Not Just Waiting

What do you do when your life doesn’t look anything like you thought it would?

Maybe you had a plan. A timeline. A picture in your head of how things were supposed to go.

And then life took a detour.

This week on the Not Just Waiting Podcast, I’m joined by Debra Mcninch, founder of BattleCry, author of Battle Cry: Love Goes to War, and a woman who knows what it means to trust God when the story takes an unexpected turn.

Nine years ago, Debra received a phone call that changed the future she thought she knew. What followed was a season of heartbreak, uncertainty, prayer, and a whole lot of waiting. But somewhere along the way, God began forming her into someone she never expected to become: a prayer warrior, ministry leader, author, and woman willing to tell the hard parts of her story.

In this episode, we talk about what it looks like to:

• Trust God when your family or life doesn’t look like you thought it would

• Stay close to Jesus when you’re walking through a hard season

• Pray without trying to manipulate or control the outcome

• Find hope in Scripture when you don’t know what to do next

• “Wait with anticipation” instead of simply waiting for life to change

• Remember that God is still working, even when you can’t see the end of the story

  
  

  Connect with Debra

• Website: https://www.debramcninch.com/ 

• BattleCry Moms: battlecrymoms.com

• BattleCry Dads: battlecrydads.com

• Book: Battle Cry: Love Goes to War

If this episode encouraged you, send it to someone who is walking through an unexpected season. And if you haven’t already, make sure to follow the Not Just Waiting Podcast so you never miss an episode.

Friend, you may not have the timeline you want. You may not know how this story ends.

But you are not alone. God is still working in the waiting.

What if surrendering control isn’t giving up—but making room for God to do something you could never have planned?

In this episode of Not Just Waiting, I’m joined by Kathy Rogers, speaker, author, podcaster, and author of Look for Good: Discovering God in Grief, Celebration, and the Everydays. After walking through breast cancer, the loss of her mom, and the heartbreaking loss of her 29-year-old daughter, Kathy has learned what it means to trust God in seasons of grief, waiting, and uncertainty.

We talk about surrendering control, moving from checklist Christianity to genuine dependence on Jesus, finding joy and peace in grief, and learning to trust God when we can't see the outcome.

We also talk about community, vulnerability, and what it looks like to become so secure in God's love that we don't have to live for everyone else's approval.

In this episode:

• Trusting God when you can't control the outcome

• Surrender and obedience in seasons of waiting

• Finding joy and peace in grief

• Moving beyond checklist Christianity

• Building deeper, more vulnerable community

• Learning to trust God's love

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14–21

If you're walking through a season of waiting, grief, or uncertainty, I hope this conversation reminds you that God is still faithful—and you are Not Just Waiting.

Connect with Kathy: 

• Instagram: @thekathyrogers

• Website: https://www.thekathyrogers.com/ 

• Podcast: Look for Good (formerly “Your Best Friend’s Mom”)

• Book: Look for Good: Discovering God in Grief, Celebration and the Every Days

Have you ever wondered what happens after we die?

In this powerful episode of the Not Just Waiting Podcast, I sit down with Bible teacher and "Gospel Granny," Susan Bosma, to hear the incredible story that changed the course of her life forever.

After dying during surgery in 1974, Susan says she encountered eternity in a way she never expected. Decades later, she believes God released her to finally share what happened—and why it still matters today.

But this conversation isn't just about a near-death experience. It's about waiting. It's about choosing faith before you have every answer. It's about remembering that every prayer matters, every life has purpose, and Jesus is still pursuing people with incredible mercy.

Whether you're wrestling with doubt, navigating an in-between season, or simply longing for more hope, I pray this conversation encourages you to trust God more deeply and live today with eternity in mind.

In this episode we discuss:

• Susan's near-death experience during surgery

• What changed when she encountered Jesus

• Why she waited 50 years to tell her story

• The importance of prayer—even when you don't see results

• How to trust God in seasons of uncertainty

• Why your waiting season still has purpose

• Living with an eternal perspective

• Encouragement for anyone struggling to believe

Scripture mentioned:

• Revelation 20:11-15

• Revelation 21:1

• Revelation 1:18

• John 20:24-29

• Ecclesiastes 9:10

  
  

If this conversation encouraged you, would you leave a review and share it with a friend? It helps more women discover hope while they're learning to wait well.

Connect with Susan: https://www.gospelgranny.com/

If you've ever felt like your worth depends on how much you accomplish, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of the Not Just Waiting Podcast, I'm joined by writer, speaker, and Bible teacher Cathy Colver Garland for an honest conversation about waiting, identity, striving, and learning to rely on the Holy Spirit instead of our own competence.

Together we talk about what happens when God gently strips away the things we've always relied on—not to punish us, but to invite us into deeper intimacy with Him.

Whether you're walking through uncertainty, a wilderness season, or simply feeling exhausted from trying to hold everything together, I hope this conversation reminds you that becoming often happens in the hidden places.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why your identity was never meant to come from your competence

• How to move from self-reliance to dependence on the Holy Spirit

• What it means to abide instead of strive

• Practical rhythms that help you stay connected to Jesus

• Why "balance" may not be the goal God is inviting you toward

• The difference between wilderness seasons and promised land seasons

• Why God often forms us long before He fulfills His promises

One of my favorite reminders from Cathy was this:

"The right thing at the wrong time is still the wrong thing."

If you're in a waiting season, I pray this conversation helps you see that God isn't simply asking you to wait—He's inviting you to become.

Connect with Cathy:

• Website: Revelationship.net 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracefullgarlands/ 

• Threads: threads.net/@gracefullgarlands 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gracefullgarlands 

• Substack: https://substack.com/@cgarland

One of the hardest parts of waiting isn't the waiting itself. It's believing that God is still working when nothing seems to be happening.

In this episode of the Not Just Waiting Podcast, I'm joined by speaker, author, and Healed to Heal Podcast host Kathleen Johnson for one of the most thought-provoking conversations we've had this season.

We talk about what it really means to walk by the Spirit instead of relying on our own understanding, why self-reliance often keeps us stuck, and how God forms our character long before He fulfills our calling.

If you've ever struggled with anxiety, overthinking, striving, or feeling like everything depends on you, this conversation will remind you that freedom begins by staying connected to the Vine—not by trying harder.

• Why becoming matters more than doing

• The difference between striving and abiding

• How worry reveals what we're trusting

• Spiritual disciplines that actually strengthen your faith

• What it means to walk by the Spirit daily

• Why God often shapes our character before our calling

• Practical ways to surrender control in seasons of waiting

• How to recognize when you've slipped into self-reliance

• Finding peace in the middle of uncertainty

One of my favorite moments from this conversation was Kathleen's reminder that worry is simply meditation on the wrong thing. Instead of rehearsing our fears, we're invited to think on God's truth, see ourselves the way He sees us, and speak His promises over our lives.

Whether you're waiting for clarity, healing, a new opportunity, or simply trying to trust God with what's next, I pray this conversation encourages you to stay connected to Jesus and remember—you are not just waiting.

Connect with Kathleen:• KathleenJohnsonMinistries.com• Healed to Heal Podcast

In this episode, we discuss:

Waiting rarely feels productive.

Most of us spend our waiting seasons trying to figure out the next step, solve the problem, or control the outcome. But what if God is doing something deeper than simply preparing your circumstances?

In this episode of the Not Just Waiting Podcast, I'm joined by author, writing coach, and wellness coach Kim Mosiman for an honest conversation about becoming the woman God is forming us to be—even when life doesn't look the way we expected.

Together we talk about:

• Why becoming often happens in hidden seasons

• Learning to surrender control instead of forcing outcomes

• How journaling can help you hear God's voice more clearly

• Practical ways to create intentional time with God

• The difference between active waiting and passive waiting

• Trusting God's timing when you don't understand His plan

• Why prayer is something we grow into—not something we perfect

If you've ever felt frustrated by waiting, struggled with control, or wondered what God is doing in this season, I hope this conversation reminds you that He hasn't forgotten you.

You aren't just waiting. You're becoming.

Connect with Kim:

• Website: https://www.kimmosimanwellness.com/

• Instagram: @Kim_Mosiman

• Book: Reflections of Joy: Learning to Love the Woman You See While Becoming the One You're Meant to Be

• Substack: https://substack.com/@kmosiman 

  
  

  Resources

• Join the Not Just Waiting community on Substack

• Follow Reanna on Instagram: @reanna.ivey.hoff

What if the season you've been trying to escape is actually where God wants to meet you?

Waiting often feels like standing still. We count the days until prayers are answered, doors open, or life finally moves forward. But what if waiting isn't actually about waiting?

In this conversation, author and speaker Wendy Bower shares how years of unanswered prayers, deep heartbreak, and profound loss became the place where God transformed her understanding of His love. Instead of finding freedom when her circumstances changed, she discovered it through intimacy with Jesus.

We talk about:

• Why the in-between is where real transformation happens

• How to stop measuring your life by timelines

• The difference between waiting and abiding

• Why God's love changes your identity before it changes your circumstances

• Learning to trust God's surprises

• Building capacity before stepping into your calling

• Finding hope after grief, disappointment, and unanswered prayers

If you've ever wondered whether God has forgotten you, this conversation will remind you that He is still working—even when life feels paused.

In this episode you'll hear:

• Why "the in-between is everything"

• How intimacy with God changes the way we wait

• What it looks like to release your timeline without losing hope

• The connection between identity, confidence, and calling

• Why becoming matters more than arriving

Connect with Wendy

• Website: authorwendybower.com 

• Book: Gratitude Attack

Have you ever felt anxious without realizing you were anxious?

Sometimes anxiety doesn't look like panic attacks or racing thoughts. Sometimes it looks like overplanning, perfectionism, constantly staying busy, or feeling frustrated when life doesn't go according to plan.

In this week's episode, I'm joined by Heather O'Brien for a conversation about what she calls silent anxiety—the subtle ways fear, control, and self-reliance can quietly shape our lives without us even noticing.

Together, we talk about what it looks like to stop managing symptoms and begin inviting Jesus into the deeper places of healing.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What "silent anxiety" really is

• Why our symptoms are often clues instead of the problem

• How control can quietly replace trust

• Learning to become flexible when God changes your plans

• The connection between physical health, emotional health, and spiritual health

• Renewing your mind through Scripture instead of fear

• Practical ways to partner with the Holy Spirit in healing and transformation

If you've ever wondered why you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or like you're carrying more than God asked you to carry, I hope this conversation reminds you that Jesus isn't inviting you to try harder—He's inviting you to trust Him more.

Heather O'Brien

• Website: https://heatherobrien.net

• Books & Resources: https://heatherobrien.net/books

• Heal with God Podcast

Connect with Reanna

• Website: https://reannahoffmann.com

• Instagram: @reanna.ivey.hoff

• Subscribe to the Not Just Waiting newsletter on Substack

Resources Mentioned:

Sometimes the hardest part of following Jesus isn't knowing what to do.

It's learning what to say yes to... and what to let go of.

In this episode of Not Just Waiting, I'm joined by journaling instructor and author Allison Bixby for an honest conversation about becoming the woman God is forming you to be—even when your life doesn't look the way you expected.

We talk about waiting seasons, people pleasing, God's timing, journaling, releasing expectations, and learning to trust God's whispers more than our own plans.

If you've ever wondered...

• Am I saying yes to God or just saying yes because I feel guilty?

• How do I know what God is asking me to do?

• Why does waiting feel so exhausting?

• What if God is forming my character before advancing my calling?

...this conversation is for you.

You'll leave encouraged to stop striving, listen for God's voice, and trust that His timing is always better than your own.

In this episode we discuss:

• How to recognize God's invitations

• Saying no without carrying guilt

• The difference between God's will and people's expectations

• Waiting well without forcing your own timeline

• Why journaling can deepen your relationship with Jesus

• Learning to become before you arrive

Connect with Allison

Website: allisonbyxbe.com

Book: Journaling as a Spiritual Practice

Instagram: @allisonbyxbe

What if the life you're grieving isn't actually the life God was preparing you for?

In this episode, I'm joined by professional organizer and author Melinda Grace for an honest conversation about waiting, surrender, motherhood, calling, and learning to embrace a slower pace.

Melinda shares how God used seasons of burnout, anxiety, and unmet expectations to reshape not only her career but also her identity. What began as a dream of becoming an actress eventually became a passion for helping women create peaceful, grace-filled homes—and discovering that sometimes God's greatest gifts arrive disguised as detours.

We also talk about:

• Why God often develops our character before our calling

• Letting go of timelines and expectations

• How clutter can affect our peace

• The importance of slowing down in a culture that celebrates hustle

• Waiting well in a world of instant answers and AI

• Creating space to hear God's voice again

Whether you're waiting for healing, purpose, marriage, motherhood, clarity, or simply your next step, this conversation is a reminder that God isn't wasting your waiting. He's forming you.

Connect with Melinda:

Website: melindagrace.com

Book: Grace-Filled Organization & Audio Book 

Instagram: @melindagraceorganizing

Freebie: Refresh Your Kitchen with My Top 10 Organizing Hacks for Kitchens 

If this episode encouraged you, would you leave a review, share it with a friend, or send it to someone who's walking through an in-between season?

You can also join me over on Substack for weekly encouragement and deeper reflections about following Jesus in the waiting.