#293: Can I Trash Expectations and Still Be Happy? With Amanda Held Opelt

After a devastating brain cancer diagnosis, today’s guest, Jay Hewitt, had a decision to make: Should he give up on his faith or practice what he preached and trust that with God, all things are possible? Well, if he’s on the 4:13, you know the decision he made! But what he did and how he did it will totally bless you and teach you how you can face hard things too. Faith in action for Jay included competing in an IRONMAN triathlon while undergoing cancer treatment. Incredible, right? Well, perhaps an IRONMAN isn’t for you, but what it represents certainly applies. Jay’s race serves as a call to resilience for all of us! So, get ready to unleash your superpower, because the same power God put in Jay is the power He’s placed in you! It’s Christ’s power that gives you strength, so even when you are weak, through Christ you are strong. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/295

Most of us spend our lives avoiding pain at every turn, so when we do experience it, it can send us into a tailspin. We can begin to question why God even allows it, why He doesn’t stop it, and if we can really trust Him in it. Well, bestselling authors and pastors of Fellowship Church, Ed and Lisa Young, know the kind of pain most of us hope never to experience—the death of a child. And on today’s episode, they’ll share how they went from sorrow and anger to hope and healing. This conversation is real, raw, and so incredibly relevant to where we all live as we face pain, regret, and grief. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/294

What does it mean to be blessed? Are Christians automatically entitled to happiness, fulfillment, and perfect peace? Does God’s presence guarantee us emotional ease amidst suffering? Wow! Those are some very interesting questions, aren’t they? Well today, you are about to get far more than interesting answers. You are going to be enlightened and inspired as we talk about our expectations of what a life of faith should feel like when facing difficulties. Author Amanda Held Opelt joins us and shares her own experience of loss and grief. And, like so many others, she expected her faith to cushion her from the pains of life. But when it didn’t, she was left disappointed and disillusioned. So today, she debunks the myth that if you’re struggling, something must be wrong. She’ll explain what the emotional prosperity gospel is, adjust your expectations of how faith shows up in your feelings, and help you reimagine what it really means to be “blessed.” SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/293

Most of us grow up thinking failure is bad. And, let’s face it, it never feels good! Failure—and all the bad feelings that go with it—are real, like unemployment, bankruptcy, and divorce, just to name a few. Over time though, we might stop thinking we’ve failed at something and instead start believing we are failures. But, according to today’s guest, failure is never final. Dr. Gregory Jantz is back on the 4:13 to remind us that God’s view of success has more to do with who we are than what we do. He’ll not only help you redefine failure, but also give you strategies and paradigm shifters to turn every setback into a stepping stone. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/292

According to a survey, 97% of women have at least one “I hate my body” moments in a day. That’s a staggering statistic! Well, the beauty and diet industry just loves that, and in fact, they work hard to create those moments so you’ll buy their books or products or lies! But what if we rejected their lies and the false beauty narrative that exists in our culture? What if we embraced the truth about what God says about us and could break free from self-scrutiny and judgment? Well, my friend, get ready! Because author and therapist Melissa Johnson is here to expose the lies that fuel those “I hate my body” moments. She’ll repair the broken beauty narrative that teaches you to look for the flaws and instead help you see the true, authentic beauty you’ve always had. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/291

Today I’m “talking story” with the one and only Karen Kingsbury! “Talking story” is a phrase I learned in Hawaii, and it’s when you have a casual conversation with someone. You know—hang out, shoot the breeze, and just tell stories. Well, since Karen is one of the best storytellers I know who also happens to be a #1 New York Times best-selling author, I thought there’s no better person to “talk story” … about story! We chatted about how she creates her stories, all the elements of story, the power of story, and the impact of story in your life. Plus, this storytelling mastermind shares how she has taken one of her most beloved stories to the big screen. That’s right! Karen is now a film producer! You are going to love this behind-the-scenes conversation with Karen, and what she shares will inspire you to take risks, trust the Lord, and make the most of each day. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/Karen

Anxiety has an amazing ability to spread. It is downright contagious! And if you’re dealing with it, it's likely affecting your people, distracting you in the present, and making you feel like it will define your whole future. But how do you know if it’s anxiety or just a deep concern for the things you care about? Well today, author and counselor Sissy Goff will give you three questions to ask yourself, and your answers will help you know if your worry has morphed into anxiety. Plus, she’ll give you practical, well-researched tools to make your anxiety behave! It’ll make such a big difference in your life and the lives of the people you love. It’s time to stop spreading anxiety and make peace contagious instead. So let’s go… SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/290

Do you ever have moments when your words get the best of you? Maybe it’s complaining or yelling when deep down, you really want to be a person who speaks with kindness and grace. Maybe you know how much your words hurt, but you say them anyway because it feels good in the moment. Or maybe you spout off, shut down, or spit out some ugly words without even thinking about it. Whatever your “maybe” may be, you’re in the right place. Today on the 4:13, author Sarah Molitor shares some tough lessons she learned about how words can hurt—but they can also help and heal. She’ll give you practical tools to help you choose your words so they reflect the heart of Jesus. Plus, I’ll finish this episode with a song asking God to help us use our words well, so be sure to listen to the very end. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/289

Raising kids who are spiritually, emotionally, and physically healthy is what every parent wants to do, right? But when everyone else seems to be doing it better than we are, it leaves us full of doubt and worry: “Am I doing it right?” “Is what I’ve done enough?” “Is it my fault they’re struggling?” In comes the mom guilt, mom shame, and mom burnout, which can show up whether you’re surrounded by toddlers or teens, or many years into sitting on an empty nest. But they don’t have to! Today, author and podcaster Alli Worthington gives some straight talk to all the moms about what happens when you carry the “motherload” and start believing the “good mom” myths. She’ll not only build your confidence as a parent, but also help you break free from the pressure you were never intended to carry. It’s time to rediscover the beauty and joy in the sacred art of motherhood, which viewed through the lens of the gospel is grace-filled and guilt-free. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/288

Diet culture is everywhere! It lurks in schools, medical offices, and even in our churches. We're even sold well-meaning messages wrapped in Bible verses that are actually rooted in diet culture. Well today, dietitian and nutrition therapist Leslie Schilling will help you recognize diet culture myths, fight the lies you've been told, and discover the truth about your health, well-being, and how God sees you. She’ll help you embrace your unique shape, trust your divine design, and use that good body of yours to enjoy the life God gave you. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/287