Often, the greatest hindrance to living out our calling comes from internal, rather than external, influences. When our insecurities dominate our lives, we become our biggest limiting factor. If you’re familiar with the Bible, you may recognize, intellectually, that you are a radiant, redeemed, chosen, called and empowered child of God. The question is, how do we let this truth define us and our actions? In this episode, author and speaker Amanda Pittman discusses her latest release Stand in Confidence: From Sinking insecurity to Rising to Your God-Given Identity and shares actionable steps toward growing in courage and confidence.

Discussion/Reflective Questions:
What resonated with you most in today’s episode?
When do you most tend to struggle with feelings of insecurity?
How has insecurity limited your calling?
When has your insecurities caused you to strive and overwork in an area God’s already equipped you for and called you to?
In what areas are you placing your identity in insufficient things (your role/position, relationships, skills …)?
What truth most encourages you and helps build your confidence?
When has a “I should of” or “I could have” mentality hindered your confidence?
When has a human’s rejection negatively affected your view of yourself?
What is one action step God is calling you to take in the next week? (Right this down somewhere prominent to help with follow-through.)

Resources Mentioned: Stand in Confidence: From Sinking in Insecurity to Rising in Your God-Given Identity by Amanda Pittman and Emotional Healing in 3 Easy Steps (The Kingdom of God Made Simple) by Praying Medic

Find Amanda at:

On AmandaPittman.com

Facebook

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.

Do you feel stuck in your pain or like you keep falling into the same relational or emotional pits? When your circumstances triggers certain intense emotions, do you find yourself behaving more like a child rather than the Spirit-led adult you know you are? Or do you simply long for increased joy, peace and freedom in your life and interactions? If so, you'll gain encouragement from Jennifer Slattery's conversation with guest Dr. Marcus Warner from Deeper Walk International.

Discussion/Reflective Questions;

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. How would you define emotional maturity?
3. What are some ways you currently differentiate what thoughts come from you, which come from your spiritual enemy the devil, and which are from God?
4. Consider Dr. Warner's discussion of A-trauma (trauma caused from things we didn't receive). How might A-traumas have negatively impacted your ability to endure stressful situations?
5. Pause to reflect on Dr. Marcus Warner's discussion of joy versus fear bonds. Which type of bond tends to influence most of your decisions?
6. How do you most tend to relate to God, through a joy bond or fear bond?
7. What are some ways, based on what Dr. Marcus Warner shared, that you can increase your joy bond with God?
8. What is one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode?

Resource mentioned: Breakthrough!: 5 Essential Strategies for Freedom, Healing, and Wholeness

Find Dr. Marcus Warner's ministry at/on:

the Deeper Walk International website

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

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.

Do you feel anxious when people suggest that we're living in the end times? Do you find verses related to this biblical period confusing? In this episode beloved pastor Max Lucado shares his views and insights regarding God's unfolding, eternal story and our ultimate destination.

Discussion/Reflective Questions:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. How might knowing what Scripture teaches regarding the "end times" help alleviate anxiety related to that period?
3. If you've trusted in Christ for salvation, how does it feel to know, when your present time on earth ends, you will immediately be in Christ's presence?
4. If you've trusted in Christ for salvation, how does it feel to know that you will be judged according to what Christ did for you, not according to the sins you've committed?
5. If you haven't yet trusted in Christ for salvation, what are some questions or concerns you want God to address before you are ready to do so?
6. What is one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode?

Resource referenced: What Happens Next: A Traveler’s Guide Through the End of This Age

Find Max Lucado:

On his website

On Instagram

On Facebook

On Amazon

On YouTube

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.

One of my favorite names for Christ, especially during the often chaotic holiday season, is Prince of Peace. It reminds us that our peace is found not in our circumstances or the absence of conflict but instead through our relationship with Him. Advent provides a wonderful opportunity to evaluate our schedules, slow down, and connect in a special way with our Savior.

Discussion/Reflective Questions:

1. What resonates with you most in this episode?
2. What are some of your most cherished Christmas memories from your childhood?
3. Consider your current schedule. How has anxiety or fear contributed to your busyness?
4. What are some ways you experience the sacredness of Christ's birth?
5. What is something you can eliminate or simplify this holiday season to make it less hectic and more memorable?
6. What is one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode?

Resource referenced: Glad & Golden Hours: A Companion for Advent and Christmastide:

Find Lanier Ivester:

On her website

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.

Many of us tend to judge our most intense or unpleasant emotional responses which only increases their intensity by piling on shame. In this episode, Dr. Allison Cook talks with host Carol McCracken about her latest book, I'm Not Supposed to Feel This Way, how we can gain healthy emotional distance when we feel overwhelmed, and options for dealing with toxic people.

(Check out Faith Over Fear's GodTube Channel: https://www.godtube.com/faith-over-fear/)

Discussion/Reflective Questions:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. Consider your inner critique. How might he/she be trying to help, although in an unhelpful way?
3. How might recognizing the various moments that comprise your complex emotional system help you feel less consumed by them?
4. Consider an area in which you typically feel guilt. Using Dr. Allison's discussion on conditioned guilt as a guide, what emotions might your guilt be masking?
5. What is the difference between numbing and self-soothing?
6. How might learning to name your emotions without judgement help you become more aware of what is occurring within you?
7. What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this episode?

Resource mentioned: I Shouldn't Feel This Way: Name What’s Hard, Tame Your Guilt, and Transform Self-Sabotage into Brave Action by Dr. Allison Cook

Find Dr. Allison Cook:

On her website

On Instagram

On Facebook

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.

If you experience chronic pain or chronic illness, you understand how impossible it can feel, at times, to hold tight to hope. On our darkest, most painful nights, we can easily feel alone and abandoned by God. Singer/songwriter Katy Nichole understands. In fact, there was a time when she wasn't sure she wanted to hold on and contemplated taking her life. But God met her in that place with a truth meant for us all.

(Check out Faith Over Fear's GodTube Channel: https://www.godtube.com/faith-over-fear/)

Discussion/reflective questions:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. When have you most needed to know you remained held by God?
3. How did you feel when you heard Katy say that it's okay not to be okay?
4. What might it look like in your life to allow yourself, in your pain, to not be okay?
5. How did you feel to hear that God has good plans for you? If this is hard to believe, share why.
6. What might self-care look like for you?
7. How might listing tasks or goals in order of priority help you mange your time and energy level?
8. What is one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode?

Find Katy Nichole:

On her website

On Instagram

On Facebook

On YouTube

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.)

Listen to When I Fall HERE.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The stress of the holidays become amplified when we know we'll spend time among dysfunctional people. As Christ-followers, this can elicit questions and confusion. How can we share the light of Christ in a way that feels emotionally safe? Is there a way to reduce the chaos? Carol's guest Pam Farrel believes, often, there is. In this episode, she shares some strategies she's developed in dealing with an alcoholic father and a mother-in-law with significant mental illness. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.)

(Check out Faith Over Fear's GodTube Channel: https://www.godtube.com/faith-over-fear/)

Related episode: Dealing with Toxic People with Gary Thomas

Find Pam Farrel at:

On her website (Love-Wise)

On Facebook

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.)

Discussion/Reflective Questions:

1. What most resonated with you in this episode?
2. What are some ways you can plan ahead to reduce chaos and stress this holiday season?
3. What might an escape plan look like in your circumstances and what scenarios might move you to enact follow that plan?
4. What emotions might you need to work through in order to move from bitterness and healing?
5. Throughout her discussion, Pam shared how God guided her through her holidays. What is God telling you in regard to how He wants you to engage (or not engage) with certain dysfunctional people this season?
6. Sometimes God calls us to love up close, and sometimes He encourages us to love people from a distance. Which most applies to your circumstances, and what might this look like?
7. 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.

The grace of God and the unwavering love of a praying mom pulled Chad Mattson out of addiction and transformed him into a dad, husband, and musician who now lives to proclaim all the Lord has done. His story speaks hope to those who feel they've fallen too far to start again, those who remain chained to their past mistakes, and who, like Mattson, are learning, perhaps for the first time, to become acquainted with emotions they've suppressed for far too long. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.)

(Check out Faith Over Fear's GodTube Channel: https://www.godtube.com/faith-over-fear/)

Find Chad Mattson and his band:

On the Unspoken website

Facebook

Instagram

Spotify

YouTube

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:

1. What most resonated with you in this episode?
2. Consider your current social sphere. Do your friends tend to bring out the best in you or tempt you to engage in unhealthy behaviors?
3. When has something fun turned into something enslaving?
4. Reflect upon some of your current coping mechanism. What might it look like to turn to Jesus when working through difficult emotions?
5. What does Chad's story reveal regarding the heart of God?
6. What does Chad's story reveal regarding the power of grace?
7. What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this podcast?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.