*This episode may be triggering for some listeners.*
This week, we have writer and speaker Ann Voskamp back on the podcast. Ann shares insights from her personal experiences with anxiety and brokenness and what she found out while she waited through those uncomfortable moments, and how she used scripture, prayer, and the practice of writing to heal her mind and become closer to God.
Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Christian country music artist Brennley Brown. Raised in the high desert of Southern California, and now playing music in Nashville, Brennley got her start in voiceover work before gaining national recognition as the youngest finalist on The Voice. She shares her own experience with waiting while her mother battled a health crisis, and how that time led her to find out where she should go with her music—and her life.
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
Past interview: Dr. Alan Weissenbacher
Upcoming interview: Nikki Walton
Jesus Listens for Lent & Easter
Interview Quotes:
“I'm not just getting up every morning and looking for a way through. But I actually have a way of life that centers and grounds me, roots me, and calms me, and keeps me such that the person of Christ, the being of Christ, is my way through.” - Ann Voskamp
“What we're all looking for is, Is there a way of life that leads me into abundant joy? And if joy is a function of gratitude and gratitude is a function of perspective, how can I shift and change my perspective moment by moment? What needs to have a shift is my perspective, to see that not only other gifts and graces right here I can give God thanks for, but ultimately that God Himself, His very presence, His very being, is with me right here.” - Ann Voskamp
“I think each of us—no matter whatever season of life we're in—there are things that we have laid before the Lord in prayer and we are in this open-handed posture of waiting. Can we feel like when we're waiting on the Lord and we're at the end of our rope, that we actually have hope because our hearts are being bound to the Lord's?” - Ann Voskamp
“We don't want our devotions, our quiet time with the Lord, to actually be fragmented. We actually want that devotional time to weave through the rest of our day, all the moments and the hours keeping our hearts devoted to Him, our eyes attentive to Him, us constantly listening to Him, His Spirit saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’” - Ann Voskamp
“All of us are searching for, longing for, hoping we don't miss out on the fullest life, the most meaningful life, an abundant life. And that is exactly why Jesus comes, to actually love us to the fullest life.” - Ann Voskamp
“Music was something that my mom and I could do together. I would sit by her bed and sing worship songs, sing country songs, and it was such a powerful tool that the Lord used in our life to bring joy in the midst of something really challenging and really hard.” - Brennley Brown
“Every day we have that same opportunity to love on people and to show them Jesus in the way that we live, in the words that we speak.” - Brennley Brown
“I wanted to reflect my love for the Lord and how I believe He shows up in people's lives today, as a reminder that when God places a dream and a calling in your life, it's not going to be easy.” - Brennley Brown
“When God uniquely places a calling and a dream on your heart, it's not going to look like what the world may think it should.” - Brennley Brown
“[God] has given us such a powerful, incredible example of not only how to live, but being reminded of His promises daily—of the hope that we have in Him, the promise that He is with us, the promise that He goes before us—are only found in the Word of God.” - Brennley Brown
________________________
Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!
Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7
Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw
Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C
Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj
Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u
What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj
Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY
________________________
Connect with Jesus Calling
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.