This week, we’ll hear from Bethany Joy Lenz, an actor, singer, director, and now author, who shares a deeply personal story of her time in a spiritually abusive community and the journey of healing and rediscovering faith that followed.
Later in the episode, we’ll hear from speaker and non-profit founder JT Mestdagh. Born with a rare and complex condition that led to over a dozen major surgeries before the age of sixteen, JT’s life has been anything but ordinary. From long hospital stays to reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, he’s faced life’s toughest challenges with an optimism and heart for helping others.
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
Past interview: Amy Downs
Upcoming interview: Chrissy Metz
Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith on UPTV
Interview Quotes:
“I fundamentally believed—not in my head, but in my body and my heart—that if I did all the right things, if I checked off everything on the Christian girl list, then God would be pleased with me, and I would have a good life.’ - Bethany Joy Lenz
“You need your brain in order to have faith. God is so big. He’s not afraid of us thinking. The more you think, the more you understand, the more Christianity makes sense out of everything else in the world.” - Bethany Joy Lenz
“When you understand what you believe—when you think about it and you research it and you journal about it, the further you dissect it, the more intricate and fascinating it becomes.” - Bethany Joy Lenz
“God is big enough to not be intimidated or afraid of your questions, your mess, that spaghetti bowl of confusion. God is big enough to untangle it and to guide you.” – Bethany Joy Lenz
“I always talk about finding your tribe—the people around you that are going to support you and help you throughout challenges.” - JT Mestdagh
“I look back at moments where the Good Lord has worked in my life—where the doors were closed and new doors were opened along the way—and it is totally Him working with me and through me.” - JT Mestdagh
“When I look back at my conversations with the Lord, my time with Him and speaking to Him has been some of the most encouraging moments that have gotten me back on track.” - JT Mestdagh
“There are no bad days. There’s only hard days, and we get through them with the Good Lord.” - JT Mestdagh
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