Faith Over Fear

In this episode of Faith Over Fear, we discuss negative overthinking—how it hijacks our brain’s alarm system, fuels anxiety, and challenges our ability to problem solve and see truth. You’ll learn practical, biblical ways to break free from spiraling thoughts—like grounding techniques to return to the present moment, identifying and replacing toxic thought patterns, and prayer. Packed with tools you can start using today, this episode will help you calm your mind, strengthen your faith, and trust God’s presence and provision in your most uncertain or stressful seasons. (Find our free printable resource for easy-to-practice techniques demonstrated to decrease anxiety and increase peace HERE.) Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? When are you most prone to overthinking? Are you aware of any thought patterns you can begin to change. If so, what are these? How might this increase your anxiety? What practical step mentioned in this episode most intrigues or inspires you and why? How might focusing on God's goodness and promises help you replace negative thought patterns with faith-affirming truth? What is one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode? Find Carol McCracken: On her website On Facebook On Instagram Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter (Inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this powerful and hope-filled episode, Nicole C. Mullen joins us to talk about choosing faith over fear—even when the path forward feels broken. With raw honesty, she shares her story of walking through an abusive marriage, the courage it took to say "enough," and how God met her with redemption, grace, and purpose. We also explore:How fear must be addressed before faith can take root What we can learn about suffering when doing all the “right things” from Job What Rahab can teach us about courage Why God still uses us—even after detours and mistakes How to walk by faith when sight isn’t an option Breaking free from shame, guilt, and fear Whether you're in a season of struggle, change, or healing, this conversation will remind you: You haven’t missed your moment. God can still get you where you need to be. Resource Referenced: It's Never Wrong to Do the Right Thing Discussion/Reflective Questions: Where in your life might fear be holding you back from stepping into faith? What would it look like to move forward even if you can’t yet see the full path? Have you ever felt like you’ve missed your chance or messed up too much for God to use you? How might Nicole’s story challenge or encourage that belief? What does it mean to you that God can reroute your life and still get you “there on time”? Can you think of a past detour that led to unexpected blessing? Is there a situation in your life where you sense God prompting you to initiate change What fears are keeping you stuck—and what might courage look like today? When have you chosen obedience to God, even when it cost you something? What helped you stay faithful in that moment? What shame or guilt are you still carrying that God wants to set you free from? What truth from Scripture can you begin to speak over that area of your life? Find Nicole C. Mullen: On her website On Instagram On Facebook Find her content on Amazon Find Carol McCracken: On her website On Facebook On Instagram Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group (Inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do you long for more peace and self-control and less fear and regret as you navigate life's challenges and hardships? In this episode, we explore how the Beatitudes and Jesus’ instructions for kingdom living offer a powerful blueprint for thriving in today’s anxious and chaotic world. When we align our lives with Christ’s teachings and depend on His strength and wisdom, we experience lasting peace, greater emotional resilience, and freedom from fear. Even in seasons of deep pain or uncertainty, Jesus draws near to comfort us—then equips us comfort to others. Because of Him, we can live with the confidence that we’ve been made right with God, positioned to receive His favor, and invited to experience the blessings of His kingdom. Resource referenced: "Deep Rooted Bible Study" Series. Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? In what ways has, or can, increased dependence on Christ lead to greater peace? What are some ways you intentionally rely on Christ's strength in difficult times? When have you sensed God comforting you with His compassion during painful seasons? What are your thoughts or feelings when you hear that, through your faith in Christ, you are currently living under God's favor? What is one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this podcast? Find Kathy Howard: On her website On Instagram On Facebook On Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do you ever feel like you’re just trying to keep your head above water—and your faith is barely treading with you? In today’s episode of Faith Over Fear, Carol talks with author and podcast host Tara Sun about her new book Overbooked and Overwhelmed: How to Keep Up with God When You're Just Trying to Keep Up with Life. Together, they tackle the spiritual fatigue so many of us feel when life won’t slow down. They explore what it looks like to develop real spiritual resilience—not after the burnout, but in the middle of it. Tara shares her own journey of choosing presence over performance, why slowing down can actually be an act of courage, and how even small spiritual rhythms can ground us in God’s peace when everything feels urgent. Whether your faith feels stuck, stretched, or straight-up silent, this conversation will remind you that God isn’t asking you to do more—He’s inviting you to be with Him, right where you are. Discussion Questions: Tara talks about feeling spiritually stuck—how can we tell if that “stuckness” is from circumstances or from a deeper spiritual disconnect? What does it look like to bring God into our chaos, instead of waiting for quiet to meet Him? How might someone begin to untangle a life driven by expectations instead of convictions? What fear-based “yeses” might be hiding behind our overbooked calendars—and how can we trade them for faith-filled choices? How can spiritual resilience grow during burnout, rather than waiting for rest to begin healing? What is one small spiritual rhythm you could commit to this week, even in your busiest season? Connect with Tara Sun: On her website On Instagram On Facebook Find her content on Amazon Find Carol McCracken: On her website On Facebook On Instagram Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group (Inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When we're anxious and afraid, we often ask God to remove our figurative storms. But He offers us something even better–Himself. He is our strong tower, our impenetrable fortress able to carry us through our worst crisis. As Psalm 46:1 states, He is our ever-present help in times of trouble, and our God is for us, always. In this episode, host Jennifer Slattery and guest Becky Harling discuss the truths stated and implied in Proverbs 18:10, which states, The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe (NIV). Bible passages discussed: John 6, Psalm 91, Proverbs 18:10, Psalm 46:1 Resource referenced: Who Do You Say That I AM?: A Fresh Encounter for Deeper Faith Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? What are some ways God has shown Himself faithful in your past? How might reflecting on His past faithfulness help to reduce your fear and anxiety during today's difficulties? What comes to mind when you think of God as your strong tower? Why might God provide so many visuals in Scripture to reveal unchanging truths? What's one action step He might be inviting you to take having listened to this podcast? Find Becky Harling at: Beckyharling.com/ Instagram Facebook Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group (Inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We all have a God-given need to feel valued, significant, and as if our life matters. While Scripture tells us that God has important, kingdom-focused plans for each of us, it can be hard to recognize this when life feels routine and monotonous. How can we live fulfilled in the "daily grind" of going to work, raising families, and managing all our other necessary and seemingly mundane tasks? In this episode, hosts Jennifer Slattery and Carol McCracken discuss the importance of listening for God's direction, remaining faithful to what He's calling us to do, and finding our value in Him, not our performance. Discussing King David, King Saul, and the Old Testament prophet Elisha, they remind listeners that God won't waste their gifts or experiences. He uses everything to mold us into men and women ready and prepared to do His will, and there's beauty in that. Prevous podcast episode referenced: "Courageously Used by God No Matter What" Scripture discussed: Ephesians 5:17, 1 Samuel 9-10, 1 Kings 19:19-21 Discussion/Reflective Questions: What most resonate with you in this episode? What are some ways you actively seek to hear from God? How do you sense God is leading you in your current season? How content do you feel in your role(s)? If you feel relatively content, what enables you to feel this way? If you struggle with discontentment, why do you feel this is? What is one action step that God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode? Find Carol McCracken: On her website On Facebook On Instagram Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group (Inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Most, if not all, of us would much rather avoid conflict. Often, this stems from times when we've handled disagreements poorly or have watched others do so. But conflict avoidance tends to lead to increased anxiety and relational dysfunction. What if there's a healthier, God-honoring way to manage conflict that leads to greater relational fulfillment, decreased stress, and no regret? Resource referenced: Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide for Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret by Donna Jones (Visit her website to take a free quiz to determine your dominant conflict style and to learn about her book Seek.) In this episode: Learn why most of us find conflict intimidating The most important ingredient to handling conflict well The best way to begin difficult discussions How you might be handing someone else the keys to your peace and what to do about it and more! Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? How do you tend to feel about conflict, and what do you think contributes to this? When have you seen someone handle conflict well? What most challenges your ability to listen to someone else's perspective when you're hurt or upset? How do you feel knowing God values your relationships even more than you do? What is one actions step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode? Connect with Donna Jones: On her website On Instagram On Facebook Follow her writing on Amazon Connect with Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group (Inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When life hits us with numerous hardships, we may wonder, Where is God in all of this? How do we keep hoping when our strength is gone, our prayers feel unanswered, and our hearts feel weary? In this episode, we’ll talk about how to maintain hope—even when your circumstances don’t change. We’ll explore: ✅ How to wrestle with God and why this is important✅ How to keep praying for relief while also accepting what is✅ What our pain can teach us regarding God's goodness, and more. Resource referenced: Watching for the Morning:90 Devotionals for When Hope Is Hard to Find Find Vaneetha Rednall Risner: On her website On Instagram On Facebook On Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group (Inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.) Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? How easy or challenging do you find it to express your feelings unfiltered to God, and why do you feel this is? How comfortable do you feel expressing your emotions to God? When have you determined a painful time to be a blessing due to the intimacy you experienced with Christ? What might it look like, in your current season, to pray with hope for change but also acceptance for what is? What is one action step God might be inviting 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.

Feeling overwhelmed by stress? You're not alone. Studies show that many U.S. adults, across all age groups, are experiencing stress levels that make it hard to function. In this episode, we explore how to manage stress effectively using practical, science-backed strategies and timeless biblical wisdom. Learn what the Bible says about stress, peace, and hope, and discover how brain science supports healing and resiliency. Listen for practical tools to navigate stress with courage, grace, and faith—while living a more productive, peaceful, and fulfilling life. Resource discussed: Stress Less: 9 Habits from the Bible and Brain Science to Build Resilience and Reduce Anxiety by Dr. Charles Stone Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? How often do you "think about what you're thinking about" and how might developing this practice help decrease your anxiety and increase your peace? In this episode, Dr. Stone described various ways we might respond to stress, using an analogy of a rock, egg, and tennis ball. Which of those objects do you most often resemble, and which would you prefer to resemble? How can trust in Christ increase our certainty in uncertainty? If you've practiced creating a healthy distance from your emotions without suppressing or denying them, what have you found most helpful in that regard? If you haven't yet practiced this, what is one way you can do so in the future? What is one step God might be inviting 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 much loss and how many setbacks can one experience before they call it quits? Or, perhaps more importantly, how can one keep going when anxiety feels overwhelming, naysayers chip away at your confidence, and the road ahead feels vague and unclear? Chris Rohman from Sanctus Real and his band wrestled with these concerns and more when they found themselves at a Crossroads between calling it quits and trusting God to do a new thing, proving the truth in their song titled My God is Still the Same. In this episode, Chris shares how God led him through a season of panic attacks and intense anxiety, losing the band's lead singer and record label, to rising again with the strength, focus, and passion that can only come from the Holy Spirit at work within and through us. Discussion/Reflective questions: What most resonated resonated with you in this episode? In this episode, Chris shared the numerous contributing factors to his season of intense anxiety and panic attacks. How might it be helpful, when experiencing anxiety, to consider the mental and emotional weight of all the various stressors, changes, and emotions we experience? Chris shared how some of his anxiety may have stemmed from the grief he experienced in losing the band's lead singer. If you experience anxiety, how might unresolved grief (over a person, relationship, dream, etc) be contributing to your inner turmoil? Chris also discussed how he had to ignore the voices of naysayers and tune in to the voice of Christ. What might this look like in your life? Chris shared how he found the words of a friend during a particularly difficult time encouraging. Who in your life speaks truth into your soul when you feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or discouraged? What is one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this podcast episode? Find Sanctus Real: On their website On spotify On Instagram On Facebook Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group (Inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.