Faith Over Fear

Twice, circumstances could've ended Colton's Dixon's career. First, his record label dropped him, then Covid halted music tours. To some, this might've seemed like an insurmountable challenge, but when fear, doubts, or anxiety came knocking, Colton reminded himself to keep following God, His light. Because he held tight to the promises of which he sings, potentially devastating circumstances actual let to blessing and expansion. In this episode, Colton shares how his faith in God and practice of speaking declarations over himself have kept him grounded in Christ and committed to his calling.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Songs referenced: "Build a Boat" and "My Light" Connect with Colton Dixon on: His Website YouTube Facebook 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 has a major disappointment caused you to question your future? How did God use that disappointment to redirect or grow you? Why is it important to view our circumstances through the lens of God's goodness? Who in your life can speak hope and truth into your soul when you feel discouraged or uncertain? What are some "declarations" you can speak over yourself the next time you feel anxious or discouraged? In what ways are you cultivating a deeper relationship with Christ? 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 believe Jesus meant it when He said that He came to give us a full and beyond our expectations life. Yet, that isn't always our lived experience. Many of us have settled for partial life, either because we believe that's all God has for us, we're afraid to truly let Him into our deepest and most vulnerable places, or we don't understand that life in Christ is a progressive journey that comes as we experience increased healing and grow in our relationship with Him. Today's guest, Karrie Garcia, discusses what it means to live fully alive and free, as God intends.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Resource mentioned: Free and Fully Alive: Reclaiming the Story of Who You Were Created to Be Find Karrie Garcia:  On her website On Instagram On Facebook 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? In what area(s) might you be settling for "partial life"? How would you define the fully alive life? What do you think most hinders you from experiencing the depth of life Christ desires for you? How comfortable are you with allowing yourself to feel the full range of human emotions, including that that feel unpleasant? When have you experienced God's presence during an intense emotional season? How has wounds, big or small, tempted you to downplay who you truly are?  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.

Living in the midwest, with its vibrant falls, bright and flourishing springs, and crystal-white winters, I've come to enjoy the changing seasons. However, I don't always view life from the same perspective and find myself reluctant to release situations, experiences, roles, or opportunities. But like today's guest shares, we must release what God is leading us from in order to receive, with open hands, all He has planned for us. While our the unknown might feel frightening, we can trust that our God is good, faithful, loving, and ever-present through it all.  (Scroll down for reflective/discussion questions.) Resource mentioned: Flourish: Finding Purpose in the Unknown and Unexpected Seasons of Life by Grace Wabuke Klein Find Grace Wabuke Klein at/on: her Amazon Author Page her Website Instagram Facebook Find Jennifer Slattery at/on: her Amazon Author Page her Website Instagram Facebook Discussion/reflective questions: What resonated with you most in today's episode? Consider a time when you waited for something for which you deeply longed. What emotions, questions, and/or doubts arose during that time? Did that experience impact your relationship with God in any way, and if so how? Did that experience lead to increased self-awareness in any way, and if so, how? Consider a time when you sensed God asking you to release something you felt reluctant to release. What made releasing that thing so challenging?  What were the results of that experience?  What are some indications that God might be asking us to release something? Is there something in your life now that God is inviting you to release, and if so, what? How can reflecting upon God's goodness increase your faith to take hold of and release as He leads; to live with open hands? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We will all face encounter circumstances that can lead us feeling unsettled, anxious, and insecure, but Scripture promises us that we'll never face a challenge alone. We are always held, protected by and provided for by loving, faithful and perfectly attentive Father God. We are His children, His treasures, and He delights to shower us with His grace and love. In this episode, speaker and Bible teacher Becky Harling shares powerful truths gleaned from what Scripture refers to as the "Lord's Prayer" and how those truths can help combat our fears and increase our faith.  (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:  On her website On Facebook On Instagram On Amazon 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? How challenging or easy is it for you to view God the Father as a loving and attentive Father? What helps or challenges this view? What emotions or thoughts did Becky's discussion of God weeping with her evoke? What are some truths regarding who you are based on your identity as God's adopted child? Who in your life do you feel able comfortable allowing to see your truest self? Why or how might worship help increase your sense of peace? What is one action step God might be asking you to take based on this episode?     Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Some setbacks, poor decisions, or missed opportunities discourage us; others devastate us. We might fear we'll never be able to bounce back from our mistakes or that our time has passed. But today's guest, Pastor Meador, a man who's experienced difficulty and pain, who battled intense anger from which he once worried he'd never break free, and who has witnessed the powerful faithfulness of God speaks assurance to the one who lost their job, who turned left when they should have turned right, who battled self-destructive sins, or who simply have been waiting in their current season for a seemingly impossible length of time–God is not done with you yet!  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Resource mentioned: God's Not Done With You Find John Meador On his website On Facebook On Instagram On Twitter Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Discussion/reflective questions What resonated with you most in this episode? What biblical character discussed in this episode can you most relate to, and why? What are some reasons you have, at times, worried God might be done with you? Have you ever tried to "run" from God, and if so, when?  When has God used a challenging situation or painful experience to grow you and prepare you for a future assignment? What character traits can you remind yourself of when you fear He might be done with you? Why is it important to wait for God to direct us, rather than operating on our wisdom and timing? What is one action step God might be asking you to take based on this episode?       Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In a world that is becoming increasingly disconnected, we crave deep, safe, and healthy relationships. But we've all experienced hurt that can make building those types of connection feel frightening. We might not even know exactly what that kind of relationship looks like. But as we grow closer to Christ and follow His lead, He will help us heal and gain the courage to unveil those places in our soul in which we most crave connection. To live more fully known so that we can experience being more wholly loved.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Find Michelle Lazurek: On her website Facebook Instagram 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? What most tends to challenge your ability to connect deeply with others? How often do you feel able to live completely as yourself without feeling the need to hide (your opinions, emotions, needs, and desires), withdraw, or self-protect? What insecurities and lies tend to pop into your mind when you engage, or think of engaging with, others? What might it look like to turn to God when you feel vulnerable or rejected by others? What is one area in your life you wish you could feel more fully seen? Who is someone you can build a deeper relationship with, and what are some ways you can do that? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This is a continuation of the discussion Wholly Loved's Michelle Lazurek and Jennifer Slattery began last week on the courage and resiliency we gain through human connection. Neural scientist and psychiatrist Dr. Curt Thompson, who joined us two weeks ago, states, "The human brain can do really hard things for a really long time so long as it doesn't have to do them alone." While we understand, in today's increasingly disconnected and polarized culture, it can be challenging to build deep, healthy relationships, science, Scripture, and human experience tells us doing so is well worth the time, effort, and perseverance required for this level of connection. We are most courageous when we know we are seen, understood, accepted, and loved. (Want to help us encourage and support others who feel unseen and alone? Contact Jennifer at WhollyLoved.com. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Find Michelle: On her website Facebook Instagram Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? Prayerfully consider the depth of some of your closest relationships. How known and accepted do you tend to feel? Consider times when you feel reluctant to be vulnerable with others or feel judged and/or rejected by them. How much of those feelings might be connected to rejection or soul-wounds you've experienced in the past? When are times when you most long for connection? When are times when you most guard yourself against deeper connection, and what does this look like for you? When has someone surprised you with their level of care, compassion, or understanding during a time of need or anxiety, and how did this make you feel? While it isn't healthy to share all with everyone, it is important that we find "our people"–those who we are comfortable engaging with without withdrawing, pretending, or hiding the most vulnerable parts of ourselves. Who might God be encouraging you to go deeper with? What might that type of depth look like in this relationship? 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.

Our world has become increasingly disconnected, where independence is often emphasized. This, and the past wounding that comes from engaging with imperfect people living in a broken world, can make it challenging to build deep, interconnected and interdependent relationships. We might even begin to believe that we can live life alone. But God invites us to find safe, loving people we can connect with, gain strength from, and experience support when circumstances feel hard and uncertain. In this episode, Wholly Loved's Michelle Lazurek and Jennifer Slattery discuss the courage that can come when we know we're not alone.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Find Michelle: On her website Facebook Instagram Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? What are some of the characteristics of healthy relationships? How would you describe "interdependency"? When do you tend to feel you most need the support of others? Who, in addition to God, do you most tend to turn to when you feel overwhelmed or frightened? How can (or has) leaning on others during difficulties help (or helped) increase your strength during stressful times? How can our living deeply connected with others help us experience God's love on a deeper level? 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 and holy desire to be fully known and wholly loved. But while that’s what we all want, what we all need, sadly, past wounds can cause us to withdraw and hide. But this only increases our shame. the God who sees us, knows us, and deeply loves us is, at this moment, relentlessly pursuing us and inviting us on a journey of healing. In this episode, Psychiatrist Dr. Curt Thompson, MD, invites us to experience deep healing and connection through Christ’s relentless love. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions) Resource mentioned: the Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves by Dr. Curt Thompson the Being Known Podcast by Dr. Curt Thompson Find Dr. Curt Thompson: On His website Instagram Facebook Amazon 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 What resonated with you most in this episode? Prior to listening to this episode, how might you have described shame? Why might it be helpful or important to recognize how we experience shame physiologically? How does it feel to know we begin to experience shame as early as fifteen months? How often do your thoughts take on a condemning quality? In what areas of your life do you most feel unseen? What are some ways you allow yourself to be seen by God? 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 you ever feel as if you are simultaneously controlled by your eating habits and that your eating habits are controlled by your emotions? Do you find yourself turning to food when stressed, sad, and overwhelmed, then battling guilt and shame later? We live in an often painful and overwhelming world that, sadly, leads many of us to numerous unhealthy coping mechanisms, those we've perhaps, sought solace in for so long, we fear we'll never be able to experience freedom in these areas. Praise God, that's not true! We can break free from self-destructive tendencies that often only lead to increased anxiety and shame, and in this episode, author and recovered food-addict Barb Raveling shares how.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Reference mentioned: Say Goodbye to Emotional Eating: 100 Renewing Exercises to Help You Break Free from the Control of Food  Find Barb Raveling: Amazon Her website Facebook Instagram Find Jennifer Slattery: 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 (Note: We encourage you to discuss the below in relation to any ineffective coping mechanism you practice, trading your coping method of choice for "foot" or "eating.)  Was resonated with you most in this podcast episode? How often do you cope with difficult emotions or stress through food? If often, can you think about when you first began to use food as a coping mechanism and what contributed to this? How aware of you are your thoughts before you turn to food or while you're eating for emotional reasons?  What are the two most frequent lies (if you're aware of them) that most tend to drive your eating?  Why might it be important to fight our unhelpful coping mechanisms from a thought, rather than behavioral perspective? When you use food to cope, how long does your sense of relief typical last, and what do you feel after? What is one action step God might be asking you to take, having listened to this podcast episode?    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.