#375: Can I Be More Gentle With Myself? With Micah E. Davis

When you've been hurt or let down, or when you've failed over and over, it's easy to be way too hard on yourself and others. Maybe you've struggled to forgive yourself if you've blown it, or you can't forgive others if they have.  But my friend, there's hope! The gospel is anchored in grace, which means you can forgive others AND be gentle with yourself. Today on the 4:13, author and pastor Micah E. Davis will reframe your understanding of forgiveness, distinguishing the practice of forgiveness from the difficult process it requires. He'll unpack why forgiveness isn't easy, how to move forward when the pain feels too deep to let go, and steps you can take to live in the freedom Christ offers. So, if forgiveness feels out of reach—whether it's because you don't know how or because you simply don't want to—this conversation will give you the clarity and hope you need to take the next step toward peace, healing, and grace. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/375  Enter to win the GIVEAWAY and read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

Do you ever feel like the problems in our world are just too big for you to make a difference?  Well, today on the 4:13, former Ohio governor and presidential candidate John Kasich will tell you why that's simply not true! Drawing from his own faith journey and years of public service, John shares how faith communities have incredible potential to bring hope and healing—even in a divided culture. Through real-life stories and practical encouragement, you'll discover ways to move past cynicism, engage with your church or community, and take simple steps that truly matter. Because you really can make a difference, and it all begins with living out your faith right where you are. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/374  Enter to win the GIVEAWAY and read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

Do you ever feel paralyzed when making decisions—especially when it's one that's really important? You just want to be sure you're making the right choice. But how do you know? And what if you're wrong? Oh friend, I get it! Decision-making can be overwhelming, especially when paired with lots of uncertainty. But today, you're going to learn that you can make faithful, God-honoring decisions, regardless of how high the stakes. Author Katie M. Reid joins us to explore the book of Judges—specifically the time of Deborah and the early judges—to give you confidence in making wise decisions. She'll unpack six biblical principles you can apply no matter what choices you face, and she'll help you find peace in making decisions, even when you don't have all the answers. So, if you've been second-guessing your decisions or wrestling with what God is calling you to do, listen in! This conversation will give you both wisdom and courage for the journey ahead. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/373 Enter to win the GIVEAWAY and read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

Have you ever wrestled with doubt and wondered if it meant your faith was slipping away? You're not alone! When we find ourselves torn between faith and uncertainty, it's easy to feel disappointed, disillusioned, and distant from God.  But what if doubt isn't a threat to your faith? What if it's an invitation to a deeper relationship with God? Today on the 4:13, Niki Hardy will help you shift your perspective on doubt. She'll invite you to trade your need for certainty for the security of relationship, and she'll give you a simple, four-step conversation guide to help you bring your questions honestly before God in prayer.   You'll discover doubt doesn't have to be your faith's kryptonite! Oh no, it can be its superpower! SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/372  Enter to win the GIVEAWAY and read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

Does it ever seem like your thoughts have a mind of their own? Persistent negative thinking, anxiety spirals, or lingering offenses can quickly take over if you don't know how to stop them. But here's the good news—you can take control of your thoughts, and God has already given you the tools to do it. Pastor Kyle Idleman joins me on the 4:13 and shares how brain science and Scripture agree that we must pause and think about what we're thinking about. But we can't stop there! We have to clean out that thought closet! So today, Kyle will teach you how to take every thought captive, silence the lies and replace them with the truth, and break down the destructive mental strongholds that keep you stuck. Whether it's anxiety, anger, fear, insecurity, or even the occasional racing mind you're dealing with, listen in! This conversation will give you a practical, hope-filled path to renewing your mind. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/371  Enter to win the GIVEAWAY and read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

Have you ever noticed that even when your body is still, your mind is still racing? Worry, distractions, and endless to-do lists often crowd out the quiet we long for—and can make prayer feel impossible.  But what if there was a way to experience both peace in your mind and presence in prayer? In this episode, author Jennifer Tucker invites us into the practice of meditation—Christian meditation where you focus on God's Word, become attentive to His presence, and renew your mind by filling your thoughts with His truth.  Not only does Jennifer share the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of meditation, but she'll also set you up with a simple, practical framework to get started. Plus, she'll help you recognize how to know if you're truly hearing from God as you listen for His voice through prayer. My friend, if you've ever struggled to still your mind—or if prayer feels more like a duty than a delight—this conversation will encourage and equip you. You'll come away with the first steps to cultivate a more purposeful, peaceful prayer life, and with it, deeper intimacy with God. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/370  Enter to win the GIVEAWAY and read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

In a world that's hyper-focused on hustle and productivity, many of us have been taught that our worth is tied to what we do. But what if being is more valuable than doing?  Today on the 4:13, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith—physician, spiritual mentor, and coach—shares how to embrace a life rooted not in performance but in stillness, rest, and your God-given identity. With warmth and wisdom, she offers both scientific insight and biblical truth to help you separate the worth of what you do from the infinite worth of who you are. You'll discover the connection between mental clarity and stillness, practical ways to build a "rest ethic," and how to break the cycle of doing. Plus, you'll learn how to recognize the warning signs of fear-based living so you can find the courage to be vulnerable and take risks. If you've ever struggled to rest or to stop proving yourself, this conversation is a gentle but powerful reminder that you are already fully known, deeply loved, and free to just "be." SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/369 Read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

Life has a way of throwing us into seasons we never saw coming—career changes, shifting relationships, or even that vague sense that what used to work just doesn't anymore. In these moments, it's easy to feel disoriented, like success is slipping further and further out of reach.  But what if these unsettling moments are actually fertile ground for something beautiful? Today on the 4:13, Levi Lusko talks about how to navigate these spiraling seasons with faith and courage. He shares honest stories, biblical wisdom, and practical rhythms to help you pause, gain perspective, and discover that even the hardest transitions can become blessings in disguise.  You'll discover how new seasons require new strategies, why growth often comes through struggle, and how to give yourself grace along the way. So, whether you're in your twenties and questioning your direction, or you're well into your golden years and wondering what's next, this conversation will help you trade in those old definitions of success and embrace the circumstances that don't yet make sense. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/368  Read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

Wouldn't you like to not only understand God's Word, but also let it transform you by the power of the Holy Spirit? Oh friend, me too!  So today, we have Pastor Dan Jacobsen with us, and he is going to unpack how this is possible. But first, you should know there's something really special about this… Years ago, Dan unearthed an unpublished manuscript tucked away in a dusty manila folder that belonged to his grandfather, the legendary Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe! Dan finished the work his grandfather started, and the result is a beautiful new devotional and this inspiring conversation.  Dan not only gives us the inside scoop on his grandfather's life and ministry, but he also shares insights on why real change matters (no matter your age) and how you can stop settling for superficial fixes and start embracing true, Spirit-led transformation. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/367  Enter to win the GIVEAWAY and read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

In the fast-paced, overly scheduled cadence of our culture, it can be hard to fit in Sabbath. But what if Sabbath isn't designed to fit into our busy lives? What if it's supposed to take over our lives? Hebrew scholar and Old Testament professor Travis West is here to help you radically reimagine what it means to Sabbath! And contrary to popular belief, it's not just about taking a day off or creating a list of rules. It's about establishing a rhythm of life that reorders everything.  By looking to Scripture and applying lots of grace, Travis explains how Sabbath draws boundaries around your stress and busyness to make space for rest, delight, connection, and joy. You'll hear how Sabbath can transform your relationship with time, why work shouldn't always come before play, and how simple, intentional practices can reorient your days toward the life God actually intends for you. So, if you're tired of exhaustion being your default setting, listen in! This conversation is your invitation to embrace Sabbath—not as a rule, but as a rescue. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/366  Enter to win the GIVEAWAY and read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.