Is there a place for pessimism in the Kingdom of God? As Believers, is there such a thing as too much optimism? These are questions we’re tackling today. In general, we are a pretty solutions-oriented team, but we’ll get into some of the benefits of seeing problems and talk through the higher perspective of hope in Jesus, even when circumstances try to lead us to believe a different narrative.

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If you have thoughts or questions about this or any episode, or if you have a topic suggestion for a future episode, email us at [email protected].

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If you're enjoying our podcast, we'd be so grateful if you'd rate and review the show!

For more information on us and our ministry: https://www.givinglight.org.

Our world is ever changing, unpredictable, and highly distracted. Not to mention our emotions are constantly swinging us into exaggerated highs and lows. So how can we ride this roller coaster of life and still live steady and stable lives? Is it even possible? In today’s episode, we’re talking about consistent living in an inconsistent world. What are the advantages of a consistent lifestyle? How do we achieve such a thing? As always, we’re here to share our thoughts and experience on the topic and we hope that these things add value and practical takeaways to your life.

If you have thoughts or questions about this or any episode, or if you have a topic suggestion for a future episode, email us at [email protected].

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If you're enjoying our podcast, we'd be so grateful if you'd rate and review the show!

For more information on us and our ministry: https://www.givinglight.org.

Last week we talked about how God’s will for our lives is to carry the nature of thanksgiving as part of our daily character. We were on such a role that we never around to sharing with you some of the benefits of a thankful life. That’s what we’re here for today. Gratitude is more than just a good idea or an act of politeness or respect. When God instructs us to do something, it’s because it’s good for us; it actually benefits our lives in important ways. That’s what we hope for you in this conversation, that you hear more than just some good ideas but actual tools and principles that enrich and empower your life and relationships for good.

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If you're enjoying our podcast, we'd be so grateful if you'd rate and review the show!

For more information on us and our ministry: https://www.givinglight.org.

We all know that we are supposed to be thankful. It’s one of the first behaviors that we learn as children when the magic words are “please and thank you.” But is thankfulness actually more than just a polite practice or a good thing to do? We think so…and so does God. In today’s episode, we’re talking about more than just surface level gratitude and looking at what the Scriptures say about actually taking on thankfulness as part of our very nature.

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If you're enjoying our podcast, we'd be so grateful if you'd rate and review the show!

For more information on us and our ministry: https://www.givinglight.org.

The very definition of vulnerability is to put yourself in a position to be attacked. Nobody wants to be attacked, so why are we even talking about this subject?! Vulnerability does come with an inherent risk, that’s true. But the risk can be very worth the reward that it brings. We all have an innate core need to be seen and known and loved. That need cannot be met without first doing the brave work of vulnerability

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If you're enjoying our podcast, we'd be so grateful if you'd rate and review the show!

For more information on us and our ministry: https://www.givinglight.org.

Bravery is a big word for us in our culture. It’s one of our core values at Giving Light so for us, it’s in our DNA. Today we’ll talk about what living bravely means to us. Sometimes bravery is exactly what you think it is: a big showy display of courage in the face of fear. And sometimes it is a lot more subtle, not obvious, but very profound act of obedience. We hope this episode leaves you wanting to live a more brave life, but maybe even more so, that you recognize the bravery that you are already living in

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If you're enjoying our podcast, we'd be so grateful if you'd rate and review the show!

For more information on us and our ministry: https://www.givinglight.org.

Not a single one of us enjoys being manipulated or taken advantage of and yet, we're pretty sure that we have all experienced it at some point in our lives. In today’s episode, we’re talking about identifying manipulation when it’s happening to us and when it’s happening in us. That’s right, manipulation is not just an “everybody else” topic, we can also fall prey to the trap of using it to meet our needs in an exploitative way–even and often unconsciously. We hope that as you listen in on this conversation that it helps you to both heal from past experiences and to give you tools to walk in greater freedom and clarity within yourself and with others. Enjoy!

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If you're enjoying our podcast, we'd be so grateful if you'd rate and review the show!

For more information on us and our ministry: https://www.givinglight.org.

What are the benefits of living for a cause higher than ourselves? Is it worth the effort? What does the Bible say about this topic? These are all questions we’ll explore in today’s episode. Living for ourselves will earn us some level of fulfillment, security, and for some, even prestige, but will that be enough to satisfy us in the long run? Perhaps the cost and benefits of generosity and service yield a much higher reward. We hope you enjoy our conversation and that it leaves you feeling connected with purpose and ready to live for a higher cause.

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If you're enjoying our podcast, we'd be so grateful if you'd rate and review the show!

For more information on us and our ministry: https://www.givinglight.org.

Personality assessments and conversations seem to be everywhere these days. Today, we want to explore this topic a little more and talk about what personality actually is, when it’s developed, how it does and doesn’t serve us, and ask if it’s something we may put a little too much stock in sometimes. Understanding our motivations and proclivities and the reasons for them can be a helpful tool for sure, but let’s make sure to keep personality and identity in the right lanes.

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If you're enjoying our podcast, we'd be so grateful if you'd rate and review the show!

For more information on us and our ministry: https://www.givinglight.org.

We all love when we know a person who is responsible and we can count on. It creates a sense of safety and trust and we often look up to them. But actually BEING that responsible person is a whole new ball game. Responsibility requires work and a lot of it. It’s not the easy work of life and rarely is it fun, but is it worth it? We think so and that’s what we’re talking about in today’s episode. Some people will stay content to do the bare minimum in life and that is their choice, but as leaders, we want to raise the bar. No one person is responsible for it all, but every person is responsible for what is theirs.

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If you're enjoying our podcast, we'd be so grateful if you'd rate and review the show! 

For more information on us and our ministry: https://www.givinglight.org.