Faith Over Fear

At some point, we've probably all wrestled with the fear that God might ask us to do something that we not only don't want to do, but that will feel hard or painful. Maybe we're afraid, if we fully yield our lives to Him, He'll ask us to quit our jobs or move overseas. Or perhaps we fear He'll ask us to give up something we find deeply fulfilling. In those seasons, one question rises to the surface: Can we really trust that God wants us to live our best lives possible, has the power to bring that life about, and will faithfully guide us toward that? Ultimately, can we really believe He is good, even in this, whatever this is?   (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Find Jill Eileen Smith: Amazon Facebook Website Book mentioned: Daughter of Eden: Eve's Story Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook 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 questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? What surprised you most regarding God's request to Abraham? Had you been Abraham, what emotions might you have wrestled with? What type of thoughts might have played through your mind as you journeyed to the location God showed you? This event recorded in Scripture can help us gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for God the Father sending His Son to die for our sins. What does this account show you in relation to that? What might it reveal regarding God's heart toward you? Considering God's heart toward you, as revealed through Christ's death and resurrection (see Matthew 27-28 in the Bible), how might reflecting upon this illustration increase your peace the next time you feel afraid? This event recorded in Scripture also reveals God the Son's heart for us as well. The Bible tells us that He willingly chose to die for me and you. How can this knowledge help increase your peace the next time you feel afraid? How can remembering God's heart toward you increase your courage when you sense Him asking you to do something difficult or frightening? What is one action step He might be asking you to take based on what you heard in this episode? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Even blessings bring change, and change can bring difficulties and uncertainty. Facing the unknown, we may find ourselves slipping toward increased anxiety and fear. In those moments, will we turn to ourselves, feed our fears and doubts with what if scenarios, or hold tight to Christ and His promises?  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) Have you ever received a blessing from God that didn’t quite look like you thought it would?  What happened? How did you handle the situation? How can you comfort someone whose life is not going the way they thought it would? Can you think of a hard time in your life when, looking back, you can see how God moved?  How can you find blessings in the hard times of your life? When you have to make a hard decision like Abraham did with Ishmael, how can you make sure you’re following God’s will? How does God's grace provide a path for redemption in the face of our own mistakes? What are the consequences of choosing fear instead of faith when it comes to trusting in God's plan? Find Jodie Bailey: 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 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What type of mindset makes us vulnerable to chronic stress, anxiety & depression? When you are stressed, what automatic coping mechanisms have you adopted that don’t help, but diminish your wellness?  What holds you back from getting the rest that you need when you’re stressed?   In this episode from Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast (another free show from LifeAudio), soul care coach Bonnie shares how to ditch mindsets that keep you stuck in anxiety, worry, and stress and what you can do to stop the stress, when you need it most. This episode will help you let go of unhealthy thinking patterns and replace them with a healthy biblical mindset to create a new rhythm to stop the stress cycle.   DISCOVER MORE EPISODES OF BREATHE: THE STRESS LESS PODCAST FROM BONNIE GRAY: Is Self-Care or Soul-Care Selfish or Unspiritual? - https://apple.co/40lhHxb / https://spoti.fi/3FIg305  How to Stop Numbing Your Emotions & Stop Negative Self-Talk with Jesus - https://apple.co/405mcvz / https://spoti.fi/3Z2b0hP  Feeling Anxious? Cast Your Cares on God Because He Cares For You - https://apple.co/3FHsQA5 / https://spoti.fi/3ZWQb8R    LINKS & RESOURCES: Take the Soul Care Quiz at soulcarequiz.com – your FREE personal wellness assessment – to learn which areas of wellness you’re missing most to flourish with God’s peace and joy in your life. Grab Bonnie’s new book to lower stress, Breathe: 21 Ways to Stress Less & Transform Chaos to Calm Join the FREE Breathe Wellness Book Club to tackle for areas of wellbeing: emotional, physical, spiritual, and social wellness at http://thebonniegray.com/breathe. Get 4 LIVE sessions + community support! Want scientific articles mentioned in today’s show? Sign up for the FREE Breathe newsletter https://thebonniegray.com/subscribe/ Get Bonnie’s FREE 7 Prayers & Scriptures to Calm Anxiety here!   FOLLOW BONNIE: Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebonniegray Facebook: https://facebook.com/thebonniegray Website: http://www.thebonniegray.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have your sins and failures ever seemed greater than God's grace? Have you ever feared that you've done something to forfeit your calling? In this episode, Carol shares a story about a Christ-follower who, in fear, killed someone. But God's grace reached deep into that prison and revealed a calling greater than a murder conviction.  (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.)  Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Find Wholly Loved: On their website Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  Join the Private Wholly Loved Community Facebook Group Discussion/Reflection Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? Have you ever feared you did something to forfeit God's call on your life? If so, how?  What did Jason Kent's story reveal regarding God's heart? What did Jason's story reveal regarding God's power? What thoughts or emotions arose when Jennifer said that God uses us for His perfect purposes despite our imperfections? What did God's response to Abraham's sin reveal regarding His heart? What is the significance of God referring to Abraham as a prophet? Why might God have had Abraham pray for Abimelech?  What is one 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.

Have you ever been afraid to ask God for something because you’re afraid of messing up or displeasing God? Or that if you ask, it means you’re not submitted to Him? Or even that asking Him for something may alter His plans? God wants us to develop a holy reverential fear where we are unafraid to approach Him with our deepest concerns and questions. Join us as we walk through how to apply this truth to our everyday life, as we continue to journey through the Scriptures with Abraham. (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 Find out about Wholly Loved's upcoming Radiant Event Discussion/Reflective Questions:  How would you describe your understanding of the reverential fear of the Lord?  Have you ever been hesitant to approach God with your “asks?” Why or why not? Why do you think Abraham stopped asking God at 10? If you could ask God for anything right now, what would it be? Step 1 - What is your heart motive behind this ask? Step 2 - How are you approaching the Father (as a child)?  Step 3 - Pray and ask God what your step is (be still, wait, bold, step, etc.) Step 4 - Don’t stop asking, but continue to submit to the Father’s will 5. What action can you take to grow your reverence (awe, wonder, honor) for God this week?   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you or someone you love been waiting a long time for God to act in a difficult situation? It’s easy to fall for the lie that God needs our suggestions and help to fulfill His promises to us. But God wants us to know He is El Shaddai, God Almighty, the One who is all-sufficient to fulfill the promises He makes. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions) Resource mentioned: Reflections on the Names of God: 180 Devotions to Know God More Fully, by Ava Pennington Find Ava Pennington: On her website On Facebook On Instagram Find Carol McCracken: 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/reflective questions) What resonated with you most in today’s episode? In what situation have you been offering God suggestions for how resolve a particular problem? How can you stay encouraged to rest in God’s sufficiency to fulfill His promises to you? How has God been growing you to be ready to receive His promises in His perfect time? What might God be asking you to do as a result of today’s podcast episode? Who might God be prompting you to encourage with the assurance His sufficiency to fulfill His promises in their life?   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Many of us find it challenging to wait, especially when we're waiting for something we greatly desire or feel greatly affect our lives. But God will often use our waiting seasons to reveal cracks in our faith so that He can lead us to greater freedom and truth; so that He can lead us to increased trust and relational intimacy with Him. Our courage grows when we turn to Him, hold tight to His promises, and remind ourselves, often, of His heart for us. And when we mess up, like Abram did in Genesis 16, God offers us inconceivable grace and the opportunity to begin again. (Scroll down for discussion/reflection questions.) Resource mentioned: Reflections on the Names of God: 180 Devotions to Know God More Fully Find Ava Pennington: On her website On Facebook On Instagram Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Discussion/Reflection Questions: What resonated with you most in today's episode? Is there a situation in your life that you are tempted to believe is too big for God to work transform or intervene? What doubts tend to pop into your mind during prolonged waiting seasons? When have you worsened a situation through your attempts to help God? Think back on a time during which you had to wait on God and He responded in a powerful, loving, provisional, or protective way. How did that experience impact your faith? What are some truths you can hold tight to during your next waiting season? What is one action step God might be asking you take upon hearing this podcast episode? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

During peaceful seasons, do you ever find yourself fearing something will soon go wrong and your reprieve or pleasant circumstances won’t last? Does your fear of what could go wrong keep you from remaining fully present in the moment? Thankfully, our God holds us through our doubts, speaks to our anxieties, and remains faithful to every promise He’s given us in Scripture.  (Scroll down for the discussion/reflective questions.) Find Jodie Bailey: 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 What resonated with you most in this episode? Abraham doesn’t “complain” ABOUT God, but he does “complain” TO God. What is the difference in your mind? Bible scholar Matthew Henry once said, “God never promises more than He can perform.” Do you believe this is true? How have you seen this in your life?  When was a time when the only prayer you could think of was, as Kelly said, “Ugh”? What did you do in that moment? What was an answer to prayer that wasn’t what you expected it to be, yet you realized it was exactly what you needed? Based on Genesis 15, what would you say to a friend who is walking through their own difficult season of waiting?God often provided a waiting season between the giving of a promise and the fulfilling of that promise.  What are some reasons that God might do that?  How have you seen that working in your own life? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In the face of life’s uncertainties, even Christians can fall prey to fears that dangers and needs beyond our resources will leave us exposed. But God wants us to know He is El Elyon, the Most High God, greater than any physical or spiritual fears and needs we may have. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions) Find Ava Pennington: On her website On Facebook On Instagram Find Kelly Campbell: WhollyLoved.com Join Wholly Loved's private "Faith Over Fear" Facebook Group  Join Wholly Loved's private "Wholly Loved Community" Facebook Group 1. What resonated with you most in today’s episode?2. When have you needed to trust that the Most High God is bigger than the problem you faced?3. How did you respond in that situation?4. In what ways have you tried to solve a problem apart from depending on God?5. What did you learn about your own limitations?6. How did God respond to your need?7. Abram trusted God both for the battle and for the provision of his material needs. How might you be trusting God in certain areas but not in others?8. What did this situation teach you about your relationship with the Most High God?9. What might your life look like if you committed to immediately bringing your fears about your situation to the Most High God?10. What might God be asking you to do as a result of today’s podcast episode? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Sometimes we may make choices for ourselves, looking only at what looks right in the moment, and based on what looks enticing and attractive. We may look at what seem to be our choices and think we have identified the best thing for ourselves. In those moments, we need to remember that God knows what is best for us since He created us and can do immeasurably more than we can think or imagine in fulfilling His promises. Even if we dislike waiting, it may be the very thing God wants us to do in faith. (Scroll down to find the group discussion questions) Find Carol McCracken: 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 Group Discussion Questions: What resonated with you most in today’s episode? Share a time when you decided on something that appeared to be very attractive on the surface. What were some of the “lies” that may have accelerated your decisions? What have you learned when waiting to make a decision? Why do you think what we see with our eyes can be so enticing? What was a time you or someone you know unexpectedly received something from God that ended up being better than their proposed solution to a situation? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.