Smiling at the Future

Lauren Arif alerts the podcast listeners to the dangers of self-pity by answering the following questions: Life is hard, so why is self-pity wrong when we are experiencing a trial? What are some biblical examples of self-pity, and how did God respond to that?  Why is instruction or correction often a catalyst for someone to sink into self-pity? If someone has a habit of seeking pity from others, w...

Pastor Brad Klassen discusses the importance of Bible study by answering the following questions: Why is it important for every Christian to study the Bible on their own even if they attend a sound Bible-teaching church? What attitude should a believer have when approaching the Scriptures? What encouragement would you give the person who feels their time in the Word is dry? How can believers pursu...

Christi’s older sister, Michelle Wendler, shares her wisdom on how to navigate change by answering the following questions: What are some common areas we experience change? What Biblical examples do we find of people experiencing change? What unique challenges during change can single women face? What are healthy ways to help process change? How can we encourage those around us who are experiencin...

Returning guest, Pastor Travis Allen, shares the importance of discernment for every Christian by answering the following questions: What is the biblical definition of discernment, and why is this an important virtue for a believer to grow in? In what areas do you see Christian women in particular lacking discernment or being easily swayed? How can a single woman cultivate discernment without beco...

My favorite Uncle joins the podcast to share about his passion of enjoying the wonders of God's creation by answering the following questions: Can you tell the listeners about Creation Safaris and what motivated you to start that ministry? What are the spiritual and physical benefits a believer can gain from spending time in God's creation? What are your favorite Bible passages about God&#...

Pastor Travis Allen joins the podcast to help us think biblically about singleness in the church by addressing several important questions: How does your marital status help or hinder your service to Christ? What encouragement would you give married couples and families for how to embrace singles in the church? What would characterize an intentional Christian single? Why has dating in the church b...

Lit Tittel helps us navigate stressful seasons by answering the following questions: What types of stress are there and what are common life stressors? Should we try to gain relief from stress? What are things we can do to mitigate some of the physical and emotional toll that stress takes on us? Is it ok to medicate during very stressful times? How do people compound the pressures of life and make...

Biblical Counselor Marie Clark skillfully opens the Scriptures to answer the following questions about modesty: What is biblical modesty, and why is this important to God? Is it possible to dress modestly and still not be pleasing to God? How does legalism show up in this area? Can you help us understand the dynamic of why modesty seems to be largely situational, cultural, and generational? Why is...

Ashley brings both experience and discernment to this conversation to help singles navigate the world of online dating by answering the following questions: For someone resistant to online dating, what's a more balanced and hopeful perspective? What should women include in their own profiles and what are healthy things to look for in a man's profile? How can women show interest without tak...

Reagan Rose helps us kick off this year with motivation and tactics to tame our smartphones by answering the following questions: What spiritual benefit have you noticed in the steps you have taken to limit technology in your life?  Beyond shortening our attention spans, how are smartphones changing people? What are practical tips someone can take today to put boundaries on their smartphone usage?...

Christi explores how to pursue joy by answering the following questions: What are misconceptions people have about joy? What are things that can hinder our joy? And what are ways that God pours joy into our heart? Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com  Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com  Support The Podcast: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024⁠

Lynne Brown returns to help our perspective in dating by answering the following questions: For the woman who is burned out by dating, when should she step back and take a break, and when should she continue to persevere? What are encouraging reminders for the woman who is discouraged by multiple failed relationships? What did God teach you in the ups and downs of dating? What would you tell the w...

Donna Barlow is a midwife and a mother of 5, and she helps bring clarity to the topic of fertility and children by answering the following questions: Should a single woman go to an OBGYN and have her fertility checked? Or should she wait until she is engaged to look into that area of her health? What are common myths about fertility? If someone has a condition that may impact fertility, how early...

Chris Hamilton addresses some common concerns surrounding money in a marriage relationship by answering the following questions: What do you see are common struggles married couples have with money, and what can single women do now to prevent those future conflicts? What attitude should a woman have when she submits to her husband’s leadership in this area? For a dating couple, who should pay for...

Marie Clark helps us see how subtly manipulation can show up in our communication by answering the following questions: How would people manipulate others without fully realizing it? What is the opposite of manipulation that we are called to put on?  Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com  Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com  Support The Podcast:  ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-202...

Biblical counselor Marie Clark helps us understand manipulation and navigate manipulative people by answering the following questions: What does a godly response to manipulation look like? What character flaws make is easier for someone to manipulate you? How do we know if something is flattery or sincere praise? Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com  Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com  S...

Pastor's wife Pam Hardy encourages us in our prayer life by answering the following questions: There is a temptation to approach prayer with an attitude of guilt.  What mindset should the believer seek to cultivate instead? If God knows everything, why does He want to listen to us? Why did Jesus pray, and how can that help us understand prayer and our need to pray? What is the value of praying...

Pastor, biblical counselor, and author Deepak Reju walks us through his book on the topic of why women settle for men with major sin issues by answering the following questions: What inspired you to write a book about women “settling”? Women are sometimes accused of being too picky, but how do we know when the flaws outlined in your book are big enough to break off a relationship? What concerns wo...

Pastor Jonny Ardavanis provides helpful clarity to the gift of singleness by answering the following questions: What is the gift of singleness and what are common misconceptions about this gift? How can we maintain a balanced view of both the gift of singleness and the gift of marriage, and why is that important? Extended singleness has become more common even in the church.  How can we think bibl...

Drawing from biblical wisdom and real-life experience, Lynne Brown and Ann Bradley offer guidance to help women better understand and value the men in their lives by addressing these key questions: What are misconceptions that women have about men? What are common ways men misunderstand women, and how can knowing this help women respond better to them? Can you explain the importance of respect in...

Author and speaker Lydia Brownback answers the following questions from her book about singleness: Why is it important to get beyond the constant speculation of “why” we are still single? How can we be encouraged when our social stability changes as friends get married and move into different seasons of life? What would you tell the woman who is doing everything right to try and get married and de...

Pastor Philip De Courcy charts us through the murky waters of indecision by answering the following questions: God has given us the stewardship of making decisions in life, but can you expand on the blessing and challenge this presents? What are common reasons behind indecision? Should someone seek to have "peace" before moving forward with a decision? When is it appropriate to take a st...

Author Pam Hardy helps us hold onto reality and hope at the same time by answering the following questions: What are reasons people tend to lose hope? How is hope cultivated in a believer's life? Should believer's hope for things in this life, or is our hope only on eternal matters? If someone loses their balance in the area of hope, what are the symptoms they may see? If someone doesn&#39...

Returning guest Lynne Brown addresses the common struggles of feeling left behind in life by answering the following questions: How can we avoid comparison to our peers when they seem to be moving effortlessly through life and we feel stuck? How do you answer the “What’s new?” question when nothing is new? How can those getting married later in life navigate the imbalance of having children later...

Pastor Smedly Yates sharpens our perspective on those seasons of waiting by answering the following questions: Why does God have us wait, and what is He accomplishing in us through waiting? How should Christians wait? What are wrong ways people respond to waiting? How can we grow in embracing delayed gratification? And how can we enjoy and trust God’s plan when we are longing for something else? ...