Faith Over Fear

Many of us fear that our deepest wounds will permanently define us and we'll never again experience joy. A betrayal. A divorce. A devastating loss. A season that changed everything.
We wonder:
Will I ever be okay again?
Will I ever trust again?
Will I always carry this pain?
In this honest conversation, Carol sits down with her pastor, Jim Kinder, to discuss what healing really looks like and how to live from an identity rooted in Christ instead of an identity rooted in pain.
Jim shares his personal story of walking through betrayal, seeking counseling, leaning on men in his faith community, and ultimately experiencing restoration, a healthy marriage and renewed purpose.
Together, they explore why what is temporary should never define what is eternal.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Why our worst experiences don't define us
How betrayal can distort our identity
The role healthy community plays in healing
What healing does and doesn't look like
How counseling and spiritual growth work together
How to recognize when you're moving from surviving to healing
Building healthy relationships after painful experiences
Practical ways to avoid bitterness
The first thing someone needs to hear after experiencing betrayal
Find Jim Kinder at Orange Beach Church
Find Carol McCracken:
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Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Life feels okay. So why do you still feel overwhelmed?
Maybe you're constantly on edge. Maybe your body won't relax. Maybe you find yourself carrying the weight of heartbreaking headlines, other people's pain, or experiences you thought you'd already moved past.
If you've ever wondered why you feel exhausted even when nothing seems "wrong," this conversation will help you understand what may be happening beneath the surface.
In this episode, Jennifer's cohost, Carol McCracken, sits down with Rebecca Taguma of the Trauma Healing Institute to discuss why overwhelming experiences affect our minds, bodies, and faith, practical ways to calm our nervous system, and how God gently leads us toward healing—one step at a time.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Why you can feel overwhelmed even when life seems okay
What trauma really is—and why it affects us more deeply than we realize
Practical ways to calm your body when anxiety rises
How safe relationships and biblical practices can support healing
Why you don't have to carry your pain alone
Guest: Rebecca TagumaExecutive Director of Restoring Hope Ministry, Trauma Healing Institute (American Bible Society)
Bible Passages Discussed
Genesis 2:18
Psalm 42:1
Psalm 46:10
Psalm 34 (lament)
Job 33:4
Connect with Rebecca Taguma
Trauma Healing Institute
Trauma Healing Basics (Free Resources)
Trauma Healing Institute on LinkedIn
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.

What do you do when someone who hurt you never apologizes, never changes, or never acknowledges the pain they caused?
For many of us, that's where forgiveness becomes most difficult. We know we're supposed to forgive, but we wrestle with questions like:
Does forgiveness mean what they did was okay?
Do I have to reconcile with someone who continues to hurt me?
How do I let go when the wound still feels fresh?
Is it possible to find peace if the relationship is never restored?
In this final episode of our Relational Peace: Loving Others Without Losing Yourself series, Carol sits down with board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and fellow podcaster Dr. Michelle Bengtson to explore one of the most misunderstood topics in the Christian life: forgiveness.
Together, they discuss how unforgiveness often keeps us emotionally tethered to our pain and why forgiveness is about reclaiming freedom not excusing someone's behavior. If you've been carrying bitterness, disappointment, resentment, or unresolved hurt, this conversation offers biblical wisdom, practical tools, and hope that peace is possible even when circumstances never change.
Other episodes in this series:
How to Know if Your Difficult Relationship is Toxic
Healthy Boundaries for Compassionate People
How to Stop Letting Conflict Control Your Emotions
How to Know if Your Difficult Relationship is Toxic
Connect with Dr. Michelle Bengtson:
On her website
On Instagram
On Facebook
Follow her work 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.

What do you do when the assignment God places before you feels far bigger than your strength? Whether you're facing a difficult conversation, an overwhelming season, a ministry opportunity, or a step of obedience that feels impossible, fear can convince you that everything depends on you. But Scripture paints a very different picture. God never calls us to rely on our own sufficiency. He invites us to know Him more deeply and trust that He will provide everything we need for every assignment He gives.
In this episode, Jennifer welcomes author and Bible teacher Grace Fox to explore four powerful names of God that strengthen us when fear threatens to hold us back. Through the stories of Abraham, Naaman, Jeremiah and others, they discuss how God equips His servants, brings healing to the areas that keep us stuck, remains present in life's chaos and faithfully sustains us every step of the journey. If you've been hesitant to move forward because the road ahead feels uncertain, this conversation will encourage you to focus less on your fear and more on the faithful God who goes with you.
Resource referenced: Names of God: Growing Strong: Devotional Study with Video Access
Scriptures Discussed:
Genesis 15:2–6 — Abraham calls God Adonai while waiting for God's promised son.
Matthew 25:14–30 — The Parable of the Talents and trusting the Master's character.
2 Kings 5:1–19 — Naaman's healing and the obedience that precedes restoration.
Genesis 1:1–2 — The Spirit of God hovering over the waters in creation.
Lamentations 3:22–23 — God's mercies are new every morning; great is His faithfulness.
Luke 15:11–32 — The Parable of the Prodigal Son and the Father's faithful welcome.
2 Corinthians 12:9 — God's power made perfect in weakness (referenced in the closing encouragement).
Hebrews 10:24 — Encouraging one another toward love and good works (closing challenge).
Connect with Grace Fox:
On her website
On Instagram
On Facebook
Follow her work on Amazon
Find Jennifer Slattery:
On her website
Instagram
Facebook
Amazon
Subscribe to her free newsletter
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Sometimes relationships remain painfully stuck despite our prayers, countless conversations, forgiveness and every effort to make things better. When someone we love continues in unhealthy patterns, we can find ourselves replaying every interaction, questioning our decisions and wondering if we simply haven't tried or prayed hard enough. Or, we might question our perspective, wondering if we're being overly sensitive and simply need to offer more grace. Yet, we still hurt and our anxiety remains.
In this episode, Jennifer Slattery and neuropsychologist Dr. Michelle Bengtson explore how to accept difficult realities without losing hope, recognize unhealthy relational patterns, establish wise boundaries and guard our hearts against bitterness while remaining open to God's work. Together, they discuss the difference between reconciliation and responsibility, why forgiveness frees our own souls and how we can experience lasting peace even when someone we love chooses not to change.
Scriptures Discussed
Romans 12:18, John 13, Matthew 18:21–22, James 1:5, Matthew 5:44, Ephesians 4:31–32
Dr. Michelle Bengtson book: Sacred Scars: Resting in God's Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted
Additional resources mentioned:
Dr. Michelle Bengtson's episode on betrayal and rejection: How to Break Free from Shame and Embrace Who God Says You Are
How to Overcome Rejection and Abandonment with God's Love
Connect with Dr. Michelle Bengtson:
On her website
On Instagram
On Facebook
Follow her work on Amazon
Find Jennifer Slattery:
On her website
Instagram
Facebook
Amazon
Subscribe to her free newsletter

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.