Faith Over Fear

Some songs convey such depth, they grab, fill, nourish, and strengthen your soul. Brighter Days, by Blessing Offor reminds us that our God is good, loving, faithful, and true–even when our circumstances say otherwise, and He always, always has our best in mind. Believe, also by Blessing Offor, remind us that oftentimes God's version of what's best clashes, at least momentarily, with ours. But as B...

Many of us know the pain that can come from living outside of God's will. We might also have experienced the increased joy, healing, and freedom that comes from a close relationship with Him and following however He leads. And we want our loved ones to avoid our mistakes and experience the same soul-deep wholeness and fulfillment Christ offers. When our desires and doubts lead to fear, however, we...

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 surfac...

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 th...

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 s...

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 Mc...

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 trut...

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...

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 promi...

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 dis...

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 Campb...

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 fu...

We've probably all witnessed arguments and hostility between two individuals who hold vastly different views. Perhaps you grew up in a home where this often occurred. If so, this may have impacted how you view faith and your confidence to share that faith with others. In this episode, popular biblical novelist Mesu Andrews shares how God brought her from a place where she wanted nothing to do with...

Do you believe in miracles? Special host Kathryn Calibeo of the Sparkle Speak podcast stops by to share an exclusive preview of her podcast and one of the interview moments that left her with chills.   DISCOVER MORE EPISODES OF SPARKLE SPEAK: Missionary & Former Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Gina Sheets: https://apple.co/40ap8aJ   Cancer Survivor Kim Merrefield: https://appl...

Sometimes we may look at our circumstances and try to take matters into our own hands, forgetting God’s calling on our lives or His promises for us.  In those moments, we take a detour off of the path, a way that is of our own human understanding instead of in his perfect calling. In those moments, it is important for us to remember that we can never get so far away from God that we can’t come bac...

It’s one thing to internalize a promise from God, it’s another to make that a public proclamation. When we’re open about our faith and the promises we’re holding onto – especially in a difficult or unknown season – we’re inviting others to experience the goodness and faithfulness of God, too. While it’s not always the easiest step to take, proclaiming our faith publicly has greater impact than we...

We've all experienced rejection throughout our lives, including times when we've messed up. We may be accustomed to, and therefore have come to expect, others cutting us off or distancing themselves from us when we sin. We may even assume God will respond to us in a similar way, but this is far from what we see in Scripture. In this episode, Carol and Jennifer discuss a biblical example of a major...

There are times in our life when God will ask us to leave everything we find comfortable to step into the unknown with Him. These moments are a lot like “hallway moments” where we’re not exactly sure where or when the next door will open; they are moments that might be full of doubt and hesitancy, but they are essential to our faith. They are the moments that keep us holding onto the One that know...

Jesus came to restore everything as it should be. To bring increased health and fulfillment to a hurting, dysfunctional, and broken world. But sometimes our first steps toward the new life Christ calls us to feel scary. What if the change He calls us to damages our current relationships and we end up alone? In this episode, Kelly Campbell and Jennifer Slattery talk about what emotions Abram may ha...

When assigned reading in school, did you ever search out the cliff notes? If so, you might appreciate this episode, in which we captured four powerful anxiety-fighting nuggets from our most popular episodes. For those who missed those episodes the first time they dropped, consider these your show notes designed to help you quickly zero in on some actionable steps you can take to decrease your anxi...

We can’t force someone to love us or treat us well, but we can guard our peace and joy. In fact, to live the fruit-bearing and gospel-sharing lives that Christ created us for, we must learn when to walk beside and when to walk away. In this episode, prolific writer Gary Thomas, author of When to Walk Away: Finding Freedom from Toxic People, shares insights he learned when studying Christ’s interac...

Do you find it difficult to rest, whether that involves something as simple as turning off your constantly pinging electronic devices, planning an afternoon out with friends, or engaging in a creative activity? Do all of your uncompleted tasks run through your mind the moment you step away from your desk or a particular responsibility? Sometimes it takes courage to rest. Yet, science also demonstr...

We all have certain reactions that arise when we feel threatened, whether that threat is real or perceived. We have an innate desire to self-protect. If we aren’t aware of these tendencies, however, we may react in ways that pushes others away and therefore reinforce or deepen our hurts and increases our defensive reactions. In this episode, mental health expert Tina Yeager helps us unpack these p...

You may have heard someone say something to the effect of, “God will use your pain in your future ministry.” This doesn’t necessarily mean He will ask you to launch an organization or create a program within your social sphere or community, although He may. Rather, this stems from God’s promise to use you to comfort others with the same comfort He’s shown. You, whether that means listening with un...

Learning to be grateful in all circumstances can be challenging, but once we recognize that God is enough, gratitude begins to grow. Through simple practices of rejoicing and praying, we can battle the temptation to believe that God isn’t enough and learn to give thanks in every situation. (Have fear and anxiety-related topics you'd like us to consider covering? Message us through Jennifer or Caro...