When headlines, social media, and everyday stress collide, anxiety can easily take over. In this episode, Jennifer Slattery and Carol McCracken explore why our minds and bodies respond so strongly to cultural chaos—and how God gently leads us back to peace.

Download the free companion guide for this episode here: Finding Peace in a Chaotic World: A Faith-Based Guide to Quieting Anxiety and Re-centering Your Heart

You’ll hear:


how stress and overstimulation affect the brain


why anxious thoughts spiral so quickly


practical grounding tools rooted in faith


how Jesus modeled withdrawal and reconnection with the Father


why joy, Scripture, and community strengthen emotional resilience

If you’ve felt overwhelmed lately, this conversation will remind you: you’re not broken—and you’re not alone. God meets us right where we are and leads us toward calm, clarity, and renewed trust.

Scripture referenced in this episode:

Proverbs 3:5–6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Isaiah 26:3–4
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You… The Lord Himself is the Rock eternal.”

Psalm 46:1–2
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…”

Psalm 91:1–4
God as refuge, shelter, and covering.

Isaiah 41:10
“Do not fear, for I am with you… I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Colossians 3:15
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…”

Gospel accounts of Jesus withdrawing to pray
(Mark 1:35-39; Luke 5:15-16; Luke 6:12)

Reflective Questions:

Use these for journaling, small groups, or personal reflection.


When I feel overwhelmed, what tends to trigger my anxiety most—noise, conflict, social media, uncertainty, or something else?


What physical signs tell me I’m becoming dysregulated or stressed (sleep disruption, tension, racing thoughts, irritability)?


Which grounding practice helps me reconnect with God most easily—breathing, Scripture, silence, journaling, nature, prayer, or community?


Where might God be inviting me to “withdraw” from input right now so I can hear His voice more clearly?


What truth from Scripture do I need to return to when my thoughts begin to spiral?


What is one small step I can take this week to pursue peace intentionally instead of waiting for my circumstances to change?

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who may be feeling overwhelmed. And don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps others find hope and practical help when they need it most.

Find Carol McCracken:

On her website 

On Facebook

On Instagram

Find Jennifer Slattery:

On her website

Instagram

Facebook

Amazon

When headlines, social media, and everyday stress collide, anxiety can easily take over. In this episode, Jennifer Slattery and Carol McCracken explore why our minds and bodies respond so strongly to cultural chaos&mdash;and how God gently leads us back to peace.
Download the free companion guide for this episode here: <a href="https://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/downloads/finding-peace-in-a-chaotic-world-a-faith-based-guide-to-quieting-anxiety-and-re-centering-your-heart/">Finding Peace in a Chaotic World: A Faith-Based Guide to Quieting Anxiety and Re-centering Your Heart</a>
You&rsquo;ll hear:
<ul data-start="1443" data-end="1709">
<li data-start="1443" data-end="1492">
how stress and overstimulation affect the brain
</li>
<li data-start="1493" data-end="1533">
why anxious thoughts spiral so quickly
</li>
<li data-start="1534" data-end="1577">
practical grounding tools rooted in faith
</li>
<li data-start="1578" data-end="1641">
how Jesus modeled withdrawal and reconnection with the Father
</li>
<li data-start="1642" data-end="1709">
why joy, Scripture, and community strengthen emotional resilience
</li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;ve felt overwhelmed lately, this conversation will remind you: you&rsquo;re not broken&mdash;and you&rsquo;re not alone. God meets us right where we are and leads us toward calm, clarity, and renewed trust.
<hr data-start="1908" data-end="1911">
Scripture referenced in this episode:
Proverbs 3:5&ndash;6 &ldquo;Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.&rdquo;
Isaiah 26:3&ndash;4 &ldquo;You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You&hellip; The Lord Himself is the Rock eternal.&rdquo;
Psalm 46:1&ndash;2 &ldquo;God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear&hellip;&rdquo;
Psalm 91:1&ndash;4 God as refuge, shelter, and covering.
Isaiah 41:10 &ldquo;Do not fear, for I am with you&hellip; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.&rdquo;
Colossians 3:15 &ldquo;Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts&hellip;&rdquo;
Gospel accounts of Jesus withdrawing to pray (Mark 1:35-39; Luke 5:15-16; Luke 6:12)
<hr data-start="2761" data-end="2764">
Reflective Questions:
Use these for journaling, small groups, or personal reflection.
<ol data-start="2874" data-end="3598">
<li data-start="2874" data-end="3002">
When I feel overwhelmed, what tends to trigger my anxiety most&mdash;noise, conflict, social media, uncertainty, or something else?
</li>
<li data-start="3004" data-end="3132">
What physical signs tell me I&rsquo;m becoming dysregulated or stressed (sleep disruption, tension, racing thoughts, irritability)?
</li>
<li data-start="3134" data-end="3274">
Which grounding practice helps me reconnect with God most easily&mdash;breathing, Scripture, silence, journaling, nature, prayer, or community?
</li>
<li data-start="3276" data-end="3382">
Where might God be inviting me to &ldquo;withdraw&rdquo; from input right now so I can hear His voice more clearly?
</li>
<li data-start="3384" data-end="3469">
What truth from Scripture do I need to return to when my thoughts begin to spiral?
</li>
<li data-start="3471" data-end="3598">
What is one small step I can take this week to pursue peace intentionally instead of waiting for my circumstances to change?
</li>
</ol>
<hr data-start="3600" data-end="3603">
If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who may be feeling overwhelmed. And don&rsquo;t forget to subscribe and leave a review&mdash;it helps others find hope and practical help when they need it most.
Find Carol McCracken:
<a href="https://www.carolmccracken.com">On her website&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/carol.o.mccracken">On Facebook</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/carologlemccracken/">On Instagram</a>
Find Jennifer Slattery:
<a href="http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com">On her website</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/">Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083247680572">Facebook</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00JKQ4ZTW">Amazon</a>

Life is too short and God has too much for us to do for any of us to live enslaved. Jesus promised His followers would experience filled to overflowing life, a life characterized by joy, peace, and spiritual and emotional vitality. And yet, we daily make decisions based on fear, not faith. In Faith Over Fear, author and speaker Jennifer Slattery helps us see different areas of life where fear has a foothold, and how our identity as children of God can help us move from fear to faithful, bold living.

This podcast covers topics like:

⭐️ How to Overcome Fear
⭐️ Biblical Strategies for Overcoming Fear and Anxiety
⭐️ Powerful Steps to Fight Anxiety
⭐️ Finding God Faithful in Hard Seasons
⭐️ Courage to Wait on God

Jesus has more planned for us than we could imagine and He’s fully committed to perfecting that which concerns us. Fear holds us back, but His perfect love has the power to cast out all fear!

Life is too short and God has too much for us to do for any of us to live enslaved. Jesus promised His followers would experience filled to overflowing life, a life characterized by joy, peace, and spiritual and emotional vitality. And yet, we daily make decisions based on fear, not faith. In Faith Over Fear, author and speaker Jennifer Slattery helps us see different areas of life where fear has a foothold, and how our identity as children of God can help us move from fear to faithful, bold living.
This podcast covers topics like:
⭐️ How to Overcome Fear ⭐️ Biblical Strategies for Overcoming Fear and Anxiety ⭐️ Powerful Steps to Fight Anxiety ⭐️ Finding God Faithful in Hard Seasons ⭐️ Courage to Wait on God
Jesus has more planned for us than we could imagine and He’s fully committed to perfecting that which concerns us. Fear holds us back, but His perfect love has the power to cast out all fear!

Life is too short and God has too much for us to do for any of us to live enslaved. Jesus promised His followers would experience filled to overflowing life, a life characterized by joy, peace, and spiritual and emotional vitality. And yet, we daily...

Faith Over Fear

Finding God's Peace When the World Feels Hostile and Out of Control

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/dc4efcf3-8881-46a9-91a0-b3ed0015bdd1/transcript