Abiding Free | Biblical Truth & Encouragement

Is fear something that you have felt overtaking your life?

Particularly over the last two years fear is something that has run rampant in the hearts, minds, and souls of many.

 While there is no doubt that we live in a fallen world full of sickness, pain, darkness, and many reasons to believe that fear is essential, what’s truly essential is that we keep our fear in check and get intentional about having a healthy relationship with fear.

 Today on abiding free we are delving into three different types of fear; Fear of man, fear of COVID, and fear of evil. All of these legitimate reasons for concern. But do we let that fear drive us, or to draw us closer to the Father?

 Is fear paralyzing you or propelling you to take action and live a life walking with Jesus?

 As Marshall Segal on Desiring God Ministries said, “Only when God becomes our biggest fear can He become our safest place.”

 Our hope today is that you walk away from this episode feeling encouraged to put your fear in check so that it is healthy, and ultimately drives you one step closer to walking in true freedom.

 Thank you for joining us today on Abiding Free.

Episode Highlights: 

• Startling statistics about fear.
• The danger of fearing people.
• The danger of fearing COVID.
• The fear of evil or government corruptness.
• How a healthy fear brings freedom.
• Why a healthy fear of God is essential in life.

Find More on Abiding Free:

• C. S. Lewis on the Coronavirus (thegospelcoalition.org)
• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Follow us on Facebook
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

Show Quotes:

• “Americans are more nervous about what 2022 has in store for the world than they were in 2021.” (Polls show)
• “People are more fearful than hopeful about this year.” 
• “If we knew how dangerous the fear of man really is, we might fear men less and fear our fears more.” (Marshall Segall)
• 2 Timothy 3:5 “Taking a form of Godliness but denying its power.”
• “The Pharisees were reading the inspired work of God and yet the scriptures did not remove their fear of man enough from their hearts.” Shannon
• “Everything the Pharisees did was for the appearance of man.” Kristin
• “Don’t let the fear of man rob you of your joy.”
• “Who are you seeking validation from?” Kristin
• “Ultimately seeking the approval of men is empty.” Kristin
• Proverbs 14:27
• “Fear itself is not wrong but misplaced fear is.” Shannon
• “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.”
• “A fear of God helps keep moral lines even if we’re in a period of rebellion.” Shannon
• “The fear of God draws us into intimacy with Him.” Kristin
• “Only when God becomes our biggest fear can He become our safest place.”  (Marshall Segal)

Where do you go in your grief?

Welcome back to Abiding Free. This week we had the absolute pleasure sharing a conversation with food stylist and devotional writer, Kara Stout. Kara lives in L.A. with her two pugs and her husband, and she spends her days sharing blog posts and creative work to praise God through the gift of her words.

Kara also has an unexpectedly beautiful story of loss and grief. Her story of suffering is one of God’s enduring faithfulness, and we feel so blessed to share it with you today.

When we choose to walk with God, we are not promised a life without pain. But we are promised life with a Father who will relentlessly love us and never leave us. Through this promise our hope is that even when you feel you have nowhere else to go in your grief, you are reminded that you can always fall into the loving arms of our Father.

Episode Highlights:

• Kara’s story and journey through loss and grief.
• Kara’s story of the loss of her father and mother.
• Kara’s struggle with infertility.
• A message of hope and joy in the midst of grief and pain.

Find more on Guest:

• Kara's Social: @sincerelybykara
• Kara's Blog: Sincerely By Kara : Los Angeles Food Photographer (karastout.com)
• Her True Worth: @hertrueworth
• Are you or do you know someone struggling with grief? Check out GriefShare HERE.

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Website: www.abidingfree.com
• IG: @abidingfree
• Facebook: Abiding Free
• [email protected]

*Disclosure: Some links are Amazon affiliate links and a small portion of your purchase will come back to us while your cost remains the same.

Quotes: 

“I carried grief into my marriage because I didn’t fully lean into my grief which is necessary.” Kara
“Lean into your grief.” Kara

Are you or do you know someone who struggles with mental illness? 

There is no question that mental illness is a prevalent issue in today’s world. One in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness every year. One in 6 youth ages 6-17 experience a mental health disorder every year. Not to mention the rise of mental struggles that COVID has caused, yet why does it seem that this issue is rarely talked about in the church?

Today on Abiding Free we are discussing all of the above and more. One of the big questions we are digging into today is, “What are some biblical truths Christians can lean on to walk in the freedom that God has promised in the midst of mental struggles?”

Dear friend, if you have battles with mental struggles, you are not alone and there is hope. Join us today as we dive into God’s word and begin uncovering truths about mental illness and struggles such as anxiety, depression, bi-polar disorder and more. 

The more we are open about these heavy topics, the closer we will become to walking in freedom with Him.

Thank you for joining us today at Abiding Free. 

Episode Highlights: 

• Some startling statistics about mental health.
• Truths to cling to when struggling mentally.
• Biblical references for those struggling with mental illness.
• Encouragement for those struggling with mental illness.

Find More on Abiding Free

• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Follow us on Facebook
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]
•  4 Things Believers with Bipolar Disorder Want You to Know (thegospelcoalition.org)

*Disclosure: Some links are Amazon affiliate links and a small portion of your purchase will come back to us while your cost remains the same.

Quotes:

• 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness  every year.
• 1 in 6 youth ages 6-17 experience a mental health disorder every year.
• “The journey to walking in the freedom that Christ has for us in the whole point of Abiding Free.” Shannon
• “There is a stigma of mental illness in the Church.” Shannon
• “What are some biblical truths Christians can lean on to walk in the freedom that God has promised in the midst of mental struggles?”
• “Though we may continue to struggle daily in the bottomless pit of our minds, we can still cling to these truths: 1.) You are not alone 2.) God sees you ”- Lieryn Barnett
• “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” Shannon
• “As the church, we should be in continuous prayer for those struggling with mental illness. They need to know that we see them.” Shannon
• “When there is a mental illness that prohibits us from thinking clearly, the Spirit will intercede for us.” Kristin
• Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
• “David struggled mentally, yet God called David a man after His own heart.” Shannon

A quick episode on an update with our podcast:

1) We will be taking two weeks off and will be back on Monday, January 10th for a new episode!

2) A great opportunity to get caught up on episodes you have missed.

3) We finish this episode with a short Christmas devotion.

At some point in our lives, forgiveness is something we all have to choose. Do you choose it well?

In today’s episode Kristin dives into what God’s word has to say about the topic of forgiveness. The reality is that forgiveness isn’t always easy, but thankfully we have the Bible as a guide to help us navigate this.

Does it take a massive amount of faith? Does it require agreeing to intimate relationships with those you forgive?

Those are some of the questions that are addressed today. One thing is certain. Forgiveness is one of the keys to unlock the freedom that we all yearn for. Listen to today’s episode to learn more.
Episode Highlights:

● The importance of forgiveness.
● What David says about what it takes to forgive in Psalm 16:3.
● How faith plays into forgiveness.
● How much faith you need to forgive.
● Why abiding isn’t always neat and pretty.

Anita Morris is a Transformational Speaker, sharing a message of hope, perseverance, and triumph for those who are living in the midst and aftermath of devastating life trials. She is the Best Selling Author of “STEP Into It, Overcoming Trials that Lead to Purpose.” She’s also the Founder of the popular DIY Fashion Brand, “Anita by Design,” where she teaches women all over the world how to master the basics of garment sewing.

Anita understands the struggle that arises when you're faced with a personal storm that threatens to rob you of your peace. After experiencing two of the most devastating trials of her life, she learned how to navigate the process of overcoming which has led to a transformed way of thinking and living. She now shares her process with women all over the world, inspiring and equipping them with the tools to overcome their own personal trials through faith and action.

Anita says, “The trials of life DO NOT come to destroy you, but they have the potential to usher You into the purpose for which you were created”.

Episode Highlights:
● Anita’s background and story.
● Anita’s journey with infidelity.
● Anita’s journey with cancer diagnosis.
● Tangible ways move forward through trials like grief and loss.
● The importance of leaning into God during grief.

Find more on Guest:
● Get Anita’s Book Here: https://www.amazon.com/Anita-Morris/e/B08XWQWQCZ%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
● Anita’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/anitabydesign?utm_medium=copy_link
● Anita’s Website: https://www.anitabydesign.com/
● Anita’s Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCc3bcyZ9Q4HGODXAbL3fGMQ
        
Find More on Abiding Free:
● Website: www.abidingfree.com
● IG: @abidingfree
● Facebook: Abiding Free
● [email protected]

*Disclosure: Some links are Amazon affiliate links and a small portion of your purchase will come back to us while your cost remains the same.

Are you feeling exhausted, weary or burned out?

You are not alone.

The more our world progresses, the more intentional we need to be about where to say yes, when to say no, and who to turn to when we feel that we are coming undone.

Our world is so noisy, and it constantly tugs at us leaving us to feel that if we put boundaries in place and sit in quiet, we are being unproductive and becoming insignificant. We want you to know that while the above sentiment is very real, it could not be further from the truth.

When hope feels lost, the best place to turn to is Jesus. Jesus was fully human, constantly needed, and His life was hands down the most important life to ever exist. He lived 30 years, and his ministry didn’t even begin until the last three years of his life!

Three years to cram in hundreds of miracles and change the world, yet he never burned out. So why do we?

He took time away to sit with God, even when others needed Him. So why don’t we?

This week, we are covering all of that and more.

Burnout does not have to be inevitable.

Boundaries bring freedom. Listen today to learn more!

Episode Highlights:
● What burnout is.
● How we recognize burnout.
● How Jesus prevented burnout.
● Why boundaries are essential
● The importance of determining where our boundaries are so we can walk in freedom.

**”Changes that Heal” by Dr. Cloud:  https://www.amazon.com/Changes-That-Heal-Practical-Healthier/dp/0310351782/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=17N2906O1X58G&keywords=changes+that+heal+by+henry+cloud&qid=1638104845&sprefix=changes+that+heal%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-1
 
Find More Information on Abiding Free:
● Website: www.abidingfree.com
● IG: @abidingfree
● Facebook: Abiding Free
● [email protected]

Quotes:
● Burnout: A physical, mental, or spiritual collapse caused by overwork or stress and not relying on the power of God to sustain us, but often relying on self.
● “Part of being spiritual maturity is being able to know when to say no.” Kristin
● “Burnout can teach us that we are not meant to be machines. We are created to be
known, and to know God.” Kristin
● “Jesus did not meet every need because he submitted himself to the limits of being
human.” Shannon
● “Jesus set boundaries.” Shannon
● “Jesus said no for a better yes.” Kristin
● “While Jesus was fully God, He submitted to human limitations. We do the opposite.”
Kristin
● “Jesus said no often to people so He could say yes to alone time with God.” Kristin
● “Everytime you are saying yes to something, you are saying no to something.” Shannon

Have you found yourself tired and worn down but feeling unworthy of rest?

Today on Abiding free, Kristin interviews Speaker, Author, and Gospel Patrons ministry leader John Rinehart all about what he learned through his sabbatical. They discuss things like the importance of building a foundation with God first, why forgiveness plays such an important role in this, and what rest has to do with any of it.

John is full of tactical tips for relationships, forgiveness, and practicing the sabbath.
Friends, if you have found yourself putting rest last, you should know that you’re not alone in this, but rest is a gift that God has given to all of us and there is no prerequisite to it.

Listen to today’s episode to not only find the encouragement to rest, but also to find the peace to do so as well.
To find more about John’s ministry, visit the sites below:
Instagram: @gospelpatrons
Website: https://www.gospelpatrons.org/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Patrons-John-Rinehart/dp/1496115473/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=3RV4VWGSYWSNA&keywords=gospel+patrons+by+john+rinehart&qid=1637508745&sprefix=gospel+patrons%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-3

Episode Highlights:
● How to build a foundation with God.
● How ministry stems from an abundant heart.
● What forgiveness is and the importance of forgiving.
● The importance of allowing our wounds to heal and how to begin this process.
● The importance of rest and why it is so essential.
● Practical tips to cultivate rest.
● Three sabbath questions: What are you grateful for from this last week? What was really
challenging this last week? How did you see God at work in our lives this last week?

Where does the desire to perform stem from?

Whether you have kids or not, it’s almost certain that at some point or another, a child has stopped you and said, “Watch this!” or “Look at me!” It can be frustrating at times especially because it’s typically the most inconvenient moments that they choose to perform.

But even as adults, the desire to perform is something that is deeply rooted in us. Whether we are trying to meet a quota at work, receive accolades in our parenting, or get validation from our spouse, there is no doubt that this desire to perform is prevalent.

But is this desire sinful?

In today’s episode, we are diving deeper into this topic of validation and the desire to perform. We cover everything from where we get this desire from, to what we can do to shift our focus if it starts creeping in in an unhealthy way.

Is the desire to perform a sin, who we are seeking the validation from, or both? And how do we keep it all in check to continue striving toward the freedom we all crave?

Listen today to learn more!

Episode Highlights: 
The desire to perform: Is it sinful or God-given?

• Where we get our desire to be seen.
• What makes the desire become sinful, and how we can keep that desire holy.
• What happens when we place our eyes on Jesus.
• Prime seeking spots of validation, and how to check our motives.
• What we can do to keep ourselves in check when we begin to seek unhealthy validation.

For More Information on Abiding Free:

• Website: www.abidingfree.com
• IG: @abidingfree
• Facebook: Abiding Free
• [email protected]

Now more than ever, people are shifting in the church. Families are leaving their current churches for various reasons, job shifts are causing geographical moves and resulting in the search of a new church, and hearts are growing stale causing restlessness within the church.

But how do we navigate these shifts with grace? How would Christ want us to respond?

In today’s episode Kristin and Shannon talk about how to navigate church shifts with a genuine heart. The fact is that in this life, difficult circumstances will arise. But, if we have the right tools to help us walk through these things, we will be that much closer to abiding free--and that’s the hope for you in today’s episode.

Episode Highlights: 

• What the church is and why it’s so essential.
• The importance of understanding the church.
• Why this season is such a shift for the church.
• Heart guiding principles to keep in mind when thinking of the church.
• Guiding principles to help you navigate whether or not to leave a church and how to leave with grace.
• How to find a church.

Article: "What is the Church", The Gospel Coalition: What Is the “Church”? (thegospelcoalition.org)

Quotes:

• “God had called us together to be the united body of christ.” Shannon
• Christ is the Cornerstone of the church. Eph 2:19
• “We were created to be a part of a body of believers who are committed to being a light to the world.” Kristin
• “Right now in this time there is an exceptional amount of people leaving the church and shifting to new churches. It’s a painful season for the church.” Shannon
• When navigating tough decisions: 1.Pray 2. Seek God’s word 3. Use sanctified common sense
• “Leaving a church should not be a light decision, it should be a prayerful consideration.” Kristin
• “We need to separate gossip and Godly counsel.” Kristin

For More Information:
Website: www.abidingfree.com
IG: @abidingfree
Facebook: Abiding Free
[email protected]