Faith Over Fear

Many believers feel torn between loving others and protecting their hearts. We’re taught to include everyone, forgive quickly, and keep our doors open—but Scripture also calls us to wisdom and discernment in who we allow to shape our thinking, emotions, and spiritual direction.
In this conversation, we explore the difference between loving people and trusting them equally—and why healthy boundaries aren’t unloving, but deeply biblical.
Author Becky Harling joins us to unpack what emotionally healthy, Christ-centered friendships look like, how to recognize unsafe relational patterns, and how to heal when relationships wound us. Together, we examine how grounding our identity in Jesus frees us to love generously without becoming drained, resentful, or spiritually pulled off course.
This episode provides clarity on:
why loving everyone doesn’t mean giving everyone equal access to your heart

how to identify safe, reciprocal friendships

warning signs of codependency, control, gossip, and emotional imbalance

how prayer shapes wise relational decisions

what loyalty and long-term friendship look like in a Christ-centered life

how to set boundaries without becoming guarded or cynical

steps toward healing after relational hurt

Resource referenced: Friend-Wise: Practical Ideas for Richer Relationships
Discussion/Reflective Questions:
Where have I confused loving people with trusting them equally?

Which relationships currently strengthen my walk with Christ—and which leave me spiritually drained?

Do I have a small circle of safe, reciprocal friendships where I can be fully known and prayed for?

What boundaries might God be inviting me to set so I can love others from a healthy place rather than from exhaustion or fear?

When I’ve experienced relational hurt, have I brought that pain honestly before Jesus for healing and wisdom?

Who are the voices currently shaping my thinking, emotions, and spiritual direction—and are they aligned with God’s truth?

What is one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode?
Connect with Becky Harling:
On her website
On Instagram
On Facebook
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.

When headlines, social media, and everyday stress collide, anxiety can easily take over. In this episode, Jennifer Slattery and Carol McCracken explore why our minds and bodies respond so strongly to cultural chaos—and how God gently leads us back to peace.
Download the free companion guide for this episode here: Finding Peace in a Chaotic World: A Faith-Based Guide to Quieting Anxiety and Re-centering Your Heart
You’ll hear:
how stress and overstimulation affect the brain

why anxious thoughts spiral so quickly

practical grounding tools rooted in faith

how Jesus modeled withdrawal and reconnection with the Father

why joy, Scripture, and community strengthen emotional resilience

If you’ve felt overwhelmed lately, this conversation will remind you: you’re not broken—and you’re not alone. God meets us right where we are and leads us toward calm, clarity, and renewed trust.
Scripture referenced in this episode:
Proverbs 3:5–6“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Isaiah 26:3–4“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You… The Lord Himself is the Rock eternal.”
Psalm 46:1–2“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…”
Psalm 91:1–4God as refuge, shelter, and covering.
Isaiah 41:10“Do not fear, for I am with you… I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Colossians 3:15“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…”
Gospel accounts of Jesus withdrawing to pray(Mark 1:35-39; Luke 5:15-16; Luke 6:12)
Reflective Questions:
Use these for journaling, small groups, or personal reflection.
When I feel overwhelmed, what tends to trigger my anxiety most—noise, conflict, social media, uncertainty, or something else?

What physical signs tell me I’m becoming dysregulated or stressed (sleep disruption, tension, racing thoughts, irritability)?

Which grounding practice helps me reconnect with God most easily—breathing, Scripture, silence, journaling, nature, prayer, or community?

Where might God be inviting me to “withdraw” from input right now so I can hear His voice more clearly?

What truth from Scripture do I need to return to when my thoughts begin to spiral?

What is one small step I can take this week to pursue peace intentionally instead of waiting for my circumstances to change?

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who may be feeling overwhelmed. And don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps others find hope and practical help when they need it most.
Find Carol McCracken:
On her website
On Facebook
On Instagram
Find Jennifer Slattery:
On her website
Instagram
Facebook
Amazon
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you’ve prayed for peace but still feel anxious, overwhelmed, or discouraged, you’re not alone—and you’re not failing spiritually.
In this episode of Faith Over Fear, Jennifer Slattery is joined by Jamie Hampton, co-host of the Praying Christian Women podcast, for a compassionate and honest conversation about anxiety, prayer, and God’s peace. Jamie shares a season of debilitating anxiety and what that taught her. Together, she and Jennifer explore what Scripture—especially Philippians 4—really teaches about anxiety, why peace is often a process rather than an instant fix, and how God meets us in our physical, emotional, and spiritual realities.
This conversation is for anyone who loves God but feels confused, exhausted, or ashamed by persistent anxiety—and longs for a gentler, grace-filled way forward.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why anxiety is rarely just spiritual—and why that matters

What Philippians 4 does not mean about “being anxious”

How praise and prayer can calm both the heart and nervous system

Why honest, unfiltered prayer leads to deeper freedom

Practical ways to interrupt anxious spirals with compassion

How God’s peace grows through presence, not pressure

Scriptures Referenced:
Philippians 4:4–9

1 Peter 5:7

Download this episode's free companion guide HERE.
Resources Referenced: She Prays Like a Girl: Discover the Joy and Power of Praying Like You (and no one else!)
So Much More Scripture Meditation (podcast)
Hearing Heart Biblical Meditation App
Featured Guest:
Jamie Hampton, Christian author and co-host of the Praying Christian Women podcast, shares vulnerably from her own journey through anxiety and healing.
NOTE: if you enjoyed this episode, visit Jamie and Alana's podcast Praying Women to hear Jennifer's conversation with Jamie on their show. Find it HERE.
Encouragement for Listeners:
If prayer hasn’t taken your anxiety away, that doesn’t mean God is distant or disappointed or that your prayer practice isn't helping. God gradually cultivates peace in your soul as you walk with Him.
Reflective Questions:
When anxiety rises, what assumptions do I tend to make about myself or my faith?

Are there physical, emotional, or situational factors contributing to my anxiety that I may have overlooked?

What does it feel like to hear that God’s peace is often a process rather than an instant result?

When prayer feels difficult, what gentle ways might help me orient my heart toward God?

Are there fears or questions I’ve been hesitant to bring honestly to God? What might it look like to release those to Him?

Which one small practice from this episode—praise, journaling, or honest prayer—feels most accessible to try this week?

Connect with Jamie Hampton:
On her and her cohosts website
On Instagram
On Facebook
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.

Do you lie awake at night worried about money?If financial stress has left you feeling anxious, ashamed, or trapped, this episode will encourage you and help alleviate some of your fear.
In today’s Faith Over Fear conversation, host Jennifer Slattery sits down with Todd Moore, Director of Education at Trinity Debt Management, to talk honestly about financial fear, scarcity mindsets, and the emotional weight money struggles carry—especially in today’s economy.
Todd shares his powerful story of growing up with scarcity, accumulating debt as a first-generation college student, and eventually discovering that financial hardship doesn’t define your future. Together, Jennifer and Todd explore why money anxiety impacts our sense of safety, how past trauma can intensify present fear, and why struggling financially is far more common—and far less shameful—than many realize.
You’ll also hear practical, grace-filled encouragement for anyone who feels overwhelmed or stuck, including:
Why financial hardship doesn’t mean you’ve failed

How fear affects the brain—and why support matters

Small, doable steps you can take right now to regain clarity

How God’s compassion meets us in seasons of financial uncertainty

Why asking for help can be the turning point toward freedom

If you’re facing job loss, debt, rising expenses, or lingering fear rooted in past instability, this episode offers both biblical reassurance and practical hope.
Resources Mentioned:
Trinity Debt Management: https://www.trinitycredit.org

Free companion resource

You are not alone. You are not stuck. And God is still leading you toward freedom.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. “Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548. https://trinitycredit.org/
Reflective Questions (For Show Notes, Companion Guide, or Journaling)
What emotions surface when you think about your finances right now—fear, shame, exhaustion, or uncertainty?How might God be inviting you to bring those emotions honestly to Him?

Can you identify any past experiences (childhood scarcity, instability, job loss, homelessness, or debt) that may be fueling your current financial anxiety?How does recognizing this change the way you view yourself?

Where have you been tempted to believe that your financial situation defines your worth, faith, or future?What truth from Scripture counters that belief?

What would it look like to stop facing financial stress alone?Who might God be inviting you to reach out to for support, guidance, or education?

What is one small, manageable step you could take this week to move toward clarity rather than avoidance?(Tracking expenses, making a call, praying honestly, or asking for help.)

How does this conversation reshape your understanding of God’s compassion and provision—not just for today, but for the future He sees and prepares you for?

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

“When You’re Not Out of Control—Just Tired of Surviving”
In this episode of Faith Over Fear, Carol sits down with Christy Osborne, author of Love Life Sober, for an honest, compassionate conversation about exhaustion, emotional numbness, and the quiet ways many women cope just to get through the day.
This isn’t a conversation about hitting rock bottom or losing control. It’s about the woman who looks “fine” on the outside—but feels tired, flat, and disconnected from joy on the inside.
Christy shares her personal journey through an alcohol fast—not as a self-improvement project, but as a brave act of curiosity and care. (Download the free companion guide for this episode here.)
Together, Carol and Christy explore:
Why alcohol (or other numbing habits) often function as a solution, not the real problem
What surfaces emotionally and spiritually when numbing is removed
How grief, fatigue, and long-buried feelings often point to unmet needs—not personal failure
The lies that grow louder in silence—and how awareness and Scripture can interrupt them with grace
Where Jesus meets us most clearly when we feel exposed, weary, and emotionally honest
How joy can return—not as escape, but as presence, embodiment, and safety
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not out of control—I’m just so tired,” this episode is for you.
Resource referenced: Love Life Sober: A 40-Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
Listener Reflective Questions
Where in my life have I been using something—even something socially acceptable—to soften, numb, or survive instead of truly rest?
If I’m honest, what emotions do I work hardest to avoid feeling—and why might those emotions feel unsafe to me?
Have I been interpreting my exhaustion as failure, when it may actually be information about my soul’s needs?
What lies get loud for me when life slows down or distractions are removed—and how do those lies shape my sense of identity?
How has my definition of joy been shaped by escape rather than presence—and what quieter forms of joy might God be inviting me to notice?
What would it look like to believe I can feel deeply and be safe with God—right here, not after I “fix” myself?
Connect with Christy Osborne:
On her website
On Instagram
On Facebook
Find 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.