From Hardship to Hope

Nuggets of Wisdom* “I found key times throughout the day to give myself permission to grieve.”* “Lean into Jesus. Lean into the grief and let myself feel.”* “Express what you’re feeling.”* “Ask for help.”* “Pray. Pray, pray, pray.”* “Surrender it all to Jesus.”* “People may hurt us, but people also help heal us.”About the AuthorAmy Robnik Joob is an award-winning author, certified life coach, and empowerment speaker. Amy is commissioning pioneers through her Arise and Flourish and Arising Author coaching programs.Amy has weathered her own grief storm along with her family and relocated to southwest Florida recently after decades of living in Chicagoland. Her mission is to bring hope and healing to others and see them fulfill their God-given destiny!Amy’s newest book, Arise from Grief & Flourish Again, launched in the Fall of 2025 and went to #1 on Amazon as a Best-Seller and Hot New Release.Visit Amazon to order a copy of Arise From Grief & Flourish Again—or, listen to it on Kindle. You can contact Amy at joobamy@gmail.com or connect with her on Instagram, FB, or LinkedIn.As always, feel free to reach out to Tammy with your prayer requests or for more information about life/mental health coaching or inner healing prayer at tammy.kennington@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tammykennington.substack.com/subscribe

Nuggets of Wisdom * “I needed mature Christian women around me to say, “I love you. I am sorry. This is really hard.”* “The enemy thought he was going to derail me. And God was like, ‘I will not waste this.’ “* “I try to make sure that rather than going into spiritual mother mode...(I ask) how can I love you in this season?”* “Pray and ask the Lord to give you wisdom on who is safe community.”* “God has always been faithful to show me His nearness.”* “I believe that hope is active. I can stare at my circumstances, or I can gaze at God.”* “God invites us to participate and hope—even when we’re going through heavy things.”About the AuthorAmy Eaton is an author, speaker, and encourager whose work centers on helping women find hope in Christ through life’s hardest seasons. Her book, Hope When It’s Heavy, offers a gentle, honest walk through suffering anchored in God’s faithfulness. With experience in ministry, psychology, and human resources, Amy brings insight and authenticity to conversations on spiritual resilience, emotional health, and trusting God in the everyday.You can connect with Amy at amyeatonauthor.com, or at @amyeatonauthor on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokBe sure to pick up your copy of Amy’s book, Hope When It’s Heavy. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tammykennington.substack.com/subscribe

“Sometimes you just need those sweet little truths. Those sweet little, one-sentence Bible verses.”“It’s a mental battle—dividing that line between what I’m feeling and what is fact.”“While our emotions and our feelings can often give us insight to what is going on inside of us, they are not the truth to hold onto.”“Those feelings are real, but they aren’t reliable.”“God is not going to mess up His plan.”“There is great peace and rest knowing someone else has control of this.”About the AuthorYou can order Valerie’s book, Beneath the Hood, on Amazon. Or, follow her on Instagram. What about today’s episode impacted you? What is one practical step will you take today that will help you, a friend, or family member? Reach out and let Tammy know at tammy.kennington@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tammykennington.substack.com/subscribe

Nuggets of Wisdom “He doesn’t give us grace in advance of what we’re going to need. He gives us grace for today. Grace for the moment.”“I realized there was a huge connection between joy and purpose in suffering.”“Whatever you’re going through—even a terminal illness—you can trust the One who died for you.”“My focus was, ‘Alright, Lord, how are you going to use this?”“That conversation brought Job to the point where even if he didn’t know the purpose, He knew the God of purpose.”“There are no lone rangers in the body of Christ. We’re connected.”“I’m going to trust You no matter the outcome. I purpose to trust You.”“There’s always a deeper level of intimacy.”“That doesn’t mean we walk through life plastering on a fake smile and pretending everything’s wonderful. We have to be real with each other.”Don’t miss our next episode of From Hardship to Hope!Connect with AvaAva Pennington is an author, speaker, freelance editor, and certified coach. Her newest book is Flourish: Grace-Centered Practices to Protect and Grow a Fruitful Life in Christ (Kregel). Other books include Reflections on the Names of God (Revell) and 2 children’s books. She has written for Christian periodicals and contributed to 30+ Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Ava also teaches a weekly Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class of 200+ women and is an inspirational speaker. Learn more at www.AvaPennington.com.Or, follow Ava on Facebook, X, or Instagram. You can also find a copy of her beautiful book on Amazon. Join Tammy on From Hardship to Hope in two weeks when she speaks with author, Valerie Fentress, about managing post-partum depression. I am praying this episode ministered to your heart.Peace and grace,TammyThanks for listening! Please share this episode if you know of someone who might benefit from its message. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tammykennington.substack.com/subscribe

Nuggets of Wisdom* “The only one that can fix us is the One that created us.”* “Do we keep fighting to save it, or do we cut the loss and go forward clean?”* “Don’t be afraid. We gotcha. You’re going to be okay.”* “Joy isn’t circumstantial. Joy is a heart attitude or heart posture.”* “Anchor into what is never gonna move. And the only thing that never changes—ever, ever—is Jesus.”Author BioSheila Preston Fitzgerald is alive today only by the Grace of God. A near-death motorcycle accident that should have taken her life, instead, filled this godly woman with a passion larger than life itself. Sheila’s love of people, love of life, and most importantly her love for Jesus, radiates in all she does. Sheila is the author of “One Foot in Heaven”; the miraculous true story of finding hope in the hopeless, and a new devotional book series, “Foot Notes ~ Adventures With Jesus.” She has appeared on numerous TV, video, and podcast shows shining the light of Jesus around the world. You can connect with Sheila at http://www.sheilaprestonfitzgerald.com/ or pick up a copy of One Foot in Heaven. Sign Up for a Free 30-Minute Coaching CallAre you struggling with difficult circumstances? A strained relationship? Anxiety or burnout? Schedule a free, 30-minute coaching call with Tammy. Dually trained as a life and mental health coach, Tammy specializes in inner healing prayer and loves walking alongside women in their journeys. She combines faith-based guidance and personalized support to help you achieve lasting change.Peace and grace,Tammy This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tammykennington.substack.com/subscribe

Nuggets of Wisdom* Esther teaches us what to WEAR to a crisis—Working with othersEradicating the (spiritual) EnemyActing wiselyRemembering who you are* If He has a plan, He provides.* The B in bold reminds me to be on the lookout.O means being open to whatever is in your hand.The L in bold means to let the Holy Spirit lead.The D means to put down any lies of the Devil.Author BioMarlene Houk is an author, speaker, and teacher who merged her strong background in church training with a degree in ministry to pursue a study of women in the Bible and for more than ten years she has read, researched, and analyzed their multifaceted stories and their messages to us.Connect with Marlene Houk* Website* Email-marlenehouk@gmail.com* 30 Essentials for Emotional Resilience (Affiliate Link) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tammykennington.substack.com/subscribe

Companion Bible Study for Today’s EpisodeScripture Reading PlanCalled for This Moment-Living Your Esther SeasonNuggets of Wisdom* It's going to be different, but there is a whole second act. This is a time to look back at what you did well...and move into your next thing.* What are you going to do to build the Kingdom now?* I heard the Lord speak in my spirit. He said three words, "Am I enough?" I heard Him say, "I Am." And at that moment, the burden lifted. I remember saying, "Lord, if You don't give me one more thing in my life, You are enough.* Pray. Pray. Pray. That's our best weapon.* Don't be afraid of what God may have for you.* It's not an empty nest. It can be an empty next.* The impossible is God's comfort zone.* Figure out what the next thing is and then step into it with courage.About Kate BattestelliKate Battestelli is an author, speaker, podcaster, and former actress from the Broadway theatre world. Her heart’s passion is to equip you to walk into your unique hand-picked destiny, trust Jesus with your future, and give you the courage to move fully into your next chapter.Connect with Kate Kate’s website or Instagram account.The After Party of the Empty NestMy Utmost for His HighestWhat does your Esther season look like right now? How can I pray for you?Until next time,TammyP.S. Don’t miss this month’s fabulous book bundle giveaway! Enter by August 30th.P.P.S. I strive to offer encouragement, biblical truth, and hope to women navigating life’s challenges. At times, I may share books, products, or resources through affiliate links if I believe they are worth your time and investment.If you choose to purchase through one of these links, I may earn a (teeny-tiny) commission at no additional cost to you. I will never promote a book or resource that made me think, “meh.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tammykennington.substack.com/subscribe

Nuggets of Wisdom* Esther models what it means to lead with discernment.* Influence is not always loud.* Printable Scripture Plan and Journaling Prompts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tammykennington.substack.com/subscribe

That's my prayer for you.You are positioned on purpose for such a time as this.Maybe this is your Esther moment,and maybe this season will be what gives you courage to say yes.We invite you to subscribe and share this podcast with a friend who needs it.Perhaps journal through Esther for this week.Pray about where God might be calling you to act in faith.So thank you for joining me.I'm Tammy Kennington, and this is From Hardship to Hope.Until next time, keep holding on to His promises.Download your free printable scripture reading plan and journaling prompts. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tammykennington.substack.com/subscribe

(00:00:02):If you're thinking you'll always be stuck in loneliness,(00:00:05):I have an amazing guest who shares practical steps you can take today to help you cope,(00:00:12):overcome,(00:00:12):and draw closer to God.(00:00:15):I'm talking about the lovely Julia Fisk,(00:00:18):nationally board-certified health and wellness coach,(00:00:20):functional medicine-certified health coach,(00:00:23):award-winning author,(00:00:24):podcaster,(00:00:26):speaker,(00:00:26):and creator of the Dear Food program.(00:00:29):I'm so glad you're joining us today.(00:00:58):Bye.(00:01:05):Well, Julia, welcome.(00:01:06):I'm so excited to have you join us here on From Hardship to Hope today.(00:01:10):I can't wait for the listeners to hear from you and all you have to share.(00:01:17):Would you tell us a little bit about what role your faith has played in helping you(00:01:22):navigate feelings of loneliness and how others can lean on their faith in similar circumstances?(00:01:30):Yes, hi.(00:01:30):Well, it's so great to be here today.(00:01:32):And my faith is everything for me when it comes to loneliness.(00:01:37):I love the Lord Jesus.(00:01:39):I have loved Jesus since I was five years old.(00:01:41):And so one of the verses that has meant something to me from a child,(00:01:46):even till now,(00:01:48):is in Matthew 28,(00:01:50):20,(00:01:50):when he said,(00:01:50):Lo,(00:01:51):I am with you always,(00:01:52):even to the end of the age.(00:01:54):And I would cling to that in lonely moments as a youth.(00:01:57):And(00:01:57):a teenager and in college and as a young mom,(00:02:02):just knowing that Jesus is alive and he loves me and he is with me and he promised(00:02:07):to be with me always and forever.(00:02:10):So being able to cling to that is an amazing gift as a child of God.(00:02:16):What a beautiful verse to remind ourselves of the love he has for us.(00:02:23):Would you share a little bit from your story about a specific moment or season in(00:02:28):your life when you felt the most isolated?(00:02:34):Well, I have had several moments in my life where I've felt isolated.(00:02:40):When I think about it, I think that I can be isolated for different reasons.(00:02:45):So sometimes I'm isolated because I'm physically stranded in a place with no one(00:02:51):around and I can't get community.(00:02:54):And I remember this so well when I was a new mom and my husband and I adopted twins(00:03:01):who were born at 26 and a half weeks and(00:03:04):And all of a sudden,(00:03:06):we got the call that we were chosen to be parents for these beautiful twin girls.(00:03:13):And we went to the hospital and learned that there was a very traumatic situation(00:03:20):with their birth and that everything was fine,(00:03:24):but they weren't eating.(00:03:26):And so we ended up putting some G-tubes into their bellies before we left the(00:03:32):hospital because they didn't eat.(00:03:34):And we went home, and we were at home with new twins, and we were gavage feeding them.(00:03:42):You put an open tube, and then you pour the milk into their stomach.(00:03:46):So we had this whole setup for being able to feed the girls, but they also were throwing up.(00:03:52):And RSV was going around that year, so we couldn't have anybody over.(00:03:58):So my husband and I were very isolated at home with this very difficult situation.(00:04:04):challenging and new situation and i remember one of my friends walked in the door(00:04:09):to say hi and encourage me look at the situation we had plastic on the floor(00:04:15):because they were vomiting and and we were feeding them and we were crazy and i(00:04:19):don't think i had slept in weeks and um i'm exaggerating i had slept a little bit(00:04:25):but and she just she looked she took one look and she walked out(00:04:30):it wasn't something that she could process at all.(00:04:34):And that can happen,(00:04:35):right,(00:04:36):when we're in a really,(00:04:37):really traumatic,(00:04:38):stressful situation of the death of a loved one or a sickness diagnosis,(00:04:43):or in my case,(00:04:45):you know,(00:04:45):care for special needs babies.(00:04:48):Like people around us, some friends can stay and some friends just can't.(00:04:53):And that's okay.(00:04:53):That's their journey.(00:04:55):And we accept that.(00:04:56):But(00:04:56):what do we do when we're so isolated?(00:04:59):And so my husband and I were together in this, but my friends had kind of disappeared.(00:05:08):There were a few that were able to help now and then,(00:05:10):and they would come over and let me take a nap,(00:05:13):and I'm so thankful to them.(00:05:15):And what I did was I prayed for God to give me(00:05:19):some help and some support.(00:05:21):I asked him, I begged him.(00:05:23):And this is what I love about the Lord.(00:05:25):When we ask him for help and we go to him and ask for ideas or resources or something,(00:05:32):anything,(00:05:33):Lord,(00:05:33):and let me see it.(00:05:34):Let me see that it's you.(00:05:36):He gave me the idea to go to local NICUs and post a paper that I needed an in-home nurse.(00:05:43):And I thought, well, that's(00:05:46):kind of a simple answer, but Lord, could that really work?(00:05:49):I did.(00:05:52):I walked over to the local NICU and I asked them if they would post a handwritten(00:05:59):note that I made on their cork board and(00:06:02):And we got a call.(00:06:04):And I'm telling you,(00:06:05):my husband says to this day,(00:06:07):if she hadn't cashed our checks,(00:06:09):we were sure she's an angel.(00:06:11):This woman was amazing.(00:06:15):And she was obviously able to handle two at once because that was a challenge that we had.(00:06:19):She had medical training for emergencies.(00:06:22):And my husband and I got to sleep.(00:06:24):And we got to talk and go out on a date.(00:06:26):And she was amazing.(00:06:28):So(00:06:30):We have to figure out like, what are we lonely for?(00:06:34):What's the cause of our loneliness?(00:06:36):Because it could be different things.(00:06:38):And then go to scripture for comfort and then ask God,(00:06:41):hey,(00:06:42):can you help me find a solution for this?(00:06:44):Because I'm out of ideas and I feel bad.(00:06:47):That's one thing about loneliness is when we're in the midst of it, we're(00:06:51):We just feel horrible and tired and drained and out of energy.(00:06:57):And it's hard to muster up what we need to solve our problem.(00:07:01):But God is available to help us and solve our problem.(00:07:05):And he can do, oh, my grace is sufficient for you.(00:07:08):My power is made perfect in weakness, right?(00:07:10):That Bible verse is so beautiful.(00:07:13):And he shows up in loneliness to prove that that's true.(00:07:18):Oh, my goodness.(00:07:19):I love that.(00:07:19):I can relate to that a little bit.(00:07:22):Our daughter was a preemie as well, and she needed surgery.(00:07:27):Yeah, yeah.(00:07:29):And so we did have to feed her through a tube for quite some time as well.(00:07:33):I can only imagine what that would be like with two little ones who need all of that attention.(00:07:40):Yeah.(00:07:42):When your friends,(00:07:44):some were able to help and some weren't,(00:07:47):were you able to reconnect with those who were unable to just come alongside you(00:07:53):during that time?(00:07:54):Or did that interrupt relationship for you?(00:08:01):Well, that's a very, very important thing.(00:08:07):Because loneliness can be a cycle if we don't regularly practice forgiveness.(00:08:13):And I'm not talking about boundaries.(00:08:15):Like there are people who we need to have boundaries with and they are unsafe to(00:08:19):have a relationship with.(00:08:21):But friends who we love, who love us, they have a capacity.(00:08:27):We all have a capacity to handle certain types of problems.(00:08:30):They have time constraints.(00:08:32):And they have their own busy schedules and lives.(00:08:38):And sometimes we just can't be the priority.(00:08:40):So in a situation like that,(00:08:42):where it's a friend who just maybe failed or couldn't,(00:08:46):forgiveness is vitally important.(00:08:49):And so I will...(00:08:51):actively forgive people for not being able to meet my needs and understand that,(00:08:59):hey,(00:08:59):you know,(00:09:00):they have their own needs too.(00:09:01):And so I have been able to reconnect and just move ahead knowing that(00:09:08):We're all human.(00:09:10):And,(00:09:10):you know,(00:09:10):there have been times in my life where I have been able to walk with someone(00:09:15):through something really,(00:09:16):really,(00:09:17):really hard.(00:09:18):And there have been times where I just can't because my heart is hurting and we(00:09:23):don't know what they're going through and if they actually have the ability to(00:09:28):emotionally take on my huge thing,(00:09:30):right?(00:09:31):So, yeah, that's rough.(00:09:34):But(00:09:35):I do think that in a healthy relationship,(00:09:37):friendship,(00:09:38):family relationship,(00:09:40):forgiveness plays a part in loneliness and banishing loneliness because we're(00:09:45):renewing relationships and we are growing together regardless of each other's imperfections,(00:09:52):flaws,(00:09:52):and failures.(00:09:54):I think that's really beautiful because there are definitely times where we each(00:09:58):have more capacity.(00:10:01):I'm so focused on my own struggle or pain that I forget what someone else might be(00:10:06):walking through and they just may not have that room in their lives to help me in(00:10:11):my own struggle during that time.(00:10:14):Yeah, I mean, you're in survival mode.(00:10:16):And in survival mode, there's a lot of panic.(00:10:18):There's a lot of stress.(00:10:20):There's a lot of exhaustion.(00:10:21):There's so many things.(00:10:23):And I'm not sure if my friend is also in survival mode for another area because I'm(00:10:28):really not also not there for her right now bec

Do you long for hope amid life's struggles and challenges? Then join author, certified mental health coach and inner healing prayer practitioner Tammy Kennington on From Hardship to Hope, the podcast for Christian navigating life through a faith based lens.If you need biblical support, encouragement and actionable tips, this show is for you. Welcome. I'm your host, Tammy Kennington. Today we continue delving into the topic of loneliness with guest expert Don Dawn Ward.Dawn is a speaker, writer and Bible teacher. She is the founder of the Faith to Flourish, a ministry offering support encouragement to women with addicted loved ones. Don also equips women to live transformed lives through inspiring teaching, mentoring and biblical resources.She's married to Steve and mom to three adult children. Her book From Guilt to Hope and Healing for Christian Moms of addicted children, published September 24, is now available.John, thank you so much for being here. Welcome.Speaker A: Thank you for inviting me, Tammy. I look forward to our conversation.Speaker B: I do too.Well, let's go ahead and and start with the question of what role has your faith played in helping you navigate feelings of loneliness? And how can others lean on their faith in Christ in a similar sort of circumstance?Speaker A: When I first looked at loneliness, I thought how can you be lonely when you're busy and you're a mom and you have kids and you have family and you have friends and you have work and your career and church and all of that.And so there's so many people around us. But loneliness is not always about the number of people we have in our lives or the number of relationships we have. Often we feel lonely and isolated because of circumstances that we're going through.In my case, it happened to be children who were struggling with addiction and especially when it started in our family close to 20 years ago. I remember feeling very isolated, not knowing who I could talk to because I was a woman of faith.And I often found that the circles that I was in, while maybe they discussed higher power and those type of things, I didn't feel the connection that I needed to with my faith to help me to be able to be just open and honest and sincere and really be myself and know, talk about those hard things like when David cried out in the Psalms and just lamented.I think that was something that was missing for me in that I felt the need to appear strong and to have a strong faith and to believe for the, for my children's welfare.And I couldn't bring myself to feel like I felt comfortably in a circle where everyone was really depressed and hopeless. But I also didn't feel like I fit into a circle where it was all faith and everything is, you know, going to be fine and just trust Jesus and.And so I felt like I kind of wavered and that is where my faith helped me. But at the same time, I struggled and was a little bit in limbo in there too.Like, who can I be open to in the church and who can I talk to? So I could often go into a room full of people and feel just very lonely and isolated.Speaker B: You have a similar experience to me in that I have a couple of precious children who walked through addiction struggles. I too felt very alone in that because I wasn't quite sure who was a safe enough person, even within my faith community to share that with without feeling judged.And I think it's so important that we not only deal with stigma having to do with addiction or mental health, but also with the stigma of loneliness, because it's not a topic we deal with much.Do you have any tips or insight on how people can navigate that difficult situation?Speaker A: I would say find your people. It's. It's instinctual to want to pull away. And I feel like an animal sometimes. It's caught trap where they're hurt and they need help, but the very person who's there trying to help them, they're pulling away from and they're.And they're afraid of. And they might even be lashing out. And sometimes our support system doesn't look like what we think it should look like. In other words, we may feel like our husband should get us like the, you know, the children's father should understand what we're going through or be able to communicate in such a way as to offer us support.Or maybe we feel like we should be able to talk to our family of origin, our parents, or our siblings, but because of history there, we really can't even talk to them.And so we have to look outside of who we would think would normally be our circle of influence and would be those closest people to us because they just might not be the ones equipped to help us go through this.And so finding someone that you can connect with, who relates, you know, it could be another mom, it could be another person going through what you're going through, whatever your circumstances are, if you're dealing with a terminally ill loved one or maybe your career was just swept away from you unexpectedly, finding those people who have either walked through it or are walking through it, but maybe a little bit ahead of you so that they can offer you some sage advice and encouragement about you will get through this so that you're not just commiserating, which can often make you feel like, well, gosh, you know, I got it off my chest, but I don't feel any better.And so, yes, she gets me, but I don't feel any better. So sometimes you have to look, you have to kind of go around till you find your people, your tribe, if you want to call it that.It could be one person, it could be a few friends. And I did find that that was the case, that it wasn't numbers of people and a lot of people, but it was just thinking to myself, like, lord, who do I know?Or who could I get to know that can kind of help walk me through this and be a supportive, but also have enough wisdom to say, we. Come on, Dawn, you know, where is Jesus in this?Do you see him in this? And you know, are you really alone? Or are there people who love you and care about you? Because sometimes our feelings lie to us too.Speaker B: Absolutely. And I love that. I think we do have to really seek that kind of community out in pretty much any circumstance. But I can relate to kind of being that animal, having that sort of animalistic response because we just closed in on ourselves.And that makes you feel even more isolated, which I think is part of the reason I think it's so important we're talking about these struggles. I do think people can even find their tribe, as you were saying, in groups like Celebrate Recovery.Yes, because a group like Celebrate Recovery isn't just about addiction recovery. It's also about wounding. Just a general wounding. And that might be a good place if somebody is really looking for a way forward or even just personal counseling or couple counseling, just because then you have somebody who can reflect back to you.Okay, have you thought about this?Speaker A: And yes, I really agree because sometimes we get into our own head and it's like a broken record. Right. We can't get unstuck. We don't want to be where we're at, but we don't know how to take that one extra step that would.Would then break that cycle. And often when we're dealing with long term difficult things like you and I both went through and many people are going through, what happens is we.We don't know what we don't know, and we don't know what we need. And so part of it is just being open to finding a support system and saying to yourself. “You know, I really like her, she's nice.” But I'm finding that if I'm spending time with her, I'm not feeling better. I might need to look for someone else or, you know, and that could even be a counselor.You might be, you know, going to see a counselor. And for whatever reason, they're, they're empathetic, they're understanding, but you're not starting to feel better. And I think that's because often we see loneliness, but it's just one part of a puzzle piece of grief.And so when you were talking about being like that, you know, animal that's hurt and caught, that's grief a lot of times too. And so we don't recognize that we're grieving.So at first we're pulling away from the person or whoever God is sending to us for support because we're just thinking, I need to just snap out of.But when something happens and you're going through the valley of the shadow of death, or you're going through a tremendous traumatic experience and shock and the trauma, often that's a natural survival, like a survival mode that we go into.And so it's, it's instinctual and so it's okay in those first early days, weeks, when you're gathering information and you're just in shock and you're trying to get it to all settle in.But when we start to stay there is when I think we really start to feel isolated and stuck. And so that's where someone who can help move us along.And I even remember telling my sons that I'm like, find the groups that encourage and build you up and will hold you accountable in a positive way. Don't find the ones that are people who don't want to be there.You know, for instance, if they're struggling with addiction, there's a lot of recovery groups, but some of them can just be a bunch of young kids. Maybe they're court ordered to be there.They don't want to be there, they want to be out of there. If you really want to change, you want to have like minded people who are also working towards their change.And I think that's the way it is with loneliness. We all enjoy being alone and having quiet sometimes and just being able to, you know, decombust and decongest and all of that.But I. Loneliness and isolation are different. And that can really, we can really get stuck in that if we're not proactive.Speaker B: Oh. Yeah. There's that distinct difference between the two. And even Even someone who's deeply introverted will still need that connection. And even if they don't need as much as the most extroverted individual there, because it's a continuum of need.Speak

(00:00:18):Do you long for hope amid life struggles and challenges?(00:00:22):Then join author and life coach Tammy Kennington on From Hardship to Hope,(00:00:27):the podcast for Christian women navigating life through a faith-based lens.(00:00:32):If you need biblical support, encouragement, and actionable tips, this show is for you.(00:00:37):Welcome.(00:00:38):I'm your host, Tammy Kennington.(00:00:40):I'm so glad you've joined me for the first episode of season two.(00:00:45):Today,(00:00:45):and for the next several episodes,(00:00:48):we're going to discuss a topic that is often not one we grapple with regularly,(00:00:55):at least in public.(00:00:58):That is the topic of loneliness.(00:01:01):While it's not something we may always talk about,(00:01:03):it is something we'll all experience at some point in our lives.(00:01:07):And I would guess that most, if not all of us, have experienced it before.(00:01:12):Whether we are going through a tough season,(00:01:16):we're recently divorced or single,(00:01:19):or maybe just feeling disconnected from those around us,(00:01:22):loneliness can sneak up in unexpected ways.(00:01:26):But here's the good news.(00:01:27):Loneliness doesn't have to be something that we fear or avoid.(00:01:31):In fact,(00:01:32):it's something we can learn to navigate through faith,(00:01:35):just like many of the women and men we read about in the Bible and whose lives(00:01:40):we'll discuss throughout this series.(00:01:43):Let's first begin by defining what loneliness is,(00:01:47):understanding some of its characteristics,(00:01:49):and then exploring how we as Christian women can walk through loneliness with hope.(00:01:57):So what is loneliness?(00:01:58):Loneliness.(00:02:01):It's defined as an unpleasant emotional response to perceived isolation.(00:02:07):Loneliness is also described as a social pain,(00:02:10):a psychological mechanism that motivates individuals to seek social connections.(00:02:17):In that way, loneliness can be a good thing, right?(00:02:21):Because we are recognizing there's something we need from someone else.(00:02:26):We know in and within ourselves that we are not enough.(00:02:31):People are made for connection.(00:02:34):But loneliness is often associated with a perceived lack of connection with intimacy.(00:02:43):Many researchers, however, do make a distinction between loneliness and isolation or solitude.(00:02:51):Solitude is really just the act of being apart from others, but not everyone who is(00:03:00):Experiencing solitude feels lonely.(00:03:03):As an emotion, loneliness can often be felt even when we're surrounded by other people.(00:03:12):So loneliness is sometimes misunderstood.(00:03:15):It's not just a single aspect of one's life.(00:03:20):It's not just about being physically alone.(00:03:24):it can be a deep emotional feeling of disconnection.(00:03:28):It's when we have that deep ache in our hearts and feel like no one else(00:03:32):understands us,(00:03:33):or when we long for connection with someone,(00:03:36):but it just seems out of reach.(00:03:40):Research indicates there are several different types of loneliness.(00:03:44):These are emotional loneliness,(00:03:46):which is an absence of meaningful relationship,(00:03:51):social loneliness,(00:03:52):which is a perceived deficit of(00:03:54):and the quality of contacts or the number of people involved in our lives or(00:04:00):quality of those relationships.(00:04:03):And then there's existential loneliness,(00:04:05):which is a feeling of being separate from others and the world at large.(00:04:12):Now, these feelings of loneliness often overlap.(00:04:17):If you imagine a Venn diagram,(00:04:19):emotional,(00:04:20):social,(00:04:20):and existential,(00:04:21):they'll often overlap with one another.(00:04:25):They are experienced for different durations of time and different intensities.(00:04:30):They can be transient, meaning they come and go.(00:04:33):They might be situational.(00:04:36):So some of us may have struggled with feeling lonely during the Christmas season,(00:04:43):for example,(00:04:44):or on certain dates,(00:04:45):maybe our birthday or a Father's Day or a Mother's Day.(00:04:49):And loneliness can also be chronic.(00:04:54):So for some of us,(00:04:55):loneliness can manifest as a feeling of emptiness,(00:04:58):like something might be missing,(00:05:00):while others may experience it as profound sadness or even,(00:05:04):again,(00:05:04):that isolation from others.(00:05:07):And it's really important for us to recognize that loneliness can affect anyone,(00:05:12):whether we're in that room that's crowded again or we're sitting alone at home.(00:05:19):Loneliness does not play favorites, and it doesn't have a favorite role.(00:05:24):place to call home.(00:05:27):So what else do we know and why should we address loneliness?(00:05:33):Well, the U.S.(00:05:34):News and World Report recently had an article entitled, Loneliness is Plaguing Americans.(00:05:43):And for that article, they surveyed 2,200 adults.(00:05:48):One third of those adults reported feeling lonely at least once a week(00:05:53):Well, one in 10 said that they experienced loneliness every day.(00:06:01):So I wanted to dig a little more into this because the U.S.(00:06:07):World News Report survey seemed to indicate something very significant.(00:06:13):And it's backed up by information proposed by the American Psychological Association.(00:06:21):In 2023,(00:06:21):the APA conducted a survey of their own,(00:06:26):which confirmed that 30% of 18 to 34-year-olds are lonely every day or several(00:06:34):times a week,(00:06:35):while 43% of American adults,(00:06:38):adults across the board,(00:06:40):experience loneliness in the same way that they did during COVID.(00:06:45):In other words, loneliness has not changed forever.(00:06:49):for most American adults.(00:06:52):And interestingly, loneliness seems rampant across cultures.(00:06:57):There was research that I found about the UK and that society is experiencing very(00:07:06):similar or the same sorts of loneliness.(00:07:09):Those people in that culture are also navigating the same struggles that Americans(00:07:16):are with loneliness.(00:07:19):So what else do we know?(00:07:21):Research indicates that loneliness equates to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.(00:07:28):What happens in the body is that it increases the prevalence of norepinephrine,(00:07:36):which is associated with the fight,(00:07:39):flight and freeze reaction that people tend to have.(00:07:42):And it leads to accelerated aging.(00:07:47):and health struggles, really significant health struggles.(00:07:53):In fact, it is a predictor, sadly, of early mortality, in particular when loneliness is chronic.(00:08:01):Now,(00:08:01):chronic loneliness,(00:08:02):as I mentioned,(00:08:03):is linked to health struggles,(00:08:05):and these include increased blood pressure,(00:08:07):a weakened immune system,(00:08:10):anxiety,(00:08:10):depression,(00:08:11):obesity,(00:08:13):high cholesterol,(00:08:14):heart disease,(00:08:16):an increase of blood sugars and even Alzheimer's disease.(00:08:21):It's a pretty startling list, isn't it?(00:08:25):Very concerning when we consider that so many of our young adults,(00:08:29):18 to 34,(00:08:30):and then our older Americans,(00:08:33):our older seniors,(00:08:35):elderly in the elderly population struggle with loneliness.(00:08:41):So how do people ease their loneliness?(00:08:45):There are several different ways.(00:08:47):50% of people distract themselves with a television show,(00:08:51):with a podcast,(00:08:53):or by engaging in social media.(00:08:56):41% take a walk.(00:08:58):And this differs according to this particular study that I was listening to with(00:09:05):31% who utilize exercise.(00:09:05):38% engage with family and friends.(00:09:07):Another 31% with their pets.(00:09:16):26% eat more than usual, and 13% utilize drugs or alcohol.(00:09:24):The causes of loneliness are varied depending on our life situations.(00:09:32):Loneliness might be a result of a genetic inheritance, an(00:09:38):And,(00:09:38):um,(00:09:39):based on twin studies,(00:09:40):it seems that approximately 15 to 20% of people are more predisposed to loneliness(00:09:47):than others.(00:09:49):Cultural factors within family situations can affect loneliness.(00:09:54):Those people with adverse childhood experiences,(00:09:57):for example,(00:09:58):are more prone to struggle with loneliness as adults.(00:10:02):It could be just a lack of meaningful relationships,(00:10:05):a loss,(00:10:06):a significant loss,(00:10:08):or even incredibly excessive reliance on technologies.(00:10:15):So we do know, as I mentioned, that loneliness is found throughout society.(00:10:21):And it's even among people in marriages or in others,(00:10:27):strong relationships,(00:10:28):those who have other strong relationships,(00:10:30):those people who have successful careers.(00:10:33):This is a human experience.(00:10:38):There are a couple of times in my life that when I reflect,(00:10:41):I can think about experiencing a deep sense of loneliness.(00:10:48):One was as a little girl.(00:10:51):As a little girl growing up in a home rife with violence and abuse, I felt very alone.(00:10:58):And in fact, one of my favorite stories was the little match girl.(00:11:03):And I imagine myself being the little match girl and taken and(00:11:08):up into heaven and experiencing freedom from that pain and that loneliness.(00:11:17):At another point in my life,(00:11:20):I would be sitting amongst a full crowd of young women at church during Bible study(00:11:27):or during a church service.(00:11:30):And Sunday after Sunday, I just felt alone in the midst of(00:11:36):of all of those people just alone and misunderstood.(00:11:40):And I really think it was my perception.(00:11:43):It wasn't anything anyone else had done, but I felt so alone and I couldn't understand it.(

Nuggets of Wisdom* God's Word and His promises became the anchor and the things I stood on in themiddle of the battle.* It was a spiritual battle.The enemy comes to seek, kill and destroy.And that was my aha moment—when I realized I wasn't fighting against my children. I was fighting against a spiritual battle.* The key essential weapon is prayer.* It's the blood of Christ that can change everything.* God chose you,whether you adopted that child or whether it is your child by birth,that you are a steward of God's masterpiece.* I had to learn a new level of surrender.in my own life to God.Laine Lawson CraftIntroducing Laine Lawson Craft—best-selling, award-winning author, TV, and podcast host based in sunny Fort Walton Beach, Florida. More than a devoted wife and mom, she’s a powerhouse of hope, turning life’s impossible into breathtaking realities. Her newest book, Warfare Parenting: A Daily Battle Plan to Fight for Your Child, is a 365-day comprehensive daily devotional that combines scriptural insights, practical guidance, and powerful prayers to equip parents in their spiritual battle for their children’s lives. Each daily reading offers hope, inspiration, and Biblical strategies, helping parents maintain their faith and strength while navigating challenges, including substance abuse, legal troubles, rebellion, and faith struggles. Written by bestselling author, winner of the 2023 Nonfiction Book of the Year with her book, The Parent’s Battle Plan: Warfare Strategies to Win Back Your Prodigal, and a top-rated podcast host of the Warfare Parenting Podcast in the top 10% globally, all of these resources draw from both Biblical wisdom and personal experience.Emerging from a near-collapsed marriage and financial hardship, Laine understands firsthand the transformative power of faith. Her real-life victories over spiritual warfare resonate, turning her into a magnet for parents seeking guidance and solace.In her highly acclaimed book, “The Parent’s Battle Plan: Warfare Strategies to Win Back Your Prodigal,” Laine lays bare her spiritual toolkit that brought her own prodigal children back to the fold. The book recently clinched the prestigious 2023 Nonfiction Book of the Year Golden Scroll Award, adding to her growing list of accolades like CAN Awards, Illumination Awards, and being a Selah Award Finalist.Connect with Laine* Website-https://lainelawsoncraft.com/* Warfare Parenting Freebie* Warfare Parenting:A Daily Battle Plan to Fight for Your Child – Comfort for the Parent of a Rebellious Child (Laine Lawson Craft)Is your child on a prodigal journey? I keep an ongoing list of those who’ve wandered off the path or don’t yet know the Lord. Feel free to share your loved one’s first name if you’d like me to keep them in my prayers. I would be honored.Peace and grace,TammyP.S. I strive to offer encouragement, biblical truth, and hope to women navigating life’s challenges. At times, I may share books, products, or resources through affiliate links if I believe they are worth your time and investment.If you choose to purchase through one of these links, I may earn a (teeny-tiny) commission at no additional cost to you. I will never promote a book or resource that made me think, “meh.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tammykennington.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tammykennington.substack.com/subscribe

Nuggets of Wisdom“The Lord taught me to begin to relinquish that dream to Him so that He could replace that dream with a better dream, a better plan, or he could affirm and confirm that was his dream for me.”“As we begin to ask the Lord, ‘In my pain, God, will you use me to bring joy and encouragement to others?’ That is not a prayer He will overlook.”“I began to see there was something in this journey. This barren season could bring joy.”“Ian helped others bridge this issue of racial reconciliation. It’s been a beautiful thing to witness.”“You are good, and what You do is good.” (Psalm 119:68)“When we praise in the midst of pain, it’s our ladder out of despair.”“It brings some sort of joy and peace to the journey of pain when you can see you are actually being used to help others walk through their own.”Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to receive more hope in your inbox. Connect with MaureenMaureen Miller is an award-winning author with stories in numerous collaboratives. She contributes to Guideposts’ All God’s Creatures, her local newspaper, and several online devotion sites. Married for thirty-six years to her childhood sweetheart Bill, they live on Selah Farm, a hobby homestead nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina. She blogs at Windows and Wallflowers (maureenmillerauthor.com)—telling of God’s extraordinary character in the ordinary of life. Her debut novel, Gideon’s Book, is now available.Thanks for listening to today’s episode. If you need someone to pray with you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Remember to subscribe so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes or author updates, freebies, and hope-filled words.Peace and grace,Tammy This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tammykennington.substack.com/subscribe

Nuggets of Wisdom* You can have confidence while shaking in your boots.* if we’re fearful, he will meet us in those fears, too.* Look for the doors of opportunity.Bible Study PDFDeborah Rutherford is a poet, author, and podcaster dedicated to sharing hope and encouragement. She speaks from the experience of being a redeemed prodigal daughter, using her life as a vibrant testament to God’s unwavering love and transformative grace. Deborah is also an award-winning makeup artist and the voice behind the Behold-Her Beauty Podcast and the author of Unexpected Blessings:40 Days of Discovering God’s Best and the new poetry collection Prodigal Daughter: Poems of Light for the Lost Ones (The Way Back Books 2025). When she’s not writing, she loves being a wife to Don, singing old hymns, and taking long walks in nature.LINKS:https://deborahrutherford.comhttps://www.instagram.com/deborahrutherfordwrites/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tammykennington.substack.com/subscribe

Download one month’s worth of free prayer prompts. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tammykennington.substack.com/subscribe

Click the link and let me know how I can come alongside you in future seasons, articles, and posts.https://tammykennington.substack.com/i/161934271/how-can-i-come-alongside-youPeace and grace,Tammy This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tammykennington.substack.com/subscribe

Have you lost a loved one? Do you long for the sound of their laugh? The inside jokes? Moments only shared by the two of you? Whether you know the pain of losing a beloved spouse, child, parent, or other precious one, you know the loneliness the loss of that dear one’s presence creates. Today’s guest understands your heartache and offers practical strategies to help you manage, cope, and move ahead. International author and speaker Haddasah Treu shares about her painful experience with loneliness after the unexpected loss of her husband and how her faith in the Lord gave her hope and direction.Listen in to hear more of her story.Nuggets of Wisdom * I needed human presence.* Connect to the Lord, connect with people, and engage in meaningful and joyful activities.* I still don’t have the answers, but I have peace.* Healing is a messy process.* We need the empathy of someone. We don’t need solutions or answers.* Every one of us should take responsibility for…his or her own thoughts, our own feelings, our own decisions, and not make somebody else responsible for our well being or our happiness.* Turn to the Lord…He’s our life and He’s the source of life.More About HadassahHadassah Treu is an award-winning international author of "DRAW NEAR: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings," freelance writer, poet, speaker, and motivator, living in Bulgaria. She loves encouraging people to draw near to God in the dark valleys of life. From the platform of her greatest pains equipped with lessons gathered on the way, she delivers a powerful message of comfort and hope, found in God’s Word.Hadassah is a contributing author to several faith-based platforms like Proverbs 31 Compel Blog, and 13 devotional and poetry anthologies. She has been featured in The Upper Room, (In)Courage, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Today's Christian Living, Living by Design Ministries, and many other popular sites and podcasts. Read a chapter for free from Hadassah's book here.LINKSWebsite:https://onthewaybg.com/Join my community:https://subscribepage.io/joinmycommunityFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/onthewaybg/X:https://x.com/onthewaybgPinterest:https://www.pinterest.at/onthewaybg/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@hadassahtreu-authorMedium:https://medium.com/@hadassah.treuAmazon:https://www.amazon.com/Treu-Hadassah/Draw Near Book:https://a.co/d/gWfmBE3Gumroad Shop: https://hadassahtreu.gumroad.com/Draw Near This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tammykennington.substack.com/subscribe

(00:00:45):Do you long for hope amid mental, emotional, or everyday struggles?(00:00:49):Join mental health coach,(00:00:50):inner healing prayer warrior,(00:00:52):author,(00:00:53):and trauma survivor,(00:00:54):Tammy Kennington,(00:00:55):on From Hardship to Hope,(00:00:57):the podcast for Christian women navigating motherhood,(00:00:59):mental health,(00:01:00):or matters of faith.(00:01:02):If you need biblical support, encouragement, and actionable tips, this show is for you.(00:01:08):Welcome.(00:01:09):I'm your host, Tammy Kennington.(00:01:11):Today, we're discussing loneliness.(00:01:14):within the framework of Scripture.(00:01:17):We'll delve into the life of Elijah and consider some takeaways,(00:01:21):and at the end of the episode,(00:01:24):discuss specific ways to grow through and beyond loneliness.(00:01:29):So let's get started.(00:01:33):The article read,(00:01:35):Lonely old man in his 80s,(00:01:37):strong-bodied,(00:01:38):can shop,(00:01:38):cook,(00:01:39):and take care of himself.(00:01:41):No chronic illness.(00:01:43):I retired from a scientific research institute with a monthly pension of $946 a month.(00:01:50):My hope is that a kind-hearted person or family will adopt me,(00:01:53):nourish me through old age,(00:01:55):and bury my body when I'm dead.(00:01:58):This is taken from a 2021 news article written by a man named Han in China.(00:02:06):I often wonder about Han.(00:02:09):Did someone usher him into their family?(00:02:12):Did a Christian community invite him to church?(00:02:16):Did they meet his need for friendship, for companionship, for protection?(00:02:24):The book Project Unlonely by Dr. Jeremy Noble exposes what he terms the loneliness crisis.(00:02:31):And he notes that trauma,(00:02:33):aging,(00:02:34):illness,(00:02:34):and differences all contribute to loneliness,(00:02:39):one of the world's gravest social issues.(00:02:43):Yet we know from Scripture the story of loneliness is as old as time.(00:02:48):In Genesis 2 we read, Soon after Adam was created,(00:02:54):that God said it is not good for man to be alone.(00:02:57):We were made to commune with God and one another.(00:03:03):But after the fall, that need for companionship became altered.(00:03:11):Men no longer walked with God in the garden.(00:03:14):There was a gap in that relationship.(00:03:18):And the relationship between men and women was altered.(00:03:22):And we see that all throughout Adam's family with his sons having such struggle(00:03:30):that one rose up and killed the other.(00:03:34):That discomfort that loneliness brings with it reminds us of the importance of relationship.(00:03:42):Many people from Scripture also experience that same struggle,(00:03:46):and we can learn a lot from what the Bible records about them.(00:03:49):So today we're going to talk about one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament, Elijah.(00:03:57):He was a powerful, influential man at the time.(00:04:00):He reprimanded King Ahab, who had let all of the northern kingdom of Israel into idolatry.(00:04:06):Elijah called fire down from heaven on Mount Carmel, yet he experienced acute loneliness.(00:04:14):In 1 Kings,(00:04:15):we discover that he was fearing for his life after revealing to Ahab that there(00:04:20):would be a famine in the land that would only end at his command.(00:04:26):The prophet, led by God, hid by the brook Cherith.(00:04:32):And out of curiosity, I looked up the meaning of that Hebrew word.(00:04:37):I discovered it means community of misfits and off the mainstream.(00:04:44):It intrigues me that God sent his faithful follower to a creek that reflected Elijah's light(00:04:52):Elijah didn't align with society's values.(00:04:55):In fact, he opposed the idolatry of those in the mainstream.(00:05:00):And I wonder how many of us feel like we've camped by the brook designated for(00:05:04):those swimming upstream.(00:05:06):Maybe you feel that way.(00:05:09):Maybe your family sees you as the Bible thumper.(00:05:14):Maybe you're the only Christian in your family.(00:05:17):Maybe you struggle to connect with co-workers because instead of using Jesus as a(00:05:24):curse word,(00:05:25):it's said in prayer.(00:05:28):Maybe you feel abandoned by a loved one.(00:05:35):Maybe you are lonely for a prodigal in your life.(00:05:42):A well-known author,(00:05:43):Lisa Turkhurst,(00:05:45):once wrote on Proverbs 31 about attending an event and how she felt so rejected and overlooked.(00:05:56):She says,(00:05:57):I couldn't wait to be with these people,(00:05:59):and I couldn't wait for the deep friendships that would surely bloom as a result of(00:06:03):our time together.(00:06:04):Walking into the meeting room, I quickly located the table of the people I was excited to meet.(00:06:10):Every seat had a name tag attached, so I circled the table looking for mine.(00:06:15):As I got to the last chair and realized my name wasn't there, my heart sank.(00:06:20):Finally, at a table on the opposite side of the room, I found my name.(00:06:24):The Lord must have a special plan for me to meet and connect with the others(00:06:28):assigned to my table,(00:06:29):I thought.(00:06:30):Taking my seat, I pulled out my cell phone and waited nervously for my table mates.(00:06:35):I waited and waited and waited.(00:06:39):As the prayer for the meal concluded and the event got underway,(00:06:42):it became painfully apparent to me that the others assigned to my table weren't(00:06:47):able to come for some reason.(00:06:49):So I'd be seated alone.(00:06:52):Very alone.(00:06:53):In my head, I started to have a little pity conversation.(00:06:57):Well, self, would you like a roll or ten perhaps?(00:07:00):And that's when a very clear sentence popped into my head.(00:07:04):You aren't set aside, Lisa.(00:07:05):You are set apart.(00:07:08):It wasn't audible and it wasn't my own thought.(00:07:11):I knew it was a thought assigned by God that I needed to ponder.(00:07:15):To be set aside is to be rejected.(00:07:18):That's exactly what the enemy wanted me to feel.(00:07:21):If he could get me to feel this,(00:07:23):then I'd become completely self-absorbed in my own insecurity and miss whatever(00:07:29):reason God had for me to be at this event.(00:07:32):When loneliness sets in, I wonder, are those enemy's arrows finding their mark?(00:07:42):Let's deny the enemy the victory over our minds.(00:07:46):Scripture actually calls us to be holy, which literally means set apart.(00:07:53):We are to be the Elijahs of our day.(00:07:59):Elijah's story does not end at the creek side.(00:08:03):Instead, the drought that he had announced to King Ahab affected him.(00:08:09):The brook dried up and his provision as well.(00:08:14):But God had a solution.(00:08:16):He sent the prophet four hours away to Phoenicia.(00:08:23):There was a widow there, and Elijah met her and said, please give me some bread and some water.(00:08:29):And she proceeded to tell him,(00:08:32):look,(00:08:32):I'm just out here gathering sticks to make a little fire and to use the last of my(00:08:36):flour and oil to make a final bit of bread for my son and me,(00:08:45):and then we know we'll die.(00:08:49):God sent Elijah to an unbelieving woman who called God your God.(00:08:57):And in her kindness,(00:09:02):she listened to Elijah,(00:09:04):made him the bread,(00:09:06):and invited the man God loved into her home.(00:09:12):And not only did God continue to give them flour and oil to sustain them throughout(00:09:19):the entirety of the famine and the drought,(00:09:24):but when that woman's son died,(00:09:27):Elijah raised him back from the dead,(00:09:31):and she recognized God as her own.(00:09:35):So God extended mercy not just to Elijah—(00:09:38):but also to the woman and her son.(00:09:42):It's such a beautiful story of God's mercy and compassion and provision.(00:09:49):After three years, the Lord called Elijah back to Israel to confront Ahab.(00:10:02):And while he was there, he met the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel.(00:10:08):There were 450 of them,(00:10:12):all calling out to their God,(00:10:15):Baal,(00:10:16):all calling out for him to answer their prayers.(00:10:20):Meanwhile, Elijah said, whoever has a God that answers, he is the true and living God.(00:10:28):When the prophets of Baal finally gave up, they had gashed themselves.(00:10:34):They had called out for hours until their voices were hoarse.(00:10:38):And Elijah said, pour water on this altar.(00:10:42):And he dug a trench and gallons and gallons and gallons of water absolutely(00:10:48):drenched the wood on the altar.(00:10:51):Elijah called out to God and fire came down and consumed the altar,(00:10:58):the wood,(00:10:59):the water,(00:11:00):and the dust.(00:11:03):After that, Elijah had all of those false prophets killed.(00:11:11):Upset and angry,(00:11:13):Ahab fled home to his wife,(00:11:15):who happened to be the most dangerous enemy in the kingdom,(00:11:22):Jezebel.(00:11:24):And when she heard of Elijah's victory, she put a price on Elijah's head, and he fled in fear.(00:11:34):into the wilderness.(00:11:36):In his despair, he called out, I have had enough.(00:11:42):I wonder if you're in that same place today,(00:11:45):if you've been in that place before,(00:11:48):if you've been alone in the wilderness or even there now shouting the words,(00:11:52):I've had enough.(00:11:58):God did not condemn Elijah,(00:12:02):despite his skewed perception of circumstances,(00:12:05):because truly,(00:12:06):loneliness can lead to his skewed perception of our situation.(00:12:11):Like Elijah, we might call out, I alone am left.(00:12:16):Nobody understands me.(00:12:18):Nobody understands my situation.(00:12:21):Nobody gets my pain.(00:12:23):Nobody understands my grief.(00:12:25):Nobody understands what it is to grapple with this illness.(00:12:29):There's no one else who gets trauma like this.(00:12:34):Elijah was in that place.(00:12:38):But Obadiah,(00:12:40):a servan