Inspirational Videos

When battling anxiety, fear, and depression, countless people have turned to the Psalms for comfort. In them, we read raw and honest emotion, soul-deep prayers, and about a God who sees, cares, and has the power to lead us to greater freedom. While fighting cancer, guest Becky Harling learned to use praise, often guided by what she read in the psalms, to fight her fear and increase her peace. In this episode, she shared her experiences and the Bible study God prompted her to write: The Extraordinary Power of Praise: A 6-Week Study of the Psalms for the Anxious Heart.

We all have seasons of our lives where we wonder if we have purpose and fear we're aimlessly roaming about without clear direction. In those periods, God may seem silent or His direction unclear. This can create intense anxiety and discouragement. But God always has a plan, is always leading us toward His very best, and is always equipping us for the journey that's still ahead. Listen to hear how He did this in King David's life, and in host Carol McCracken's as well. 

Twice, circumstances could've ended Colton's Dixon's career. First, his record label dropped him, then Covid halted music tours. To some, this might've seemed like an insurmountable challenge, but when fear, doubts, or anxiety came knocking, Colton reminded himself to keep following God, His light. Because he held tight to the promises of which he sings, potentially devastating circumstances actual let to blessing and expansion. In this episode, Colton shares how his faith in God and practice of speaking declarations over himself have kept him grounded in Christ and committed to his calling. 

We've probably all has seasons that left us fighting to catch our breath–and hold tight to our hope. During those painful periods, we might begin to doubt the heart, power, and goodness of God. In this episode, Susie Larson, childhood trauma survivor, chronic Lyme fighter, and biblically anchored writer answers the question she herself wrestled with: Is God still good when life hurts?

Snippet taken from the Faith Over Fear Podcast episode titled "Scriptural Truths to Quiet Fear, P. 1" In Joshua 2, Scripture reveals an inspiring and hope-filled, and sad event in biblical history. We see two vastly different responses to God's revealed power. This is a reminder to each of us–how will we respond when anxious and afraid?

It’s a normal day, and there is so much to consider. Instead of taking so much for granted, maybe, just maybe, we should look at things differently … Daily Devotions @ www.toughquestionsforgod.org

Many of us might know, intellectually, that God loves our children more than we do, and holds incomprehensible power to care, provide for, and guide them. But our anxious hearts can find it challenging to actually release them into His care, and our minds might find it confusing to know what this looks like in our, and their, day-to-day lives. (Scroll down for discussion/reflection questions.)

Bible passage discussed: 1 Samuel 1

by Abe Kosh

Taylor Swift congratulated a couple after witnessing them get engaged during her concert.

Taylor Swift is arguably the most famous and biggest name in entertainment on Earth. Any and every song she releases immediately shoots to the top of the charts, instantly becoming a hit. Her albums consistently sell well into the millions, even with the massive popularity of music streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify.

Tickets to one of her concerts are also hard to come by. The young woman constantly sells out entire football stadiums, with millions of fans eager to see her perform her many hits live. She is experiencing success on a level very few ever reach. That’s why it was so sweet and noteworthy to see Taylor congratulate others on a significant milestone in their lives.

The short 54-second clip posted on social media starts with Taylor finishing a song and immediately mentions the adorable scene she just witnessed. She also states she loves performing when the sun is still out because she can look into the crowd.

“I love, I love performing this entire show in the sunlight cause I’m pretty sure, I just like saw somebody get engaged over here,” Taylor says. “Is that what happened?”

After her suspicions of an engagement were confirmed, Taylor cheered for the happy couple and wished them congratulations from the stage.

“You have no idea; I never get to see that, right?” she said. “Cause it’s like dark usually at night but it’s not right now. So, congratulations! Wow! I just saw that whole thing. Man, that’s amazing!”

She also thanked the couple for choosing her concert as the spot to pop the question.

“Thanks for doing that at my concert,” Taylor said. “That’s a big moment, huge.”

An engagement is always a big, memorable moment for every couple. But that couple will likely never forget that Taylor Swift was the first person to wish them congrats on their engagement.

Genesis 2:24 “For this cause will a man go away from his father and his mother and be joined to his wife; and they will be one flesh.”

Actress, speaker, podcast host and Christian Sadie Robertson discussed how commitment can actually bring you closer to God and His blessings for your life.

Most people find commitment to be a scary word and a frightening concept. Agreeing to commit to someone or something means forsaking all opportunities that would interfere with that commitment. We have no way of knowing what may come down the road, which is why many people are afraid of commitment.

But for anything good to happen in life, there must be some level of commitment on our part. We agree to do this or to be there at a particular time. We commit to being a punctual and hardworking employee when we take a job.

However, one of the most significant commitments comes when we stand at the altar and exchange marriage vows with that other person. We agree before God, family and friends to be with that person forever, through everything, no matter what may happen.

Commitment on that level can sound a bit daunting and overwhelming, but Sadie, on her podcast WHOA That’s a Good Podcast, explains how commitment will only make your life richer and fuller.

“So many people these days are afraid of commitment,” she said. “And because they’re afraid of commitment, it’s keeping them from the blessing that commitment brings, from the fullness that commitment brings.”

Later, she added how commitment will bring you closer to God and allow you to experience what God intended for your life.

“You think that commitment is going to hold you back, but commitment frees you to actually fully step into what God designed,” she said.

Nothing good in life comes without work, effort and commitment—whether as an employee, marriage partner, parent or follower of Jesus Christ. God has blessings for your life, but it all begins with commitment.

James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no fickleness, neither shadow of turning.”

Today Heather chats with Jennifer Strickland, a former model who’s appeared in magazines you’ve probably read and shows you may have seen and worked for designers you’ve heard of. Jen had amazing success in the modeling world but her life was missing meaning and though she had learned how to use her body to fit an image, she had not yet learned how to use her voice. Jen shares her story of finding Christ while modeling and what her recovery from modeling (and the eating disorder that came with it) looked like. She also talks about how a mirror fast showed her what true beauty really looks like (and where it truly comes from!) Plus: Check out the BONUS content on Patreon from this episode!

Here are some other topics covered in this episode “The Model and the Mirror Fast”:

• Jennifer explains how the pressure of modeling is extreme because bodies change every day.
• Jen talks about how she met Jesus through strangers on the street while she was modeling in Europe.
• We talk about how deceiving image can be.
• We discuss the lie of “I am what I see in the mirror.”
• We talk a bit about the behind the scenes yuck of the modeling industry and what it does to young girls.
• Jen shares about her personal struggle with cystic acne and how a world-renowned dermatologist told her that her issues were so deep, they could only be treated by healing her heart and her mind.
• Jen shares how God has freed her from the belief that she has to look and how she’s learned to look radiant by looking on Him.
• Go to Patreon for the BONUS content – 10 more minutes of my talk with Jen where she shares about how she’s navigated beauty, social media, and related issues with her now college-age daughter.
• Plus, Jen shares about how she did a 40 Day Mirror Fast and what it taught her.

I know all about battling control and so does today’s guest, Shannon Popkin, author of the book, “Control Girl.” Today, Shannon and I talk about all things related to how to stop being a controlling woman. We talk about: why women control, how we control, and what some of the antidotes are for control. If you’re looking for help on how to stop being this kind of controlling woman, I hope you’ll tune in to this delightful and informative conversation.

Here are some of the highlights from How to Stop Being a Controlling Woman:

• Shannon and I share our stories of trying to control our husband’s clothing choices (and not in a helpful way!).
• We talk about where this whole struggle with control began, biblically, and how women have been wrestling control since the days of Eve.
• We talk about becoming aware of the things we are trying to control and then becoming realistic about what is within our control and what is outside of our control.
• Controlling our bodies, our food, our families, and other things can have a real (and damaging) impact on our lives. We discuss some of the effect of control.
• We end with some encouragement for moms who have a prodigal child, are trying to raise “healthy” daughters, and more.
• You may want to check out Heather’s confession of being a controlling woman and how it affected her marriage in this blog post.

Why do I overeat at night? Why do I overeat in the afternoon? In this interview with Megan Hadley, MS, RDN, LDN — a non-diet dietician whose advice you will really enjoy–we find the answer. If you’ve been frustrated with your lack of “willpower” or feeling defeated because you can’t seem to stop the urge to overeat at night, then this episode is for you.

Megan shares how she started working with eating disorder patients, how she struggled with obsessing over clean eating and wellness, and how she helps clients learn to fight fatigue and get comfortable with food again. Megan gives a bunch of great tips and strategies for every woman who has ever struggled with wanting to manage her weight, overcome a disordered relationship with food, or learn why they overeat at night. For those that want to be healthy but don’t know how to be healthy with food, this episode is for you.

This engaging and fun interview with Amy Carlson–an RD and Eating Disorder specialist for more than twenty years–will make you smile and encourage your heart. We have a straight talk about what to do if you walk away from the doctor’s office (or anywhere) feeling like you have a mandate to lose weight. Plus, Amy answers the question, “What if I really need to lose weight, or want to? How can I be non-diet or not use diets if I really need to drop some pounds for my health!”

We also talk about how to have a “normal” relationship with food. This conversation goes in so many fun places – I had to make it two episodes! Don’t miss the second part on Tuesday because it will encourage your heart.

Today we talk about:

• “The Holy Grail of Weight Loss” – How an older, more mature dietician gave Amy this surprising secret!
• What to do if getting weighed at the doctor is a stressor for you.
• How to understand where your doctor is coming from if your only mandate is weight loss.
• How to become an expert on your own body, plus
• Some of the unfortunate things we’ve done in the church that put too much emphasis on weight loss . . .

My friend, Integrative Nutrition Coach, Erin Kerry and I have a candid conversation about what 1500 calories a day really does to your brain and body. Did you know that 1500 calories a day can put your brain and your body into survival mode? The concept of the 1500 (or 1200) calorie a diet has been a popular dieting method for decades–but more and more nutritionists, dietitians, and others are exposing the truth that most of us need more than that for healthy brain function.

What does 1500 Calories a Day Do to Your Brain?

Here are a few of the things we discussed in this episode:

• How 1500 calories a day isn’t enough for your body to function well (it’s not enough for a toddler!)
• What making your body run without calories really does to your health (hint: getting skinny isn’t worth it!)
• How not getting enough calories each day can affect your energy levels.
• Why 1500 calories is bad for your brain function
• What havoc a 1500 calories a day diet can cause on other systems of your body (even your reproductive system!).

In this episode of Compared to Who? the podcast’s 7 Minutes of Scripture, we look at Psalm 103 and how it can encourage your body image and comparison struggles. Instead of waking up and cursing the mirror or the scale (or his life), David wakes up and says, “Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name!”

I truly believe that we Christian women who wrestle with body image and comparison issues will benefit MOST from being in God’s word every day. You can’t know what God says about your identity, where your value is, and how to feel your worth in Christ unless you are reading God’s word. I know it’s easier to read devotionals, blog posts, or other things that talk about God and what he says. But, nothing will be more transformative in your life than actually reading God’s word. This series is here to help you dive back into God’s word by exploring Colossians 3 (and other transformative passages)!

There are two ways I like to think about this.

First: Chances are you’d never marry someone you hadn’t actually met, or if you did you’d have a hard time trusting him until you really got to know him. No matter how many friends told you he was trustworthy – you’d need to know that information for yourself. The same applies to God. Until you know him for yourself, you will wrestle to truly trust him.

Second: If your husband or a parent had to deploy for 6 months or had to go far away where you couldn’t communicate–but they left you hundreds of letters, would you not read them? Or, would you just rely on your ability to remember how much they loved you and you loved them? Chances are–if they left their words –you’d be in them every day for comfort, encouragement, and reminders of their love.

This, my friends, is why we need to be in the word.

So, in this new series, I’ll take about 7 minutes (I can commit to under 10 – I can’t commit to 7 exactly!) and we’ll talk through a passage of scripture. I’ll highlight things that speak to me and tell you how I think they can offer encouragement and insight to body image and comparison struggles. But, I’d encourage you to open your Bible and read along with me. Highlight things that stick out to you and soak in the passage.

Today we start by exploring Colossians 3. Oh friends. The Message paraphrase of verses 12-13 will knock your socks off. Literally. This part will stop you in your tracks if you wrestle comparison. I can’t wait for you to hear it!

Do you know so much about diets, calories, macros and food that the thought of talking to a dietician seems a little unnecessary? What more could you possibly learn about food and how to eat? But, today I start a podcast series talking to a specific group of Christian dietitians who are “non-diet” dietitians.

These women are trained and licensed dietitians who have committed their work to helping women break free from issues with food and eating disorders. Today, my guest is Tracy Brown. Her work specializes in helping women who have trauma (known or unknown) and helping them break free from the way it keeps them stuck in eating disorder behaviors.

Highlights from today’s show about body image and trauma include:

• Tracy talks about how we need to be professors of our own experience with food.
• Tracy shares how overtime there is a food binge or “grabbiness” there’s usually a food deficit somewhere earlier in the day.
• She talks about how trauma can come from a family’s inability to know what to do with emotion–not all traumas are big traumas. Yet, they can still cause us pain.
• The connection between HSP (highly sensitive people) and eating disorders, body image, and perfectionistic tendencies.
• Why there’s often a set back after six weeks of progress on journeys to food and body image freedom.
• How promoting self-love is deeply connected to New Age philosophies and teachings that Christians should avoid.

A mother dying of cancer brought her daughter to tears with her heartfelt, loving and thoughtful answer to a question.

Time is the most precious commodity that any of us possess. It’s something that we must use wisely because we will never be able to recover in one minute or second. Time is limited and finite, never to be recovered again. 

Time constantly moves and does not and will not stop for anyone, no matter how much we’d like it to do so. The valuable nature of time is most evident whenever a loved one is diagnosed with a horrible, life-threatening disease or condition. We want to spend as much time as possible with them because we don’t know when it will be the last.

A clip posted on social media captured an interaction between a mother and a daughter. The mother, the text in the video indicates, has Stage 4 cancer. Both know that time is running out, and they are making the most of every remaining moment. The daughter asks her mother questions “before it’s too late.”

The daughter asks her mom, “What’s one thing you always want to remember after you’re gone?”

The mother’s loving, thoughtful and caring response to the inquiry instantly brings tears to her daughter’s eyes.

“How much I love you,” the mother says to her daughter.

Mom goes on to reassure her daughter that after she does eventually pass away, she will always remain with her and will love her.

“And even though you can’t see me, I’m in your heart,” Mom said. “And if you ever question anything, just stand still for a minute and listen and it’ll come to you. We’re together in our hearts. They can never take that away.”

What a beautiful but, at the same time, sad, heartbreaking and gut-wrenching moment.

Exodus 20:12 “Give honor to your father and to your mother, so that your life may be long in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”