to read Scripture looking for common threads (such as boldness versus fear). What thread might you find most helpful to look for? What anxiety-increasing activity could you replace with Bible reading or listening to Scripture through a podcast? 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.

Do all the parties, cookie exchanges, and holiday meals this time of year prick your insecurities and create anxiety? Do you find yourself simultaneously enjoying home-baked treats and calculating how many hours at the gym each bite will cost? More importantly, do you ever long for the day when you don't stress about your body? In our photo-shopped, filtered, social media culture, is that even possible? Faith Over Fear guest Rachael Gilbert, author of Image Restored, says yes and shares her inside out approach to learning to feel comfortable in our skin, whatever shape it encompasses.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Resource Mentioned: Image Restored: Tear Down Shame and Insecurity to Experience a Body Image Renovation.  Connect with Rachael Gilbert: On her website On Instagram On Facebook On her Amazon Author Page Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon 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 body image messages have you absorbed from your social circle? What body image messages have you received from generations before you? How often do you put your thoughts "on trial"? How often do you check your negative thinking against the truth of Scripture? In what ways might a negative body image be impacting your relationships How might your life change were you to feel confident in your skin? 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.

Imagine sitting in a job interview and your prospective boss tells you two things. First, he says the position he wants to hire you for will be challenging and filled with constant opposition. But, second, you will find the assignment incredibly fulfilling–and through it, you'll experience an intimacy with Christ you hadn't prior. Would you take it? As you consider this role, which part of the man's conversation will you reflect on most? As Christ-followers, we're faced with this question daily. Which will we give greatest emphasis–the opposition we'll inevitably face, or the God who stands with us, refines and strengthens us, and makes Himself known to us through it all? In this episode, host Jennifer Slattery speaks with Bible study writer Kathy Howard on the beauty that can come through opposition.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Resources mentioned: the Deep Rooted Devotional Series Find Kathy Howard: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon What resonated with you most in today's episode? What Bible passages do you turn to when you feel overwhelmed? How do you tend to interpret opposition: as a sign you are doing something wrong and God is displeased with you, OR, as a normal part of living for Jesus? How might viewing opposition as an opportunity to experience Jesus on a deeper level impact your journey?  What steps might you take to experience God's presence in difficult seasons? What can you learn from Paul's response in Acts 16? What does it mean to have an eternal focus? How can maintaining an eternal focus during seasons of opposition strengthen your soul to remain faithful? Pause to image standing before Jesus and hearing Him say, "Well done, My good and faithful servant. You completed all that I assigned to you." (Engage all of your senses for this exercise.)  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 we respond to opposition today greatly impacts how we’ll respond to the opposition we’ll face tomorrow. Will we become adept at quitting or stronger in perseverance? And when, in a season of weakness and fatigue, we quit—for a time, Scripture assures us it’s never too late to begin again. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Resource mentioned: Growing a Joyful Heart: Devotions of Accepting God's Gifts for Abundant Living from Joy Givers Past, Present and Future by Karen Whiting and Pam Farrel Connect with Karen Whiting: On her website On Facebook On Pinterest Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon 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 today's episode? What are some truths you can hold on to when facing opposition? How are you intentionally increasing your perseverance? How might how you have (or have not) processed past "failures" impact your response to today or future opposition? Why might it be important to remain anchored in grace (rather than becoming consumed with guilt) when in the rebuilding phase? When have you witnessed God rebuilding something that you or others had thought was beyond repair? What did that experience reveal regarding God's heart? What is one action step God might be encouraging 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.

This is the second episode in a four-part discussion on standing strong amidst opposition. In this episode, Jennifer Slattery and guest Karen Whiting look at two biblical characters (Ezra and Nehemiah) called to a major restoration project, their miraculous beginnings, and how God prepared them for the opposition they'd later face. When we experience opposition, we might feel overwhelmed and unprepared, but often, when we look back, we'll see how God lovingly and faithfully prepared us for this particular season. We can quiet our fears and bolster our faith by reviewing ways we've witnessed His power and by reviewing the truths He's planted into our souls.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Connect with Karen Whiting: On her website On Facebook On Pinterest Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon 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? Had you been in Nehemiah's position, while in Babylon, what might you have found most challenging about the Jerusalem rebuilding assignment? When has God called you to leave an area of comfort or prestige to embrace a challenging assignment? What truths emboldened you to obey? In this episode, Karen and Jennifer discuss Ezra's miraculous beginning (abundant provision from King Cyrus). When have you experienced a miraculous beginning on a project, and how did that affect your expectations? Jennifer and Karen also discussed ways in which Nehemiah's role as a cupbearer might have prepared him to lead the returned exiles during this pivotal time in their nation's history. When have you stepped into a new role for which God had uniquely prepared you? How might reflecting upon ways God has helped you in the past increase your strength, perseverance, and courage when facing challenges in the present? What is one action step God might be wanting 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.

What happens when we step out in faith in a particular area and others respond to our obedience with open hostility? How can we persevere with courage and love when blindsided by other people's hurtful and unjust actions? In this episode Jennifer speaks with author, speaker, and soul care coach Diana Asaad, a woman who, along with her husband, accepted a pastorate over a church riddled with debt and infested with generational racism. As such, she understands the anxiety that can come when one feels under attack. She shares how to disarm our rising emotions and experience increased peace in Christ.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Find Diana Asaad: On her website On Instagram On Facebook On Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? When have you encountered hostility toward your obedience in an area or situation? When have you encountered hostility due to generational sin? What fears and anxieties did that experience create? When you feel under attack, to whom do you tend to turn for support? What biblical truth has (or can) help to disarm your fears and increase your faith when you feel under attack? What is one action step God might be wanting 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.

Faith Over Fear host Jennifer Slattery is also one of the hosts of the Your Daily Bible Verse podcast. In that podcast, she often discusses passages of Scripture with truths she finds helpful in decreasing her fear and increasing her faith. In this episodes, she shares clips from four of those episodes and on the following chapters of the Bible: Exodus 17, 2 Chronicles 20, 2 Chronicles 32, and Joshua 1. *Please note, in the recording I refer to Joshua 1 as Joshua 9. This was spoken in error. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon 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; Which of the four Bible verses and passages discussed in this episode most encouraged you and why? Reflect upon the passage where God asked Moses to keep his arms raised while Israel engaged in battle and how God used that event to deepen the nation's trust. When have you experienced a time during which you had no choice but to rely upon God? How did this event impact your trust in and relationship with Him? Reflect upon the passage in 2 Chronicles 20, written about the time during which the nation of Israel found themselves under the attack of a fierce army. What did God's response reveal regarding His power and authority?  Continuing with 2 Chronicles 20, what did God's response to King Jehoshapat's prayer reveal regarding His heart? How often have you chosen to praise God while afraid, and how did this choice impact you and the intensity of your fears? Reflect upon 2 Chronicles 32. Why might Jennifer have chosen to emphasize King Hezekiah's poor mistake (using money from the temple to pay tribute to an enemy nation)? How does God's response to King Hezekiah's prayer–after his momentary poor decision–impact you? What resonated with you most in Jennifer's Discussion of Joshua 1? 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.

For many of us, our greatest fears involve those we love. More specifically, many of us are afraid we will lose those we love. And because our relationships bring us such joy and fulfillment, we're often also afraid, should our worst fear occur, we'll never experience joy again. In this episode, guest Lauren Hostetler, owner of Moe Mountains, shares how the unexpected death of her mother led to deep grief, anger at God, fears related to others in her life, and how God met her in those dark places.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Find Lauren Hostetler: On Moe Mountain's Instagram On her personal Instagram page On the Moe Mountain website On Moe Mountain's Facebook page Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? What biblical truths did Lauren share that most encourage or comfort you? What character traits of God can you reflect upon, the next time you battle fear? How does or has time in nature impacted your sense of peace? How has or does time in nature deepen your sense of praise or intimacy with Christ? Can you think of an instance when you sensed God's comfort during a time of sorrow or fear? If so, when was that, and how did He comfort you? What is one action step God might be asking you to take based on having listened to this episode?   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

At some point, we've probably all worried, should we preemptively give God our unconditional yes, He'll ask us to do something terrifying. And with good reason. Jesus told us our obedience would come at a cost. But God has also promised to stay with us for every faith-filled step, to provide for all our needs, and to empower us to do all He asks. More than that, He's promised, one day, we'll look back upon our lives and all God has done and deem every sacrificial moment worth it.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Connect with Dan Emr: On the Worthwhile Wear Website On Instagram On Facebook Connect with Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram Connect with 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 today’s episode? What fear or fears most frequently challenge your obedience? When has God used one of your fears to lead you to His strength? In this episode, Dan Emr shared a statement a friend made that helped him make a major decision based on faith rather than fear. Who in your life most often encourages you in a similar manner? What is one problem/injustice/tragedy that most grieves your soul? In what ways might God be inviting you to bring life to that problem/injustice/tragedy? 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.

Scientists who study the brain have discovered mindfulness' powerful effects in calming fear and anxiety on a neurological level. By practicing staying present and learning to recognize and rest in God's presence, we can rewire our brains to feel calm. In this episode author and clinical psychologist Dr. Irene Kraegel discusses how mindfulness can increase our awareness and connection to God and our ability to manage our most intense emotions. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Resource mentioned: The Mindful Christian: Cultivating a Life of Intentionality, Openness, and Faith by Dr. Irene Kraegel Find Dr. Irene Kraegel: On her website On Instagram On YouTube Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon 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 you think of Christian mindfulness, what comes to mind? What are some ways you practice remaining present in the present? What are some ways you orient yourself to God's presence? When you sense God's presence, how does this affect your emotions (if at all)? Why might it be helpful to understand that it takes time and consistency to experience the benefits of mindfulness? What is one action step God might be encouraging 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.