Without God's perfect love, we cannot be free from condemnation and the bondage that we all face here on earth. But with God, we can live life and live it abundantly. Before knowing the Lord, Marina was living in bondage. Hear Marina’s incredible testimony and the ways God is using her story now as she serves in the Samaritan’s Purse Germany office. This episode was created by Samaritan's Purse and is part of their On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse podcast content, shared with permission.

Resources:

• Listen to “Fighting Spiritual Battles: Human Trafficking in Berlin,” to hear more about Alabaster Jar and how God is transforming hearts amid spiritual darkness.

Marina Nobiling, director of national programs at the Samaritan’s Purse Germany office, shed light on the current cultural and spiritual climate of Germany and talked about the ongoing Samaritan’s Purse projects in the country. There is an immense need for the Gospel to be preached in Germany and for Bible-believing churches to step up and lead.

“We want to stand for the Gospel. We want to stand for Jesus … And we want to show in our programs and projects what it's like to be with Him; to be living with Jesus.” – Marina Nobiling

Before coming to Christ, Marina said she was not merely neutral towards God, she was an enemy. Marina was in bondage—she battled an eating disorder and anxiety for years to the point of planning to take her own life. But when Marina had an encounter with the Lord, everything changed.

“And I had a voice in my head: ‘I want you to live. And you can do it with my help’ … It was beyond any doubt clear. That's Jesus. My whole life I had the wrong thinking. That's not true. God exists.” – Marina Nobiling

Marina went from believing that the Gospel was an old superstition to knocking on the door of the nearest church, asking to be baptized. She was on fire for God. Marina now takes this compassion to the streets of Berlin, ministering to women who are trapped in prostitution. She remembers what it was like to be in bondage and desires for others like her to be free; to be transformed by the love of Christ.

Life can be hard, and Marina still struggles, but she has something to turn to that cannot be shaken: God’s Word. Marina created a “first aid kit” with Psalms and Scriptures that speak to her when she is fighting lies or feeling weighed down by fears. Her favorite verse, Isaiah 43:1, reminds her that she belongs to the Lord—nothing can take that away.

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.’” – Isaiah 43:1, ESV

If you’d like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground, please visit SamaritansPurse.org.

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In this episode of the Faith Over Fear podcast, host Carol McCracken and guest Dr. Marcus Warner discuss how anxiety often points to deeper wounds, fear-based beliefs and unmet needs for connection rather than simply "weak faith." Dr. Warner explains how past pain, isolation, distorted thinking and spiritual struggles can fuel cycles of fear and overthinking, while also offering practical tools to help listeners better understand what their anxiety may be revealing.

Together, they explore practical ways to calm the body, renew the mind and strengthen connection with God and others during seasons of distress. Listeners will gain insight into replacing fear-filled thoughts with truth, recognizing emotional triggers, building resilience and developing healthier responses to anxiety over time. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by panic, uncertainty or recurring what-if thoughts, this conversation offers biblical encouragement and practical next steps toward greater peace and healing.

Resource Referenced: Understanding the Wounded Heart by Dr. Marcus Warner

Find Dr. Marcus Warner's ministry at/on:

the Deeper Walk International website

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Amazon

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If this episode encouraged you, you might gain additional encouragement from Jennifer's conversation with Dr. Warner regarding his book, Breakthrough. Find that episode titled "When You Feel Stuck and Need a Breakthrough" HERE.

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What happens when grief, stress, distraction, and emotional exhaustion leave you feeling spiritually numb?

In this episode of the Faith Over Fear podcast, Jennifer Slattery talks with pastor and author Tara Beth Leach about how daily connection with Christ helps us remain grounded during overwhelming seasons. Tara shares the deeply personal story behind her book, The Great Morning Revolution, including the grief of losing her father, caring for her mother through dementia, leaving ministry in California, and the spiritual awakening God brought through that difficult wilderness season.

Together, Jennifer and Tara discuss:

• Why anxiety and distraction often shape our days before we realize it
• The spiritual impact of constantly consuming news, social media, and notifications
• How daily time with God renews our minds and anchors us in truth
• What Scripture teaches about wilderness seasons and dependence on God
• Why spiritual practices should remain flexible rather than legalistic
• How Christians can resist cultural formation and develop a kingdom mindset instead
• The difference between building earthly kingdoms and living for God’s kingdom

This conversation offers practical encouragement for anyone feeling emotionally depleted, spiritually distracted, or overwhelmed by life’s demands.

Scriptures Referenced

• Exodus 14
• Lamentations 3:22–23
• Romans 12:1–2
• Ephesians 5:13–14
• Psalm 23
• Philippians 2
• Mark 1
• 1 Samuel

Resource Mentioned

• The Great Morning Revolution by Tara Beth Leach

Connect with Tara Beth Leach

On her website

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

What happens when a respected Bible teacher’s hidden struggle finally comes to light?

In this special feed drop episode from Love Life Sober, Carol McCracken shares the deeply personal story behind a season she hid for years: increasing dependence on alcohol while navigating parenting stress, marital strain, shame, and emotional exhaustion.

From the outside, Carol appeared to have everything together. Inside, she was unraveling.

After an arrest forced her secret into the open, Carol found herself confronting painful truths about control, identity, fear, and the parts of her heart she had never fully surrendered to God. What followed became a story of grace, healing, freedom from alcohol, and an unexpected journey of restoration.

Whether or not alcohol has been part of your story, this conversation speaks to anyone who has:

• hidden struggles behind a polished image
• felt trapped by shame
• feared being “found out”
• tried to manage pain through unhealthy coping mechanisms
• wondered if God could still redeem what feels broken

In this episode, Carol and Christy discuss:

• the emotional roots beneath destructive coping patterns
• the shame many Christians carry in silence
• surrendering control to God
• how healing often begins with honesty
• why freedom rarely happens overnight
• the difference between knowing truth in your head and believing it in your heart
• God’s ability to restore what once seemed beyond repair

Connect with Christy Osborne:

On the Love Life Sober Podcast

On her website

On Instagram

Connect with Carol McCracken:

On her website

On Facebook

On Instagram

Scripture Referenced

• Romans 8:38–39
• Luke 10:38–42
• Lamentations 3:22–23

If This Episode Encouraged You

Share this episode with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe to Faith Over Fear for more conversations that help you move from fear and striving toward freedom and deeper trust in Christ.

For additional support, download this free resource: Freedom from numbing: Breaking Alcohol’s grip

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We've probably all walked into a room and felt unseen, out of place, or excluded. Those experiences can cut deep and leave us feeling alone in the very place where everyone else seems connected with friends. In this episode, Jennifer talks with Dr. Heather Holleman to explore how powerful truths in Ephesians helps us reframes those painful experiences and related insecurities. Together, they unpack what it means to be chosen, included, and seated with Christ and how those realities speak directly into anxiety, comparison, and loneliness. Drawing from Scripture and personal story, this conversation invites listeners to move from striving for belonging to resting in the secure place they already occupy with Jesus.

They also discuss the impact of the narratives we carry, what Dr. Holleman calls “shadow stories”, and how replacing those with God’s biblical truth fosters healing and transformation. Through practices like expressive writing and sharing personal “Savior stories,” listeners will discover practical ways to process pain, renew their thinking, and step into their God-given purpose. This episode ultimately shifts the focus from isolation to mission, reminding us that we are not only included in Christ but also sent to reflect Him in a world longing for connection.

Resources referenced:

Included in Christ: Living A New Story from Ephesians (A Bible Study) by Dr. Heather Holleman

"Embracing Your True Self: Living in Your Christ-Centered Identity" Bible reading plan (on the YouVersion Bible app)

Connect with Dr. Heather Holleman:

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

When someone you love is in recovery, the pressure can feel overwhelming. You want to say and do the right thing, hoping to prevent a setback, yet beneath that is a quiet fear that you might make things worse. In this episode, Carol talks with Caroline Beidler, author of When You Love Someone in Recovery, about how to walk alongside someone without losing yourself, addressing the tension many families feel between wanting to help and fearing they might hurt.

Caroline reframes a powerful truth: God never asked you to control someone else’s healing. He invites you to love faithfully, set wise boundaries, and trust Him with what you cannot control. If you’ve been carrying guilt or living with ongoing fear, this conversation brings clarity on support versus enabling—and the freedom to love without trying to control the outcome.

Resource discussed: When You Love Someone in Recovery: A Hopeful Guide to Understanding Addiction by Caroline Beidler

Connect with Caroline Beidler:

On her website

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Follow her writing 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.

This is a two-part message.

When our worst fears become reality, faith can feel fragile and disoriented. In this episode, Jennifer Slattery sits down with Vaneetha Risner and Angela Mackey to explore how trust in God is rebuilt—not through changed circumstances, but through a deeper awareness of His presence. Vaneetha shares her journey through devastating loss, disability, and abandonment, and how God met her in the place she feared most. Rather than offering quick relief, He revealed something stronger: that His presence is a more secure foundation than any outcome she once depended on.

Angela brings a complementary perspective through her “what if to even if” story, rooted in the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Walking through profound grief and physical trauma, she wrestled with God honestly and discovered that faith is not the absence of questions but the willingness to cling to Him in the fire. Together, these conversations reframe suffering—not as evidence of God’s absence, but as an invitation to encounter His nearness, deepen trust, and anchor hope in His unchanging character rather than fragile outcomes.

Scripture Discussed

• Psalm 27:13
• Isaiah 29:13
• Exodus 3-4
• Daniel 1–3

Resource Referenced: This Was Never The Plan:Walking with God through the Heartache of Divorce by Vaneetha Risner

Connect with Vaneetha:

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

In this honest and hope-filled conversation, worship leader and author Myshel Wilkins shares her journey through 8 miscarriages and the spiritual battle that followed. In the midst of grief, anger, and unanswered questions, she faced a defining choice: allow her pain to distort her view of God or anchor herself in what she knew to be true. With vulnerability and clarity, Michelle unpacks how intentionally defining God’s character became the turning point that sustained her faith, protected her heart from despair, and kept the enemy from stealing her calling.

Together, we explore how suffering can either pull us away from God or draw us into deeper intimacy with and effectiveness for Him.

Scripture referenced:

• James 1:2–5
• Isaiah 61:3

Resource discussed: Arise, Shine, and Conquer: 40 Days of Courage for Women – Listen to God’s Voice and Find Victory by Myshel Wilkins

Connect with Myshel Wilkins:

On her website

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Follow her work on Amazon

Find Jennifer Slattery:

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Subscribe to her free newsletter

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