The Hope Podcast with Lina Abujamra

Everyone tells you to take the safe route. Your parents have concerns. Your friends think you're making a mistake. Everyone seems to have an opinion about what you should do with your life. So how do you know when to listen, and when to follow God instead? In this episode, we talk about the tension between public opinion and God's calling. We'll look at what Scripture says about discerning God's v...

Do you know your calling? Is your calling something different than career? How can you be sure you're doing what God wants you to do? Many of us spend years trying to discover the "right" career, believing that once we find it, we'll finally feel fulfilled. But what if we've confused our career with our calling? Your career is where you work. Your calling is who you become, and whose you are. One...

Graduation is supposed to feel exciting, but for many young adults, it feels overwhelming. You crossed the stage, earned the degree, and completed a major chapter of life. Now comes the question nobody seems to answer clearly: What do I do next? In this episode of The Gen Z Series, Lina and Micah are joined by a special guest for an honest conversation about navigating life after graduation. Toget...

"What am I supposed to do with my life?" It's one of the biggest questions Gen Z is asking, and one of the biggest sources of anxiety. Many young adults are terrified of missing God's will, making the wrong decision, choosing the wrong career, or taking a path that will somehow derail their future. But what if we've misunderstood calling altogether? In this episode, Lina and Micah dive into one of...

In this episode, my sister Diana Sahakian and I talk honestly about why so many smart, capable women stay stuck in cycles they want to break. Many women know what they should do, yet still find themselves struggling in the same areas of life, whether it's relationships, faith, health, emotional well-being, or stress. We talk about emotional overload, burnout, exhaustion, survival mode, and the hid...

I recently sat down with pastor Jeff Bucknam from Harvest Bible Chapel, and I shared parts of my story I’ve never shared this openly before…  From leaving a war-torn country… to Green Bay… to study medicine… to heartbreak… to discovering God’s call in ministry… to church hurt… to the expansion of ministry into humanitarian work… to continuing to wait on God… This conversation is more than just a s...

Gen Z is one of the most anxious generations in history, and many people feel stuck wondering why anxiety still lingers even though they love God. Is anxiety simply medical? Is it spiritual? Or is there something deeper happening in our formation and discipleship? In this conversation, we explore what the Bible actually says about anxiety, fear, control, and trust. You’ll see that even faithful pe...

In today’s culture, expressing our emotions is often seen as the highest form of authenticity. But what happens when emotions begin to control our decisions, relationships, and spiritual lives? In this episode, we’re talking about the danger of unchecked emotions and what the Bible says about surrendering our feelings to God instead of being ruled by them. We’ll explore how negative emotions, when...

What do you do with emotions like anxiety, anger, sadness, disappointment, or fear? Are emotions something Christians should suppress, something we should follow, or something we should surrender to God? In this episode, we’re talking honestly about emotions: where they come from, what they reveal, and how they fit into the Christian life. Because while emotions are real and God-given, they were a...

Have you ever felt like you’re doing all the right things, showing up, staying consistent, trying to grow, and yet… nothing is changing? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re talking about the real reason you lose motivation and what to do when discipline feels impossible. From burnout and overcommitment to chasing the wrong outcomes, Lina breaks down why we quit too soon and how to regain mome...

We all have habits, but not all of them are helping us follow Jesus. In this episode, we’re talking honestly about the habits that quietly shape our lives and how to break the ones that don’t honor God. If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t know when to say no,” you’re not alone. That tension is real, especially in a culture that normalizes distraction and blurs the line between what’s harmless and wha...

Everyone talks about spiritual growth… but where do you even start? If you’re Gen Z (or just feel like one), you’ve probably thought: I want to build better habits… but I’m not sure which ones actually matter. In this episode, we’re breaking it down in a way that’s simple, practical, and rooted in Scripture. Because here’s the truth: Habits don’t save you, but they do position you for growth. We’l...

Are habits overrated… or are they quietly shaping everything about your life? In this episode, we’re talking about something that doesn’t always feel spiritual but absolutely is: your habits. Because the truth is, you don’t become like Christ by accident. You become like Christ by what you consistently practice. From a Gen Z perspective, habits can feel restrictive, forced, or even unnecessary. Bu...

“I don’t know how to say no.” If that’s ever been you, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest struggles Gen Z faces: how to love people well without losing yourself in the process. Because following Jesus calls us to love deeply, but it doesn’t mean ignoring boundaries, carrying what isn’t ours, or living emotionally exhausted. So what does the Bible actually say abou...

This is one of the most common questions Gen Z is asking today: Does the Bible actually say sex before marriage is wrong? In this episode, we talk honestly about what Scripture says about sex, relationships, and God’s design. We explore how God is not against sex—He created it—but He designed it to flourish within marriage. We unpack passages like 1 Corinthians 7 and 1 Thessalonians to understand...

In this episode, we talk about a tension so many are feeling but few are willing to admit—being constantly connected, yet deeply alone.   From a Gen Z perspective, loneliness often hides behind busy social lives, group chats, and friendships that look full on the outside but feel shallow within.   But what does the Bible say about loneliness? Is it something to fix, or something God wants to meet...

Does God actually have a plan for my dating life? And will I ever find true love? These are some of the most pressing questions Gen Z is asking right now, and in today’s episode, we dive right in. I’m joined by two Gen Z voices—one single and one in a serious relationship—as we have an honest conversation about dating, faith, and what really matters. Because the truth is: who you date will shape y...

One of the most common struggles Gen Z voices today is this: “I want godly friends, but I can’t find them.” In a culture where friendships are often shaped by convenience, social media, or shared interests, it can be hard to know what healthy, faith-shaping friendships actually look like. But does God really care who your friends are? In this episode, we explore what the Bible says about the influ...

For many Gen Z Christians, faith can create real tension at home. You love your parents, but sometimes they don’t understand your convictions, your choices, or your desire to follow Jesus seriously. So what does honoring your parents actually look like when you believe differently? In this episode, we unpack the biblical framework for honoring parents while staying faithful to Jesus. We’ll talk ab...

Many believers want to follow Jesus deeply but when it comes to church, they often feel hesitant, disconnected, or overwhelmed. Where do you even start? And does involvement really matter? In this episode, we explore why the local church isn’t just another obligation to manage but the primary place God designed for spiritual formation. We grow through accountability, shared life, and serving one a...

In this episode, we talk honestly about one of the hardest and most important questions for young adults: how to find a church community that helps your faith grow and last. We’ll explore what Scripture says about real church life and how to recognize a healthy spiritual home. Not a perfect church, but a faithful one. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from church, unsure where to go, or hesitant to...

What do you do when the people who taught you about Jesus let you down? In a generation that has watched spiritual leaders fall publicly and painfully, trust doesn’t come easily. Maybe you’ve asked, Is everyone in the church a hypocrite? Or maybe you’re carrying quiet church hurt and wondering if it’s even worth going back.   In this episode, we talk honestly about it and turn to Scripture to see...

“Do I actually need church to follow Jesus… or can I just do faith on my own?” It’s one of the most honest, and most common, questions Gen Z is asking right now. Maybe you’ve been hurt by church. Maybe it feels irrelevant. Maybe online sermons feel easier. Or maybe you just wonder, Is showing up even necessary? If you love Jesus but feel unsure about the church, you’re not alone. In this episode,...

You’ve probably heard the phrase spiritual warfare before, but what does it really mean, and how does it actually show up in your life? Because it’s not usually dramatic or obvious. More often, it looks like the quiet battles you fight every day—your thoughts, your temptations, your doubts, your identity, and the mental pressure you can’t always explain. In this episode, we break it down in a simp...

Do you ever feel like you can’t shut off the voice in your head? In this episode, we talk honestly about overthinking, anxiety, and the constant mental noise so many of us live with. We explore what the Bible actually says about your thought life—how your mind can be renewed, trained, and led by the Spirit rather than controlled by fear, lies, or emotions. You’ll learn why your thoughts matter, ho...