Hope Unyielding

How does the Proverbs 31 woman "laugh without fear of the future?" I dive into this and more on today's episode of Hope Unyielding. We'll talk about:How fearing God helps us stop fearing the futureHow reflecting on God's faithfulness in the past helps you reject the lie that God isn't goodMy crazy story of heading to Russia at age 12How laughing can be a holy act of trust and surrenderThe song I listened to on the Russian night bus: "Your Love Will Get Me There."Short-form video on Instagram of the poem I shared: "To the Woman Afraid of the Future."Pick up a copy of my new devotional, 99 Life-Giving Bible Verses for Women at Whitaker House, Amazon, or wherever books are sold. 

In this transparent and powerful conversation, author and speaker Stacee Goetzinger speaks candidly about her journey battling an eating disorder that started in her preteen years and eventually led to emergency inpatient treatment, where she had to fight for her life with everything she had. Stacee's story is one of hope, perseverance, and dependence on God, and she shares hard-fought wisdom she has learned over decades of relying on Him to be her strength in the battle. Whether you are battling an eating disorder, love someone who is, or simply want to learn more, this episode provides hope, practical encouragement, and a powerful testimony of God's faithfulness, kindness and strength in our darkest struggles, whatever they may be. About Stacee GoetzingerStacee is the author of the book You Are Worth Saving: Letters of Hope from a Desperate Heart, and The Boat That Wouldn’t Sink: A Memoir, and is a frequent speaker for conferences, retreats, churches, and groups. She and her husband, Doug, co-host the Speak Out Loud podcast, which shares hope and encouragement for those who struggle with mental health and for those who love and support them.  Listen to the Speak Out Loud podcast here. Read Stacee and Doug's YouVersion devotional plans for free.Check out Stacee's books You Are Worth Saving and The Boat That Wouldn't Sink.Support Stacee and Doug's ministry here. 

How do you respond if your spouse is using pornography? Should you proceed in a dating relationship if one of you has a porn problem? Where’s the line between righteous anger and sinful anger? How do you find freedom from patterns and behaviors rooted in childhood wounds? In today’s episode of the Hope Unyielding Podcast, we cover all these questions and more! My conversation with Amanda Massie, a wife, mom, historian and follower of Jesus, has something for everyone. Join me and Amanda as she shares her and her husband’s journey through the difficult first years of their marriage, what they learned about shame, grace and forgiveness along the way, and ultimately, how they found freedom in Christ and cultivated a marriage that is now healthy and thriving. 

In this fun solo episode, I answer your questions about the writing life, what God's been doing in my heart and mind, and what inspired me to write my devotional, 99 Life-Giving Bible Verses for Women. Questions include:When did you start writing? What’s your favorite piece you’ve written so far and why?What was a moment or turning point in your life that deepened your walk with the Lord?What's your verse for this season?What’s your ideal environment for writing?What was the most challenging part of the writing process? What do you feel has been the most rewarding?What inspired you to write this book? What are you hoping readers take away after reading your book?Have you personally experienced all 99 of the emotions listed in the titles of the devotions? Which devotion speaks the most deeply to your heart? Which one was the hardest to write?What would you say to each of your readers if you could get coffee with them and talk about the book?Links to the favorite pieces I've written:ResurrectionTo the Woman Longing for a Child on Mother's DayCheck out Taryn Hutchison's Cold War Trilogy set in Romania here!Pre-order my new book, 99 Life-Giving Bible Verses for Women, here!

Singleness got you down? If you're a single Christian struggling to survive in a world that idolizes marriage and stigmatizes singleness, this conversation with author Karissa Sovdi is a must-listen! Karissa and I chat about:Lies we've believed about singlenessWhy to stop obsessing over why you're singleHow to tell if marriage is becoming an idolGrieving singleness while pursuing the life God has given youThe best parts of being singleWhy the American dream and the gospel are not one and the sameKarissa Sovdi is a writer, speaker, and clinical counselor. As a never-married Christian single who grew up in church, she speaks from her sometimes heartbreaking, often humorous, and frequently bumbling journey to a thirty-something's radical self-acceptance and revelation of God's love. Karissa lives plays, and works on Canada's west coast, where she specialized in coaching organizational leaders to build healthy workplaces. Connect with Karissa on Instagram @karissasovdi and https://survivingchristianityunmarried.com/ and pick up a copy of Karissa's new book Surviving Christianity Unmarried: A Theology of Singleness That Isn't Looking for Its Cure.