When life takes a devastating turn, our pain can begin telling us things about God, ourselves and our future that simply aren’t true. Author and pediatric nurse practitioner Jackie M. Baker understands this firsthand. After losing her son Sebastian to suicide, Jackie faced profound grief, questions about what she could have done differently and the painful realization that she couldn’t control the choices or outcomes of those she loved. In this episode, she shares how God taught her to release control, challenge the lies grief whispered and trust Him when life looked nothing like she had hoped.

Jackie and Carol also discuss the unexpected losses many of us grieve—from relationships and careers to health, dreams and expectations—and how suffering can distort our identity and trap us in regret. Jackie shares practical ways God carried her forward, including Scripture, prayer, supportive relationships and daily routines, and explains why moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting what—or whom—we’ve lost. Most importantly, she reminds us that even when we can’t see light ahead, God remains with us in the darkness, offering a hope rooted in His presence rather than a particular outcome.

Featured Book: Messy Mourning: Hope for Mothers Grieving the Loss of a Child by Suicide

Bible Passages Discussed or referenced:

• Genesis 22:1–18 , Matthew 7:24–27, Hebrews 13:5, Philippians 4:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9–10

If this episode resonated with you, you might find "Cultivating Hope to Endure Hard and Fear-Evoking Seasons" encouraging.

Today's Guest, Jackie M. Bake,r is an author, pediatric nurse practitioner, wife and mother whose life and faith were profoundly impacted by the loss of her son, Sebastian, to suicide. Drawing from her personal experience with grief and her professional healthcare background, Jackie encourages others to find hope and move forward through life’s most painful seasons. She is the author of Messy Mourning: Hope for Mothers Grieving the Loss of a Child by Suicide and is passionate about helping hurting people recognize they aren’t alone and discover strength and hope in Christ.

Connect with Jackie M. Baker:

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Find Carol McCracken:

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

Have you ever felt relatively sure God was leading you toward something, only to have it turn out nothing like you expected? Maybe an opportunity disappeared, something you worked hard for failed or you waited so long that you’ve begun wondering whether you heard God correctly or did something to forfeit the call. In this episode of Faith Over Fear, Carol talks with Andy Lee, author of From Failure to Faith, about the difference between God’s call and the expectations we attach to it.

Drawing from Joshua 1:9, Carol and Andy discuss how disappointment, limitations, closed doors and waiting can cause us to question our calling and measure success by results God never promised. You’ll learn how to separate what God actually said from what you assumed He meant, recognize when a change of direction might be needed and how trust Him when the journey looks different than expected. Ultimately, Carol and Andy invite us to consider a better question: What does faithfulness look like from here?

If this episode encouraged you, you might also enjoy: "Courage to 'Do the Thing' with Rebecca George"

Connect with Andy Lee on:

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Find Carol McCracken:

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

When responsibilities pile up and the people and circumstances you care about feel dependent on you, it can be easy to slip from faithful diligence into anxious striving. We work harder, plan further ahead, and try to control outcomes, often without realizing fear is driving our efforts. In this episode of Faith Over Fear, Jennifer Slattery talks with Bible teacher and bestselling author Dr. Tara Dew about the peace available to us when we remember who our Shepherd is and learn to entrust ourselves and those we love to His care.

Drawing from Psalm 23 and insights from her book Overflowing Peace: What God Says About a Peace-Filled Life, Tara shares how understanding the nature and care of our Good Shepherd can help us rest, recognize when fear is fueling our work, and follow God even when we can’t see where He’s leading. Together, she and Jennifer discuss practical ways to shift our focus from what feels dependent on us to God’s faithfulness, provision, and guidance—and why we can trust that the Shepherd who leads us into unfamiliar territory already knows the path ahead.

Resource Referenced: Overflowing Peace: What God Says About a Peace-Filled Life

Scriptures discussed: Psalm 23:1–4, Psalm 131:2, John 10, Isaiah 43:19, Matthew 6:34, Philippians 4:7, Genesis 50:20

Connect with Dr. Tara Dew:
Tara Dew at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Prepare Her / Women’s Initiative
Facebook
Overflowing Peace at Lifeway

Find Jennifer Slattery:
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Amazon
Subscribe to her free newsletter

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