*This episode mentions suicide and depression and may not be suitable for all listeners.*
This week, we’re joined by Cristina Baker, a speaker, author, and digital creator. After growing up in a tumultuous family environment, experiencing homelessness, addiction, and jail time, Cristina bravely rebuilt her life after someone she barely knew encouraged her to go to a prayer meeting.
Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Becky Thompson. Becky is the founder of the Midnight Mom Devotional online community, where more than two million mothers gather each night to pray and encourage one another. Becky reminds moms of the strength found in community and the simple power of prayer.
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
Past interview: Monique Rodriguez
Upcoming interview: Chynna Phillips
Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season
Interview Quotes:
“The great equalizer of life is pain, and we all end up in that place one way or another—where it’s just us and it’s God and that’s it.” - Cristina Baker
“What happens when God leads you into what you think is a disaster, but actually that disaster is the very thing that He’s going to use to bless you?” - Cristina Baker
“There’s no better place to be than when your back is up against the wall and you have no other option but God. He will take that night season that was meant to destroy you and turn it into something that you could have never thought or imagined.” - Cristina Baker
“God hasn’t changed the subject because humanity will always need hope. And hope is not a concept, He’s a person. Hope is found in Him.” - Cristina Baker
“I am a spirit that lives in a body, and sometimes my body doesn’t line up with what my spirit knows is true.” - Becky Thompson
“Just because the healing hasn’t come instantly, and just because it hasn’t happened as quickly as you wanted it to, does not mean that the Lord is not a part of the process.” - Becky Thompson
“I think it’s so important that we remember that mental health situations don’t disqualify us from being women full of faith, they actually often cause us to be women of greater faith that lean more heavily on God’s sufficiency.” - Becky Thompson
“No one says you have to wake up the next day and do the hardest thing. You just have to wake up the next day and do the next thing that makes the most sense for you, which is whatever the Holy Spirit is putting on your heart.” - Becky Thompson
“The gift of this season in my life is that I’m learning to rest in the Lord even before the work is done. I can rest in a promise that I am safely held by a good God who loves me and promises to never leave.” - Becky Thompson
“Rest is not a reward for our finished work. Scripture’s very clear about that. We actually get to rest because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross. We get to receive the rest that He offers to us in relationship with Him because of what He has accomplished.” - Becky Thompson
“You get zero stars for trying to do it on your own when the Lord sends people to help you. Receive the help that the Lord is sending you because there may be other seasons when you can turn and be the help that you needed in another mama’s story.” - Becky Thompson
“You have never been solely responsible for carrying that heavy burden on your own, and the rest that you really crave is attached to His presence and found in surrender.” - Becky Thompson
________________________
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.