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Have you ever felt stuck trying to make the right decision — afraid one wrong move could mess everything up?

In this honest and practical conversation, Meredith Brock and Cailah Garcia sit down with author and speaker Grace Valentine to talk about what it looks like to make decisions with God instead of with anxiety.

Through personal stories (including a hilarious texting mishap), biblical wisdom, and a deep dive into Proverbs 3:5-6, Grace reminds us that decision-making was never meant to be something we navigate alone. When we try to decode every outcome or gather endless opinions, we often spiral into chaos instead of stepping into wisdom.

If you’re facing a big decision right now — or simply feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty — this episode will help you pause, seek God’s voice, and move forward with faith instead of fear.

You’ll learn:

• Why trying to figure everything out on your own often leads to anxiety and overthinking.
• How Proverbs 3:5-6 gives a clear framework for navigating life’s decisions.
• What the difference is between seeking opinions and seeking godly wisdom.
• Why surrendering control is often the first step toward peace.
• How God can give you peace even when the decision in front of you feels uncomfortable.

Resources From This Episode:

• Connect With Grace Valentine. Follow her for more encouragement and biblical wisdom on navigating life’s biggest decisions.
   Instagram: @thegracevalentine
   Facebook: @GraceValentine
   Website: https://www.gracevalentine.org
• Encouragement for Today Devotions. Start your day grounded in God’s Word. Subscribe to receive short, Scripture-based devotions delivered straight to your inbox each morning — meeting you with biblical Truth right when you need it
• Come Close to Jesus — A Brand-New Resource From Lysa TerKeurst. When life feels heavy or uncertain, prayer can be the place where everything begins to shift. When you give today, you’ll receive Come Close to Jesus as our thank-you — a Scripture-rich prayer resource designed to help you quiet the noise, find the words when prayer feels hard, and draw near to the God who is always ready to meet you. Give now and receive your copy today.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode

Want More on This Topic? 

• Listen to Dr. Joel Muddamalle answer the question, “Why Am I So Afraid of Failure?” on The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast.

Greg Koukl provides concrete ways to take a stand for our beliefs. He focuses especially on issues within the culture that cause most Christians to falter when faced with challenges from non-believers. He trains us to use questions to whittle away arguments and bring God’s truth to light.

Receive Street Smarts and an audio download of "How to Answer Challenges to Your Faith" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.

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Defiance affects everyone, no matter your age. And it traps you in your selfishness, stubbornness, indifference, resistance, and contempt. Why not get rid defiance and live according to God’s Word. “Good understanding produces favor, but the way of the treacherous is hard,” (Proverbs 13:15 NASB).

Can you live without sin for one day? No. How about one hour? Can you do it? No…nor can I. And if we can’t live without sin, we have a problem. Proverbs 10:16 says, we’re evil and “evil people are paid with punishment.” What can we do?

Well, observe what Jesus does with our filth. He carries it to the Cross. God speaks to Isaiah in chapter 50:6, “I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.” You see, mingled with his blood and sweat was the essence of our sin. Angels were a prayer away. Couldn’t they have taken the spittle away? They could have, but Jesus never commanded them to. Why? The sinless One took on the face of a sinner, so that we sinners could take on the face of a saint.

Read more He Chose the Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

God can and will fulfill all of your deepest needs if you will trust Him.

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Episode 2.91

Jonah: The Prophet Who Doesn’t Belong

In this episode of the Narrative Juxtaposition series, Michael and Zach explore one of the most unusual books in the prophetic collection: Jonah. Unlike the surrounding prophets filled with poetic oracles and covenant warnings, Jonah reads like a narrative filled with irony, humor, and uncomfortable reversals. The question quickly emerges: why is this story placed among the prophetic books at all?

The episode argues that Jonah’s placement is intentional. Rather than delivering extended prophetic speeches, the book exposes the heart of the prophet himself. The story unfolds as a series of moral reversals in which the pagan characters repeatedly respond to God more faithfully than the prophet who knows Him best.

The pagan sailors in chapter one move from fear to reverence, praying to the Lord and offering sacrifices. The city of Nineveh responds to Jonah’s brief warning with immediate repentance. Meanwhile Jonah resists God’s call, avoids prayer, and ultimately becomes angry when God shows mercy.

Through these narrative contrasts, the book critiques religious pride, exposes the danger of nationalistic theology, and reminds readers that God’s compassion extends far beyond the boundaries His people might prefer. Jonah understands God’s character—gracious, compassionate, and slow to anger—but he resents the implications of that mercy when it reaches Israel’s enemies.

By placing Jonah among the prophets, the Old Testament provides a powerful internal critique of prophetic pride and spiritual entitlement. Before Israel hears judgment against the nations, the story forces God’s people to confront their own resistance to the global scope of God’s mercy.

The episode concludes by tracing the larger biblical trajectory. Jesus later identifies Himself as greater than Jonah, embodying the opposite posture: running toward sinners, embracing suffering, and rejoicing in repentance. The story ultimately challenges readers to ask whether their theology fuels compassion and mission—or quietly resists the wideness of God’s mercy.

Find our videocast here: https://youtu.be/9dcsWOwGRC0

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What is Lordship salvation? What if we didn't "make Jesus Lord" when we were saved? Should we avoid legalistic teachings that place emphasis on being right with God by works? Was David not ceremonially sanctified by Jesse like his brothers were? If not, then how was David qualified to be king?