What does perseverance actually look like when you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or honestly just ready to quit?

In this episode, I sit down with my friend, Kaitlin Chappell Rogers, author of She Just Won’t Quit: Embracing the Practice of Everyday Perseverance, for an incredibly honest conversation about faith, freedom, mental health, burnout, motherhood, calling, and what it really means to keep going.

Kaitlin shares her journey from trying to be “good enough” for God to understanding that Jesus is our righteousness and freedom isn’t something we earn.

We also talk very openly about her battles with depression and anxiety, therapy, medication, asking for help, and why perseverance does not mean pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and handling everything alone.

Sometimes perseverance looks much smaller.

Getting out of bed.

Calling someone you trust.

Opening your Bible for five minutes.

Taking the next right step.

Kaitlin also reminds us that nobody is actually doing it all, no matter what social media makes it look like. God created us with limitations so we would depend on Him—and He gives us what we need for today.

You do not have to have a big, loud life to make an impact.

Stay where God has called you. Take the next step. And don’t quit.

Bio:

Kaitlin Chappell Rogers is a former broadcast news reporter and NASA social media specialist who now hosts “The Comeback Couch Podcast,” diving into the stories of those who have faced major setbacks and experienced comebacks. Kaitlin is a proud wife and mom to three little boys. She is on staff with Proverbs 31 Ministries as a social media coordinator and discusses her faith as a monthly guest on WAFF 48 News Tennessee Valley Living in a segment called "Candid with Kaitlin." She has contributed to “Her View from Home” and other digital outlets and is a dynamic speaker at women's events and conferences. She is passionate about seeing women live freely in the love of God.

Anchor Verses:

Revelation 12:11

Romans 8:28

Connect with Kaitlin:

Website: https://www.kaitlinchappellrogers.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kaitlinchappellrogers/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/kaitlinchappellrogers

**If you are tired, burned out, comparing your life to someone else’s, or wondering if you have what it takes to keep going, this conversation is for you. And if this episode encourages you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that they are not alone.**

***Anchored in His Promises Women’s Workshop — November 14, 2026

Join us for a powerful day of worship, encouragement, connection, and truth as we remind our hearts that God is faithful to every promise He makes. Anchored in His Promises is happening Saturday, November 14, from 9:00 AM–3:30 PM, featuring incredible speakers, practical teaching, and time to dig deeper into what it means to hold onto God’s promises no matter what season you are in.

Learn more and grab your ticket at Anchored in His Promises Women's Workshop

You guys, Wendy Speake is back!

Wendy first joined me way back on Episode 99 to talk about The 40-Day Feast, and almost 300 episodes later, we are sitting down again to talk about her newest book, A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving: 30 Days of Rejoicing in God's Goodness.

And this conversation challenged me in the best way. How often do we come to God with our list?

God, help me.
God, fix this.
God, provide.
God, change this situation.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking God for what we need. But what might happen in our hearts if, for a season, we set down the asking and simply focused on who God is and why He is worthy of our praise?

Wendy and I talk about her “Ask Fast,” choosing praise when it doesn't come naturally, walking honestly through life, resisting the temptation to spiritually bypass our pain, and why authenticity matters in our relationship with God.

We also talk about gratitude in seasons of loss, the importance of community, and how Scripture can reorient our hearts when circumstances haven't changed.

One of my favorite reminders from this conversation?

If all you have is Jesus, anchor there.

Whether praise is overflowing today or it takes every bit of strength you have to offer it, God is still worthy.

Listen now to this episode of the Anchored by the Sword Podcast.

Bio:

Whether on the stage or on the page, Wendy Speake ministers to women’s hearts through storytelling and biblical life application. With a background in Hollywood as a trained actress, she couples the power of God’s Word with personal testimony. Known for the uncanny way she meets women in their most common struggles, from sugar-addiction and mommy-anger to deep soul-sadness, Wendy uses every opportunity to point readers to the transforming power of God’s Word and the faithful nearness of His Holy Spirit.

Wendy is the author of multiple books, including The 40-Day Sugar Fast, The 40-Day Social Media Fast, and The 40-Day Feast. She’s also coauthor of the popular parenting books, Triggers, Parenting Scripts, and Life Creative.

Though originally a California girl, Wendy now lives in the great state of Texas. When she isn’t ministering to others, Wendy enjoys gardening, taking walks in her neighborhood, and fixing meals for family and friends.

Anchor Verses:

Psalm 100

Psalm 119:11

Hebrews 13:15

Connect with Wendy:

Website: https://wendyspeake.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/wendy_speake

FB: https://www.facebook.com/WendyJSpeake/

**And if this conversation encourages you, please rate, review and share it with someone who needs this reminder today. Also, head to Wendy’s website to sign up for a special 30-Day group she is leading through the month of November to focus on giving God our Praise and Thanksgiving.**

***Anchored in His Promises Women’s Workshop — November 14, 2026

Join us for a powerful day of worship, encouragement, connection, and truth as we remind our hearts that God is faithful to every promise He makes. Anchored in His Promises is happening Saturday, November 14, from 9:00 AM–3:30 PM, featuring incredible speakers, practical teaching, and time to dig deeper into what it means to hold onto God’s promises no matter what season you are in.

Learn more and grab your ticket at Anchored in His Promises Women's Workshop

Have you ever reached the point where you realized, “God, I cannot do this in my own strength”?

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Stephanie Parker for a powerful conversation about surrender, grief, obedience and trusting God when life does not go the way we expected.

Stephanie shares how her faith became personal during a difficult season when she committed to spending an hour a day in God’s Word for a year with a simple prayer: “God, change me.” That decision transformed her life.

We talk about walking through the loss of a child, losing her dad, releasing control and learning that real freedom is not found in trying harder or carrying everything ourselves.

It is found in remembering that He is able, even when we are not.

Stephanie also shares how God opened unexpected doors in her life — from entrepreneurship and Shark Tank to acting in faith-based films including LifeMark and Disciples in the Moonlight.

If you are in a season of waiting, grief, surrender or wondering what God is doing with your story, this conversation will encourage you to keep trusting Him.

Bio:

Stephanie Parker is an actress, writer, producer, and lifelong storyteller with a heart for using film to entertain, connect, and point people toward something deeper.

Her acting credits include Disciples in the Moonlight, Lifemark, Divine Influencer, Shark Tank, among others. She has worked across film and television, with many of her projects living at the intersection of compelling storytelling and faith.

A devoted follower of Jesus, Stephanie is passionate about the place where faith, creativity, and real life collide. She believes some of the most powerful stories aren't the ones that tie everything up neatly, but the ones willing to wrestle honestly with disappointment, loss, relationships, doubt, healing, and the unexpected ways God meets us in the middle of them.

Stephanie's own journey has given her an even deeper appreciation for storytelling in recent years. Through seasons of significant personal change, she has continued pursuing acting and creating while learning what it looks like to trust God when the story doesn't unfold the way you expected.

Whether she's acting, writing, producing, or sitting around a table talking about Jesus, Stephanie hopes to tell honest stories that make people laugh, make them feel less alone, and remind them that God is still at work—even in the messy chapters.

Anchor Verse:

Ephesians 3:20

Connect with Stephanie:

Website: m.imdb.com/name/nm3292201

IG: https://www.instagram.com/stephparkeractress/

**And if this conversation encourages you, would you take a minute to rate, review and share the podcast? You never know who in your circle may need the reminder today that when they aren’t able—God still is.**

***Anchored in His Promises Women’s Workshop — November 14, 2026

Join us for a powerful day of worship, encouragement, connection, and truth as we remind our hearts that God is faithful to every promise He makes. Anchored in His Promises is happening Saturday, November 14, from 9:00 AM–3:30 PM, featuring incredible speakers, practical teaching, and time to dig deeper into what it means to hold onto God’s promises no matter what season you are in.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” — Hebrews 10:23 (ESV)

Learn more and grab your ticket at Anchored in His Promises Women's Workshop

What does it really look like for the Church to make room for EVERY person in the Body of Christ? Not just make room for them to attend—but to belong, serve, lead, and use the gifts God has placed inside of them?

Today on the Anchored by the Sword podcast, I’m sitting down with Nadia Ibrahim Mossberg, author of Divinely Disabled: A 30-Day Devotional to Discovering God’s Heart for the Disability Community.

Nadia was born with cerebral palsy, and as a teenager she wrestled deeply with the realization that her disability was going to be part of her life. Growing up, she didn’t see many people with disabilities represented around her, and there were parts of that journey she carried quietly. But God used the joy and faith of a camp counselor to draw Nadia toward Him and begin showing her that her life had purpose.

And what a purpose it has become.

Nadia went on to spend 22 years working in federal policy, including positions with the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Department of Defense. Her own experiences navigating barriers to employment and independent living helped fuel her passion to advocate for other people with disabilities.

In this conversation, we also talk honestly about another place where barriers still exist:

The Church.

Nadia shares about ableism, inaccessible spaces, misunderstanding disability, and even the spiritual harm that can happen when someone is told, “If you just had more faith, you would be healed.”

We also talk about what inclusion can actually look like. Here's the thing—it doesn't always require a huge disability ministry, an enormous budget, or some complicated plan.

Sometimes it looks like giving someone a ride.

Inviting them to lunch.

Making a Bible study accessible.

Listening when someone tells you what they actually need instead of assuming you already know.

And maybe most importantly, asking:

“How do YOU want to serve?”

Because people with disabilities are not simply people the Church is called to care for.

They are part of the Church.

They have spiritual gifts.

They have callings.

They have wisdom and experiences that the rest of the Body needs.

Whether you are part of the disability community, love someone who is, serve in church leadership, or simply want to become better at loving the people God has placed around you, I truly believe this conversation will challenge you.

And maybe that's exactly what we need.

Bio:

Nadia Ibrahim Mossburg, born with cerebral palsy, uses her degrees in English, journalism, and social work, as well as her experience as a senior advisor in disability policy, to improve disability policy at the national, state, and local levels. For over two decades, she has advocated for greater equity, better employment, emergency management, public health, and public transportation. Over more than three decades, she has also led Bible studies and served on many teams at her church. Nadia and her husband, Mathew, live in the Nashville area with their three cats and Watson, Nadia’s third service dog, who is enjoying retirement.

Anchor Verses:

John 9: 1-7

Connect with Nadia:

Instagram: divinelydisabled

Substack: https://divinelydisabled.substack.com/

LinkedIn: nadiaimossburg

**And as always, if this episode challenges or encourages you, please rate and review Anchored by the Sword and SHARE this conversation. **

***Anchored in His Promises Women’s Workshop — November 14, 2026

Join us for a powerful day of worship, encouragement, connection, and truth as we remind our hearts that God is faithful to every promise He makes. Anchored in His Promises is happening Saturday, November 14, from 9:00 AM–3:30 PM, featuring incredible speakers, practical teaching, and time to dig deeper into what it means to hold onto God’s promises no matter what season you are in.

Learn more and grab your ticket at Anchored in His Promises Women's Workshop

What do you do when you’re desperately praying for God to move…but you can’t see Him doing anything?

Friend, this episode is an incredible reminder that just because you can’t see God working doesn’t mean He isn’t already putting the pieces into place. Today I’m joined by Lauren Burns, author of Stolen: A True Story of Kidnapped, Rescued, and Redeemed.

At just seven years old, Lauren thought she was spending an extra night with her father. Instead, he took her from Texas to Jordan without her mother’s knowledge.

For three months, Lauren wondered when—or if—she would ever see her mom again. What she couldn’t see was that back home, her mother was fighting for her. She was calling, searching, fasting, and praying while God was already connecting people and circumstances behind the scenes.

After three days alone fasting and praying, God brought Lauren’s mother to Daniel 10:12 and the reminder that her prayers had been heard. Lauren wasn’t home yet. The miracle hadn’t happened yet. But her mother walked out with peace because she knew God had heard her.

Sometimes God’s peace comes before our circumstances change.

Sometimes surrender happens before we see the miracle.

And sometimes God is working in places we cannot see while we’re still asking, God, where are You?

What followed was an incredible rescue—but Lauren shares that being physically rescued was only the beginning.

She returned home carrying fear, betrayal, father wounds, unforgiveness, and questions about whether God was truly good.

Through years of healing, surrender, godly community, and learning the character of her Heavenly Father, Lauren began to discover that forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting what happened or saying it was okay. And forgiveness doesn’t always mean reconciliation.

Sometimes healing happens layer by layer as we continually place our hurt into God’s hands.

Whatever you’re walking through today, Lauren’s story reminds us:

He sees you. He hears you. He is with you. And He may already be working in ways you cannot see.

Bio:

Lauren Burns is the author of Stolen: A True Story of Kidnapping, Rescue, and Redemption, a powerful true crime memoir based on her real-life experience of being abducted at age seven and taken to the Middle East. Her story made international headlines—featured on Good Morning America, Inside Edition, People, and Reader’s Digest—and later inspired a television movie. Today, Lauren is a sought-after speaker on trauma, redemption, and faith, and the host of The Redeemed Podcast. Through her speaking, podcast, and growing platform, Lauren shares powerful stories of resilience and restoration, helping others process past wounds, reclaim their identity, and experience freedom through forgiveness. Lauren holds a master's degree in physical therapy and lives in Texas with her husband and children.

Connect With Lauren:

Website: laurenburns.net.

**And as always, if this conversation encouraged you, please take a minute to rate and review Anchored by the Sword, share this episode with someone you love, and send it to the person God brings to your mind. You never know when sharing someone else's story of freedom might become part of another person's healing.

***Anchored in His Promises Women’s Workshop —

Join us for a powerful day of worship, encouragement, connection, and truth as we remind our hearts that God is faithful to every promise He makes. Anchored in His Promises is happening Saturday, November 14, from 9:00 AM–3:30 PM, featuring incredible speakers, practical teaching, and time to dig deeper into what it means to hold onto God’s promises no matter what season you are in.

Learn more and grab your ticket at Anchored in His Promises Women's Workshop

What if the miracle you’ve been praying for doesn’t come by God removing the hardship—but by God sending someone to meet you right in the middle of it?

Today’s conversation is one I won’t soon forget.

I’m joined by Zahara McCoy, founder of Children of Grace, whose story began in a small village in Uganda. After losing her father to HIV at just seven years old, becoming a caregiver for her sick mother at nine, and then losing her mother at ten, Zahara suddenly found herself orphaned and facing a future filled with uncertainty.

She wondered if God saw her.

She wondered if He had a plan.

She wondered what would become of her life.

And then came a knock at the door.

Through a sponsorship program, an ordinary woman named Marianne McCoy chose to invest in a little girl she had never met. Zahara was given the opportunity to return to school, receive meals, and begin dreaming about a future again. Eventually, that relationship brought Zahara to the United States and changed the trajectory of her life. But this story isn’t simply about Zahara being rescued.

As Zahara says so beautifully in our conversation, she wasn’t rescued from something—she was rescued for something.

God eventually brought her back to Uganda, where the experiences that once caused her so much pain became the very places from which she could recognize the needs of other children. Today, through Children of Grace, Zahara is helping provide education, healthcare, mentorship, discipleship, guidance, and hope to children facing circumstances much like the ones she once faced herself.

We also talk about something I think every one of us needs to hear:

You don’t have to solve the entire problem.

You don’t have to have a huge platform.

You don’t have to have endless resources.

You simply have to be willing to ask God, “What can I do with what You’ve placed in my hands?”

Because sometimes the answer to someone’s prayer looks like an ordinary person deciding to say yes.

And to that one person, your yes could change everything.

Zahara encourages listeners not simply to hear her story and think, Wow, what an incredible journey. Her challenge is much bigger.

Let the story move you to action.

Sponsor a child.

Go on a mission trip.

Use your gifts.

Serve.

Give.

Pray.

Ask God where He wants your yes.

Because there is room for every one of us in Kingdom work.

Anchor Verse:

John 16:33

Connect With Zahara & Children of Grace

Website: https://www.childrenofgrace.com

Children of Grace IG: https://www.instagram.com/childrenofgrace

Zahara’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/zaharamccoy/

**And after you listen, take a minute and ask God:

“Whose life could You change through my yes?”

***If this episode encouraged or challenged you, would you take a minute to rate and review Anchored by the Sword, share this episode with a friend, and send it to someone who needs the reminder that God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary Kingdom work? Every share helps these stories of hope, freedom, and God’s faithfulness reach someone who may desperately need to hear them.***

Have you ever felt like you should pray more—but then life gets busy, your mind starts racing, and somehow prayer becomes one more thing on your to-do list? I know I’m not the only one who has struggled with carving out intentional time with God, and that’s one of the reasons I loved this conversation so much.

On this episode of the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I’m joined by author Emily Wickham, author of Closer to God: A 10-Week Study on Prayer.

Emily shares how prayer has been woven throughout her life, beginning with the example of her dad, who was a man who prayed about everything. Over the years, God continued to grow Emily’s love for His Word, women’s ministry, Bible study, writing, and helping other women grow closer to Him.

But we also talk about something I think so many of us need to hear:

Prayer isn’t about hitting a certain number of minutes. It’s about relationship.

Emily reminds us that God isn’t sitting there with a stopwatch waiting for us to pray long enough. He wants our hearts. He welcomes us into His presence whether we are sitting quietly at home, driving down the road, walking through a difficult season, or simply saying, “God, I don’t even know what to say.”

And I absolutely love that.

Emily also shares part of her own freedom journey—walking through seasons where she would become deeply discouraged over perceived failures, mistakes, and areas where she felt she wasn’t doing well. God eventually showed her that living under that heaviness wasn’t where He wanted her to stay. Through repentance and His grace, He brought freedom into that area of her life.

Emily’s book, Closer to God, walks readers through nine prayers found throughout Scripture and encourages us not simply to read about prayer, but to open our Bibles, study God’s Word, and begin writing and praying our own prayers.

If prayer has felt difficult, inconsistent, intimidating, or like another thing you’re failing at, I think this conversation will encourage you to look at it differently.

You don’t have to perform for God.

You simply get to come close.

Bio:

Emily Wickham shares God's Word and wonders with women. She is an author, speaker, and award-winning writer as well as a podcaster, YouTuber, and blogger.

Whether she's walking on the beach, sipping coffee on her porch, cooking a delicious meal, or gathering with family and friends, Emily delights in God's goodness. She is blessed to be Mark's wife for more than 35 years, the mom of four adult children, and a mother-in-love. Emily and her husband enjoy life in South Carolina.

Anchor Verses:

Isaiah 41:10

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Connect with Emily:

Website: www.proclaiminghimtowomen.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@emilywickhamauthor

** Anchored in His Promises Women’s Workshop — November 14, 2026**

Join us for a powerful day of worship, encouragement, connection, and truth as we remind our hearts that God is faithful to every promise He makes. Anchored in His Promises is happening Saturday, November 14, from 9:00 AM–3:30 PM, featuring incredible speakers, practical teaching, and time to dig deeper into what it means to hold onto God’s promises no matter what season you are in.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” — Hebrews 10:23 (ESV)

Learn more and grab your ticket at https://www.anchoredbythesword.org/event-list

***And as always, if this episode encourages you, would you take a minute to rate and review the Anchored by the Sword Podcast and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that God is always ready and waiting for us to come close? Every rating, review, and share helps these stories of freedom and hope reach someone who may desperately need to hear them.***