When life feels uncertain, our minds often race toward worst-case scenarios. But Scripture repeatedly directs our attention away from shifting circumstances and back to the unchanging character of God. In this episode, Jennifer Slattery sits down with theologian Dr. Malcolm Yarnell to explore how God's attributes—His presence, sovereignty, goodness, and faithfulness—provide a secure foundation when fear, suffering, or uncertainty threaten to overwhelm us and practical ways to shift anxious thoughts toward biblical truth.

Scriptures Referenced

• Psalm 139:7–12; Genesis 28:10–22, Genesis 32:22–32, Genesis 50:19–21; Isaiah 46:9–10; John 10:10; Romans 8:18–39, Romans 12:2; John 3:16

Dr. Malcolm B. Yarnell III serves as Research Professor of Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is editor of the Southwestern Journal of Theology. A respected theologian and author, he has written extensively on systematic theology, Baptist doctrine, and the Christian life. His Theology for Every Person series is designed to help believers move beyond intellectual knowledge to a deeper understanding of God that transforms everyday living. Through his teaching and writing, Dr. Yarnell encourages Christians to know God's character more fully and to anchor their faith in the truth of Scripture.

Resources Mentioned:

• Word: Theology for Every Person by Dr. Malcolm B. Yarnell III
• God: Theology for Every Person (Volume 1)
• Spirit: Theology for Every Person (forthcoming)

Connect with Dr. Yarnell:

Pro Gloria Christi (Dr. Malcolm B. Yarnell III)

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Find Jennifer Slattery:

On her website

Instagram

Facebook

Amazon

Subscribe to her free newsletter

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

Many of us fear that our deepest wounds will permanently define us and we'll never again experience joy. A betrayal. A divorce. A devastating loss. A season that changed everything.

We wonder:

• Will I ever be okay again?
• Will I ever trust again?
• Will I always carry this pain?

In this honest conversation, Carol sits down with her pastor, Jim Kinder, to discuss what healing really looks like and how to live from an identity rooted in Christ instead of an identity rooted in pain.

Jim shares his personal story of walking through betrayal, seeking counseling, leaning on men in his faith community, and ultimately experiencing restoration, a healthy marriage and renewed purpose.

Together, they explore why what is temporary should never define what is eternal.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why our worst experiences don't define us
• How betrayal can distort our identity
• The role healthy community plays in healing
• What healing does and doesn't look like
• How counseling and spiritual growth work together
• How to recognize when you're moving from surviving to healing
• Building healthy relationships after painful experiences
• Practical ways to avoid bitterness
• The first thing someone needs to hear after experiencing betrayal

Find Jim Kinder at Orange Beach Church

Find Carol McCracken:

On her website 

On Facebook

On Instagram

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

Life feels okay. So why do you still feel overwhelmed?

Maybe you're constantly on edge. Maybe your body won't relax. Maybe you find yourself carrying the weight of heartbreaking headlines, other people's pain, or experiences you thought you'd already moved past.

If you've ever wondered why you feel exhausted even when nothing seems "wrong," this conversation will help you understand what may be happening beneath the surface.

In this episode, Jennifer's cohost, Carol McCracken, sits down with Rebecca Taguma of the Trauma Healing Institute to discuss why overwhelming experiences affect our minds, bodies, and faith, practical ways to calm our nervous system, and how God gently leads us toward healing—one step at a time.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why you can feel overwhelmed even when life seems okay
• What trauma really is—and why it affects us more deeply than we realize
• Practical ways to calm your body when anxiety rises
• How safe relationships and biblical practices can support healing
• Why you don't have to carry your pain alone

Guest: Rebecca Taguma
Executive Director of Restoring Hope Ministry, Trauma Healing Institute (American Bible Society)

Bible Passages Discussed

• Genesis 2:18
• Psalm 42:1
• Psalm 46:10
• Psalm 34 (lament)
• Job 33:4

Connect with Rebecca Taguma

Trauma Healing Institute

Trauma Healing Basics (Free Resources)

Trauma Healing Institute on LinkedIn

Find Carol McCracken:

On her website 

On Facebook

On Instagram

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

What do you do when someone who hurt you never apologizes, never changes, or never acknowledges the pain they caused?

For many of us, that's where forgiveness becomes most difficult. We know we're supposed to forgive, but we wrestle with questions like:

• Does forgiveness mean what they did was okay?
• Do I have to reconcile with someone who continues to hurt me?
• How do I let go when the wound still feels fresh?
• Is it possible to find peace if the relationship is never restored?

In this final episode of our Relational Peace: Loving Others Without Losing Yourself series, Carol sits down with board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and fellow podcaster Dr. Michelle Bengtson to explore one of the most misunderstood topics in the Christian life: forgiveness.

Together, they discuss how unforgiveness often keeps us emotionally tethered to our pain and why forgiveness is about reclaiming freedom not excusing someone's behavior. If you've been carrying bitterness, disappointment, resentment, or unresolved hurt, this conversation offers biblical wisdom, practical tools, and hope that peace is possible even when circumstances never change.

Other episodes in this series:

How to Know if Your Difficult Relationship is Toxic

Healthy Boundaries for Compassionate People

How to Stop Letting Conflict Control Your Emotions

How to Know if Your Difficult Relationship is Toxic

Connect with Dr. Michelle Bengtson:

On her website

On Instagram

On Facebook

Follow her work on Amazon

Find Carol McCracken:

On her website 

On Facebook

On Instagram

 

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

What do you do when the assignment God places before you feels far bigger than your strength? Whether you're facing a difficult conversation, an overwhelming season, a ministry opportunity, or a step of obedience that feels impossible, fear can convince you that everything depends on you. But Scripture paints a very different picture. God never calls us to rely on our own sufficiency. He invites us to know Him more deeply and trust that He will provide everything we need for every assignment He gives.

In this episode, Jennifer welcomes author and Bible teacher Grace Fox to explore four powerful names of God that strengthen us when fear threatens to hold us back. Through the stories of Abraham, Naaman, Jeremiah and others, they discuss how God equips His servants, brings healing to the areas that keep us stuck, remains present in life's chaos and faithfully sustains us every step of the journey. If you've been hesitant to move forward because the road ahead feels uncertain, this conversation will encourage you to focus less on your fear and more on the faithful God who goes with you.

Resource referenced: Names of God: Growing Strong: Devotional Study with Video Access 

Scriptures Discussed:

• Genesis 15:2–6 — Abraham calls God Adonai while waiting for God's promised son.
• Matthew 25:14–30 — The Parable of the Talents and trusting the Master's character.
• 2 Kings 5:1–19 — Naaman's healing and the obedience that precedes restoration.
• Genesis 1:1–2 — The Spirit of God hovering over the waters in creation.
• Lamentations 3:22–23 — God's mercies are new every morning; great is His faithfulness.
• Luke 15:11–32 — The Parable of the Prodigal Son and the Father's faithful welcome.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 — God's power made perfect in weakness (referenced in the closing encouragement).
• Hebrews 10:24 — Encouraging one another toward love and good works (closing challenge).

Connect with Grace Fox:

On her website

On Instagram

On Facebook

Follow her work on Amazon

Find Jennifer Slattery:

On her website

Instagram

Facebook

Amazon

Subscribe to her free newsletter

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

Sometimes relationships remain painfully stuck despite our prayers, countless conversations, forgiveness and every effort to make things better. When someone we love continues in unhealthy patterns, we can find ourselves replaying every interaction, questioning our decisions and wondering if we simply haven't tried or prayed hard enough. Or, we might question our perspective, wondering if we're being overly sensitive and simply need to offer more grace. Yet, we still hurt and our anxiety remains.

In this episode, Jennifer Slattery and neuropsychologist Dr. Michelle Bengtson explore how to accept difficult realities without losing hope, recognize unhealthy relational patterns, establish wise boundaries and guard our hearts against bitterness while remaining open to God's work. Together, they discuss the difference between reconciliation and responsibility, why forgiveness frees our own souls and how we can experience lasting peace even when someone we love chooses not to change.

Scriptures Discussed

• Romans 12:18, John 13, Matthew 18:21–22, James 1:5, Matthew 5:44, Ephesians 4:31–32

Dr. Michelle Bengtson book: Sacred Scars: Resting in God's Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted

Additional resources mentioned:

Dr. Michelle Bengtson's episode on betrayal and rejection: How to Break Free from Shame and Embrace Who God Says You Are

How to Overcome Rejection and Abandonment with God's Love

Connect with Dr. Michelle Bengtson:

On her website

On Instagram

On Facebook

Follow her work on Amazon

Find Jennifer Slattery:

On her website

Instagram

Facebook

Amazon

Subscribe to her free newsletter

 

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

Why do difficult relationships trigger so much fear, frustration and anxiety? In this episode of Faith Over Fear, Carol McCracken sits down with Bible teacher and author Kathy Howard to discuss how walking with the Holy Spirit transforms the way we handle conflict, misunderstandings and relational tension.

Together, they explore why our instinct is often self-protection, how to trust God when conflict remains unresolved and what it looks like to pursue biblical peace without avoiding hard conversations. If you've ever wished you could take back words spoken in frustration or find greater calm in difficult relationships, this episode offers practical encouragement and biblical wisdom.

In This Episode, you'll hear:

• Why fear and self-protection often drive our reactions
• How spiritual preparation changes the way we handle conflict
• Practical ways to slow down during difficult conversations
• The difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking
• and more ...

Scripture discussed or referenced: 

Galatians 5:22–23, James 1:19–20, Ephesians 5:21, 1 Corinthians 8:13, Romans 12:16–19, Philippians 4:2, Philemon, Galatians 2:11–15

Find Kathy Howard:

On her website

On Facebook

On Instagram

On Amazon

Find Carol McCracken:

On her website 

On Facebook

On Instagram

 

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

Some relationships leave us feeling anxious, emotionally drained and unsure how to move forward. We want to love well, extend grace and remain faithful to God's call, yet we often find ourselves carrying burdens that were never ours to bear. In this episode, Jennifer Slattery sits down with pastor, author and biblical counselor Brad Hambrick to discuss what healthy boundaries are, what they aren't and why establishing them can feel so difficult—especially for compassionate people.

Together, they explore the difference between sacrificial love and self-neglect, how to recognize unhealthy relational patterns, why boundaries are ultimately an issue of stewardship and what Scripture teaches about navigating difficult relationships with wisdom and grace. If you've ever struggled with guilt, fear of disappointing others or uncertainty about when to step back, this conversation will provide practical guidance and biblical encouragement.

Scripture referenced or discussed: Matthew 7:3–5; John 2:24-25; Romans 13:1–4; Philippians 2:5–8; Philippians 1:6

Connect with Pastor Brad Hambrick:

On his website

On Instagram

On Facebook

Find Jennifer Slattery:

On her website

Instagram

Facebook

Amazon

Subscribe to her free newsletter

 

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

In this opening episode of our new Faith Over Fear series, Relational Peace: Loving Others Without Losing Yourself, Carol sits down with Bible teacher and author Becky Harling for an honest conversation about the subtle ways we lose ourselves inside relationships. Together, they explore how fear, people-pleasing, overfunctioning, and the pressure to keep everyone happy can quietly erode our peace, identity, and emotional health. Becky shares practical wisdom on boundaries, friendship, emotional dependency, and how Jesus modeled deep love without losing Himself in the process. If you’ve ever felt exhausted from carrying everyone else’s emotions or guilty for needing rest, this episode offers biblical encouragement and practical next steps toward healthier, Christ-centered relationships.

In This Episode, learn:

• Why people-pleasing is often fear in disguise
• The difference between healthy love and self-erasure
• How Jesus modeled boundaries and emotional health
• Signs you may be losing yourself in relationships
• Why Christian women and men especially struggle with overextending
• What healthy friendships actually look like
• Practical tools for saying no without guilt
• How to love others without carrying their emotional weight

Scripture References

• Mark 1:35–38
• Proverbs 4:23
• John 2:24
• Ephesians 2:10

Key Takeaway
Healthy relationships are not built on fear, guilt, or emotional exhaustion. They’re built on truth, grace, wisdom, honesty, and an identity firmly rooted in Christ.

Find Becky Harling: 

On her website

On Facebook

On Instagram

On Amazon

Find Carol McCracken:

On her website 

On Facebook

On Instagram

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

In this episode of Faith Over Fear, Jennifer Slattery welcomes Christian counselor and author Dr. Kris Reece for a candid conversation about toxic relationships, manipulation, people-pleasing, and the confusion many believers experience when love becomes unhealthy and emotionally draining. Dr. Kris shares insights from her experience in a narcissistic marriage and as a clinician and explains why unhealthy relationship patterns can be difficult to recognize, especially for those who have spent years trying to earn approval, keep the peace, or carry responsibility for others.

Together, Jennifer and Kris explore what Scripture teaches about guarding our hearts, setting healthy boundaries, and identifying fear-driven motivations. Listeners will learn how to discern the difference between Christ-led love and unhealthy self-sacrifice, find freedom from people-pleasing, and pursue relationships marked by wisdom, peace, and truth.

Resource Discussed: Breaking the Narcissist's Grip: A Christian’s Guide to Cutting the Strings of Manipulation, Setting Boundaries That Stick, and Reclaiming Your Life From Takers by Kris Reece (Author)

Scriptures Discussed

• Psalm 34:18
• Proverbs 4:23
• 2 Timothy 3:1–5
• 2 Corinthians 10:5
• 1 John 4:18
• 2 Corinthians 9:7
• Matthew 5:37
• Galatians 1:10
• Psalm 139:23–24

Connect with Dr. Kris Reece:

On her website

On Instagram

On Facebook

On YouTube

Follow her work on Amazon

Find Jennifer Slattery:

On her website

Instagram

Facebook

Amazon

Subscribe to her free newsletter

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