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 91:1–4
God 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.

1. When I feel overwhelmed, what tends to trigger my anxiety most—noise, conflict, social media, uncertainty, or something else?

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

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

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

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

6. 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.

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)

1. 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?

2. 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?

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

4. 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?

5. 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.)

6. 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.