Faith Over Fear

When we fight for control, it's rarely because we have an insatiable desire to play boss. Most often, fear is driving our behavior—especially when we’ve experienced situations that left us feeling powerless, uncertain and deeply wounded. After those experiences, we naturally want to do whatever we can to avoid landing in a similar crisis or painful spot. And so, we might overthink, try to fix other people or work harder to secure a particular outcome, while believing we’re simply being responsible and caring. So how can we recognize when healthy responsibility has crossed into control?
In this episode, Jennifer Slattery talks with bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst about her latest release, Making Peace with What I Can't Control, and the fears that can drive controlling behavior and how to respond differently. Lysa shares how to distinguish responsibility from control, recognize the role our perceptions play in fear and focus our energy on what we actually can manage. She also discusses trusting God when we don’t understand what He’s allowing, remembering His past faithfulness and releasing outcomes into His capable hands.
Resource referenced: Making Peace with What I Can't Control: Find Relief from the Exhaustion of Overthinking, Trying to Fix Others, and Wanting to Figure It All Out
Scriptures referenced: John 16:33; Galatians 5:22–23
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When we experience intense pain and hardship, our view of God can shrink. When circumstances overwhelm us, prayers seem unanswered and our suffering endures for any length of time, we may fear God isn't actually big enough to handle what we’re facing, or loving enough to do something about it. Singer, songwriter and author Tim Timmons, whose story is shared in MercyMe's Imagine 2, knows what it means to live with those types of questions. After receiving an incurable cancer diagnosis and being given five years to live more than two decades ago, Tim has learned to bring his grief, questions and uncertainty honestly to God.
In this episode, Tim and Jennifer discuss what it looks like to trust a God who is bigger than our understanding and meet Him within the tension of pain and hope. They explore the intimacy that can develop through honest wrestling, why acknowledging grief doesn’t diminish faith and how shifting from “working for God” to joining Him can change the way we approach each day. Wherever life feels confusing or painfully unresolved, God remains present, attentive and at work.
Scripture referenced: Genesis 32:22–32; Matthew 5:44; Matthew 16:24–25; Matthew 22:37–39; Mark 12:30–31; John 5:17; Romans 8:28; Malachi 1:6–14
Resource Referenced: Waking Up Again: A Journey of Grief & Gratitude
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You may know the Bible says God loves you and still struggle to feel His love deep in your soul. Shame, regret, painful relationships and years of experiencing conditional or transactional love can make God’s everlasting, unchanging love difficult to receive. In this special Scripture-focused episode, Jennifer Slattery shares passages that have helped her more fully understand and experience the depth of God’s love.
Through verses from Jeremiah, Ephesians, John, Romans and 1 John, Jennifer explores what Scripture reveals about a love that existed before our failures, remains secure when we stumble and cannot be severed by hardship or suffering. She also invites listeners to take a 30-day Scripture challenge, praying Ephesians 3:16–21 each day and asking God to help His truth reach the wounded, fearful or shame-filled places that have difficulty receiving His love.
Scripture discussed:
Jeremiah 31:3, Ephesians 1:4–5, John 15:9, Romans 8:31–39, Romans 8:1, 1 John 1:9, John 3:16, John 10:10, Ephesians 3:16–21
Let me know what you thought of this bonus episode. If the response warrants, I'll do more of these in the future. (Likely once or twice a month.)
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Have you ever worried that you’ve disappointed God? Maybe you know intellectually that He loves you, yet past rejection, painful relationships or years of striving have made His delight difficult to experience. Bible teacher and Awaken Delight author Stephanie Rousselle shares how her own childhood wounds and performance-driven thinking created a disconnect between what she knew about God and what she could receive from Him.
Jennifer and Stephanie discuss the difference between knowing God loves us and living as if that truth is real. They explore why our failures don't surprise God, how confession can deepen rather than threaten our connection with Him, and how receiving His forgiveness and delight can free us from shame and exhausting spiritual striving. Discover how God can bring His truth into our wounded places and teach us, over time, to rest more securely in His love.
Resource referenced: Awaken Delight: Satisfying Your Soul's Longing for God
Stephanie also has a free gift for you! An in-depth 5-day email devotional to awaken your delight in God especially when life feels full of fear) AND a giveaway prize just for Faith Over Fear listeners! Find out more here: https://www.gospelspice.com/faithoverfear
Scripture discussed or referenced: Zephaniah 3:17, Romans 8:1, Mark 9:24, Psalm 34:8, Matthew 22:37–39 / Mark 12:30–31, Hebrews 12:2, Luke 15:11–32
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When life takes a devastating turn, our pain can begin telling us things about God, ourselves and our future that simply aren’t true. Author and pediatric nurse practitioner Jackie M. Baker understands this firsthand. After losing her son Sebastian to suicide, Jackie faced profound grief, questions about what she could have done differently and the painful realization that she couldn’t control the choices or outcomes of those she loved. In this episode, she shares how God taught her to release control, challenge the lies grief whispered and trust Him when life looked nothing like she had hoped.
Jackie and Carol also discuss the unexpected losses many of us grieve—from relationships and careers to health, dreams and expectations—and how suffering can distort our identity and trap us in regret. Jackie shares practical ways God carried her forward, including Scripture, prayer, supportive relationships and daily routines, and explains why moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting what—or whom—we’ve lost. Most importantly, she reminds us that even when we can’t see light ahead, God remains with us in the darkness, offering a hope rooted in His presence rather than a particular outcome.
Featured Book: Messy Mourning: Hope for Mothers Grieving the Loss of a Child by Suicide
Bible Passages Discussed or referenced:
Genesis 22:1–18 , Matthew 7:24–27, Hebrews 13:5, Philippians 4:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9–10
If this episode resonated with you, you might find "Cultivating Hope to Endure Hard and Fear-Evoking Seasons" encouraging.
Today's Guest, Jackie M. Bake,r is an author, pediatric nurse practitioner, wife and mother whose life and faith were profoundly impacted by the loss of her son, Sebastian, to suicide. Drawing from her personal experience with grief and her professional healthcare background, Jackie encourages others to find hope and move forward through life’s most painful seasons. She is the author of Messy Mourning: Hope for Mothers Grieving the Loss of a Child by Suicide and is passionate about helping hurting people recognize they aren’t alone and discover strength and hope in Christ.
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