Have you ever felt like everything was going well... until suddenly it wasn't?

Maybe you've been faithfully following God, serving where He's called you, and then out of nowhere life throws obstacle after obstacle in your path.

You start wondering:

"Did I do something wrong?"

"Did I miss God's will?"

"Have I messed everything up?"

In this episode of Rise and Shine, I'm sharing a very personal story about why I unexpectedly disappeared for several weeks.

Between taking an intensive class that consumed nearly all of my time and having my computer battery unexpectedly fail, I found myself unable to continue recording new episodes like I had planned.

At first, it was easy to become discouraged and wonder if I'd somehow failed or gotten off track.

But through this season, God reminded me of an important truth:

Obstacles don't always mean you're outside of God's will.

Sometimes we face opposition because we live in a broken world.

Sometimes the enemy tries to discourage us from continuing what God has called us to do.

And sometimes, God allows difficult seasons—not to abandon us—but to deepen our faith, build our endurance, and remind us that our strength comes from Him alone.

If you've been feeling discouraged because life hasn't gone according to plan, this episode is for you.

🔑 In This Episode, We Cover

• Why obstacles don't automatically mean you've missed God's will
• The difference between spiritual attacks and simply living in a fallen world
• How discouragement can tempt us to quit what God has called us to do
• Why God often grows us through hardship instead of removing it
• Learning to depend on God's strength instead of our own
• Finding purpose in unexpected delays and setbacks
• Trusting God's faithfulness through both the highs and the lows

📖 Key Scriptures

• James 1:2–4
• Romans 5:3–5
• 2 Corinthians 12:9–10
• Isaiah 43:2
• 1 Peter 4:12–13
• James 1:12

❤️ The Heart of This Episode

Following Jesus doesn't guarantee an obstacle-free life.

In fact, Scripture promises we'll face trials.

But those trials are never wasted.

God uses them to strengthen our faith, shape our character, and remind us that His grace is sufficient—even when life doesn't go according to our plans.

The obstacle may not disappear.

But God's presence never does.

✨ Main Takeaway

An interruption doesn't mean God has abandoned His plan for your life.

When obstacles come, don't immediately assume you've failed or taken a wrong turn.

Instead, ask:

"Lord, what are You teaching me here?"

Because sometimes the greatest growth happens in the seasons we never would have chosen.

Keep trusting Him.

Keep taking the next faithful step.

📲 Follow for weekly Bible studies, Christian encouragement, and practical conversations about walking with Jesus:

@theriseandshinepodcast
@hayleejacob_

🎧 Subscribe to Rise and Shine for weekly episodes that help you grow deeper in your relationship with Christ and find hope in every season.

How often do we miss Jesus because we're looking for Him only in the big moments?

In this special episode of Rise and Shine, I sit down with Shelby Gardner, author of Lily Pads, for a conversation about finding Jesus in the everyday moments of life, trusting God's leading when we don't understand where He's taking us, and the incredible power of sharing our stories.

So often, we expect God to show up in dramatic ways. We wait for the miracle, the breakthrough, or the clear answer. But many times, God is working quietly in the ordinary moments—the conversations, the struggles, the unexpected detours, and the simple daily opportunities to draw closer to Him.

Together, Shelby and I discuss how learning to recognize Jesus in our everyday lives can transform our faith and help us trust Him even when the path ahead seems unclear.

We also spend time talking about the importance of testimony.

Throughout Scripture, God's people are called to remember and share what He has done. Our stories matter because they point people to God's faithfulness. The victories, the struggles, the seasons of waiting, and the moments when God carried us through all become powerful reminders that He is still at work.

You may think your testimony isn't dramatic enough to make a difference—but God often uses ordinary stories of faithfulness to encourage someone who is struggling and remind them they are not alone.

We also discuss:

• The inspiration behind Lily Pads
• Trusting God when you can't see the whole path
• Finding Jesus in ordinary, everyday moments
• Why testimony is one of the most powerful tools believers have
• Sharing your story to encourage others
• Recognizing God's faithfulness in hindsight
• How to walk alongside loved ones who are struggling
• Offering hope without trying to "fix" everything
• Learning to trust God one step at a time

❤️ The Heart of This Episode

God is not only present in the mountaintop moments.

He's present in the everyday.

He's present in the ordinary conversations, the quiet mornings, the difficult seasons, and the unexpected turns.

And when we share the stories of His faithfulness, we remind others—and ourselves—that He has never stopped working.

Your testimony is more powerful than you realize because it points people to a faithful Savior.

✨ Main Takeaway

Look for Jesus in the everyday moments.

Trust Him when you can't see the whole path.

And never underestimate the impact of sharing your story—because your testimony may be exactly what someone else needs to hear to keep trusting God.

📚 Featured Guest: Shelby Gardner, author of Lily Pads

Instagram: @shelbyy_gardnerr

shelbygardner.com

Order the book: https://a.co/d/02O9Estp

📲 Follow for weekly Bible teaching, encouragement, and faith-filled conversations:@theriseandshinepodcast@hayleejacob_

Have you ever left a church service, conference, retreat, or worship night feeling completely on fire for God—only to struggle to maintain that same passion once you returned to everyday life?

In this episode of Rise and Shine, we're talking about what it means to stand firm in your faith when you're no longer surrounded by other believers and how to remain rooted in Christ when facing temptation, opposition, or spiritual pressure.

It's easy to worship when everyone around you loves Jesus.

But what about:

• When you're the only Christian at work?
• When your friends don't share your faith?
• When your family doesn't understand your beliefs?
• When following Jesus costs you something?

God never called us to have a faith that depends on a conference, an emotional worship experience, or the people around us. He calls us to be deeply rooted in Christ so that we can stand firm no matter what environment we're in.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why faith can feel stronger in Christian environments
• The danger of relying on emotions to sustain your walk with God
• What it means to be rooted and established in Christ
• The Parable of the Sower and the importance of deep spiritual roots
• Living out your faith among non-believers
• How to respond when your beliefs are challenged
• Why persecution shouldn't surprise Christians
• Standing firm in a culture that increasingly opposes biblical truth
• Being a light for Jesus without compromising your convictions

Whether you're facing peer pressure, workplace challenges, family opposition, or simply struggling to keep your passion for Jesus alive between Sundays, this episode will encourage you to stay faithful and keep your eyes on Christ.

🔑 Key Scriptures

• Romans 12:2
• Philippians 1:27
• Revelation 3:15-16
• Colossians 2:6-7
• Matthew 13:1-9
• James 1:22-24
• Titus 2:7-8
• Colossians 4:5-6
• 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
• James 4:4
• John 15:19-21
• James 4:6-7
• 1 Peter 3:13-16
• 1 Corinthians 15:58
• Ephesians 6:11
• John 16:33

❤️ The Heart of This Episode

A strong faith isn't built on a conference.

A strong faith isn't built on emotions.

A strong faith is built on Jesus.

When your roots go deep into Christ, you'll be able to stand firm whether you're surrounded by believers, standing alone, or facing opposition for your faith.

✨ Main Takeaway

Don't let your relationship with Jesus depend on the people around you.

Be rooted in Christ so deeply that your faith remains strong whether you're at church, at work, at school, at home, or facing opposition.

Stand firm. Stay faithful. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

📲 Follow for weekly Bible teaching and encouragement:

@theriseandshinepodcast
@hayleejacob_

🙏 Subscribe for practical biblical encouragement and deeper conversations about following Jesus in everyday life.