Chasing Hard-Trusting God when life doesn't turn out the way you planned

The things that are political seem to have a spiritual basis. I talk through the things going on in our world and what lies behind it. 

Betrayal is hard. Being betrayed by a co-worker, trusted friend or spouse is no small thing to work through. But when all three come into play, there aren't enough words. My friend experienced this situation and dealt with it in stages of anger, grief, and a lot of grace. With the well-being of his kids in mind he continues to take it one days at a time. 

We are a society that longs for connection. Maybe all the generations before have too, but it seems to be a bigger deal these days. Talking with Sarah uncovers how we can wander down a path we never intended to take. Longings of the heart show up in different ways. 

This episode is about wanting your old life back. Life can change in an instant. Usually, we are ill-equipped and unprepared to handle those times. People who lose the ones they love, the life they love, the job they love. Life can be difficult. Trusting God when things don't turn out the way you plan can be hard but in the end, it's all that really matters.

I'm not one who typically talks about body image issues. Although I am no different from all the rest of American women who have definite opinions about my body, it's not something I talk about, at least not in public but I was delighted that my conversation with Heather Creekmore about body image issues went a little deep and we talked about Barbie.

It seems we spend a lot of time talking about grief. Life is full of things to grieve whether big or small. Amanda talked about traditions of grieving and how we don't know how to grieve well as a society nor do we want to take the time. Slowing down to grieve is important to living an emotionally, and physically healthy life.

Life is a series of losses that need to be grieved. Not all life, and not all losses need to be grieved. Just the important ones, the big ones. The ones that change who you are. Trusting God during times of extreme pain and loss can be difficult. But you don't have to do it alone. We have each other. And we have a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Jesus. For comments about the podcast, que...

When you are young and called to Japan, it's all good. But what about the things you leave behind? Nathan has been preparing for a few years to go to Japan, raising funds, and learning the culture and all the things. How you can support him and what it looks like to move to a different country are things we talk about. For comments about the podcast, questions, topic suggestions and prayer needs,...

Andrena has a passion for helping other women pursue God and their career paths. But sometimes life doesn't go the way we want. Andrena makes the most of the gifts God has given her.  For comments about the podcast, questions, topic suggestions and prayer needs, email Laurie@lauriecooklyons.com.

Meghan was getting on with her day attending to her five-month-old daughter when she received the news that her husband suddenly passed away on his way to work. They tried to revive him, but it was too late. Meghan's life clearly didn't turn out the way she had planned but she was left to carry on regardless. Her story is one of courage and God's faithfulness when life throws us unbelievable circu...

When Lisa's husband of 25 years dies suddenly leaving her to raise 7 kids alone, moving felt overwhelming. It wasn't her choice but she did what she had to do to survive and thrive. Her courage to talk about the hard times and move forward is inspiring. For comments about the podcast, questions, topic suggestions and prayer needs, email Laurie@lauriecooklyons.com/

Talking with Diane Anil about her ministry Take Courage. She has an August blessing for women. For comments about the podcast, questions, topic suggestions and prayer needs, email Laurie@lauriecooklyons.com.

I loved talking with Blake from The Girl Named Blake and owner of Crappy Christian Co. We covered young adulthood, first serious relationships, and heartbreak. We threw in a little conspiracy theory (pigeons?) and other hard-to-talk-about things. Blake is a well-informed woman of the things going on in our world and she is not afraid to make her voice heard. Whether you agree with her or not, she...

This conversation went deep quickly with  @TheDanielGrothe  . We talked about chasing wisdom (a title of a book he wrote) while chasing hard. We talked about our divided society and the fall and rebuild of a local church. I was drawn in quickly as I relistened to Daniel share his wisdom. I hope you are too. For comments about the podcast, question, topic suggestion and prayer needs, email Laurie@l...

The conversation got real and personal early on as we talked about suicide and other hard topics. Ganel-lyn Condie shared openly about the death of her sister and how she uses that to do what God has called her to do, helping others while honoring her sister's death. For comments about the podcast, questions, topic suggestions and prayer needs, email Laurie@lauriecooklyons.com 

Jillian Timberlake's life took a few twists and turns and now she helps women find beauty in brokenness. She has authored two books and hosts sessions where you get to experience the beauty in being broken . For comments about the podcast, questions, topic suggestions and prayer needs, email Laurie@lauriecooklyons.com

Tori became a widow at a young age with small children to raise. After her husband lost his battle with cancer she found herself in a downward spiral, but God. But God is good. Listen as Tori talks of the struggles with raising kids, depression and finding God all over again. For comments about the podcast, questions, topic suggestions and prayer needs, email Laurie@lauiecooklyons.com

Talking with Joshua Delp from Rising Leadership posed the question "Why am I where I'm at" to God after he and his wife experienced a miscarriage. He also talked about his struggles while growing up that many people can relate to, like having his father leave as an infant, an abusive stepfather and other hard topics.  For comments about the podcast, questions, topic suggestions and prayer needs, e...

We have many examples of people living through disappointing circumstances. None more than Joseph with the coat of many colors. Disappointment is a fact of life. I'm talking about the disappointments that change who you are and how you view life. But what if our disappointments have a higher purpose than what we can imagine? For comments  on the podcast, questions, topic suggestions and prayer nee...

Choosing to find God in the middle of the struggle is often difficult. Trusting God with your story is hard. Trusting Him with the end of your story is the hardest chase of all. Samantha talks about the struggle of obeying God and moving from the country she loved, the life she adored, back to the states. A struggle she is still adjusting to. For comments on the podcast, questions, topic suggestio...

This conversation was so good. Jennifer is an RN turned life coach. She walks with women who have experienced betrayal trauma. It's a hard road and no woman should have to walk it alone. Jennifer talks about her trauma journey and ways to become whole.  For comments about the podcast, questions, topic suggestions and prayer needs, email Laurie@lauriecooklyons.com

Talking about God taking what Satan meant for harm and turning it into good. Chasing hard is usually about dealing with the things we didn't ask for. Choosing to follow God in those times means allowing Him to use them for good. Good can use all situations for our good. For comments about the podcast, questions, topic suggestions and prayer needs, email Laurie@lauriecooklyons.com

The conversation with Natalie Hixson was transparent and vulnerable as she talked about anger and parenting. What does appropriate anger with children look like? When is it over the top? It's always about being angry and not sinning in your anger. Let's face it, we all get angry and parenting can get us to that point in a hot second. So where does that leave us? Natalie generously provided our lis...

I had an amazing talk with Cheryl Scruggs. She talked about her marriage, divorce and remarriage and how she and her husband walk with couples who struggle. We also talked about EMDR, what it is and how it helps.  For comments about the podcast, questions, topic suggestions and prayer needs, email Laurie@lauriecooklyons.com 

Talking with Elizabeth about her books on relationships, parenting and struggles to begin a family. Her latest book When a Friendship Falls Apart is a must-read. For comments about the podcast, questions, topic suggestions and prayer needs, email Laurie@lauriecooklyons.com.