Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Braden Pedersen. In this episode they tackle worry and anxiety from a scriptural and practical perspective: why worry keeps returning, what to do in the first 10–15 seconds after it appears, and how prayer, gratitude, community, and nighttime rhythms help you move closer to Jesus. Scripture discussed: Psalm 16:8 and 1 Peter 5:7. Read - Read Psalm 16:8 and 1 Peter 5:7. Reflect - Ask: When today did I stop “keeping my eyes on the Lord”? Identify the moment and the trigger that led to worry. Respond - The next time worry appears, within 10–15 seconds say a one-sentence prayer (aloud or silently) giving the worry to God and add one short sentence of gratitude. Reveal - Share the practice with one person: invite them to join a 24-hour trial (each time worry shows up, pray and record the result), then compare notes and encourage each other. Connect with Arnie: [email protected] Keywords: worry, anxiety, prayer, Psalm 16:8, 1 Peter 5:7, spiritual fitness, Christian podcast, Arnie Cole, Braden Pedersen, gratitude, faith, mental health Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. In this episode Arnie talks with Braden Pedersen about fear, worry, and the harm of hiding anxiety. Using Psalm 56:3–4, they explore how David expects fear and intentionally "puts" his trust in God. Braden shares how a pastor’s death, staff turnover, and internalized fear led to burnout, and how community and honest confession opened the way back to spiritual life. Read: Psalm 56:3–4. Reflect: Notice David’s two key words, “when” and “put.” Expect fear, then decide where you’ll place it rather than letting it run you. Respond: This week, tell one trusted friend or mentor one specific fear you’re carrying and ask for their prayer or accountability. Reveal: Share with someone how naming a fear and redirecting trust to God changed one choice you made; offer to pray with them or lead a short conversation about fear and faith. Connect with Arnie Cole: [email protected] Keywords: spiritual fitness, fear and faith, worry, Psalm 56, trust in God, Christian podcast, pastoral burnout, vulnerability, community, Braden Pedersen, Arnie Cole Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Braden Pedersen. In this episode Arnie and Braden wrestle with worry: what to do when it feels like you’ll fail at your job, when circumstances aren’t your fault and fear moves in. Using Philippians 4:6–7 and Matthew 6:33, Braden shares how the sudden loss of his mentor tested his faith and how he learned to choose trust and trade worry for prayer. (Four in ten Christian women and three in ten men say they struggle with worry.) Read - Read Philippians 4:6–7 aloud and then Matthew 6:33. Reflect - Identify one recurring worry and ask, “Is this pulling my focus off Jesus?” Name it as the arrow it is. Respond - When you notice that worry, present that specific concern to God in a brief prayer with thanksgiving. Reveal - Tell a friend one worry you handed to God and invite them to pray with you; observe any shift in peace as evidence of God’s presence. Connect: [email protected] Keywords: worry, anxiety, Philippians 4:6-7, prayer, spiritual fitness, trust God, Matthew 6:33, Christian podcast, Arnie Cole, Braden Pedersen, Spiritually Fit Today Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. In this episode Arnie shares his lifelong struggle with worry and fear, explains how these distractions pull our focus off Jesus, and offers practical steps from Hebrews 12:1–2 to help you refocus on Him. Read - Read Hebrews 12:1–2 slowly today. Reflect - Ask: What habit or worry is entangling my feet as I try to run toward Jesus? Spend 2–3 minutes visualizing your eyes fixed on Jesus instead of the struggle. Respond - Tonight, write down one worry, pray a short surrender over it, and place the paper somewhere visible as a reminder to refocus on Jesus tomorrow. Reveal - Share that one worry with a trusted friend or small group and pray together, showing how turning a named struggle toward Jesus changes perspective. Contact Arnie: [email protected] Keywords: spiritual fitness, Christian podcast, Arnie Cole, worry and fear, Hebrews 12:1-2, overcome anxiety, spiritual growth, faith, Christian coaching, daily devotion Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. In this episode Arnie grounds us in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 and calls us to move what’s on our hearts into ordinary home rhythms by offering a genuine gift of affirmation, then asking a courageous question and receiving the answer with gratitude. Read Deuteronomy 6:6-7. Reflect Ask: Is this teaching lodged in my head or on my heart? Notice everyday entry points (coming home, sitting, walking, lying down, rising) where gospel truth can shape how you relate to the people who live with you. Respond Simple step: Give one honest, face-to-face affirmation of who someone in your home is (not what they do). Later this week ask, briefly and calmly, how it feels to live with you in the first few minutes after you come home—and when they answer, just say “Thank you.” Reveal Model the pattern for someone else: demonstrate giving a plain affirmation, asking the question, and receiving the response with humility so others can see a gospel-shaped way to hear hard truth. Contact Questions or feedback: [email protected] Keywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, spiritual fitness, household discipleship, heart to home, gospel in daily life, gratitude practice, family conversation, humble listening Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft