Episode 16 | Bite-sized Biblecast | Struggling with Doubt and Uncertainty |John 14:1

Episode Summary:
In this episode, I’m digging into John 14:1 and the challenge in “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” We’ve all heard Christian platitudes like “Just trust God!” or “Give it to Him!” - but how do we move past those quick fixes and actually anchor our hearts in faith when anxiety hits? I walk through practical ways to get honest about your view of God’s character, process past hurts from faith or church, and take gentle steps toward real, resilient trust in Jesus. You’ll find encouragement for wrestling with doubt, letting go of guilt and shame, and tools for moving toward a deeper, more authentic faith.

Key Points with Timestamps:

1. Setting the Stage and Verse Read (00:00)
   Rachel opens with John 14:1, highlighting the tension between Christian platitudes and real-life struggle with anxiety and trust.

2. Diagnosing the Real Issue (01:15)
   Let's explore the gap between what is “known” intellectually (“I should trust”) and what is truly believed in the heart about God’s character.

3. The Impact of Hurt and Disappointment (02:30)
   Rachel shares personal experiences with church hurt and divorce, encouraging listeners to examine their own trust and where wounds might live.

4. Difference Between “Should” and “Could” (04:15)
   Faith is reframed away from “shoulds” and shame, emphasizing what faith could look like when partnering with God.

5. Moving Beyond Guilt and Shame (05:30)
   A challenge to approach God with gentleness toward themselves, distinguishing between God’s loving confrontation from the enemy’s guilt tactics.

6. Steps for Rebuilding Trust (07:00)
   Journaling prompts to identify beliefs about God and practical exercises to invite God to reveal His true character.

7. Book Recommendation and Final Thoughts (08:40)
   A recommendation for one of my favorite, most impactful books: “Gentle and Lowly” by Dane Ortlund (affiliate link) as a resource for understanding Jesus’ heart, and invites listeners to pursue a personal relationship with Him.

Mentioned Links:

• Rachel Grit Website
  Home for Bible study resources, podcasts, and articles on personal faith growth.

• “Gentle and Lowly” by Dane Ortlund (affiliate link)
  Recommended book for deeper understanding of Christ’s love and character.

Supporting Verses:

1. John 14:1, ESV
   “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”
   A beautiful if not seemingly complex invitation for moving from anxiety to authentic trust in Jesus.

What’s Next?

1. Break out your journal and take inventory of your beliefs about who God really is (not just the Sunday School answer! Dig deep) and ask for clarity.
2. Give yourself grace as you identify areas where trust is hard; ask God to show you His heart instead of shaming yourself for struggling.
3. Write out and process hurts or disappointments that have shaped your view of God. Sit with your thoughts gently and ask Him to heal and reveal His true character.
4. If you’re able, read or listen to “Gentle and Lowly” by Dane Ortlund (affiliate link) for encouragement about Christ’s compassion. Truly - this book changed how I view and relate to Jesus.

Topics Covered:

• John 14:1 Bible study
• Trust and anxiety in faith
• Church hurt and rebuilding faith
• God’s...