In this episode of Faith Unfiltered, the hosts tackle the heavy yet crucial topic of anxiety, depression, and the silent struggles many face, including Christians. The hosts share personal experiences and discuss the stigma around mental health within the Christian community. Insights include what the Bible says about mental health, how Jesus meets us in our lowest moments, and practical steps to start healing. The conversation also covers the societal impact of social media, the importance of therapy, and creating a culture of connection and support to combat loneliness and mental illness.

Key Highlights:

[00:00 - 00:39] Introduction to Faith Unfiltered

[00:38 - 02:22] The Reality of Anxiety and Depression

[02:23 - 04:44] Personal Struggles and Dark Times

[04:45 - 10:38] The Impact of Social Media

[10:39 - 15:37] Navigating Mental Health as Christians

[15:38 - 17:25] The Importance of Therapy

[17:26 - 20:04] Biblical Figures and Mental Struggles

[20:05 - 21:33] Creating Safe Spaces for Open Conversations

[21:34 - 22:46] The Power of Prayer and Honest Emotions

[22:47 - 31:29] The Healing Benefits of Physical Activity

[31:30 - 34:43] Building Community and Limiting Social Media

[34:44 - 38:46] Addressing the Crisis of Suicide

[38:47 - 39:51] The Importance of Therapy and Seeking Help

[39:52 - 40:20] Final Thoughts on Healing and Support

Tweetable Quotes:

“   God designed our bodies to work with our healing.” - Ms. Angela

“ Don't rush to fix them.  Love them just as they are.” - Ms. Amber

“ There is always something. To be grateful for. There's always something, but if we hyper always think of all the negative, we don't have room for the beautiful.” - Ms. Amber

“ Show up for people even in the small ways. And raise warriors, not performers.” - Ms. Amber

“ Failing and failure is part of life.” - Ms. Amber

“ You're not alone. Jesus isn't scared of your mess, your pain, or your tears. He wants to walk with you through it, not just fix it, but be with you in it.” - Ms. Amber

“ You are not broken beyond repair. You are not too far gone.  And this world needs your light.” - Ms. Amber

In this heart-wrenching yet hopeful episode of Faith Unfiltered, Angela and Amber discuss the deeply personal story of Angela's son, Angelo, and his recent diagnosis with severe ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). From early symptoms and a sudden health decline during a mission trip to Mexico, to navigating a complex medical journey involving multiple hospital stays and procedures, Angela shares the emotional and spiritual rollercoaster her family has faced. The episode highlights the importance of community and family support, the power of prayer, and the struggle to maintain faith in the midst of ongoing medical challenges. Drawing on their experiences, Angela emphasizes the need for clear communication with healthcare providers and the critical role of family and friends in providing practical and emotional support. The episode closes with a message of hope and trust in God's sovereignty, even when life takes unexpected and difficult turns.

Key Highlights:

[00:00 - 00:44] Introduction to Faith Unfiltered

[00:45 - 01:11] A Personal Story: Angela's Son's Diagnosis

[01:12 - 05:27] The Journey Begins: Initial Symptoms and Diagnosis

[05:28 - 15:37] A Mother's Struggle: Coping with the Diagnosis

[15:38 - 16:39] Seeking Help: Family and Community Support

[16:40 - 29:36] Hospitalization and Further Complications

[29:37 - 30:12] Sharing Meals and Support

[30:13 - 31:26] Coping with Stress and Family Dynamics

[31:27 - 33:42] Navigating Life After Diagnosis

[33:43 - 34:33] Prioritizing Self-Care and Relationships

[34:34 - 35:38] Finding a New Church Community

[35:39 - 36:45] Embracing Organic Living

[36:46 - 39:47] Support Groups and Community

[39:48 - 47:37] Faith and Trust in Difficult Times

[47:38 - 52:35] Gratitude and Acknowledgements

[52:36 - 52:59] Closing Remarks and Encouragement

Tweetable Quotes:

“  Life is pivoting to a different direction that you weren't expecting.” - Ms. Amber

“ The Lord does give us more than we can handle, and he does it so that he can show us that we don't need to handle it because he can handle it for us.” - Ms. Angela

“ The trials that the Lord puts us through because he does allow them to happen.  It's 100% for his glory.” - Ms. Angela

Book Mention:

Little Pilgrim's Progress

In this episode of Faith Unfiltered, Amber discusses the power and freedom in asking questions about one's faith. With Angela taking a brief break, Amber reflects on her own journey back to Christianity after 20 years, emphasizing the importance of exploring doubts and seeking a deeper understanding of religious teachings. She stresses that faith and doubt can coexist and encourages listeners to be apprentices of Jesus, embracing curiosity and continual learning. Amber shares personal experiences, mentions influential scholars, and provides scriptural references, all while fostering an environment where asking questions is not only accepted but encouraged.

Key Highlights:

[00:00 - 00:38] Welcome to Faith Unfiltered

[00:39 -00:56] Angela's Break and Today's Topic

[00:57 - 01:35] Embracing Questions in Faith

[01:36 - 02:30] Exploring Biblical Texts and Historians

[02:31 - 05:42] Personal Faith Journey and Questions

[05:43 - 06:03] Encouragement for Questioning Faith

[06:04 - 07:50] Deep Dive into Bible Stories

[07:51 - 18:05] The Role of Doubt in Strengthening Faith

[18:06 - 27:34] Scriptural Encouragement for Questioning

[27:35 - 27:58] Final Thoughts and Encouragement

[27:59 - 28:23] Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Tweetable Quotes:

“   It's my relationship with Jesus. It's not my parents' relationship on me, it's not the church. I grew up in a relationship. It's my relationship and it's so freaking beautiful.” - Ms. Amber

“ Doubt doesn't cancel belief. It deepens it.” - Ms. Amber

“ Asking questions means your faith is real and it's not robotic.” - Ms. Amber

“ If your faith has questions, you're in the right place. God is not intimidated by your curiosity. In fact, he welcomes it.” - Ms. Amber

“Keep seeking, keep asking. Keep showing up. That's faith, too.” - Ms. Amber

Journal Prompts:

Faith_Unfiltered_10_Honest_Questions_to_Ask_God.pdf