Faith Over Fear

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.

Do you have difficulty telling others no? Do you find yourself frequently pushing your needs and desires aside to meet the needs of everyone else? Do you ever struggle to know how to love others as Jesus desires while also setting healthy boundaries? In this episode, Dr. Alison Cook shares biblical wisdom on how we can discover the best of ourselves and how doing so leads to healthier and more fulfilling relationships. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Resources mentioned: The Best of You: Break Free from Painful Patterns, Mend Your Past, and Discover Your True Self in God Boundaries for the Soul The Best of You Podcast episode: "Should I turn the Other Cheek? Why It's the Opposite of Being a Doormat" Find Dr. Allison Cook: On her website On Facebook On Instagram On Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon What resonated with you most in this episode? How might you answer Dr. Cook's question: What do you want? How reciprocal do your relationships tend to be? Where might you land on the selfless, self, selfish scale Dr. Cook mentioned? How comfortable are you with setting healthy boundaries? When do you find it most challenging to set healthy boundaries? How can strong, clear boundaries lead to relational health? 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.

When life feels painful and uncertain, it can be hard to hold tight to our faith. Thankfully, God holds on to us. So long as we seek Him, He will build within us a faith that won't fail. In this episode, author, speaker, and cancer survivor shares insights she learned when her life felt upended. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Reference mentioned: A Faith That Won't Fail: 10 Practices to Build Up Your Faith When Your World Is Falling Apart Find Michele Cushatt: On her website On Instagram On Facebook On Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Discussion/reflective questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? Reflect upon a challenging season. What made that season most difficult? What doubts and fears tend to arise when you find yourself in a place of crisis or painful season? In this episode, Michele emphasized the importance of lamenting. What in your life might you need to lament? How might giving yourself permission to lament lead you to increased faith? What truth regarding God's character can you reflect upon to fortify your soul? What is one action step God might want you to take after having listened to this episode? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We've all done and said things we wish we hadn't. Past poor decisions might even have caused people close to us to reject or abandon us. We might even expect God to do the same, or at the very least, to rescind our call. But as Max Lucado shares in this episode, God doesn't and won't give up on us. He sees us, our weakness and sin included, loves us, and showers us with His grace.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Resource referenced: God Never Gives Up on You: What Jacob's Story Teaches Us About Grace, Mercy, and God's Relentless Love Kindle Edition Connect with Max Lucado: On his website Instagram Facebook Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Discussion/reflective questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? When have (or do) you most struggled to accept God's grace? How can reflecting upon the grace God showed to biblical characters such as Jacob help us better understand or accept His grace for us? What thoughts came to mind when Max discussed Jacob's general lack of repentance? How can an accurate understanding of the gospel help us to more easily accept God's grace when we mess up? In what ways does Scripture reveal God's love to be relentless? How can the fact that God's love is relentless help you gain increased peace when you feel anxious and/or ashamed? What is one action step God might be asking you to take based on what you heard in this podcast episode?    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

According to Scripture, you and I have a real, relentless, and destructive spiritual enemy. The devil and his demons want to destroy us and every good thing in our lives that reveal God's goodness. But while the devil is fierce and conniving, our God is greater. He cannot and will not defeat us because in Christ, we have everything we need to stand firm against our enemies greatest attacks. We are far from helpless victims to the forces of darkness. We are called, loved, and empowered children of God, sheltered in His all-encompassing love.  (Scroll down for discussion reflective questions.) Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram 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 have you most been aware of the existence of evil? What fears and anxieties come to mind when you consider the existence of evil? In this episode, Carol and Jennifer spoke of the seemingly unconquerable (from a human perspective) force controlling the demon possessed man. When have you felt your difficulties were "beyond hope"?  What thoughts and feelings arise when you consider the power and authority Jesus revealed over the "legion" of demons?  How can remembering the strength of the Holy Spirit within you help to bolster your faith and decrease your fears? How can remembering the power of God's love surrounding you help to bolster your faith and decrease your fears? 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.

Have you ever sensed God asking you to do something you knew some people closest to you wouldn't understand? Maybe you felt called to leave a lucrative career in order to accept a ministry position, to adopt a more frugal lifestyle in order to donate more to missions, or to drastically adjust your schedule in order to free up more time for God and your family, and you're afraid friends or family members will judge you. Perhaps that's how you feel now. In this episodes, Ava and Kelly discuss truths that can help us starve our fear of rejection and increase our confidence to courageously follow Christ, however He leads, even when those actions appear foolish to others. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions?) Find Ava Pennington: On her website On Facebook On Instagram Find Kelly Campbell: WhollyLoved.com 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? When has God called you to follow Him even at the risk of being misunderstood? How did you respond? What truths regarding God's heart and plans for you can you reflect upon the next time you fear others will find your God-led actions foolish? How does it feel to know that Jesus' family didn't always understand Him or His purposes? What does it mean to you as a follower of Jesus that He views you closer than a biological sister, brother, or mother? How are you encouraged to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind?  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.

Mental health experts say fear of rejection is one of humanity's most common fears. Studies also indicate twelve percent of people in the United States suffer from social anxiety disorder. To put it simply, we all have a God-given need for acceptance, connection, and belonging. This is why it can create such inner angst when we feel dismissed, discounted, and excluded. Unfortunately, not everyone will like us, nor can we stop gossipers and slanderers from spewing their hate. But we can find strength, comfort, and healing in Christ when others wound us with their words. We can learn to anchor ourselves firmly in who we are in Christ and to Christ.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram 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 most resonated with you in this episode? Think of a time when you experienced slander or feared someone had slandered you. What made this most challenging? What insecurities, doubts, or questions did you wrestle with? How does it feel to know that Jesus, God's perfect Son, experienced slander as well? How does it feel to know that God is your defender and avenger? How might reflecting on His plans for you and His power to bring those plans to pass decrease your anxiety when others treat you poorly? What is one action step God might be asking you to take after having listened to this episode? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We've all probably experienced a situation during which we feared others would reject us. Maybe we sense God asking us to reach out to someone those in our close social circle dislikes or holds strong negative feelings against. Or, perhaps we fear someone will reject us because of our faith in Christ. Jesus and the disciples experienced rejection as well, but they also experienced something that helped take the sting out of rejection–intimacy with God the Father.   (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Find Kimi Miller: On her website On Facebook On Instagram Find Tami Wittrock: On her website Find Wholly Loved: On their website Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  Join the Private Wholly Loved Community Facebook Group Discussion Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? When was the last time you worried or struggled with what others thought about your choices, thoughts, actions, or beliefs? How has fear of rejection hindered your obedience? How has fear of rejection hindered your ability to love others freely? When you put yourself in this story (Luke 5:29-32), who do you most relate to? (Disciples, Pharisees, tax collectors) Why? How might it help to remember that God will never reject you? What is one action step God might be asking you to take after having listened to this episode?    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When we're going through painful, frightening or difficult circumstances for any length of time, or when we feel we've been bombarded by one hardship after enough, we might begin to fear our suffering will never end. But we belong to a God known to shine light into dark seasons and to breath life into those things once deemed dead.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions) Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Find Kelly Campbell: WhollyLoved.com Find Wholly Loved: On their website Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  Join the Private Wholly Loved Community Facebook Group Join one of their upcoming online book discussion groups Discussion/reflective questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? When have you felt as if your suffering would last forever?  When have you felt God's comfort, directly from Him or from Him through someone else, during a time of suffering? How does it feel to know that someone as godly as John, who was also one of Jesus' relatives, experienced suffering? How can reflecting upon God's heart and character help us to gain strength during painful seasons? How can reflecting upon the good God has promised awaits us in heaven help us to maintain hope during difficult times? What is one action step God might be asking you to take, after having listened to this episode? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  Is God calling you to follow Him into the unknown? What fears or other obstacles are preventing you from trusting Him as you follow? God wants us to trust Him by developing an intimacy with Him based on who He revealed Himself to be. Join us as we walk through how to apply this truth to our everyday life, as we continue to journey through the Scriptures with Jesus’s disciples. (Scripture passages: John 1:35-51.) (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.)  Register for Arise Find Ava Pennington on: Her website Facebook Instagram Find Kimi Miller on: On her website On Facebook On Instagram Find Wholly Loved: On their website Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  Join the Private Wholly Loved Community Facebook Group Discussion Questions: What resonated with you most in today's episode? When has God called you to step into the unknown? What fears, doubts, or insecurities did you experience during that time? What tends to hinder your trust to follow God into the unknown? How might a lack of humility on our part be an obstacle to trusting God? In what ways would you like to know God better? How has God revealed Himself to you through His Word? How does knowing what Jesus did to purchase our salvation help you to trust Him? Jesus told His disciples to “come and see”? How might He be encouraging you to “come and see” today?  Additional Resource for more information on the names and attributes of God: Reflections on the Names of God: 180 Devotions to Know God More Fully by Ava Pennington     Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.