Faith Over Fear

As followers of Christ, we are His representatives to a hurting and broken world. We’re called to live and love as He did, and Jesus sought out the marginalized and oppressed and called out the oppressor. In this episode, Jennifer Slattery’s daughter, Ashley Chester, shares her battle against a university’s Student Services of Disabilities Office to see that they were actually enforcing the accommodations they were legally required to honor. Initially, her fight was personal as she fought against abuses of power she experienced. But as she became more connected with other students with disabilities, she realized her battle extended beyond her. While this was a difficult and stressful time, God used it to grow her into a woman of strength and to present her with numerous opportunities she likely wouldn’t have enjoyed otherwise. Find Jennifer Slattery at:JenniferSlatteryLivesoutLoudhttps://www.facebook.com/JenSlatteFind her ministry, Wholly Loved, at:https://whollyloved.com/Group Discussion Questions:1. What are some injustices or abuses of power God has allowed you to see?2. How do you normally respond when you see abuses of power?3. Is there anyone God might be calling you to advocate for?4. What does godly advocacy look like?5. What are some fears that keep you from advocating for others in a godly way?6. Consider a cause you feel drawn to. How connected are you to the community most affected by that cause?7. Why is relationship important when we advocate?8. What are some ways to advocate for others in a way that speaks honor?9. If you have accepted the call of advocate, how is God growing you through your efforts?Episode Image Credit: Getty/Malte Mueller Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Our fight against fear is an ongoing battle. To be victorious, we need to persevere and keep fighting. Often, we both underestimate AND overestimate our fears. We underestimate them by assuming we’ll have instant victory and not understanding the battle we will face as we advance toward increased freedom. But we also overestimate our fear by assigning our anxious thoughts more power than is warranted. We believe we’re powerless against our anxious thinking and that we’re powerless against the pull. But in Christ, we have victory. We just need to learn to live, more consistently, in the victory Christ already purchased. We need to learn to throw off everything that hinders our freedom and pursuit of our calling. Find Jennifer at: https://www.jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatteInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenslatteryFind her ministry, Wholly Loved, at: https://whollyloved.com/Group Discussion Questions:1. In what ways is our fight against fear an ongoing battle?2. In what ways are you actively engaging in the fight?3. How does fear shift our focus off of Christ?4. How can focusing on eternity help increase our faith?5. How can focusing on the cross increase our faith?6. What does it mean to live with victory—even while afraid?7. What activities must you cease doing in order to guard or increase your peace?8. How are you filling your heart and mind with truth?9. Why is it important, in our battle against fear, to surround ourselves with faith-warriors?10. How can our peers negatively impact our faith and increase our anxiety level? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The evil of racism has pervaded our world for far too long, and God is calling his children to act. As children of light, empowered by God’s life-giving Spirit, we are called to speak against oppression and abuse and to come alongside those who are hurting. Many of us can feel the weight of grief experienced by our friends of color, but we don’t always know how to help or what to do. In this episode, Wholly Loved Ministries team members Jennifer Slattery and Robrenna Redl discuss ways we can unite together to bring healing and affect true and lasting change.Resources:• Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation by Latasha Morrison • The Myth of Equality: Uncovering the Roots of Injustice and Privilege by Ken Wytsma• Oneness Embraced: Reconciliation the Kingdom and How We are Stronger Together by Dr. Tony Evans• White Awake: An Honest Look at What it Means to Be White by Daniel Hill• Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America by Michael O Emerson and Christian Smith• How to be an Anti-racists - Ibram X KendiContact Robrenna through the Wholly Loved website HERE to have her speak to your group on how to be a bridge of reconciliation or to book her for your next women’s event.Find Robrenna Redl at: https://robrennaredl.wordpress.com/Group Discussion Questions:1. Why is it important to have diversity within our social and ministry circles?2. What are some ways you’ve seen racism to be systemic?3. How often do you invite others to share their hurts and experiences related to racism? 4. How often do you share your stories of hurt related to racism? If you have done this, what has been the response? If you have not shared openly, or as openly as you would desire, why is this? 5. What does it mean to “listen well” to someone who is hurting?6. What are some tangible actions you can take to fight racism? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We all have doubts, and often those doubts rise up when life becomes difficult or uncertain. We experience a gap between what we know, or maybe what we’ve been taught, and what our reality seems to be stating. When this occurs, fear tempts us to ignore our doubts or avoid the hard questions. But our doubts, when investigated honestly and with Jesus, can pave the way to certainty and deeper intimacy with Christ.In this episode, theologian Dave Montoya helps us understand why doubts feel so uncomfortable, how we can address them, and how we can come alongside others who are in places of doubt.Find Dave’s church at https://www.northstate.church/Find Jennifer at: https://www.jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatteInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenslatteryFind her ministry, Wholly Loved, at: https://whollyloved.com/Resources Dave Mentions: The Myth of Certainty: The Reflective Christian and the Risk of Commitment by Daniel Taylor God in the Dark: The Assurance of Faith Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt by Os GuinnessDoubting: Growing Through the Uncertainties of Faith by Alister McGrathGroup Discussion Questions:1.How do you tend to respond when doubts arise?2.How comfortable are you investigating hard questions?3.When have you wrestled with a period of doubt or with difficult questions, and what was the result? 4.In what ways has honest investigation increased your faith?5.In what ways does our faith “grow up” and mature?6.How do you tend to feel when others express doubt?7.What are some ways you can come alongside those who are doubting? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In 2 Timothy 1:7, Scripture tells us God has not given us a spirit of fear but rather one of power, love, and a sound mind. As Kylie Odetta shares in this episode, this verse provides key truths that can help us gain victory over our fears. Kylie shares how God has helped, and is helping, her to live fully in the freeing gifts He’s given her through grace. Find Kylie Odetta at: her website |Instagram | FacebookFind Jennifer at: https://www.jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatteInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenslatteryGroup Discussion Questions:1. Do you ever feel as if others wouldn’t understand what you’re experiencing or going through?2. Do you have someone you can talk to, honestly, regarding your struggle?3. How often do you intentionally seek out fun activities and ways to laugh?4. Are you regularly taking in the truth of Scripture? 5. What is one faith-bolstering truth you can intentionally focus on this week? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

As we discussed last episode, fear of moral failure and an inability to rest in God’s hinders our effectiveness, freedom, joy, and growth. We’re used to having to achieve in order to prove ourselves and to experiencing rejection when we don’t measure up. Because of this, we may expect God to treat us in a similar way, but whereas others may cast us off, God always welcomes near.Resources:Unexpected Love: God’s Heart Revealed Through Conversations to Women, by Julie ColemanVideo: Receiving GraceRagamuffin Gospel by Brennan ManningFind Julie Coleman at: http://www.JulieColeman.orgContact Jennifer through her website HERE to have her speak at your next women’s event.Find Jennifer at: https://www.jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatteInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenslattery Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Fear of moral failure is the inability to rest in God’s grace, and it hinders growth, joy, and freedom. Past experiences with humans can negatively impact our ability to rest in God’s grace. When we mess up, often others cast us off. But not Jesus. He opened wide His arms and died in order to draw us close.Resources:Video: Receiving GraceVideo: Becoming His Princess Week 7: Living in GraceBecoming His Princess Bible study:Grab the free ebook in PDF form: http://urlme.cc/2JlD Kindle form: http://urlme.cc/0zGjBuy the print copy: http://urlme.cc/GZGARagamuffin Gospel by Brennan ManningContact Jennifer through her website HERE to have her speak at your next women’s event.Find Jennifer at: https://www.jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatteInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenslatteryGroup Discussion Questions:1. How do you normally respond when you sin? Does your sin normally drive you to God or push you from Him? Why do you think this is?2. Why does God’s grace annihilate both guilt and self-condemnation?3. What’s the difference between striving and yielding?4. Think of some way you tend to sin. (Example, acting prideful, lying, etc.) When attempting to move past that sin, what might striving look like?5. Again, think of some way you tend to sin. When attempting to move past that sin, what might yielding look like?6. What are some ways you connect with your power source (Christ)? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

None of us were born with a fear of failure. But over time, as we learn and grow and live imperfectly, we begin to attach labels to our journeys and mishaps. We call them failures, and over time, we may determine we are as well. Our faulty processing will greatly hinder our progress, growth, and effectiveness, if we let it.Fear of failure often stems from a very dangerous focus: Making much of ourselves and little of God. But Scripture tells us life—and growth—comes when we die to ourselves so that Christ can live in and through us. Resources:Nothing to Prove, by Jennie AllenLittle Women, Big God and Little Faith Big God by Debbie W. WilsonGive Yourself a Break: The Secrets to God's Rest by Debbie W. WilsonFind Debbie W. Wilson at: DebbieWWilson.com and on FacebookContact Jennifer through her website HERE to have her speak at your next women’s event.Find Jennifer at: https://www.jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatteInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenslatteryGroup Discussion Questions:1. What is your definition of failure?2. How do you respond when you fail?3. Have past “failures” impacted your willingness to take on new opportunities?4. Why is it important to measure success based on obedience rather than results?5. How might “dying to ourselves” give us the courage to obey and embrace new opportunities? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We fear being truly known, but we also yearn for the relational intimacy that can only come when we unveil who we truly are. We can either live in hiding, always afraid of being called out, or we can have the courage to live authentically. As we continually step into the light, God reveals every hidden area of darkness within—sin, hurts, shame, not to condemn or shame us but to heal, transform and free us. Resources:Becoming His Princess - A seven-week Bible study on the life of Sarai/Sarah (Gen. 12-23).Unexpected Love by Julie ColemanContact Jennifer through her website HERE to have her speak at your next women’s event.Find Jennifer at: https://www.jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatteInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenslatteryGroup Discussion Questions:1. How does self-revelation lead to deeper relationships?2. How can fear of exposure hinder relational intimacy?3. Do you have a relationship where you feel fully known and deeply loved?4. In what ways has fear of exposure hindered your relationships in the past?5. What does it mean to you to step into the light? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Psychologists say a growing number of us have developed a fear of missing out. We’re afraid if we don’t respond to that message now, our friends will contact someone else, form stronger relationships with them, and we’ll be excluded. We worry, if we don’t accept that opportunity or say yes to that client, we won’t get that promotion. In each of these instances, if we dig deep enough, we’ll often discover a core need has been threatened such as the need for purpose, love, security, or belonging. The problem comes when we attempt to meet our needs in our own strength and wisdom. As with any fear, fear of missing out pushes us into self-reliance, which distances us from God and hinders our ability to hear Him and receive His guidance. To overcome, we need to trust in Him, follow Him, and lean on Him.Resources:Ask It by Andy Stanley: http://urlme.cc/B0BlContact Jennifer through her website HERE to have her speak at your next women’s event.Find Jennifer at: https://www.jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatteInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenslatteryGroup Discussion Questions:1. What are some ways you’ve seen the fear of missing out present itself in adults’ lives?2. Pause to consider—what deeper fear, related to a core need, might have been triggered?3. How does or has FOMO pushed you into striving and self-reliance?4. How easy is it for you to trust God’s sovereignty in your life? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.