Encountering God

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Have you ever found yourself in a spiral of anxiety?

When your mind starts to unravel with overwhelming, consuming thoughts, it can feel like things are bleak. But God always meets us where we are.

Earlier this year, my husband got deployed sooner than we anticipated. With a quick ship out date, there was really no time to process it all. Over the years of being a military wife, you learn to be resilient and adapt quickly. When he left, it was just me and all the anxious thoughts that I had suppressed. I knew not to constantly refresh the news, but it felt like a moth to a flame.

When you’re drifting into a black hole of anxiety, it’s easy to just let yourself drift further. But we must also be careful of not letting it drift you away from God, but turning to Him.

When life is all sunshine and rainbows, it’s easy to shout “hallelujah” and rejoice. But when you’re in the messy middle, that’s where you truly get to know Him, and depend on Jesus in a way we never would otherwise.

A great passage to turn to is Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (ESV).

What does Scripture tell us? To praise Him and rejoice in Him, offer Him our thanksgiving even when life feels messy. God is not looking for pretty prayers tied up neatly with a bow, but desires true, honest prayers.

When we choose to actively turn to Him, lay everything in His hands, and praise Him despite our circumstances, a shift begins to happen. Things might not be fixed immediately, but all the noise in your mind starts to quiet and the anxiety loses its power.

I have had some hard days and frustrating moments. Figuring out things in the house I never handled before, managing paying the bills, and keeping up with the car maintenance.

But there have also been small, meaningful joys tucked into those hard days. Laughter after tears, and courage in doing scary things.

A few days after my husband got deployed, I thought to “treat myself” as they say, to some ice cream I had bought that was waiting for me in the freezer. Unfortunately, the way this specific brand of ice cream is made, you either need a strong man to open it or a chain saw. I had neither at that moment. I’m having my own war in my kitchen for at least 15 minutes trying to open this jar of ice cream.

At this point, the ice cream is starting to melt and the top of the jar looks like a lion mauled it. As silly as this sounds, I decided to just sit on my kitchen floor and pray to God. I know that He listens to our every prayer, and I also know that He cares, even if it seems silly to us.

“Father, I know this is so silly, but I really need this ice cream jar opened. I had a very rough week, and I just wanted this boost of joy tonight even if it’s just ice cream. Please, open this jar of ice cream.”

I gave this ice cream one more chance before I tossed it in the trash. Want to know what happened next? The jar of ice cream opened.

I know God is near and that He hears me. It may not be audible, but He’s found everywhere. In the sun shining down on my face, the breeze through my hair, the birds outside my window, people rallying behind me, a kind cashier at the store, and even in the late night ice cream talks to Him.

There’s peace in knowing that even when everything feels out of control, He is still in control.

And that kind of peace that protects both your heart and your mind, is found only in Him.

Come to the Father with all of your questions, doubts, sins, and brokenness. The Lord is a sovereign God who is not intimidated by any of it; He delights in you simply taking the first step toward Him. We’re prone to wander, but He will always rejoice when we return home to Him.

Get to Know Mel Davis

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Mel Davis is a military wife based in Omaha, Nebraska. She writes from a Christian perspective, sharing stories shaped by authenticity, resilience, hope, and a deep rooted faith in God.

When she’s not writing, she’s behind the camera capturing life’s meaningful moments. With a love for nature and a curious spirit, she is always pursuing new adventures and creative endeavors.

If this resonated with you, make sure to check out my conversation with Jaime Hampton from the Praying Christian Woman podcast during which we take a deep dive into Philippians 4 and how prayer can help calm our minds and hearts when anxiety hits. Find it HERE.

Why We Lose Ourselves in Relationships—and How to Find Our Way Back – Faith Over Fear

In this opening episode of our new Faith Over Fear series, Relational Peace: Loving Others Without Losing Yourself, Carol sits down with Bible teacher and author Becky Harling for an honest conversation about the subtle ways we lose ourselves inside relationships. Together, they explore how fear, people-pleasing, overfunctioning, and the pressure to keep everyone happy can quietly erode our peace, identity, and emotional health. Becky shares practical wisdom on boundaries, friendship, emotional dependency, and how Jesus modeled deep love without losing Himself in the process. If you’ve ever felt exhausted from carrying everyone else’s emotions or guilty for needing rest, this episode offers biblical encouragement and practical next steps toward healthier, Christ-centered relationships. In This Episode, learn: Why people-pleasing is often fear in disguise The difference between healthy love and self-erasure How Jesus modeled boundaries and emotional health Signs you may be losing yourself in relationships Why Christian women and men especially struggle with overextending What healthy friendships actually look like Practical tools for saying no without guilt How to love others without carrying their emotional weight Scripture References Mark 1:35–38 Proverbs 4:23 John 2:24 Ephesians 2:10 I think I got them all? Key TakeawayHealthy relationships are not built on fear, guilt, or emotional exhaustion. They’re built on truth, grace, wisdom, honesty, and an identity firmly rooted in Christ. Find Becky Harling:  On her website On Facebook On Instagram On Amazon Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
  1. Why We Lose Ourselves in Relationships—and How to Find Our Way Back
  2. Recognizing and Breaking Free from Harmful Relationships
  3. From Bondage to Abundance: One Woman's Testimony About Learning to Live Free
  4. How God Helps Us Get to and Resolve the Root of Our Anxiety
  5. Calm Anxiety and Overwhelm Through Time With Christ

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Sometimes trust feels risky. It often feels challenging, at least for me.

I’ve always found coming up with ideas easy—ways to love people well, ways to reflect Christ, ways to make an impact. It’s the follow through trips me up.

Because living out our faith—especially in hard, uncomfortable spaces—requires something deeper than grit and determination. It calls for a steady reliance on Christ, not on outcomes we can predict or control.

Unfortunately, there’ve been seasons when fear and self-protection hindered my obedience. I gravitated toward what felt manageable and “safe.” Friendly conversations, familiar people, environments where I could anticipate how things might unfold. Serving Jesus from behind a screen felt far less costly than stepping into the complexity of real, hurting lives.

But I learned that retreat slowly weakens my faith.

Supernatural strength grows within us when we follow Jesus into places where we’re desperate for His help. In those spaces our strength and words feel insufficient. That’s where our awareness of our need for Christ leads us to increased dependence.

I saw this clearly when my husband and I opened our home to a hurting teenager. Her pain ran deep. Far deeper than anything I could fix. Night after night, I listened as she shared her story, aware of how little I could actually change.

Sometimes this felt overwhelming, and I wanted to protect my heart from anxiety and pain. But God didn’t ask me to fix her situation. He invited me to stand with her in it. To simply remain present.

And in that messy, stretching, and often uncomfortable place, I experienced Christ in a powerful and deeply comforting way.

In moments when I didn’t know what to say, He gave me the right words. When I felt overwhelmed by my weakness, He sustained me with His strength. When I completely blew it, which sadly, occurred far too often, He gave me grace.

In this, He reminded me of an important truth God initially spoke to me, through a pastor, when my marriage was floundering: sometimes things get harder before they get better, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t working.

Because He is always working for our good and His glory (Rom. 8:28).

Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd, thereby declaring Himself as the One who leads, protects, and remains with us, His sheep. He doesn’t leave us alone in hard places, our pain or fear. He goes before us, walks beside us, and sustains us when we feel weary and the road ahead steep and clouded with fog.

When we trust that He’s carrying us, our burden feels a little lighter, the path ahead a tad clearer, and our souls bolstered by His faith-bolstering grace.

The discomfort, uncertainty, and emotional weight we long to avoid often becomes the very place where our faith grows most. Not immediately or without struggle, but through repeated moments of choosing to trust when He doesn’t provide the clarity we seek.

That season with that teenager stretched me more than I expected. Yet through it, I encountered God in ways that dramatically deepened my faith. I saw more clearly how He cares, guides, and remains present in situations that feel unresolved and maybe even unresolvable.

When you sense God nudging you toward something difficult—a conversation you’d rather avoid, a person whose pain feels overwhelming, a step of obedience that stretches your comfort—pause, turn to God, lean on Him, and receive all the blessings your soul needs to take that next right step.

Because of Jesus and our relationship with Him, we don’t have to figure everything out. We simply need to fix our spiritual eyes on Him and follow however He leads

Because the Lord won’t abandon you in your stress, overwhelm or insufficiency. Instead, He meets you in it to transform you through it.

With time, as you trust Him to lead you well, a quiet confidence forms in your growing awareness that He is faithful, present, and at work in ways far beyond what you can see.

If you’re presently in a difficult season and in need of hope, catch my conversation with author and YouTuber Kirby Kelly in the Faith Over Fear podcast episode titled, “An Unshakable Hope to Steady Your Anxious and Hurting Soul”. Find it HERE.

Why We Lose Ourselves in Relationships—and How to Find Our Way Back – Faith Over Fear

In this opening episode of our new Faith Over Fear series, Relational Peace: Loving Others Without Losing Yourself, Carol sits down with Bible teacher and author Becky Harling for an honest conversation about the subtle ways we lose ourselves inside relationships. Together, they explore how fear, people-pleasing, overfunctioning, and the pressure to keep everyone happy can quietly erode our peace, identity, and emotional health. Becky shares practical wisdom on boundaries, friendship, emotional dependency, and how Jesus modeled deep love without losing Himself in the process. If you’ve ever felt exhausted from carrying everyone else’s emotions or guilty for needing rest, this episode offers biblical encouragement and practical next steps toward healthier, Christ-centered relationships. In This Episode, learn: Why people-pleasing is often fear in disguise The difference between healthy love and self-erasure How Jesus modeled boundaries and emotional health Signs you may be losing yourself in relationships Why Christian women and men especially struggle with overextending What healthy friendships actually look like Practical tools for saying no without guilt How to love others without carrying their emotional weight Scripture References Mark 1:35–38 Proverbs 4:23 John 2:24 Ephesians 2:10 I think I got them all? Key TakeawayHealthy relationships are not built on fear, guilt, or emotional exhaustion. They’re built on truth, grace, wisdom, honesty, and an identity firmly rooted in Christ. Find Becky Harling:  On her website On Facebook On Instagram On Amazon Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
  1. Why We Lose Ourselves in Relationships—and How to Find Our Way Back
  2. Recognizing and Breaking Free from Harmful Relationships
  3. From Bondage to Abundance: One Woman's Testimony About Learning to Live Free
  4. How God Helps Us Get to and Resolve the Root of Our Anxiety
  5. Calm Anxiety and Overwhelm Through Time With Christ

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When I’m frightened or weighed down by sorrow, what I need most isn’t a quick solution or changed circumstances. I need God’s presence.

When I’ve reacted in ways I regret, I long to feel His love again. When others wound, reject, or betray me, I ache to know I’m not alone. And when life presses in from every side, leaving me unsure of what comes next, I need God’s immovable, personal guidance, gently whispered in my soul.

In those seasons, time with Jesus isn’t something I check off a list. It becomes my lifeline.

I imagine that’s where David found himself when he wrote Psalm 143. Scripture doesn’t tell us the exact situation behind his words, but his prayer reveals deep anguish. He speaks of enemies pursuing him, feeling crushed to the ground, and dwelling in darkness. His spirit felt faint and his heart dismayed.

He doesn’t minimize his pain or cover his hurts behind a forced hallelujah. He brings his distress directly to God, unfiltered. And while he does ask for help, he most longs for connection with the Almighty.

In the middle of his desperation, he prayed, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life” (Psalm 143:8, NIV).

We know David understood God’s love. He wrote of it often, calling it unfailing, steadfast, and something that reached to the heavens. Yet in this moment, he wanted–needed–a fresh experience of that love.

Isn’t that what we all need?

Dr. Curt Thompson, a Christian psychiatrist, speaks about our ongoing need to feel seen and soothed. He once said the human brain can endure hard things for a long time—so long as it doesn’t do them alone. That resonates deeply, because it aligns with what Scripture reveals about God’s heart. He meets us in our pain and carries us through it.

David shows us what it looks like to anchor ourselves in that truth. In the middle of his distress, he intentionally remembers. “I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works.” He looks back on God’s faithfulness—His power, provision, and care.

Presumably, he thought of how God delivered Israel from slavery, parted the Red Sea, and provided in the wilderness. Perhaps he also recalled more personal moments—like the day he faced Goliath with nothing but a sling and a quiet confidence in the Lord.

Those memory strengthened his pathway to trust.

And from that place, David reached for God again. With urgency. Like dry ground desperate for rain, he longed to sense the presence of God.

The apostle Paul recorded similar thoughts in Ephesians 3. He asked the Lord to help believers would grasp the vastness of Christ’s love and be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. His words show a progression: rooted in love, growing in understanding, filled with Christ’s presence.

That’s what I long for as well—especially in hard seasons.

Not simply answers or an immediate escape from today’s problems. But a deeper awareness of God with me.

When we experience that, truly experience it, everything changes.

We are changed. In and by His love.

Why We Lose Ourselves in Relationships—and How to Find Our Way Back – Faith Over Fear

In this opening episode of our new Faith Over Fear series, Relational Peace: Loving Others Without Losing Yourself, Carol sits down with Bible teacher and author Becky Harling for an honest conversation about the subtle ways we lose ourselves inside relationships. Together, they explore how fear, people-pleasing, overfunctioning, and the pressure to keep everyone happy can quietly erode our peace, identity, and emotional health. Becky shares practical wisdom on boundaries, friendship, emotional dependency, and how Jesus modeled deep love without losing Himself in the process. If you’ve ever felt exhausted from carrying everyone else’s emotions or guilty for needing rest, this episode offers biblical encouragement and practical next steps toward healthier, Christ-centered relationships. In This Episode, learn: Why people-pleasing is often fear in disguise The difference between healthy love and self-erasure How Jesus modeled boundaries and emotional health Signs you may be losing yourself in relationships Why Christian women and men especially struggle with overextending What healthy friendships actually look like Practical tools for saying no without guilt How to love others without carrying their emotional weight Scripture References Mark 1:35–38 Proverbs 4:23 John 2:24 Ephesians 2:10 I think I got them all? Key TakeawayHealthy relationships are not built on fear, guilt, or emotional exhaustion. They’re built on truth, grace, wisdom, honesty, and an identity firmly rooted in Christ. Find Becky Harling:  On her website On Facebook On Instagram On Amazon Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
  1. Why We Lose Ourselves in Relationships—and How to Find Our Way Back
  2. Recognizing and Breaking Free from Harmful Relationships
  3. From Bondage to Abundance: One Woman's Testimony About Learning to Live Free
  4. How God Helps Us Get to and Resolve the Root of Our Anxiety
  5. Calm Anxiety and Overwhelm Through Time With Christ

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This past week, I have to admit, I felt a bit overwhelmed. Delayed flights, lost suitcases, books that had to be mailed out, and deadlines that had to be met all left me feeling a bit spazy. I was fearful I would forget some detail and drop the ball on some deadline. Ever felt that way?

Early this morning, after worshiping and surrendering my day to the Lord, I opened my Bible to Mark chapter 9. After I read about the glory of the transfiguration, I read about Jesus coming to a large crowd. The following words struck me: “As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet Him” (Mark 9:15). It was one of those divine moments when I felt the Holy Spirit speaking right to my heart!

The crowd was overwhelmed with wonder. They weren’t overwhelmed by all they had to accomplish. They were overwhelmed because they came face-to-face with the majesty of Jesus Christ.

What does it mean for you and me to be overwhelmed with wonder?

It means we are awestruck by His love. When we really understand how much God loves us, the depth of His love takes our breath away. We realize we never have to feel worried again because God Almighty loves us so much that He holds every detail of our lives lovingly in His hands. We realize His love is so great that nothing can separate us from His love. As a result, we are never alone.

It means we are stunned by His grace and mercy. I never want to take His grace for granted. When I get frazzled or frantic, His grace is extended. When I worry, foolishly obsessing over “what ifs” or “what thens,” His grace pours out on me and reminds me that He is the blessed controller of all things. I can let go of my worries. I can simply rest in His peace and once again experience the joy of His grace and mercy.

It means we are amazed at His righteousness and faithfulness. I can’t even wrap my human mind around God’s goodness. He is so righteous my imagination can’t comprehend it, and He is so faithful that I am simply flabbergasted! His perfect nature compels me to fall on my knees and worship. He is the glorious One in whom there is no shadow of sin or shame. As I worship Him in His glorious nature, my mind is calmed, and once again I experience the peace of His presence.

Friend, I want to invite you to pray with me that we will be more overwhelmed with wonder as we fix our gaze on Jesus Christ. A song that has helped me rekindle wonder has been “Holy Hands” by Hannah and Paul McClure. Don’t just listen—allow the words to lead you to deeper worship and wonder!

This week on The Connected Mom Podcast, we are introducing a new series on how to cultivate a love of reading in your child. Be sure to tune in! 

Friend-Wise releases in February. I am looking for women who are willing to pre-read the book, order the book, and then help me get the word out. If you’re interested in being part of my Friend-Wise launch team, would you contact me? 

Get to Know Becky Harling

A best-selling author, Becky Harling has written 16 books. She is a popular speaker at conferences, retreats and other events. Becky is a John Maxwell leadership and communications coach. She has been a guest on many media outlets including Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, 100 Huntley Street, Moody Radio and the Total Christ Television Today Show.  Becky is the host of, The Connected Mom Podcast and loves encouraging other moms to connect more intentionally.  She loves hiking with her husband, playing with her 14 grandkids, shopping with her daughters, hanging out with her son and having coffee with friends!

Visit her on her website and follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and her Amazon author page.

Check Out Her Book, Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World:

Loneliness is an epidemic, but you can live life with a deep sense of belonging.

If you’ve ever felt that ache to connect and belong, you’re not alone: three out of every five people are suffering from loneliness. No group is excluded—married, unmarried, parents, pastors, leaders, elderly, and teenagers. We all experience moments . . . or long seasons of heart-aching loneliness. And it hurts. It can hurt right to the core.

In Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World, relationship expert, mother, grandmother, and John Maxwell Certified Coach Becky Harling taps into the deep ache of loneliness and shares with readers a rich theology of belonging. Does God ache for us? What does it mean that we belong to Him? How do we establish a deeply bonded relationship with others? What steps can we take to improve our relationships?

Because we were made for God and for community, relational isolation or brokenness is incredibly painful. But we don’t have to live isolated and unconnected. In fact, we must not. Our souls were designed for more. Deeply rooted in Scripture and joined with reflection questions, this book shows us how we can strengthen our relationships and experience deep connection.

Grab your copy HERE.

Jennifer here. Here’s a song that has helped me to cultivate holy wonder of my God–and that I’ve currently been listening on constant replay. Enjoy!

Why We Lose Ourselves in Relationships—and How to Find Our Way Back – Faith Over Fear

In this opening episode of our new Faith Over Fear series, Relational Peace: Loving Others Without Losing Yourself, Carol sits down with Bible teacher and author Becky Harling for an honest conversation about the subtle ways we lose ourselves inside relationships. Together, they explore how fear, people-pleasing, overfunctioning, and the pressure to keep everyone happy can quietly erode our peace, identity, and emotional health. Becky shares practical wisdom on boundaries, friendship, emotional dependency, and how Jesus modeled deep love without losing Himself in the process. If you’ve ever felt exhausted from carrying everyone else’s emotions or guilty for needing rest, this episode offers biblical encouragement and practical next steps toward healthier, Christ-centered relationships. In This Episode, learn: Why people-pleasing is often fear in disguise The difference between healthy love and self-erasure How Jesus modeled boundaries and emotional health Signs you may be losing yourself in relationships Why Christian women and men especially struggle with overextending What healthy friendships actually look like Practical tools for saying no without guilt How to love others without carrying their emotional weight Scripture References Mark 1:35–38 Proverbs 4:23 John 2:24 Ephesians 2:10 I think I got them all? Key TakeawayHealthy relationships are not built on fear, guilt, or emotional exhaustion. They’re built on truth, grace, wisdom, honesty, and an identity firmly rooted in Christ. Find Becky Harling:  On her website On Facebook On Instagram On Amazon Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
  1. Why We Lose Ourselves in Relationships—and How to Find Our Way Back
  2. Recognizing and Breaking Free from Harmful Relationships
  3. From Bondage to Abundance: One Woman's Testimony About Learning to Live Free
  4. How God Helps Us Get to and Resolve the Root of Our Anxiety
  5. Calm Anxiety and Overwhelm Through Time With Christ

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(Note: This first posted on May 18, 2025.)

When was the last time you were looking for one thing and ended up finding something else—maybe something you thought was lost? I know I have.

We were watching a TV show recently on historical world events. One of the topics, called “The Age of Discovery,” was about “The Silk Road,” a trade route overland from the Far East to the West that began maybe as far back as biblical times. Spices were the main goods in high demand in those days. When I heard that, I thought, “Really? Not goods and services that are required for sustenance, but items to entertain our taste buds?” I decided to do some research on this topic.

Once long-distance shipping became popular, the trade routes, like the Silk Road, took to the sea. Apparently whole empires were established and toppled for the love of spices. However, ships that set sail to find and bring back clove, ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, and cinnamon, also discovered lands that had not been mapped before. Men like Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama found the places we now call home.

What began as a quest for wealth in the spice trade brought monumental discoveries that changed the world. History tells us that the Age of Discovery ended when monarchs and explorers believed that most portions of the globe had been explored. In other words, they thought they had found everything to be found, so they quit looking.

My passion these days is to find profound discoveries in the mundane. I feel as though God has something to say to me, and through me (and I’m not likely to have a burning bush or Damascus Road experience), so I figure it’ll be in the minutiae of life—everyday things that will reveal Him and His message to me.

Jesus said, “…Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things [What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’] …will be provided to you” (Matthew 6:31 NIV).  Generally He was telling us not to worry about temporal things, but He also said to keep on seeking. To me, that means I should keep exploring and continue my daily search for the Kingdom. He will lead me to new discoveries during those everyday ventures.  

It is believed that explorer Sir Francis Drake wrote this prayer in 1577:

Dis­turb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with our­selves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too lit­tle,
When we arrived safe­ly
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Dis­turb us, Lord, when
With the abun­dance of things we pos­sess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Hav­ing fall­en in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eter­ni­ty
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heav­en to dim.

Dis­turb us, Lord, to dare more bold­ly,
To ven­ture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mas­tery;
Where los­ing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.

We ask You to push back
The hori­zons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.

If we don’t keep seeking, we’ll never find everything that He has for us. And I’ll bet that we’ll find plenty of spice along the way, as well.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

Nan Corbitt Allen

About the author: Nan Corbitt Allen has written over 100 published dramatic musicals, sketchbooks, and collections in collaboration with Dennis Allen, her husband of 45+ years. A three-time Dove Award winner, Nan’s lyrics and dramas have been performed around the world. Dennis and Nan have sold almost 3 million choral books. Nan and Dennis retired in 2020 from full time teaching at Truett McConnell University. They now live south of Nashville. They have two grown sons and two beautiful grandchildren.

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Nan’s book, Small Potatoes @ the Piggly Wiggly, is a collection of devotionals that reveal the great impact seemingly insignificant, routine experiences can have in our lives. She describes what she learned of God’s providence and wisdom while growing up in the Deep South in the 1950’s and 60’s.

Join the conversation: Are you ready to be “disturbed”?

If this post resonated with you, you might also enjoy my and Carol’s conversation in the Faith Over Fear episode titled: “What’s the Point: Trusting God’s Purpose When Life Feels Routine.“

Why We Lose Ourselves in Relationships—and How to Find Our Way Back – Faith Over Fear

In this opening episode of our new Faith Over Fear series, Relational Peace: Loving Others Without Losing Yourself, Carol sits down with Bible teacher and author Becky Harling for an honest conversation about the subtle ways we lose ourselves inside relationships. Together, they explore how fear, people-pleasing, overfunctioning, and the pressure to keep everyone happy can quietly erode our peace, identity, and emotional health. Becky shares practical wisdom on boundaries, friendship, emotional dependency, and how Jesus modeled deep love without losing Himself in the process. If you’ve ever felt exhausted from carrying everyone else’s emotions or guilty for needing rest, this episode offers biblical encouragement and practical next steps toward healthier, Christ-centered relationships. In This Episode, learn: Why people-pleasing is often fear in disguise The difference between healthy love and self-erasure How Jesus modeled boundaries and emotional health Signs you may be losing yourself in relationships Why Christian women and men especially struggle with overextending What healthy friendships actually look like Practical tools for saying no without guilt How to love others without carrying their emotional weight Scripture References Mark 1:35–38 Proverbs 4:23 John 2:24 Ephesians 2:10 I think I got them all? Key TakeawayHealthy relationships are not built on fear, guilt, or emotional exhaustion. They’re built on truth, grace, wisdom, honesty, and an identity firmly rooted in Christ. Find Becky Harling:  On her website On Facebook On Instagram On Amazon Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
  1. Why We Lose Ourselves in Relationships—and How to Find Our Way Back
  2. Recognizing and Breaking Free from Harmful Relationships
  3. From Bondage to Abundance: One Woman's Testimony About Learning to Live Free
  4. How God Helps Us Get to and Resolve the Root of Our Anxiety
  5. Calm Anxiety and Overwhelm Through Time With Christ

by on

(Note: The below post was taken and adapted from one of my former Your Daily Bible Verse podcast episodes. Used by permission.)

Some days feel super heavy, like we’re lugging around a backpack full of bricks. When I land in that place, I’m often tempted to disengage. To numb my emotions watching social media reels or clean comedy. But I’m learning to “unload” my burdens by turning to God, seeking His perspective, resting in His comfort, and anticipating His care. In essence, to trust Him to be the attentive Father described in Psalm 68:19, which states, Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Most Bible scholars believe ancient Israel’s second King, David, wrote this verse and the passage surrounding it when he and the Israelites were bringing the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem. This sacred wooden chest, which had remained with the people from when they first became a nation, until the time of Saul, symbolized God’s presence and covenantal relationship with His people. 

According to Hebrews 9:4, “This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.”

These items served as continual reminders of God’s faithful care. 

A jar of manna, the honey-flavored wafters that God rained from the sky, daily providing for His people’s needs as they wondered through the desert. As God’s children gathered the delicious manna each morning, He was teaching them to rely on and trust in Him. Glancing about the barren landscape, without a village or lush oasis in sight, their eyes might’ve told them they were destined to starve. But they didn’t, and wouldn’t, because God was their Provider. 

The ark also contained Aaron’s staff, which demonstrated that Aaron and his leadership were blessed by God. This also showed God was invested in their leader, which meant He was invested in them. Although they’d rebelled against Him again and again, He remained faithfully by their side, guiding them supernaturally through a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, and through Moses, Aaron, and their sister Miriam as well. 

They might not have always liked where God led them, but even in their grumbling, they could always rely on God’s guidance. 

Finally, the ark contained the stone tablets God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai, when He was first forming the people into a nation. On them, God told His children, recently rescued from a sinful, pagan, and idolatrous land, how to live and love Him and one another well. 

Then there was the lid of the ark, called the mercy seat, which played an integral part in helping the people retain a relationship with their holy God. Each year on the day of atonement, the priest entered the most sacred part of the Temple, where the ark was kept, and sprinkled it with the blood of a sacrificed animal. Through this, the people received forgiveness for their sins and retained their covenantal relationship with God. 

That was the only way to have their sins absolved. 

Considering all this, you can understand why the nation was so distraught when their enemies stole the ark. And their joy once they got it back. 

Their Savior, Protector, and Provider was among them once again. 

Just as, through Jesus, God’s presence remains with us. Those tablets pointed to the Messiah who alone fulfilled the demands of the covenant. He’s also our bread of life who daily nourishes and strengthens us. And He’s our leader, our good shepherd, who goes before us, comforting us with His rod and His staff. Most importantly, He’s our only means of atonement. The ultimate sacrifice for our sins and the only way we experience forgiveness and a close relationship with God. 

A relationship where He invites us to unload our burdens, whatever they are, onto His strong shoulders. Knowing our faithful, covenant keeping God can be trusted to manage well whatever we give Him. He’ll manage our burdens much better than we can, in fact. 

If this post resonated with you, you might find my latest Bible Reading Plan on the YouVersion app helpful.

When we are hurting or going through a difficult season, we might feel alone and abandoned. It might feel as if God isn’t listening to our cries for help or that He doesn’t care about our pain. Yet, throughout Scripture God communicates that He is with us, sees us, loves us deeply, empathizes with our pain, and still has good plans for us. He invites us to draw close to Him in times of hardship, receive His comfort, and hold tight to His unchanging truth.

Find it HERE.

Why We Lose Ourselves in Relationships—and How to Find Our Way Back – Faith Over Fear

In this opening episode of our new Faith Over Fear series, Relational Peace: Loving Others Without Losing Yourself, Carol sits down with Bible teacher and author Becky Harling for an honest conversation about the subtle ways we lose ourselves inside relationships. Together, they explore how fear, people-pleasing, overfunctioning, and the pressure to keep everyone happy can quietly erode our peace, identity, and emotional health. Becky shares practical wisdom on boundaries, friendship, emotional dependency, and how Jesus modeled deep love without losing Himself in the process. If you’ve ever felt exhausted from carrying everyone else’s emotions or guilty for needing rest, this episode offers biblical encouragement and practical next steps toward healthier, Christ-centered relationships. In This Episode, learn: Why people-pleasing is often fear in disguise The difference between healthy love and self-erasure How Jesus modeled boundaries and emotional health Signs you may be losing yourself in relationships Why Christian women and men especially struggle with overextending What healthy friendships actually look like Practical tools for saying no without guilt How to love others without carrying their emotional weight Scripture References Mark 1:35–38 Proverbs 4:23 John 2:24 Ephesians 2:10 I think I got them all? Key TakeawayHealthy relationships are not built on fear, guilt, or emotional exhaustion. They’re built on truth, grace, wisdom, honesty, and an identity firmly rooted in Christ. Find Becky Harling:  On her website On Facebook On Instagram On Amazon Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
  1. Why We Lose Ourselves in Relationships—and How to Find Our Way Back
  2. Recognizing and Breaking Free from Harmful Relationships
  3. From Bondage to Abundance: One Woman's Testimony About Learning to Live Free
  4. How God Helps Us Get to and Resolve the Root of Our Anxiety
  5. Calm Anxiety and Overwhelm Through Time With Christ

by on

I’m in a season of unlearning pseudo-spiritual maturity and resting afresh in Christ’s grace. If asked a few years ago, I would’ve said I had a close relationship with God and learned to trust in and receive His love. That’s not to say I haven’t experienced transformation in my three-plus decades of actively following Him. But I spent too much time operating from self-reliance rather than the grace He lavished upon me. As a result, shame often overshadowed the freedom Christ promised.

The other day, I happened upon decade-plus old prayer journals. Day after day, my entries read much the same. I wrote how I needed to be more patient and gracious with others, less irritable and prone to “offense”, and more apt to pray before reacting in frustration or overwhelm.

Don’t misunderstand. Those are lofty goals that, embodied, beautifully reflect our Savior’s heart. The problem stemmed from my largely self-reliant approach. I knew, intellectually, that I couldn’t will myself into better behavior, or correct my faults by memorizing and reciting verses.

Yes, my soul needs truth. Absorbing Scripture into the marrow of my bones, as my Faith Over Fear cohost Carol McCracken once phrased it, plays a vital part in my spiritual vitality. But its most significant role is helping me experience the One who preserved every word recorded in my Bible and to teach me, through that connection, how to truly love and live loved.

If you’ve spent much time in church, you’ve likely heard sermons on John 15, where Jesus encourages us to live as closely connected to Him as a ripening grape remains with the vine. The moment someone plucks the fruit, it begins to die; no amount of effort, regardless how sincere, can prevent that.

But what does remaining connected to Christ look like in our typical, often busy and stressful day? And when the chaos of our world pulls us from our figurative prayer closets, have we failed?

That brings me back to those old journals filled with regret, “shoulds” and “musts.” If only I resided more fully in God’s presence and yielded more completely to His Spirit within me, I wouldn’t become emotionally triggered or allow selfishness, pride or fear to drive my actions.

Not necessarily.

We can’t will ourselves to increased healing, love, or faith. As Dr. Markus Warner stated in his book Breakthrough, “… for most of us, willpower and decision making are pretty fickle allies. … While both truth and wise decisions are good ideas, there is something deeper than both of them: our bond, union, or attachment with God. The true hub of our faith is our union with Christ, which makes us one with God.”

For some, this may feel like a soul-crushing statement. How can we develop that level of attachment when past wounds challenge our trust and perceptions? More difficult, how can we break free from lies that cause us, subconsciously, to approach God from a “pass-fail” mentality where we feel close to Him when we’re doing the right things and distant when we’ve messed up?

In those moments, has He truly withdrawn from us, or are we interpreting our expectations as reality? How can we possibly see His heart accurately, and receive His grace, in that mentally skewed place?

By turning to Him, as best we can, as often as we can, trusting Him to lead, heal and transform. By relinquishing false notions of instant, or even quick, healing and transformation. And lastly, by resisting our often deeply ingrained beliefs that we earn His love and grace through right behavior and instead allowing Him to teach us what true, holy relationship looks like.

If shame, rather than a desire for deeper connection, tends to drive your spiritual disciplines and your inner narrative gets stuck on what you should and shouldn’t do, rather than reflecting on how deeply you’re loved, you might find the following resources helpful:

Breakthrough!: 5 Essential Strategies for Freedom, Healing, and Wholeness by Dr. Marcus Warner

The Emmanuel Promise: Discovering the Security of a Life Held by God by Summer Joy Gross.

Why We Lose Ourselves in Relationships—and How to Find Our Way Back – Faith Over Fear

In this opening episode of our new Faith Over Fear series, Relational Peace: Loving Others Without Losing Yourself, Carol sits down with Bible teacher and author Becky Harling for an honest conversation about the subtle ways we lose ourselves inside relationships. Together, they explore how fear, people-pleasing, overfunctioning, and the pressure to keep everyone happy can quietly erode our peace, identity, and emotional health. Becky shares practical wisdom on boundaries, friendship, emotional dependency, and how Jesus modeled deep love without losing Himself in the process. If you’ve ever felt exhausted from carrying everyone else’s emotions or guilty for needing rest, this episode offers biblical encouragement and practical next steps toward healthier, Christ-centered relationships. In This Episode, learn: Why people-pleasing is often fear in disguise The difference between healthy love and self-erasure How Jesus modeled boundaries and emotional health Signs you may be losing yourself in relationships Why Christian women and men especially struggle with overextending What healthy friendships actually look like Practical tools for saying no without guilt How to love others without carrying their emotional weight Scripture References Mark 1:35–38 Proverbs 4:23 John 2:24 Ephesians 2:10 I think I got them all? Key TakeawayHealthy relationships are not built on fear, guilt, or emotional exhaustion. They’re built on truth, grace, wisdom, honesty, and an identity firmly rooted in Christ. Find Becky Harling:  On her website On Facebook On Instagram On Amazon Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
  1. Why We Lose Ourselves in Relationships—and How to Find Our Way Back
  2. Recognizing and Breaking Free from Harmful Relationships
  3. From Bondage to Abundance: One Woman's Testimony About Learning to Live Free
  4. How God Helps Us Get to and Resolve the Root of Our Anxiety
  5. Calm Anxiety and Overwhelm Through Time With Christ

by on

I never want to be one who doubts someone else’s gift or becomes resistant to God’s Holy Spirit. But Scripture also tells us that not everything we hear truly comes from Him. If this has left you wondering how we can know when a “word” comes from God or human pride and sin, you’ll gain encouragement from today’s post by guest blogger, A. C. Williams.

When “Prophets” Lie to You

by A. C. Williams

How is your sense of direction? I can’t find my way out of a paper bag without help. But every now and then, I’ll get to drive somewhere familiar. In those instances, as long as the landmarks haven’t changed, I can find my way just fine.

But I’m still monstrously insecure about it, so anyone sitting in my passenger seat can change my mind if they question the route I’m taking.  I’ve grown in confidence now, but it doesn’t take much for someone to make me question the direction I’m going.

The Bible tells us a challenging story about misdirection in 1 Kings 13. You really need the whole chapter to get the context, but for brevity’s sake, God sent a prophet to King Jeroboam to tell him to straighten up. He was the first king of the divided kingdom of Israel, leader of the ten tribes in the north (1 Kings 12:20).

This prophet, who remains unnamed, is righteous and careful to obey God’s Word in everything he does. So when multiple people invite him to stay and eat a meal, he declines. Why? Because God told him not to eat or drink anything there (1 Kings 13:8-10).

And that’s where the plot thickens. Another prophet enters the story, an older prophet. He’s also unnamed, but we know he comes from Bethel. This guy chases the first prophet down and invites him to a meal. As you would expect, the first prophet declines.

But then the old prophet throws a curveball: He claims an angel of the Lord gave the first prophet permission to eat with him.

Why would the first prophet doubt his claim? He is a prophet, after all. So he goes. He eats. And then God declares that he will die because he disobeyed. And he does.

Yup. You guessed it. The old prophet lied to him. No angel had come to him. God hadn’t changed His mind. And both prophets faced the consequences.

This is a hard story to swallow, I think, because it’s triggering. How many of us have experienced something similar? We submit to spiritual abuse in a church because a respected elder claims it’s God’s will. We hand over our authority to connect with God personally because a pastor or priest tells us we need an intermediary other than Jesus.

I wish it weren’t the case, but for all of us, someone we consider a spiritual mentor or leader in our lives will likely lie to us. Only God knows why, and that’s between Him and that leader.

But what does that mean for us? Should we question everything we are told about Scripture and how to apply it to our lives?

Honestly? Yes.

There’s nothing wrong with having a spiritual leader you respect, whose teachings speak to you. But never allow a spiritual leader’s interpretation of Scripture to contradict Scripture itself. The only way to do that is to know what the Bible says, to understand who God is, and to trust God’s Word and His Spirit more than what any man or woman tells you.

Anyone—man, woman, or even angel—who asks you to trust their word more than what is written in the Bible is lying to you. For whatever reason, some people twist God’s Truth to manipulate others. We need to be aware of this so we aren’t fooled when they try that on us.

Be confident in Scripture. Know God Himself. And don’t be fooled by the pretenders who only want to control you.

About the author: A.C. Williams is a coffee-drinking, sushi-eating, story-telling nerd who loves cats, country living, and all things Japanese. She’d rather be barefoot, and if she isn’t, her socks won’t match. An AWSA Golden Scrolls finalist and an editor at Uncommon Universes Press, she believes that God works miracles through stories. Learn more about her coaching services at www.amycwilliams.com and subscribe to her daily devotional emails at www.alwayspeachy.com. Amy is offering a special: the first seven days free, then $5/month. https://acwilliams.substack.com/arisedaily

Why We Lose Ourselves in Relationships—and How to Find Our Way Back – Faith Over Fear

In this opening episode of our new Faith Over Fear series, Relational Peace: Loving Others Without Losing Yourself, Carol sits down with Bible teacher and author Becky Harling for an honest conversation about the subtle ways we lose ourselves inside relationships. Together, they explore how fear, people-pleasing, overfunctioning, and the pressure to keep everyone happy can quietly erode our peace, identity, and emotional health. Becky shares practical wisdom on boundaries, friendship, emotional dependency, and how Jesus modeled deep love without losing Himself in the process. If you’ve ever felt exhausted from carrying everyone else’s emotions or guilty for needing rest, this episode offers biblical encouragement and practical next steps toward healthier, Christ-centered relationships. In This Episode, learn: Why people-pleasing is often fear in disguise The difference between healthy love and self-erasure How Jesus modeled boundaries and emotional health Signs you may be losing yourself in relationships Why Christian women and men especially struggle with overextending What healthy friendships actually look like Practical tools for saying no without guilt How to love others without carrying their emotional weight Scripture References Mark 1:35–38 Proverbs 4:23 John 2:24 Ephesians 2:10 I think I got them all? Key TakeawayHealthy relationships are not built on fear, guilt, or emotional exhaustion. They’re built on truth, grace, wisdom, honesty, and an identity firmly rooted in Christ. Find Becky Harling:  On her website On Facebook On Instagram On Amazon Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
  1. Why We Lose Ourselves in Relationships—and How to Find Our Way Back
  2. Recognizing and Breaking Free from Harmful Relationships
  3. From Bondage to Abundance: One Woman's Testimony About Learning to Live Free
  4. How God Helps Us Get to and Resolve the Root of Our Anxiety
  5. Calm Anxiety and Overwhelm Through Time With Christ