There’s a difference between saying you believe in God and actually letting that belief affect the way you live.

In this episode, Tom and Paul talk about what changes when faith becomes more than going to church, praying when there’s a problem, or calling yourself a Christian. It starts showing up in your decisions, relationships, finances, habits, priorities, and what you do when God’s direction isn’t what you wanted.

They also discuss Christian maturity and how you gradually stop focusing so much on what everybody else is doing wrong and start asking, “God, what are You trying to change in me?”

Maybe you’ve been a Christian for years, but there are still areas where you make the decisions and ask God to come along afterward.

Maybe it’s money, a relationship, your time, or a habit you’ve gotten good at defending.

This episode isn’t about becoming a “better Christian” so God will love you more. It’s about honestly looking at your life and asking where God really has authority—and where you’re still holding on to control.

As your relationship with God grows, your perspective starts changing.

You don’t read the Bible to earn points with God. You want to know Him. You don’t pray simply because you’re supposed to. You recognize that you need Him.

And instead of always asking, “What can God do for me?”, you begin asking, “God, how can You use me?”

That’s the shift from obligation to relationship and from being self-focused to becoming increasingly God-focused.

James 2:17 tells us that faith without works is dead. Our works don’t save us—Christ saves us—but genuine faith eventually shows up in the way we live.

So pick one thing this week.

Give God the first part of your morning. Look honestly at your finances. Have the conversation you’ve been avoiding. Deal with the habit you know needs to change. Or pray before making that decision instead of asking God to bless it afterward.

As Tom writes in Starting Over: Life 2.0 With God, Chapter 9:

“Our job is to focus on today instead of worrying about the future. We need to consecrate ourselves to Him now and live in the present.”

Sometimes taking your faith seriously begins with one ordinary decision where you decide that God gets a say in this part of your life too.

Important Links:

If this podcast is encouraging you, you'll find a deeper roadmap in my book, Starting Over | Life 2.0 With God, where I walk through six biblical phases of turning your life around: Pray, Worship, Heal, Hope, Move Forward, and Trust.

www.startingoverbook.com

Share this episode with someone who may need a reminder that they’re not alone. Let’s inspire hope and show that with God’s grace, even the most broken seasons can lead to a beautiful new beginning.

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Do you want to know God and receive Jesus as Savior into your life for healing and salvation?

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Episode Summary

We all avoid things. A hard conversation. Looking honestly at our finances. Dealing with a relationship problem. Admitting we need help. Sometimes we even avoid opportunities because we're afraid of failing, succeeding, or simply stepping outside what feels comfortable.

In this episode, Tom Clairmont and Paul Berard have a very practical conversation about why we do this and what avoidance can quietly cost us over time. They share personal examples of things they've avoided and talk about the fears that are often hiding underneath. They also look at the difference between something we need to repent of and something that's simply hard and needs to be faced. If there's something in your life you've been telling yourself you'll deal with "later," this episode might help you finally understand what's been holding you back and how trusting God can help you face it.

What You'll Hear

• Why avoidance can actually feel good at first
• How "I'll deal with it later" can turn into months or years
• Why admitting there's a problem means accepting responsibility
• The fear that can hide behind procrastination
• Why we avoid hard conversations in relationships
• Paul's surprising struggle with the fear of success
• How staying comfortable can keep us from growing
• The difference between avoiding sin and avoiding something that's simply hard
• What Jonah teaches us about running from what God wants us to face
• A practical way to identify and deal with something you've been avoiding

Why You Should Listen

Maybe there's something you already know you've been avoiding. You don't need anybody to tell you what it is because it probably came to mind while you were reading this. This episode isn't about making you feel guilty about it. It's about understanding why you've been putting it off, being honest about the fear underneath it, and figuring out how to face it with God's help.

Why This Episode Matters

I've learned that the things we avoid don't usually disappear. Sometimes they sit quietly in the background until we're forced to deal with them under much worse circumstances. Whether it's a relationship, money, personal growth, sin, or a decision you simply don't want to make, facing it now may save you from a lot more pain later. And sometimes the thing you've been trying so hard not to face is exactly where God wants to begin doing something different in your life.

Go Deeper

If this podcast is encouraging you, you'll find a deeper roadmap in my book, Starting Over | Life 2.0 With God, where I walk through six biblical phases of turning your life around: Pray, Worship, Heal, Hope, Move Forward, and Trust.

www.startingoverbook.com

Share this episode with someone who may need a reminder that they’re not alone. Let’s inspire hope and show that with God’s grace, even the most broken seasons can lead to a beautiful new beginning.

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Do you want to know God and receive Jesus as Savior into your life for healing and salvation?

Put your trust in God through Jesus Christ with a simple prayer of faith https://tinyurl.com/asalvationprayer

Episode Summary

It's easy to believe our lives are shaped by the big moments. A divorce. Losing a job. Retirement. A financial setback. But when you look back, it's often the small decisions made day after day that quietly determine where life takes you.

In this episode, Tom Clairmont and Paul Berard explore how the everyday choices we make gradually become habits, habits become character, and character shapes our future. Through personal stories and practical biblical wisdom, they discuss why choosing comfort over growth, putting things off, or neglecting our relationship with God can slowly move us off course. More importantly, they explain how God can use small, faithful acts of obedience to change the direction of our lives over time. If you're trying to turn your life around, this conversation will encourage you to stop waiting for one big breakthrough and start allowing God to work through the ordinary decisions you're making today.

What You'll Hear

• Why small decisions often shape life's biggest outcomes
• How daily habits determine your future direction
• The danger of choosing comfort over growth
• Why consistency matters more than occasional effort
• Paul's story of one decision that changed his life
• Practical ways to strengthen your faith through daily choices
• How God works through ordinary obedience
• Why routines shape your character
• The long-term impact of wise decision-making
• One simple question to help guide your choices each day

Why You Should Listen

If you're trying to rebuild your life, it's easy to think you need one big breakthrough. This episode shows why lasting change usually begins with small, faithful decisions that God uses over time to reshape your future.

Why This Episode Matters

When life falls apart, it's natural to look for one big answer that will fix everything. But real change usually happens much more quietly. This episode reminds us that every small decision matters, and when we invite God into those everyday choices, He can gradually lead us toward a completely different future.

Go Deeper

If this podcast is encouraging you, you'll find a deeper roadmap in my book, Starting Over | Life 2.0 With God, where I walk through six biblical phases of turning your life around: Pray, Worship, Heal, Hope, Move Forward, and Trust.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNNG1XRB

Share this episode with someone who may need a reminder that they’re not alone. Let’s inspire hope and show that with God’s grace, even the most broken seasons can lead to a beautiful new beginning.

Be on the weekly encouraging email list: tom-clairmont-4ebvan.subscribepage.io

Do you want to know God and receive Jesus as Savior into your life for healing and salvation?

Put your trust in God through Jesus Christ with a simple prayer of faith https://tinyurl.com/asalvationprayer

Episode Summary

Life has a way of slowing down when we least expect it. Retirement, an empty house, unemployment, divorce, or simply a new season of life can leave us with something we haven't had in years: time. But instead of feeling peaceful, many of us discover that when life gets quiet, our minds get louder. Old regrets surface. Questions about the future creep in. We replay conversations, wonder if we've accomplished enough, and struggle to know what God wants us to do next.

In this episode, Tom Clairmont and Paul Berard talk about the difference between healthy solitude and unhealthy isolation, why so many of us are uncomfortable with silence, and how God often uses quiet seasons to heal, renew, and redirect our lives. They also share practical ideas for making the most of this season, from spending time in God's Word to rediscovering forgotten passions and learning to simply sit quietly in His presence. If life has slowed down and you're wondering what to do next, this conversation will encourage you to see this season as an opportunity instead of something to escape.

What You'll Hear

• Why quiet seasons often make us uncomfortable
• The difference between solitude and isolation
• How busyness can distract us from what's happening inside
• Why God often speaks during seasons of stillness
• Learning to listen instead of constantly staying busy
• Practical ways to use extra time wisely
• Why silence can become a season of healing
• How technology often keeps us from slowing down
• Rediscovering purpose through prayer and reflection
• Why quiet seasons can prepare you for what comes next

Why You Should Listen

If life has become quieter than you expected and you're not sure what to do with the extra time, this episode offers practical encouragement and a biblical perspective. You'll learn how to stop seeing quiet as something to fear and begin seeing it as an opportunity to grow closer to God and discover what He may be preparing you for next.

Why This Episode Matters

Many people spend years asking God for relief from life's busyness, only to become uncomfortable when that quieter season finally arrives. This episode reminds us that silence isn't something to avoid. It can become one of the greatest opportunities we'll ever have to hear God's voice, grow spiritually, and prepare for whatever He has planned next.

Go Deeper

If this podcast is encouraging you, you'll find a deeper roadmap in my book, Starting Over | Life 2.0 With God, where I walk through six biblical phases of turning your life around: Pray, Worship, Heal, Hope, Move Forward, and Trust.

If this podcast is encouraging you, you'll find a deeper roadmap in my book Starting Over | Life 2.0 With God, where I walk through six biblical phases of turning your life around: Pray, Worship, Heal, Hope, Move Forward, and Trust.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNNG1XRB

Share this episode with someone who may need a reminder that they’re not alone. Let’s inspire hope and show that with God’s grace, even the most broken seasons can lead to a beautiful new beginning.

Be on the weekly encouraging email list: tom-clairmont-4ebvan.subscribepage.io

Do you want to know God and receive Jesus as Savior into your life for healing and salvation?

Put your trust in God through Jesus Christ with a simple prayer of faith https://tinyurl.com/asalvationprayer

Have you ever found yourself standing at a place in life where you simply don't know what to do next? Maybe a relationship ended, your finances changed, your health took a turn, retirement arrived, or life no longer looks the way you thought it would. In this episode,

Tom explores the powerful story of Joshua Chapter 3 and Israel's crossing of the Jordan River. More than a story about crossing water, it's a story about transition, uncertainty, faith, and learning to trust God when the path ahead isn't clear. If you're facing a major life change and wondering how to move forward when you've never been down this road before, this episode offers biblical encouragement and practical hope.

• Why major life transitions often feel overwhelming
• The deeper meaning of Israel crossing the Jordan River
• What it means to follow God's presence when the future is uncertain
• Why God doesn't always remove obstacles before asking us to move
• The difference between faith and presumption
• How to take the next step when you can't see the whole plan
• Why survival seasons aren't meant to be permanent
• The importance of preparing your heart before rebuilding your life
• How God uses hard seasons to shape character
• Why God's faithfulness remains unchanged even when life changes

If you're going through a major life transition and feel uncertain, scared, disappointed, or overwhelmed, this episode will remind you that you're not the first person to stand at the edge of an unknown future. More importantly, it will remind you that while you've never been this way before, God has.

Many people get stuck because they want to know the entire plan before taking the first step. But life rarely works that way. This episode matters because it encourages listeners to stop waiting for perfect clarity and start looking for the next faithful step. Through the story of Joshua 3, listeners are reminded that God often opens the path after we choose to trust and obey Him. 

Like the Podcast? Go deeper with the book on Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNNG1XRB

Share this episode with someone who may need a reminder that they’re not alone. Let’s inspire hope and show that with God’s grace, even the most broken seasons can lead to a beautiful new beginning.

Be on the weekly encouraging email list: tom-clairmont-4ebvan.subscribepage.io

Do you want to know God and receive Jesus as Savior into your life for healing and salvation?

Put your trust in God through Jesus Christ with a simple prayer of faith https://tinyurl.com/asalvationprayer

Have you ever looked back at your life and thought, "How did I not see that coming?"

Maybe it was a relationship that ended badly. A financial decision you regret. A job you stayed in too long. Or maybe it's not one decision at all, but a series of choices that left you questioning your own judgment.

After enough disappointments, something begins to happen. You stop trusting yourself. You second-guess simple decisions. You overthink things that used to come naturally. And before long, you're carrying around a quiet fear of making another mistake.

In this episode, Tom Clairmont and Paul Berard talk about what happens when confidence in your own judgment begins to disappear. They discuss why many of us get stuck replaying the past, how regret can quietly shape our future decisions, and why God's wisdom becomes even more important when we don't know what to trust anymore. If you've ever felt uncertain about yourself, your future, or your ability to make good decisions, this conversation is for you.

• Why repeated disappointments can make you doubt yourself
• How regret can quietly affect future decisions
• The difference between wisdom and self-confidence
• Why fear often leads to hesitation and overthinking
• The importance of getting advice from trusted people
• How God uses Scripture to guide us through uncertainty
• Why your past mistakes don't have to define your future
• Practical ways to rebuild trust in your decision-making
• How to stop replaying old failures
• Why God's direction matters more than having all the answers

Proverbs 3:5–6 (ASV)

"Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding: In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths."

Proverbs 9:10 (ASV)

"The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

James 1:5 (ASV)

"But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

• "God is not surprised by your mistakes. He's ready to work through them."
• — Battlefield of the Mind, Joyce Meyer
• "Growth is the great separator between those who succeed and those who do not."
• — The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth, John C. Maxwell

• "I stopped trusting myself after a series of decisions I wish I could take back. But I learned that my future didn't depend on perfect judgment. It depended on trusting God."
• — Chapter 6
• "You don't rebuild confidence by pretending nothing happened. You rebuild it by moving forward with better direction."
• — Chapter 5

If you're carrying around regret from past decisions, questioning your judgment, or feeling stuck because you're afraid of making another mistake, this episode will help you see that you're not alone. More importantly, it'll remind you that God can still guide your future even when you're struggling to trust yourself.

A lot of people aren't held back by a lack of opportunity. They're held back by fear.

Fear of getting hurt again.

Fear of trusting the wrong person.

Fear of making another bad decision.

And after enough setbacks, it's easy to lose confidence in yourself. This episode matters because it addresses a struggle many people carry but rarely talk about. It offers hope, practical wisdom, and a reminder that God's direction is more dependable than our own understanding.

If this podcast is encouraging you, you'll find a deeper roadmap in my book Starting Over | Life 2.0 With God, where I walk through six biblical phases of turning your life around: Pray, Worship, Heal, Hope, Move Forward, and Trust.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNNG1XRB

Share this episode with someone who may need a reminder that they’re not alone. Let’s inspire hope and show that with God’s grace, even the most broken seasons can lead to a beautiful new beginning.

Be on the weekly encouraging email list: tom-clairmont-4ebvan.subscribepage.io

Do you want to know God and receive Jesus as Savior into your life for healing and salvation?

Put your trust in God through Jesus Christ with a simple prayer of faith https://tinyurl.com/asalvationprayer

What do you do when you're making better decisions, trying to follow God, and putting in the effort, but the results you expected still aren't showing up?

Have you ever felt like you're doing all the right things, making better choices, praying for wisdom, working hard, and trying to honor God, yet nothing seems to be improving? In this episode, Tom Clairmont and Paul Berard discuss the frustrating reality of putting in a mountain of effort while seeing little or no visible progress. Together they explore unmet expectations, God's timing, hidden growth, perseverance, and how to recognize when God may be doing something different than what you originally expected. This conversation offers practical encouragement for anyone who feels discouraged because the results they're hoping for haven't arrived yet.

• Why effort and results don't always move at the same pace
• How unmet expectations can create frustration and discouragement
• The difference between visible progress and hidden growth
• Why God's goals for your life may differ from your goals
• The role of patience when nothing seems to be changing
• How small decisions can affect long-term outcomes
• Why perseverance matters during seasons of uncertainty
• The importance of seeking wise counsel when you're confused
• Lessons from ministry, business, relationships, and personal growth
• How obstacles can become part of God's preparation process

If you've ever found yourself wondering, "What am I missing?" or "Why isn't this working?", this episode speaks directly to that experience. You'll hear a practical discussion about expectations, faith, perseverance, and how to keep moving forward when results seem delayed or invisible.

Many people give up not because they're doing the wrong things, but because they don't see immediate results. This episode reminds listeners that growth often happens beneath the surface before it becomes visible. Sometimes the greatest progress isn't found in changed circumstances but in the person God is shaping you to become. 

Like the Podcast? Go deeper with the book on Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNNG1XRB

Share this episode with someone who may need a reminder that they’re not alone. Let’s inspire hope and show that with God’s grace, even the most broken seasons can lead to a beautiful new beginning.

Be on the weekly encouraging email list: tom-clairmont-4ebvan.subscribepage.io

Do you want to know God and receive Jesus as Savior into your life for healing and salvation?

Put your trust in God through Jesus Christ with a simple prayer of faith https://tinyurl.com/asalvationprayer

What do you do when life changes in your 50s or 60s and everything you thought was stable suddenly isn’t?

In this episode, Tom Clairmont and Paul Berard unpack what it really means to start over later in life, not just externally with finances, career, or relationships, but internally with mindset, expectations, and faith. This conversation explores how God works through unexpected transitions, helping you rebuild your life with clarity, purpose, and a renewed perspective rooted in Scripture.

What You’ll Hear

• Why starting over later in life is more about a structural shift than just change
• How losing stability can actually reveal what truly matters
• The danger of trying to rebuild your future using past thinking
• How to move forward step by step when you can’t see the full picture
• The role of faith, prayer, and seeking wisdom instead of quick solutions

Why You Should Listen

If you’re facing a major life transition after 50—whether it’s financial, relational, or personal—this episode will help you make sense of what’s happening beneath the surface. Instead of repeating common advice, this conversation gives you a clearer framework for rebuilding in a way that actually fits your current stage of life.

Why This Episode Matters

Many people believe they should be settling down later in life, not starting over. But when life takes an unexpected turn, it often requires a complete shift in thinking, not just action. This episode challenges the idea of stability as permanent and shows how God uses disruption to reshape direction, helping you rebuild stronger, wiser, and more aligned with your purpose.

Like the Podcast? Go deeper with the book on Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNNG1XRB

Share this episode with someone who may need a reminder that they’re not alone. Let’s inspire hope and show that with God’s grace, even the most broken seasons can lead to a beautiful new beginning.

Be on the weekly encouraging email list: tom-clairmont-4ebvan.subscribepage.io

Do you want to know God and receive Jesus as Savior into your life for healing and salvation?

Put your trust in God through Jesus Christ with a simple prayer of faith https://tinyurl.com/asalvationprayer

Join the 'Starting Over: Life 2.0 With God' Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/startingoverwithgod

Have you ever looked back and felt like too much of your life was spent in the wrong places, with the wrong priorities, or in seasons that didn’t seem to move you forward?

In this episode, Tom Clairmont and Paul Berard talk about regret, lost time, painful delays, and how God can still use the years that feel wasted to build wisdom, purpose, and a stronger future.

What You’ll Hear

• Why regret can distort the way you see your past
• How God can use seasons that looked unproductive
• Why comparison can make you feel further behind than you really are
• The difference between wasted time and preparation time
• Biblical examples from Jacob, Moses, Caleb, and the Israelites
• How God can restore finances, relationships, direction, and purpose
• Why the better question is not “How much time did I lose?” but “What can I do with the time I have now?”

Why You Should Listen

If you’ve been carrying regret over past decisions, lost years, missed opportunities, or seasons where life didn’t go the way you hoped, this conversation will help you see your story differently. Tom and Paul offer honest life experience, biblical perspective, and practical encouragement for trusting God with the time you still have.

Why This Episode Matters

Many people quietly live with the fear that they’ve waited too long, made too many mistakes, or missed their chance to live with purpose. This episode matters because it reminds listeners that God can redeem what feels lost, reshape how they see the past, and help them move forward with wisdom instead of regret.

Like the Podcast? Go deeper with the book on Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNNG1XRB

Share this episode with someone who may need a reminder that they’re not alone. Let’s inspire hope and show that with God’s grace, even the most broken seasons can lead to a beautiful new beginning.

Be on the weekly encouraging email list: tom-clairmont-4ebvan.subscribepage.io

Do you want to know God and receive Jesus as Savior into your life for healing and salvation?

Put your trust in God through Jesus Christ with a simple prayer of faith https://tinyurl.com/asalvationprayer

Join the 'Starting Over: Life 2.0 With God' Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/startingoverwithgod

What do you do when you feel like everything depends on you holding it all together?

In this episode of Starting Over | Life 2.0 With God, Tom Clairmont and Paul Berard tackle the tension many men face when life feels uncertain and out of control. When relationships shift, finances tighten, and direction becomes unclear, the instinct is often to push harder, take control, and try to manage every outcome. But over time, that pressure becomes overwhelming.

Tom shares personal experiences of trying to carry the weight of every decision, while Paul breaks down the difference between control and trust. Together, they explain why letting go is not about becoming passive, but about shifting from self-reliance to dependence on God. They also discuss real-life examples, including financial pressure, major life transitions, and the challenge of trusting God when the outcome is unclear.

This episode reframes what it means to move forward. Direction doesn’t come from controlling every detail. It comes from aligning with God, taking the next step, and trusting Him with what you can’t see yet.

• Why men often feel responsible to hold everything together
• How control creates pressure that leads to mental and spiritual exhaustion
• The difference between letting go and giving up
• Why submission to God is active, not passive
• How to move forward when you don’t have full clarity
• Real examples of trusting God in finances, decisions, and major life changes
• Why taking one step matters more than having the full plan

If you feel like the weight of your life is on your shoulders and you’re afraid to let go, this episode will help you reset your perspective. It offers practical, faith-based guidance on how to keep moving forward without trying to control everything.

Many men equate control with responsibility. But carrying everything alone leads to burnout, frustration, and fear. This episode matters because it shows a better way forward. One that still involves action, but removes the pressure of having to control every outcome. It reminds listeners that God is not asking them to carry the whole load, just to trust Him with the next step.

Like the Podcast? Go deeper with the book on Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNNG1XRB

Share this episode with someone who may need a reminder that they’re not alone. Let’s inspire hope and show that with God’s grace, even the most broken seasons can lead to a beautiful new beginning.

Be on the weekly encouraging email list: tom-clairmont-4ebvan.subscribepage.io

Do you want to know God and receive Jesus as Savior into your life for healing and salvation?

Put your trust in God through Jesus Christ with a simple prayer of faith https://tinyurl.com/asalvationprayer

Join the 'Starting Over: Life 2.0 With God' Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/startingoverwithgod

Full Transcript Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1is_gDKfHpDPInEaiCzujYZa5PFpcM3vx/view?usp=sharing