Faith in the Messy Middle

Being a parent is no easy task. Transitioning to being a single parent is next level challenging. On today's episode, you'll hear how Sherrell Wallace became a single mother and through this process grew even closer to God. I had to wait an extra week to launch this episode-didn't want to spoil the surprise!

Scriptures mentioned on today's episode

Philippians 4:13

Romans 8:28

Jeremiah 29:11

Resources mentioned on today's episode:

Living Inside Out Tees: www.lioapparel.com

Ever find yourself setting up camp in "What-If" Land worrying about all sorts of things that could go wrong? I think we've all been there at least a time or two. It seems that since 2020, there has been an increase in awareness around the struggle with anxiety. As Christians, we can be tempted into believing the lie that if we struggle with anxiety, we somehow lack trust in God. That simply isn't true.

It's in those moments of anxious thoughts, that we have a choice; a choice to lean into the peace that God offers or buy into the lie that we are meant to worry. On today's episode, you'll get to hear how Charisa has learned to handle her anxious thoughts. She found herself in a messy moment where one of her biggest fears become a reality. She shares how she could have let anxiety win but instead she choose God's peace.

Scriptures mentioned on today's episode:

Philippians 4:6-7

Matthew 6:34 (I just love the whole section vs 25-34)

2 Corinthians 10:5

Psalm 23:5

Resources mentioned on today's episode:

Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table by Louie Giglio

Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen

Do you ever find yourself playing the comparison game with your choices? This sin isn't as bad as that sin or I can accept forgiveness for myself for this choice-but that choice-that one feels unforgivable? The truth is all sin leads to us hurting and can keep us separated from God. This wasn't the plan God had or has for His people. He wants to be in community with us. He wants us to experience His love and share that with the world. When we hold onto our sin, it keeps us from walking out in the freedom Jesus' sacrifice offers, it keeps us from fulfilling the purpose and plans God has for us.

On today's episode, you'll get to hear how Anne worked through accepting forgiveness for her past choices. It's extra special to me that this episode is going live on Easter Monday, the day after we celebrate the finished work of Christ on the cross. He came, died, and was raised so that our sins, ALL of our sins, could be forgiven. If there's a sin you're holding onto, thinking it's too big for God to forgive, let Anne's story be the reminder you need today. He wants you to bring it to Him. He wants to forgive you of that sin. He wants to use you to love this world.

Scriptures mentioned on today's episode:

Romans 8:1

Matthew 17:28-29

2 Corinthians 5:17-19

Resources mentioned on today's episode:

Forgiven and Set Free: A Post-Abortion Bible Study for Women by Linda Cochrane

Life's Choices Women's Clinic :https://lifeschoices.net/

Making poor choices is a part of life. What I've learned is that we won't get it right, a lot of the time actually, which is why I so desperately need God daily. It's easy to get stuck focusing on our past poor choices and failures and forget that regardless of where we've been God wants to use us.

On today's episode, you'll get to hear how Rebecca Randall overcame her messy past of substance abuse and how God is using her and her testimony to help other women in similar situations. By the world's standards, our past can disqualify us; but with God, our messy past can be the exact thing He will use to show others His message of love and hope.

Scriptures mentioned on today's episode:

Crossing the Red Sea: Exodus 14

Crossing the Jordan River: Joshua 3-4

Ruth 4:14

Romans 12:1-2

2 Corinthians 10:5

If you'd like more information on the ministry's that Rebecca shared about, follow the links below:

Hand in Hand (Recovery Houses for Men & Women of Lake County): https://www.addictionhelp.solutions/

Men's Recovery House: 352-308-8899 or Women's Recovery House: 352-771-2468

Life's Choices: https://lifeschoices.net/

Off the Trail: https://www.offthetrail.net/

"You are a Type 1 Diabetic." Not exactly the phrase a young, newly-married, first-time mother wants to hear. 

On today's episode, you'll get to hear Amanda's journey of living with Diabetes. From the "I have no clue how to manage this" to "I've learned to have grace with myself and not let Diabetes steal my joy" and all the phases in between, Amanda shares how she has leaned and continues to lean into God through these messy moments.

I think it's safe to say that it's nearly impossible to find a person whose life hasn't been impacted in one way or another by cancer, whether it be watching a family member or friend battle it or fighting that battle themselves. Cancer has the ability to steal a lot of joy and cause a lot of pain other than just physical.

On today's episode you'll get to hear how Tori has fought this battle more than once. She shares her go-to scriptures and some practical tips for those fighting this same fight. I pray her testimony will help you or someone you love hold onto the hope and joy we can have through Jesus, regardless of what cancer may try to do.

Will all the perfectionists please stand up, please stand up! *Reluctantly stands up* Anyone else--Know this is a struggle for you too and wish it weren't?

On this episode (Eeek, the first full one!) I will be sharing how my on-going struggle with perfectionism has lead to many messy moments for me; it is also one of the places I've seen God continually show up with His love and grace for me. If you struggle with striving for perfect too and constantly feel in a state of stress and pressure, I pray that through this episode and your time alone with God that you'll begin to see and live out the plans He has for you, plans that include less pressure and more peace.

You know that thing God's been asking you to do? Yea, this podcast is that thing for me. It's been a longtime coming and I'm still not sure I'm ready, ha! After listening to Episode 2, you'll understand why it's taken me so long to make this a reality, but it's time! So here we go! Here's to sharing the testimonies of women who have lived through the mess and are still here to tell of God's faithfulness in their lives.