Faith Over Fear

Many of us tend to judge our most intense or unpleasant emotional responses which only increases their intensity by piling on shame. In this episode, Dr. Allison Cook talks with host Carol McCracken about her latest book, I'm Not Supposed to Feel This Way, how we can gain healthy emotional distance when we feel overwhelmed, and options for dealing with toxic people.  (Check out Faith Over Fear's GodTube Channel: https://www.godtube.com/faith-over-fear/) Discussion/Reflective Questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? Consider your inner critique. How might he/she be trying to help, although in an unhelpful way? How might recognizing the various moments that comprise your complex emotional system help you feel less consumed by them? Consider an area in which you typically feel guilt. Using Dr. Allison's discussion on conditioned guilt as a guide, what emotions might your guilt be masking? What is the difference between numbing and self-soothing? How might learning to name your emotions without judgement help you become more aware of what is occurring within you? What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this episode? Resource mentioned: I Shouldn't Feel This Way: Name What’s Hard, Tame Your Guilt, and Transform Self-Sabotage into Brave Action by Dr. Allison Cook Find Dr. Allison Cook: On her website On Instagram On Facebook On Amazon Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  (Inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.)     Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you experience chronic pain or chronic illness, you understand how impossible it can feel, at times, to hold tight to hope. On our darkest, most painful nights, we can easily feel alone and abandoned by God. Singer/songwriter Katy Nichole understands. In fact, there was a time when she wasn't sure she wanted to hold on and contemplated taking her life. But God met her in that place with a truth meant for us all.  (Check out Faith Over Fear's GodTube Channel: https://www.godtube.com/faith-over-fear/) Discussion/reflective questions: What resonated with you most in this episode? When have you most needed to know you remained held by God? How did you feel when you heard Katy say that it's okay not to be okay?  What might it look like in your life to allow yourself, in your pain, to not be okay? How did you feel to hear that God has good plans for you? If this is hard to believe, share why.  What might self-care look like for you? How might listing tasks or goals in order of priority help you mange your time and energy level? What is one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode? Find Katy Nichole: On her website On Instagram On Facebook On YouTube Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  (Inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.) Listen to When I Fall HERE.    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The stress of the holidays become amplified when we know we'll spend time among dysfunctional people. As Christ-followers, this can elicit questions and confusion. How can we share the light of Christ in a way that feels emotionally safe? Is there a way to reduce the chaos? Carol's guest Pam Farrel believes, often, there is. In this episode, she shares some strategies she's developed in dealing with an alcoholic father and a mother-in-law with significant mental illness. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) (Check out Faith Over Fear's GodTube Channel: https://www.godtube.com/faith-over-fear/) Related episode: Dealing with Toxic People with Gary Thomas Find Pam Farrel at:  On her website (Love-Wise) On Facebook On Amazon Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  (Inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.) Discussion/Reflective Questions: What most resonated with you in this episode? What are some ways you can plan ahead to reduce chaos and stress this holiday season? What might an escape plan look like in your circumstances and what scenarios might move you to enact follow that plan? What emotions might you need to work through in order to move from bitterness and healing? Throughout her discussion, Pam shared how God guided her through her holidays. What is God telling you in regard to how He wants you to engage (or not engage) with certain dysfunctional people this season? Sometimes God calls us to love up close, and sometimes He encourages us to love people from a distance. Which most applies to your circumstances, and what might this look like? What is one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The grace of God and the unwavering love of a praying mom pulled Chad Mattson out of addiction and transformed him into a dad, husband, and musician who now lives to proclaim all the Lord has done. His story speaks hope to those who feel they've fallen too far to start again, those who remain chained to their past mistakes, and who, like Mattson, are learning, perhaps for the first time, to become acquainted with emotions they've suppressed for far too long. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.) (Check out Faith Over Fear's GodTube Channel: https://www.godtube.com/faith-over-fear/) Find Chad Mattson and his band: On the Unspoken website Facebook Instagram Spotify YouTube Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group  (Inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.) Discussion/Reflective Questions: What most resonated with you in this episode? Consider your current social sphere. Do your friends tend to bring out the best in you or tempt you to engage in unhealthy behaviors? When has something fun turned into something enslaving? Reflect upon some of your current coping mechanism. What might it look like to turn to Jesus when working through difficult emotions? What does Chad's story reveal regarding the heart of God? What does Chad's story reveal regarding the power of grace? What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this podcast? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.