LifeAudio

“I didn’t know how to sit still with myself. I didn’t want to be alone with myself.”

That’s what Hannah Brencher realized when she was finally able to admit she was an addict. But she wasn't addicted to any substance. Instead, she suffered from an addiction much more common, much more acceptable: her phone. And so many of us share that addiction.

Hannah, one of my favorite writers and the author of The Unplugged Hours, opens up about what it took to finally put her phone down, how grief and boredom became her greatest teachers, and why building an inner life is the work we can’t outsource to our screens. We also dive into what happens when distraction becomes dependence, when we build our identity on productivity, and when silence feels like the scariest place in the world.

This is a conversation about learning to pay attention again, about how to listen to the still, small voice that says enough is enough, and especially about understanding how to be present. If your addiction is to technology, especially to your phone, this episode is important.

We explore: 

— How phone addiction mirrors other forms of addiction
— Why we can’t heal if we won’t be still
— The illusion of productivity and why our worth isn’t in our output
— How the phone amplifies anxiety, loneliness, and shame
— The spiritual discipline of paying attention
— How boredom becomes the birthplace of creativity
— What it means to build an “inner life” instead of curating an online one
— Why grace, not guilt, has to lead this journey
— The difference between honesty and vulnerability
— What “enough is enough” sounds like in everyday life

Follow Hannah: @hannahbrencher

Book: The Unplugged Hours

Hannah's website: hannahbrenchercreative.com

Get Hannah's emails here.

Free "unplugged hours" tracker.

Follow Jon: @jonseidl

Order the new book, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic: www.christianalcoholic.com.

Watch this episode and get daily motivation: www.theveritasdaily.com

Support the Show: https://www.jonseidl.com/

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Today’s Bible Verse:
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’" — Isaiah 30:21

In a world filled with noise and endless options, Isaiah 30:21 offers comforting clarity—God’s voice still guides His people. Even when we drift or doubt, His direction remains steady and personal.

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Meet Today’s Host: Carol Ogle McCracken

️ Listen to more daily devotionals with Carol at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio

Carol Ogle McCracken is a dynamic Christian speaker, author, and Bible teacher known for her warmth, humor, and transparency. She brings biblical truths to life through real-world stories and relatable experiences—whether navigating alcohol recovery, parenting a child with special needs, or walking through divorce.

Today, she serves as Minister of Discipleship at her local church and shares God’s Word through women's retreats, conferences, and online devotionals. Her book, Wisdom: Where to Find It if You’ve Lost, Forgotten, or Never Had It, was released in 2020 and continues to encourage readers in their pursuit of godly wisdom.

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The interesting thing about wildflowers is how they grow, where they grow, and how God has put persistence and resilience within them to bloom wherever they are planted... that's kind of like us, no? Today, one of my favorite authors, Ruth Chou Simons, joins me to share what the Lord has been teaching her about the ways of the wildflower, and how, when life feels tough, we can continue to blossom stronger than we could have ever imagined!

RUTH'S NEWEST BOOK: https://a.co/d/f5d145u

ORDER MY BOOK HERE: https://a.co/d/0vE5Cji

PRINT OUT MY FREE "SHAME CYCLE WORKSHEET" HERE: https://kirbykelly.myflodesk.com/shamecycleworksheet

CHECK OUT MY FREE RESOURCES: https://kirbykelly.myflodesk.com/kirbykelly 

For 10% off of Faithful Counseling, and to start your healing journey today, go to: https://www.faithfulcounseling.com/kirbykelly

To sponsor a child in need alongside me with Compassion International, go to: https://www.compassion.com/kirbyisaboss 

Support the ministry!: https://kirby-kelly.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=5d23856d41ec3a0001234376

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Do you ever feel like you're making decisions in the dark, just hoping you're on the right path? Maybe you prayed about a big choice, but now you're navigating hundreds of smaller moments wondering if you're still headed in the right direction.

Most of us treat prayer like a GPS we consult at major intersections. But Proverbs 3:6 says to acknowledge Him "in ALL your ways"—not just the big ones. What if the key to clear guidance isn't praying more about the big decisions, but bringing God into every ordinary moment throughout your day?

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why we struggle with uncertainty even after praying about major decisions
• What Nehemiah's "arrow prayers" teach us about acknowledging God in real-time
• The WAYS acronym: a simple framework to help you practice God's presence all day long
• Three practical steps to create "prayer triggers" in your daily routine
• How acknowledging God in mundane moments prepares your heart for what really matters

Rachel also shares a personal answered prayer story about how praying in the margins of an ordinary day led to an extraordinary moment of God's faithfulness. You'll hear how acknowledging God during the "behind-the-scenes" work of ministry resulted in the perfect words of affirmation being spoken at exactly the right time.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

RESOURCES

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Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by James Seawood, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. You can be set free! Meditate on 2 Peter 2:19. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. 

For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace

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[Prayer Title]

Show Notes.

Reference: Matthew 6:34

Prayer: Jesus, help me to focus on what you are doing right now. Open my eyes to see the ways that you are working and moving in my life and in the life of my children. Help me not to worry about tomorrow or yesterday, but to seek your face today. In your name, Amen.

LINKS:

How to Pray God's Word For Your Children Guide

Follow Everyday Prayers @MillionPrayingMoms

Get today's devotion and prayer in written form to keep for future use! 

Support the ministry with your $5 monthly gift through Patreon.

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

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

What happens when life takes an unexpected turn and faith becomes your anchor?

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Jennifer Rothschild—best-selling author, speaker, podcast host, and Bible teacher—who lost her sight at age 15. Jennifer shares incredible wisdom born out of real life struggles that will encourage you, strengthen your faith, and give you insight to deal with your own challenges in life. 

Jennifer shares how her parents’ steadfast faith and practical love helped her trade bitterness for hope and how parents can model handling hardship for our kids.  We explore the value of “seeing” life through God’s promises, like Philippians 4:13 and 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 and the necessity of constantly “accepting then adjusting” to life change.

Jennifer is vulnerable, honest, and wise. This isn’t a glib “praise God” bumper sticker conversation, but one where Jennifer reminds us that “earth is short and heaven is long,” and our present struggles prepare us for an eternal glory beyond imagination.

You will love this conversation and walk away inspired!

And remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

Xo,

Donna

Listen in to learn more : 
(05:34) - Navigating Blindness With Faith and Grace

(15:08) - Finding Hope in Hardship

(21:46) - Embracing Hope and Encouragement

(31:06) - Connecting Through Faith and Friendship

Donna’s Resources:

Order a copy of my latest book - 

Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. 

It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon. 

If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.

It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their confidence in their faith.

Connect with Jennifer

Listen to her podcast - 4:13 Podcast with Jennifer Rothschild

Website: https://www.jenniferrothschild.com

Instagram; @jennrothschild 

Connect with Donna 

Instagram: @donnaajones    

Website: www.donnajones.org    

Donna’s speaking schedule:

https://donnajones.org/events/ 

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What if God already knows your every thought—and still loves you?

In this Scripture meditation on Psalm 139:1–4, we begin our Fully Known, Fully Loved series with a reflection on God’s deep, intimate knowledge of us. Using the Lectio Divina method, we’ll gently meditate on the reality that God knows every word before we speak it, every move before we make it—and none of that scares Him away.

In a world obsessed with self-discovery, these verses remind us of something even more powerful: Before we try to figure ourselves out… God already knows. And His love is unwavering.

In this guided Christian meditation, you’ll be invited to:
• Reflect on what it means to be fully known by God
• Consider how God sees and understands you with perfect love
• Rest in the truth that His knowledge of you is not threatening—but comforting

Download your FREE companion journal for the Fully Known, Fully Loved series https://jodieniznik.myflodesk.com/fullyloved

This journal includes:
• All the Scriptures for this series
• Weekly reflection prompts
• Space to record what God is revealing to you

Here are some additional helpful links:

You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik

Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Guided Scripture Meditation Journal here.

Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.

Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com.

Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

Entire Meditation Text:
Psalm 139:1–6 (NLT)
1 O LORD, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, LORD.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!

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When life feels like it’s falling apart, Megan J. Conner reminds us in Salvation and Strength that true peace isn’t found in control, hustle, or quick fixes—it’s found in surrender. Drawing from Isaiah 30:15, this devotional calls believers to embrace repentance, rest, quietness, and trust as the pathway to strength and salvation. Even when the world shakes, God remains steady, guarding, guiding, and granting peace to those who rest in Him.

Highlights

• Isaiah 30:15 teaches that salvation and strength come through repentance, rest, quietness, and trust—not striving.

• When everything feels unstable, God remains our unshakable source of peace and protection.

• Biblical examples like Joseph, Elijah, and Esther reveal that deliverance often comes through stillness and surrender.

• Our efforts can fuel anxiety, but rest allows God to work on our behalf.

• Silence is powerful—when we quiet distractions, we can hear God’s gentle whisper and receive renewed strength.

Join the Conversation

Where do you turn when your world feels unsteady? How has God met you in moments of stillness and surrender? Share your reflections with @LifeAudioNetwork and encourage others to find strength in quiet trust. Use #RestInGod #FaithOverFear #QuietStrength to join the conversation.

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Full Transcript Below:

Salvation and Strength
By Megan J. Conner

Bible Reading:
“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…” - Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)

Does your world feel like it is splitting apart at the seams? Perhaps you are facing a tragic, unexpected loss or an unplanned change in your circumstances, and it feels like a seismic shift has cracked open the very ground beneath your feet. Or you may be overwhelmed by what you see, hear, or read in the news or on social media. Everything appears to be out of control, and you are struggling to find any measure of security or stability. Where can you obtain help? Is it even possible to discover peace?

Grasping for that elusive sense of safety and security has been an ongoing struggle for all of humanity. From the Old Testament to the New, the Word of God is filled with accounts of believers facing adversity and longing for rescue and respite. Just take a look at the stories of Joseph, Elijah, or Esther, to name a few. In each narrative, we witness the demise of their

Not every message, voice, or feeling we experience is from God. In our daily prayer and devotional, the apostle John warns believers to test the spirits because our emotions, cultural influences, or even spiritual opposition can lead us astray. God’s Spirit always aligns with His Word, glorifies Jesus, and produces peace and holiness in our hearts.

When you face decisions or conflicting messages, take time to pray for discernment and measure everything against Scripture. If what you sense points you closer to Christ and aligns with biblical truth, you can move forward with confidence. If it distracts or divides, wait on God’s timing and continue seeking His direction.

Discernment takes practice. The more time you spend in God’s Word and in prayer, the more clearly you’ll recognize His voice amid the noise of the world. God has promised to guide you faithfully—trust Him to do it in His way and His time.

Today's Bible Reading:

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God… This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God…”
— 1 John 4:1–3 (NIV)

Key Takeaways

• Test every spirit. God’s truth never contradicts His Word.

• Keep Jesus central. The Holy Spirit’s leading always exalts Christ.

• Check the fruit. True guidance produces love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control.

• Wait on God’s timing. Rushing ahead often leads to confusion.

• Seek wise counsel. Godly community helps confirm God’s direction.

Let’s Pray

Dear God,
Thank You for reminding me that not every spirit or voice I hear is from You. Forgive me for the times I’ve trusted my emotions or rushed ahead without seeking Your wisdom. Teach me to test the spirits and recognize what is truly from You. Guide me through Your Word and Your Spirit, and help me make choices that glorify Jesus. Guard my heart and mind from confusion, and let Your peace lead me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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