Stories of Hope in Hard Times

Summary

Tamara K. Anderson shared her personal journey of overcoming adversity through faith in God's help, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and seeking support from others. She discussed the role of Satan in causing resistance and doubt, and how God can strengthen and empower individuals to overcome these challenges. Tamara also shared practical principles for finding hope and faith in challenging situations, including praying for miracles and opening one's eyes to see the blessings in everyday life. She launched a new podcast focused on exploring Jesus Christ's teachings and women's stories in the Bible, and encouraged listeners to subscribe and follow her on YouTube for more content.

Outline

1. If you want to move forward with something positive in your life, expect resistance from the adversary. Things don’t always go you planned, even if you’re inspired by God.
2. God can strengthen us to do ANYTHING! Importance of learning to level up, bring in more light and get rid of things that drag us down.
3. God sends angels (both seen and unseen) to help us and support us in difficulties.

Bonus principle:

“Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes.” —2 Kings 6:16-17New Podcast: Bible, Women & BathrobesApplying biblical teachings and women in the Bible.

• Tamara Anderson and co-hosts discuss lessons from Jesus' teachings and women in the Bible.
• Podcast covers modern applications of biblical teachings and historical background on women in the Bible.
• Subscribe to the Bible, Women & Bathrobes podcast for more inspirational stories and connection.
• She emphasizes the importance of God's love and support in difficult times.

Transcript

Tamara Anderson 0:00

Have you ever set a goal to do something and then it's like all hell broke loose to try to stop you from accomplishing that goal? And you wonder, why did I try this to begin with? Why is this so difficult? If you have, you're not alone, I'm going to share with you three key principles of making positive progress, including overcoming the adversary in my personal journey and give you an update of everything that's been going on for the past year as I promised I would stay tuned.

Tamara Anderson 0:37

Welcome to Stories of Hope in Hard Times, the show that explores how people endure and even thrive in difficult times, all with God's help. I'm your host Tamara K Anderson. Join me on a journey to find inspiring stories of hope and wisdom learned in life's hardest moments.

Tamara Anderson 1:03

Hello, and welcome to another episode of Stories of Hope in Hard Times. I'm your host, Tamara K Anderson. And I'm so excited to be with you today. I promised you that as I paused this podcast to launch Women Warriors of Light, the group that God has kind of been nudging me to start for several years now, that I would give you progress updates. And it's been about a year since I've done that. So I apologize that I haven't done that sooner. I have been feverishly working towards this goal. And I am so excited to tell you that we launched that women warriors of light launched on March 28, we had our official launch virtual launch.

Tamara Anderson 1:49

And it was wonderful. And I am so happy that it's finally started. But it's the beginning of the beginning. People are like, aren't you glad it's done? And I'm like, oh, it's the beginning of the beginning. And I have to tell you guys, I started a new podcast. And I'll tell you about that at the end of this episode.

Tamara Anderson 2:09

But first, I want to talk you through some of the struggles that I've experienced over the past year. And I'm sure I'm not the only one who's ever felt that they needed to act on something only to have the adversary just open up the gates of hell, and just try to stop you. That is really what I've gone through this past year, year and a half a lot of fear. He's thrown at me a lot of negativity in my mind. Like you can't do this. It's too big. It's too much. And yes, it it is. It has been very big. And it's been too much for just me, but God has blessed me.

Tamara Anderson 2:53

There have been times that I wondered if I would make it and, and I wasn't sure. Because it was hard. And it was heavy. There were nights when I cried and cried to my husband and just said I don't know if I can It's too hard. I'm struggling with things that I've never struggled with my entire life, you know, and and just the discouragement and the fear factor that Satan throws at you when when you're trying to make positive progress was heavy and oppressive and overwhelming.

Tamara Anderson 3:35

And there were times I really wanted to give up, I'll be honest. And so I guess the first thing that I learned is that anytime you want to make forward progress in your life, Satan, it and his are hosts of devils is gonna want to stop you. You know, it's not any surprise when I pause and think about it that what God wants for us is eternal life. He wants us to come home to him.

Tamara Anderson 4:08

And what Satan wants is he wants to stop our progress. Because that's what being damned means. It means having your progress stopped. If you think about a dam, stopping the progress of water. That's what Satan wants. He doesn't want us to move forward and our progress. And so as I moved forward and it felt sometimes it felt like I had big concrete bricks on my feet. Oh, one little baby step at a time. And sometimes it felt like I would take those step forward and something would pull me back. I learned that when we are making forward progress, whether it's with a goal, or we're moving out of perhaps an addiction or something, anything that moves our life forward in a positive way. Maybe you're going back to school Maybe you're trying to help someone in need that maybe it's a child, maybe it's a friend, maybe it's a parent to expect opposition expect that things aren't just going to open up. And it's going to be easygoing.

Tamara Anderson 5:17

And the reason I've pondered that and said, Why is it so hard and, and things from the scriptures popped into my mind, think of the two gardens that are talked about in the Scriptures, the Garden of Eden the Garden of Gethsemane, Good Things were moving forward. And both of those places, and yet Satan showed up. And they became places where it was tough and tough decisions had to be made. And, and so it shouldn't surprise this since from the very, very beginning of time. It's been hard when we try to make more progress, because we have an enemy here on Earth. But I've also learned, and this is one of the key points to kind of counterbalance that is that God helps us line upon line, precept upon precept, she just told us. There are also growing pains, because where we want to go, isn't who we are yet. And so as we grow to become that newer, better person. It requires a little bit of refining in us.

Tamara Anderson 6:32

So I guess what I learned is that anyone making poor progress, whether it's Adam and Eve, whether it's Jesus Christ is going to experience hard times moving forward, it's not going to be easy, it's not going to be seamless. And I think something in the back of my brain have thought, I am doing God's work, he's calling me to do this. Things will be things will flow, things will be easy. And certainly there have been moments where that happened. But there has been so much resistance. And it just helps me realize that you know, the adversary is alive and well and, and is trying to stop the work of God from going forward as he always has. And he just like he wants to stop God's work from going forward. He wants to stop you from moving forward and me from moving forward and doing good things.

Tamara Anderson 7:33

I loved what one of the gals said at the launch that I had for Women Warriors of Light, she said, Don't doubt in the night, what you learned in the day. And I thought that is so true. That's one of the key things I learned as I tried to push forward was that Satan always tries to make us doubt these impressions that we get these thoughts that pop into our head that are good things that move us forward that allow us to help someone. But and so doubt is one of his biggest tactics, and also discouragement and negative thoughts, those are key things to us. So key principle number one is if you are going to move forward in your life, expect resistance, don't expect that it's going to be smooth sailing. Trust me, it won't.

Tamara Anderson 8:33

But the good news is principle number two, God can strengthen and empower you or me to do anything. I kind of go back to my mantra that I learned years ago, when my kids were diagnosed with autism, that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and I can were there days of weeping. Absolutely. The joy to come in the morning as the scripture promises. Yes. There were times when I was trying to work out complex technology stuff on the back end of our website that we've been building. And I went to my husband and I was crying. And I'm like, This is too hard for me to figure out. I had a website gal that was helping me but you know, it took a labor of love and lots of people working to get this thing off the ground. And I had to help things that were beyond my capacity. I had to learn how to do and there were times that I prayed for technology angels to be with me because oh my goodness, it was hard. It was super, super hard.

Tamara Anderson 9:45

I also learned so another thing that I loved was that God does send angels to be with us. Just like an angel comforted the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane when he was going through I'll be the hardest thing that has ever been witnessed on this earth, suffering and pain for our sins. An angel went and comforted him. And I know the angels came and comforted with me. And were with me in those times, because I needed help. I couldn't do it by myself. Other times, they were people who showed up in my life and just said, I feel like I'm supposed to be involved in this organization, how can I help you? I just thought, Oh, thank you, because I can't do it on my own.

Tamara Anderson 10:31

So God sends angels, and also sometimes he sends angels within our own family to help and strengthen. I know that my kids were angels at times they came, and they, you know, my husband said, Okay, you guys got to help make dinners because mom is super busy right now. And so they would take turns making dinners on certain nights for the week. Was it consistent? No. But it was less that I had to be thinking about and doing as we got ready and launched women word of white. So sometimes the angels can be people in our own family. Or maybe it's we don't have angels in our own family. Maybe we need help from the outside. And I did have help from the outside, I had some key people stand, step up and say, hey, I want to help with this. And others, I had to ask and say, Hey, can you help with this? And they said, Yes, I would love to help with this.

Tamara Anderson 11:23

So God strengthens us to do anything. But sometimes those strengthening people come in the form of both angels seen and unseen. The third principle that I learned for making positive progress was that if I'm going to do something bigger, then has ever been required of me that I need to level up. And so I had to make forward progress as a person, getting rid of things that were holding me back, especially in that battle, that constant battle with Satan. Over the last couple years, I had to eliminate things that were dragging me down, that perhaps brought darkness in and bring more things into my life that were adding light and positivity. And Heavenly Father, God inspired me to know what those steps were, you know, stop watching that kind of thing: Stop reading that kind of book, you need to be reading the scriptures, you need to be doing things that bring light into your life.

Tamara Anderson 12:39

Also, with all the added stress, I had to start an exercise program that was better for me. And, and I did, I had to walk more I started strength training and stuff like that things that I needed to do physically, but I was leveling up in several areas of my life. And because when when we're stressed, it takes a toll on our bodies. And I'm not saying that I didn't have bowls of chocolate ice cream, sometimes I sure did. But I had to level up in several areas of my life, getting rid of things that drag me down, that brought darkness into my life, and adding things that increased my life or adding them with more frequency.

Tamara Anderson 13:31

I remember one particular day, I was really feeling the weight and the pressure of launching women warriors of light. And I was driving to a place where I could feel God's peace and God's holiness because I needed it more in my life. And as I was driving, I often I will put on uplifting music that will calm and inspire and lift me up when I feel the forces of the adversary attacking with greater frequency. And I had a song pop up that wasn't on my playlist that I had never heard before. And it is an old Christian hymn about standing on the promises of Christ, our Savior, and standing on the promises of God. And that song resonated with me. And it buoyed me up and it was like God kind of peeking into my heavy weight and saying, Hey, remember, you're doing what I asked you to do, and I'm going to fulfill my part. I'm going to fulfill my promise that I will help you with this. And so it was little moments like that, that kept me going.

Tamara Anderson 14:58

Sometimes it was a When talking to a friend and talking to a friend about a dilemma that I was facing, and, and sometimes just bouncing it off of people helped me solve the problems. But what I realized in this third principle about how I needed to level up in all areas of my life is that God helps me as I moved forward just inch by inch, and line by line and precept by precept forward. He blessed me with the people that I needed, he blessed me with an amazing advisory board that are all over the nation who have been awesome. He blessed me with an amazing co founder, Wendi Christiansen who has been super instrumental and I could just name several people who I could not have gone come this far without, we had two amazing teams of interns from a local university that helped us with several key pieces. And so I am thankful, I guess I'm here to tell you that even though it's been hard, it is it has been a good growing experience for me. And I'm not saying that I'm done growing, because the resistance hasn't stopped. So I know that forward, progress still needs to be made.

Tamara Anderson 16:17

But I've learned those three key principles to expect resistance. And that even though we're doing good things, Satan doesn't want us to make progress. But number two key principle is that relying on God and the angels that he sends, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. And he does send the right people at the right time. And then the third principle is that if we're leveling up, we've got to increase the light coming to us and eliminate things that are dragging us down. Because that's what's required. As we level up and make positive progress in our lives. There's a favorite scripture that I know I've shared with you before that, that I felt.

Tamara Anderson 17:06

We're gonna take a quick break. But when we get back, we'll have more lessons, tips and things you can apply to your life. Stay tuned.

Tamara Anderson 17:14

Hey, guys, have you started thinking about Mother's Day yet? Every Mother's Day I am looking for a card or something a gift to give my mom, my sisters, my friends. And it's hard for me to sometimes find those gifts. And so today, I'm so excited to tell you about this booklet, The Mother's Mite it's a perfect simple, inexpensive gift you can give your friends, your family, your sisters, anyone that you want to share this story with. And it will be meaningful. It's not just a little piece of candy that they eat and forget. It's something they can read over and over again. Because so often we as women feel alone and overwhelmed and burdened, and like there's so many things weighing on our shoulders. And what I love about this story is that it points us to Jesus Christ in our times of trouble, that he understands us. He loves us knows what we're going through, and he is more than willing to help us bear that burden. And I love that about this story that it gives not only me hope, but it will convey that sense of hope for all of you. So get your copy of it today. TamaraKanderson.com/store, you can order one to 10-20 however many you want, and we will get those to you so you can get them distributed by Mother's Day. All right now on to our show.

Tamara Anderson 18:46

There's a favorite scripture that I know I've shared with you before that that I felt many times and I had to learn to pray for angels and to cast out Satan on a regular basis. Daily surely. But I love this verse in Kings Second Kings for chapter six verses 16 and 17. Is this is when Elijah and his manservant we're looking at the city in this attacking army had completely surrounded them. And sometimes we feel like that in life we feel like we are surrounded by the enemy and his hosts and it's overwhelming and we're like I we're going to die I can't move forward and here's what he likes shoulda told his servant fear not are they that be with us are more than they that be with them. Lord, I pray the open his eyes.

Tamara Anderson 19:45

And so I guess that would be maybe a bonus principle is that when we're feeling down and discouraged and like things aren't not gonna go well, that we pray that God will open our eyes to see you The miracles and the angels around us. There were times when I woke up and I could just feel, I just felt heavy. And I would go and I would write about how I felt. And then I would say a quick prayer and say, God helped me to write things I'm thankful for helped me to see the miracles that are happening, despite all this heaviness. And I would end up journaling, like two or three pages of things that had happened that were miracles.

Tamara Anderson 20:26

And, and so sometimes we need to pray when we're feeling heavy, that God will open our eyes to the angels and to the miracles that are around us. Ah, how's that for three key principles plus the bonus principle of making positive progress in our lives? All right, I promised I'd also give you an update. Well, let me tell you, I have launched another podcast with some amazing people who are connected to women warriors of light. It's called Bible, Women & Bathrobes. And seriously guys, we do record this in our bathrobes at like 6am. It is crazy. But it's a lot of fun. And there's usually two or three of us on there.

Tamara Anderson 21:13

And we are focusing on two things. We're launching two episodes a week, once on Tuesday morning, and once on Thursday morning. The Tuesday mornings we are talking about lessons from the teachings of Jesus Christ. And we started the Sermon on the Mount a couple of weeks ago. And so we've been just taking them just a few verses at a time. And we're pulling from it lessons, we can learn that and apply to ourselves today. So modernizing terms, what does being meek mean, you know, and it's been so much fun. I have some amazing co host, Bonnie Randall. And she has been awesome. And we brought on women from our...

In this quick update I share 4 tips that revolve around a Bible verse I have learned by example which have helped me move forward while moving on to my new project: starting Women Warriors of Light. I also share about a giveaway I have going on right now. More details below.

As I have started working on my new project, starting my women’s group called Women Warriors of Light there is a Bible Verse that has come to life as I have experienced setbacks and yet been given the guidance to know how to overcome the obstacles placed in my path.

Bible VerseLet us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~Hebrews 12:1-24 Principles to Succeed when Upping Our Game

1. Lay aside every weight
2. Lay aside every sin (including distractions) which so easily beset us
3. Run with patience the race set before us
4. Focus on Jesus to help us do all of the above and move forward with faith.

GiveawayI also share about a giveaway I have going on. You can see more about that here:https://kingsumo.com/g/mzfa4b/deluxe-christian-womens-package-giveawayTranscript of today’s episode

Tamara Anderson 0:03

Have you ever felt like you're hitting obstacles when you're trying to hit a big new goal? If so, you're not alone. I'm going to share with you some quick tips today that I have learned over the last couple of months as I have been launching a new company and share with you some personal examples as well as give you an update as well as an opportunity to enter a giveaway where you will win over $450 in items with my new women warriors of light group. Stay tuned.

Tamara Anderson 0:42

Welcome to stories of hope in hard times, the show that explores how people endure and even thrive in difficult times, all with God's help. I'm your host Tamara K Anderson. Join me on a journey to find inspiring stories of hope and wisdom learned in life's hardest moments.

Tamara Anderson 1:07

Hello, and welcome to an update version of the stories of hope in hard times podcast. I'm your host Tamara K Anderson. And oh, my goodness. First of all, thank you to everyone who has reached out since I finished my podcast in January. Thank you for the sweet comments. I feel so blessed to have been able to connect with so many of you on a personal level. Over the last four years as I've been doing this stories of hope in hard times podcast.

Tamara Anderson 1:35

And as I promised you when I did that last episode, I would give you periodic updates. And so today, I wanted to just share with you some quick updates on how I'm doing as well as share with you for tips that I found to help me succeed, as I've kind of been upgrading to a new level, which is starting this women warriors of light company and I am so so excited for it. But I also have to talk to you about some obstacles that I've faced along the way.

Tamara Anderson 2:08

One of the most common questions I've gotten from friends, and from even some of you who I've never met is Tamra, how has it been, you know, stopping the podcast, how's that felt? And there really was some grief involved and just changing from podcasting every week to now focusing on other little goals and trying to get this women warriors of light group started. It has been a more difficult transition than I imagined it would.

Tamara Anderson 2:42

So I've learned a lot about the word patience. And that's really one of the things I wanted to talk to you guys about today. There is a Bible verse that has just kind of been rolling around in my mind that I feel really describes kind of what I've been feeling and some of the things, some of the four things that I've been going through the last little while.

Tamara Anderson 3:12

So let me let me read this Bible verse to you. It is found in Hebrews chapter 12. And it's verses one and two. And I'm going to start halfway through the verse that says, Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily be set us. And let us run with patience, the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Tamara Anderson 3:53

Now, I'm going to start back where I started at the beginning of that verse one. And one of the first things that were taught is that we're invited to lay aside every weight. And one of the things that I found, as I've tried to kind of upgrade to this new company that I'm starting and everything like that, is that there were some things holding me back.

Tamara Anderson 4:22

And I remember one particular day, when I just felt like there was a weight on my chest and I know I've talked about that feeling before and sometimes it's hard to discern. Okay, what is this? Wait, is it something stopping me? Is it something I need to get rid of? Is it something that maybe from my childhood, a perceived belief or something that I've got in there, that what is it that's holding me back? And as I prayed and kind of journal about that weight, one of the thoughts and impressions that kept coming to my mind was that I needed to go see a friend of mine who's a counselor.

Tamara Anderson 5:00

I will be honest with you guys I've visited with her before and she is absolutely amazing. I love her to pieces. But there was a prideful side of Tamara that's like, Tamara, you can do this on your own. Why is it that we do that? You guys, we think it's like God tells us what we need to do. And we're like, oh, no, God, I'm good. I can do this all by myself. It's like, we're a two year old, telling our parents that, no, I'm good. You know, I know, you told me what I need to do. But I'm really just going to do this all by myself. And I'm sure God kind of rolls his eyes at me sometimes and is like, Well, you asked me what you should do. And I told you now, you need to kind of swallow your pride and do it or ignore me, you know?

Tamara Anderson 5:49

And so finally, after praying about it, I thought, you know, Tamara, God gave you an answer, you need to just go and talk to your friend. And, and so I did, I set up an appointment with her and I went, and we had some really good conversations about some of these weights. And, and we found out that some of the weights that were holding me back were beliefs that I had had since I was a child. And and these things these preconceived notions from when I was so much younger, seven and eight years old, and I watched my parents go through some really hard things. Were holding me back, they were weights. As it talks about here in Hebrews, Let us lay aside every weight, sometimes things that are holding us back are beliefs that we've had in our mind from childhood.

Tamara Anderson 6:37

And I'm not a trained psychologist or counselor, or licensed social worker. And even though I've been able to process a lot of things on my own, I really don't think I could have figured out what these weights were that were holding me back, if I hadn't gone and talked to a friend and had her help me process them and kind of look at my younger self and, and tell my younger self, that's okay, and forgive my younger self, and forgive some of the notions that I believed that weren't true, especially with regards to God and him expecting me to run faster and harder than I was able to work hard every day. And if I didn't do that I didn't have worth.

Tamara Anderson 7:21

And so that was the first thing that I really had to kind of overcome and learn to upgrade, so that I could succeed with women warriors of light, or began succeeding. The second thing that's mentioned in these Bible verses, so we have lay aside every weight and then and the sin which doth so easily be set us.

Tamara Anderson 7:46

Another thing that I've noticed the last couple of months is because I want to start this group that helps women become stronger in their battles against Satan, in these winding up scenes before the second coming, in inspiring them and teaching them to put on their armor of light that guess who doesn't want me to succeed? Satan. And so I feel like he's just throwing everything at me the last couple of months. And so I've noticed that when we try to upgrade and do something new and better, especially things that are going to add more light, not only to our lives, but to others lives, that Satan doesn't want that to happen, and he'll start throwing things at us. And I noticed that some of the tactics he used on me, were maybe even little simple ones, like, trying to get me to forget to pray, or don't read my scriptures.

Tamara Anderson 8:43

I remember there was one day in particular, I just got up later than usual. And I think it was about noon that I went, Wait, did I say my morning prayers and read my scriptures today? And I was shocked, because that's like one of my go to habits like, I just do it like clockwork. And I was like, Oh, I didn't. And it kind of shocked me, I think I was like, Wait, what is this? And he just distracted me by keeping me busy with so many other things that I wasn't doing the things necessary to get my armor up and shielding me and protecting me.

Tamara Anderson 9:17

And so often when we're trying to hit these higher goals that are requiring us to step up, maybe farther and higher than we've ever gone before. We'll find these obstacles, beliefs that are holding us back are other things that are holding us back that we need other people's help to process or maybe Satan's throwing everything but the kitchen sink at us will have struggles that will hit us that maybe we've never dealt with before or children who need help or family members who need help and their distractions. And so those are two of the things that I've noticed these last couple of months that I've been struggling with.

Tamara Anderson 9:59

The Next thing that is mentioned in Hebrews 12 is, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. And this one, guys, what is it about patience? I don't know, I thought I had patients before I had kids. And I've quickly learned that that's not the case that I've become so much more patient and understanding of a person, ever since my kids were little and every task I seem to get that's helping me move upward and forward. It requires more patience. And I remember when I was a little girl, my dad said, with any like, project that you that I was going to do with regards to building something, or constructing something out of wood or fixing something in the house, he always said, take the time that you think it's going to take in your mind. So if you think, Oh, this project is going to take me two hours. And he said, take that time and multiply it by at least two, maybe three, or four.

Tamara Anderson 11:13

And I found as I've gone through life, that that doesn't just happen with little projects that I'm doing to fix things around my house. It happens with big projects, like starting women's groups and stuff like that, that, like, for example, starting a simple website. I was like, Oh, I'll get on there. It'll take me a couple hours. And I'll be good, I will have just basic homepage, something like that, you know, and then 6, 7, 8 hours later, I've got okay stuff going. And all the sudden, I'm trying to link my domain name, which is www.womenwarriorsoflight.com. Back with the new site, and it's not letting me and it took me like a week to figure out how to solve that problem.

Tamara Anderson 12:04

And so sometimes, I would get impatient with myself that I was setting these goals and say, oh, yeah, I can have that done on Thursday. And then Friday would come and on glitch would come up and Saturday and Sunday and Monday. And it's taking some of these actions that go with starting this new group or just taking me longer than I thought they would. And so I've had to remind myself to be patient. I love how it says and let us run with patients the race that is set before us. Not getting too anxious, not getting down on myself, when things don't go as fast as I thought they would, in my mind, kind of like my dad said, but giving myself the grace that, okay, it's taking longer, I'm just gonna have to be patient and let the people who are working with me know to be patient with me because I'm working as fast as I can. But it's not getting done because there's dominoes that need to fall one before the other. So that's the third principle.

Tamara Anderson 13:06

The fourth principle is in the beginning of chapter 12, verse two. And I love this one it says, Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. And I love this because it takes whatever we're trying to do, and puts our focus right on Jesus Christ as a perfect example of laying aside every weight, because he took upon himself the cross, and the sin which does so easily be set as now. He didn't get into sins like we do. But because he suffered and bore that cross, He gives us the hope that we can be free of our sins, and looking to where he is that the right hand of God knowing that because he is there, we can be there someday to and that he can help us run that race of upgrading our lives and improving our lives and setting aside our sins and the setting aside every weight that seems to come upon us, and and he can help us get where we want to go, which is ultimately back at the right hand of God right beside Jesus Christ. So keeping that focus riveted on him, What would Jesus do? How can Jesus help me do this kind of yoking myself to him?

Tamara Anderson 14:28

And it's been quite a learning process for me these last couple of months as I have transition from podcasting to building this women's group, and it's going slower than I'd like. But I've been blessed with five amazing college interns who've been helping me start up with social media. And I have to tell you guys that these college interns have been absolutely so fun and fantastic to work with.

Tamara Anderson 14:57

And one of the things that they said they said Tamara Uh, let's do a giveaway. And so I was like, Okay, sweet. Let's do a giveaway so that we can get more traction online on Instagram On Facebook. We just got the YouTube channel up and running this past week. And I just wanted to let you guys know that we're doing this giveaway. And as you share, and you follow on Facebook, on Instagram on YouTube, that you will get more entries into this. And so I'm sure you're wondering, well, Tamra, tell me what you're giving away.

Tamara Anderson 15:33

And so I'm here to show you some of the things and this giveaway is going to be running through March 28. So we're running it for two weeks. It actually launched yesterday, on March 14, then it's going to be running through the 28th of March. And we are giving away. This is a beautiful Minky blanket. And for those of you who don't know what that is, that is a super, super soft blanket. It's like a $250 value. And it's a beautiful cream color with a waffle pattern in it. So that is a beautiful gift.

Tamara Anderson 16:09

The next thing I'm giving away is a Stanley Cup. There it is. And this is a tumbler so it has a built in straw that you can kind of fold down I noticed a lot of the Stanley Cups had a big straw poking out. And I liked this one because it collapsed. It's a cream colored cup with a handle on top. And it's just a beautiful cup. And that's probably worth about 50 bucks. It's hard to find a beautiful neutral color.

Tamara Anderson 16:39

The next thing I have is a $75 Lululemon gift card. And I'm super excited about that, because I know a lot of women love Lululemon.

Tamara Anderson 16:51

And so that is another big gift that we that we have going another gift is a copy of my book Normal for Me. And I'm so excited to give that away as part of this giveaway. It's my journey from grief to peace after two of my sons were diagnosed with autism. In fact, if you have any child with a disability, you can order this free on my website, just follow the links in my store and you can get that another gift is five copies of my mother's might booklet This is an awesome gift for Mother's Day coming up. It's an award winning booklet. It's a super short story. And it's awesome. It's it's great for moms who are feeling especially worn out and exhausted or any woman who's feeling worn out and exhausted and like God doesn't see them and isn't answering their prayers. And it's kind of a modern parable of a woman learning those principles that God sees her and knows her and loves her just like he saw the widow giving her last two mites.

Tamara Anderson 17:52

The final thing is it's this beautiful fine art print of a woman wearing the armor of light. And it says on the sides here the sword of the spirit, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, feet shod with the preparation of gospel peace. And it's it's it's a beautiful piece of artwork, it's framed, it's ready to go. And I'm so excited to share that with you guys.

Tamara Anderson 18:21

So this awesome giveaway, it's about $450 worth of things. And you can enter by going to my personal profile Tamarakanderson.com, on Facebook, on Instagram, on YouTube. And or just look for women worries of light. And you will find it there. You can also go to the website women warriors of light and enter the giveaway from there. We'll have links to it on the website there that you can find. And I'm just gonna apologize in advance. The website isn't where we want it to be yet, but it's coming and it's getting there. So be patient with this is we're under construction. But follow us because we are doing amazing social media things and have been for the last couple weeks.

Tamara Anderson 19:14

We've got mental health Monday that we're doing. We're doing tips on Tuesday. We've got things on Wednesday, Thursday, fitness Friday, we've got tips on Saturday, and then Sunday is always a Bible verse. And so I will invite you to follow us we've got reels that are going up and YouTube shorts that are going up. And so just general, awesome tips for women. And just what the idea and motivation that we can get through the challenges that we face.

Tamara Anderson 19:49

And I'm also going to be doing a survey coming up where I want to find out what are some of the struggles that you're having because one of the things that we're going to do with this women's group is to bring in experts, and have them teach us and coaches how to handle those challenges that we're facing with a perspective of faith. And so, follow us join the women warriors of light group, I'm so excited to be sharing this content with you. And making it a part of women's daily lives because we need each other life is really, really hard. And as we work together, and inspire and motivate each other, we can overcome the challenges that we face. So that is just a quick update...

A few months ago I felt like there was a giant wall in front of me every time I tried to edit a podcast. Here I tell the story of my wrestle with God to try to figure out what He was trying to tell me and teach me.

Episode Discussion Points

• I share some journal entries from October 2022 about how I literally felt sick and ill every time I needed to record or edit a podcast.
• Brainstorming how to deal with podcasting burnout, including reaching out to fellow podcasting friends.
• Reading the story of Balaam in Numbers 22 about his progress being stopped by an angel that his donkey saw.
• Balaam said, “All that the Lord speaketh, that I must do.” (Numbers 23:26)
• At some points in my life I had felt like my blocks have been my own fears, but I didn’t feel that was true this time. I felt like I, like Jacob of old, had been wrestling with an angel.
• I was finally guided to ask the right question, “What is keeping me from progressing?” And God’s answer to me, and how it impacts this podcast.
• “Focus on the peace,” when an answer is hard.

Invitation

If you are struggling with your progress being stopped, take it to God. You may need to wrestle with Him a bit for an answer, find some quiet time to read your scriptures, ponder and pray.

• Specifically ask God this question, “What is keeping me from progressing?” And then listen.
• Ask God to help you see and be able to act on the right answer.
• Then move forward with faith and trust in God and the path He points you toward.

#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #progressstopped #wrestlewithGod #answerstoprayer #prayer #Godguides #trustGod #podcasting

Transcription

You can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/what-to-do-when-god-stops-your-progress

Several years ago I went on a hike with my family in Great Basin National Park to see the Bristlecone Pine trees. What I learned about these trees helped me see more clearly how we can all stay strong during times of adversity.

Episode Discussion Points

• How we visited in October 2019 in Great Basin National Park, and Nathan wasn’t very happy about hiking in the snow.
• As we approached the grove of Bristlecone Pines I was amazed by what I learned reading the placards about these ancient and resilient trees.

 

Facts About Bristlecone Pines

• Some Bristlecone Pines can live nearly 5,000 years and are the oldest living things on our planet.
• Most of these pine trees have been alive 3,000 to 5,000 years. Imagine them clinging to rocks when the Romans, Jesus Christ, Cleopatra and the construction of the pyramids.
• The species are native to the Rocky Mountains and other ranges of the southwestern United States.
• The usually grow at elevations above 5,500 feet and up to 11,200 feet.
• We went and saw the Great Basin Bristlecone pines at their high elevationspiral out from seemingly impossible soil of limestone rock
• Bristlecone pines in Great Basin National Park grow in isolated groves just below the tree-line. The conditions in which they live are harsh (with temperatures that drop well below freezing), a short growing season, and high winds that twist the trees into almost human-like forms along their limestone ridges. Because of these conditions Bristlecone Pine grow very slowly, and in some years do not even add a ring of growth.
• Often they twist into gnarly shapes which makes them very strong and they stay standing for centuries even after the tree dies.
• The Bristlecone Pines grow in rugged conditions in the high mountains and in the middle of desert valleys.
• They have an unusual ability to adapt to their environments
• They can also live in isolation where other species cannot survive

 

3 Tips for Strong Growth in Adversity

 

1.     Grow Slow, be patient, wait on God

Slow down in times of adversity, so you can process change, make time to absorb God’s goodness into circumstance and be able to grow strong—producing the resin needed to resist the adversary who wants you to decay.

• The bristlecone pine is the world's slowest-growing tree
• One tree (which was still alive) had a sample of its core removed which dated back to 1126 BC!!!!
• Nutrients are scarce, slow-and-steady approach to growth,
• Example: Hollow Tree: different tree which is about 2000 years old,
• Grew too fast which made its center more subject to decay—and the tree’s center rotted
• But the tree is still alive in its outer rings—being more wise and slow as it has aged.

Related Bible Verses About Slowing Down in Adversity

• Isaiah 40:31 “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
• James 5:7-8 “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”

 

2.     Adapt to Adversity: Stronger in Christ

Freezing, harsh, remote conditions can make you grow strong and stand the test of time.

• The environment’s combo of tough conditions—especially freezing temperatures, dry soils, high winds, and short growing seasons—makes them resilient.
• This slow growth rate makes the wood dense and heavy, which helps to ward off insects, fungi, rot, and weathering.
• Re: Adversity—The Bristlecone Pine’s “ability to stand for centuries after death is directly related to the adversity of its life.”
• Remain standing for thousands of years after they die.
• They can survive in these harsh environments by storing water in their thick needles and roots.

 

Bible Verses About Becoming Resilient During Adversity

• How do we become resilient in adversity as described in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;”
• Tip from Paul 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

 

 

3.     Prune back the unnecessary

Sometimes during times of hardship, we need to prune things from our lives and focus on the basics.

• Many pines rely on a single tap root and utilize shallow just-below-the-surface roots to chase cracks in soil and sniff out water spots to send nutrients upward. Bristlecones do this, too; they just do it in a hardier way, in far tougher soil.
• Even after a lifetime of endurance, they can slowly start to shut off flow to outer limbs and hold on to the most viable living tissue, for centuries upon centuries, which is part of why they erode into the wild shapes they are known for—and can continue to, after they actually die.
• Often they will die in portions. As the roots become exposed they will dry out and die. The tree directly connected above those roots will eventually die as well.
• The remainder of the tree will continue to live.
• Get my Not to Do List to figure out what you can eliminate from your life here.

Bible Verses About Pruning

• John 15:2 “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
• Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven . . . a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

 

Good Questions to Ask

1. What are the basics you need to focus on?
2. What do you need to prune?

 

Religious leader Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “It is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions.”

 

Invitation

Go to God and

1. Ask Him what you need to focus on during adversity?
2. What do I need to prune?

Then act on the inspiration He gives you.

#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #adversity #tipsforadversity #JesusChrist #BibleVerses #BristleconePines #Resilience

Transcription

You can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/bristlecone-pines-3-tips-for-strong-growth-in-adversity

 

May I share with you my favorite Christmas tradition? Listen as I share with you a little about our Nativity program that we act out as a family every year on Christmas Eve. Bonus: You can even get a copy of the program in the show notes.

Christmas Nativity Program

• Years ago when I was a little girl we began acting out the nativity each year and have kept the tradition each Christmas Eve with our family.
• I share what this looks like and even give you a peek into what our simple program looks like.
• Download a copy of my Bible-Based Nativity Christmas Program here.
• Remember, acting the Nativity out can be as simple or complex as you want it to be, but it doesn’t have to be perfect.
• The purpose is to have fun and to point us to Jesus Christ during the holiday season. He is the reason for the Christmas season after all.
• I testify that Jesus Christ lives and loves each of us! Merry Christmas!

#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #nativity #christmasprogram #holidaytraditions #christmastraditions #nativity #bible #christmasstory #JesusChrist #BirthofChrist

Transcription

You can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/a-peek-at-the-anderson-family-christmas-program

After a move across the country when I was fourteen, Christmas didn't feel quite the same until a knock at our door set in motion a series of events that changed Christmas for the better.

Story

When I was fourteen years old, my family moved across the country from Virginia to Arizona. This was a hard move for me as a teenager and I had a hard time making new friends. As Christmas approached, it was a transition to even see the difference in the weather. It didn’t even feel like Christmas in Arizona.

That all changed when twelve days before Christmas a piece of a nativity showed up on our doorstep along with a note about how this was a holiday 12-days of Christmas gift to our family. Each night after that another piece of the nativity showed up.

On Christmas day evening, a sweet family in our congregation showed up with the final piece of the nativity: Jesus Christ.

This family noticed the new family struggling to fit in and adapt and they loved us with the pure love of God. To this day I am thankful that God blessed and filled us with love because of the gift of another family that holiday season.

Holiday Bible VerseIsaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”Invitation

If you are feeling lonely or discouraged this holiday season, I invite you to give of yourself—for it is in giving that we receive.

Talk to God and ask Him who needs to feel His love this holiday season, and how you can be a part of that. He will inspire you to know what to do.

#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #christmasstory #holidaystory #christmasgift #giftoflove #giftofhope #lonely #JesusChrist

Transcription

You can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/the-one-piece-at-a-time-nativity-gift

Debbie learned from her parents example the importance of choosing to still celebrate Christmas even when a tragedy struck their family during the holiday season.

Episode Discussion Points

• Favorite holiday tradition: buying an ornament the different places they went, and getting one for each of her children too (so they could have ornaments when they got married.)
• This tradition eventually evolved into Debbie getting each ornament out and telling the story of each ornament.
• Debbie shares the Christmas season when she was five years old when her oldest brother died in an accident.
• The miracle that even though the entire town shut down and turned Christmas off after it that they were able to celebrate Christmas every year with joy since then.
• Debbie says it was almost like her mom tried to celebrate Christmas more joyfully after that—but it was definitely a choice for her to do that.
• We always remember those who have passed on when the anniversary of their death occurs, but we can choose whether to celebrate it with sadness or with joy (or maybe a bit of both).
• If you are mourning a death right now and even have a small desire to begin to change that to be something positive, it all starts with a small desire. Then ask God to help you begin that process of healing so you can find more joy and less grief in the memory.

Favorite Bible VerseProverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path.”

This is especially applicable when we talk about losing those we love to death.

Connect with Debbie

• Website: https://www.authordebbieihlerrasmussen.com/
• Listen/Read Debbie’s story—Rediscovering her Self-Worth after Divorce, on my podcast.
• Awesome Christmas presents: The Mystic Trilogy: Mystic Angel, Mystic Lake, and Mystic Mansion.
• For younger gift recipients: Nessumsar Family - Legend of the Crow, Book 2 is Immanence.

#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #death #grief #holidaygrief #holidayhope #JesusChrist

Transcription

You can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/debbie-ihler-rasmussen-choosing-christmas-joy-amidst-grief

Krista shares the story of her grandfather spending his first Christmas away from his wife as a soldier in Korea where he spent a humble and joyful Christmas in an orphanage as he shared a simple gift. She also shares how she has found joy during the holidays even after her daughter has passed away.

Episode Discussion Points

• Holiday tradition—pick any box of sugared cereal for Christmas Morning breakfast
• Krista tells the story of her grandfather leaving his brand new bride to go serve in the Korean War.
• Her grandpa said it was hard to see the little children who were orphaned due to the war.
• Someone in the village set up a little makeshift orphanage in a bombed out village
• He and a buddy would take anything they could and visit the children in the orphanage.
• Taking the hard tack candy from his care package and giving it to the children in the orphanage—and their joy since this was their only Christmas present.
• The children then danced for them in their bare feet and ragged clothes to say thank you.

Lessons Learned

• Be thankful for the blessings we have and never take them for granted because things can so easily be taken away.
• Even in the hardest, darkest days there can still be things that bring us hope
• Allow others to come into your darkness and bless your life
• If you are away from family during the holidays, look for someone to serve
• True joy doesn’t come from decorations, family or lights—it comes from serving and giving what you can.

To People Grieving Loved Ones During the Holidays

• If you feel stuck—it is okay
• Be patient with yourself and allow time and grace as you go through all the emotions
• Don’t pretend grief doesn’t exist
• Try not to be stuck forever. Allow yourself moments and times to grieve, and then say, “I don’t want to be stuck here.”
• Remember the joyful times—Krista wants her angel daughter to know (in heaven) that her death didn’t only bring sadness to her life, that she also remembers the joyful times as well.
• Each Christmas Krista and her husband write their angel daughter a letter and stick it in her stocking. In this letter they make a promise to her of something they will do that coming year to better themselves, serve others or add goodness. Because these are the things that will help them become more like her and be prepared to be where she is in heaven.
• 
  

Favorite Bible Verse about Jesus Christ

• Isaiah 12:2, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.”
• It is a process to truly learn to trust God and have Him become our salvation.

Connect with Krista

• Listen to her podcast where she shares the story of losing her young daughter to a brain tumor here: Krista Isaacson: Courageously Trusting God With Heavy Burdens
• Buy her book Unbearable Burden on Amazon. This makes a great Christmas Gift—especially to someone struggling with grief.
• https://www.kristamisaacson.com/
• Facebook: Krista Walker Isaacson
• Instagram: @kristamisaacson

#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #christmasstory #koreanwar #orphanage #christmascandy #service #grief #loss #peace

Transcription

You can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/krista-isaacson-finding-christmas-joy-when-youre-missing-loved-ones

Rhonda joins us to tell the story of Heidi, who was a young girl in Berlin during World War II and a valuable lesson she learned about Christmas and perspective when things don’t go as you expect.

Episode Discussion Points

• Holiday tradition of having biscuits and gravy on Christmas morning—which goes back several generations.
• Rhonda has been working with Heidi, an 86-year-old who went through WWII in Berlin as a child.
• Heidi came out of the war with hope and resilience—never losing her dimpled smile.
• Heidi’s Holiday story has its setting in Berlin in 1944—when the situation there was dire with daily bombings and very little food. There were no Christmas presents—no tree.
• Heidi and her mother decided their big celebration was they were going to make a cake and they had been saving their sugar.
• Unfortunately, Heidi accidentally put salt in the mixture instead of sugar, so when the cake was done is was awful and too salty.
• Her mother slumped on the floor and sobbed at this point and Heidi thought she ruined Christmas. And unfortunately that was the theme of Christmas of 1944 in Berlin.
• Good interview question for family history: “Tell me about a time when you didn’t think you would make it.” Those are the moments that we learn what we are really made of—those are the stories family wants to hear—how you made it (without sugar coating it), what you learned, and how you leaned on God—and how it made you into the person you are today.
• If you need a good Christmas gift idea—give someone you love the gift of recording their story (even on your phone) this holiday season.

Lessons

• When we have hard times or are going through grief, depression or financial challenges (even and especially during the holidays) sometimes it helps us have empathy for others in their hard times.
• “Sometimes the happy ending is in the bigger story arc. The bright side comes from carrying on and surviving.”
• Sometimes we have seasons where we feel we are losing battles—but keep trying.
• “Whatever you’re feeling right now is okay.”
• Its okay to sob on the floor and then get up the next day and keep living.
• Try to keep a broader perspective in hard times and a hope that things will get better.
• If you are having a good and happy holiday season, be aware of those who may be struggling. Ask God to help you find and help someone in need.
• Be sure to follow God-thoughts to be kind to someone.

Favorite Bible Verse about Christ“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path.” ~Proverbs 3:5-6

Invitation

Ask someone this question this holiday season:

“Tell me about a time when you didn’t think you would make it.”

Then listen and learn from them and their story (and maybe record it).

Connect with Rhonda

• Connect with Rhonda on her website: https://evalogue.life/
• Get the FREE Interviewing Tool Kit here: https://evalogue.life/oral-history1/
• Looking for a great Christmas gift? Rhonda and her team can help you give the gift of a professional interview with a loved one for Christmas—learn more on her website.
• Rhonda is also a writing coach and helped Rob A. Gentile with his #1 Best-Seller, Quarks of Light. (You can find my interview with Rob here: Rob A. Gentile: Lessons of Love from a Near Death Experience).

#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #hardtimes #Christmasstory #berlin #WWII #Christmas

Transcription

You can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/rhonda-lauritzen-what-to-do-when-christmas-doesnt-work-out

Joan shares a poignant story from wondering where God was when she was broke at Christmas time to receiving a Christmas miracle. Enjoy her holiday story of hope!

 

Episode Discussion Points

• Making new traditions that fit your family better (like Thanksgiving breakfast)
• Holiday story being broke
• Praying to God for help
• Miracle that happened

Lessons Learned

• Always trust that God is listening—orchestrating miracles even years in advance
• He knows our needs and will not leave us or forsake us.
• Make or keep mementos to remind you of miracles (or journal about it)
• Follow thoughts (inspiration) when we are feeling stuck, need guidance or miracles

 

Bible Verse

Ps. 91:1-2 "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

 

Need a Christmas Gift?

Get Joan’s book, Fly on the Wall (for 8-12 year olds) about a boy who gets what he wants only to find out it wasn't what he really needed. Find it here on Amazon

Connect with Joan

• Website: https://joanraymondwriting.com/
• Blog: http://aheartforwriting.com

#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #holidaystory #christmasmiracle #holidays #miracle

Transcription

You can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/joan-raymond-god-where-is-my-christmas-miracle