Have you ever doubted that what you're doing makes a difference? Have you questioned your ability to do something new? You're not alone. Many of us lack confidence. We are afraid to fail. 

In this episode, Jen shares her struggle with moving forward with courage over feeling confident.

Quote from Churchill: "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

Sometimes it's all we can do to survive a hard season but you have been made to thrive no matter the circumstance! In this episode, Jen shares 7 Tips for Thriving During Coronavirus.

In this episode, Jen shares the invitation Henry Nouwen gives in his book, "The Only Necessary Thing." It's an invitation to be still and attentive to God in us so that we can perceive God in the world. He is doing something new. Each time we choose to listen, we discover more of what God has for us.

Here is the link to the worship song Jen mentions:

Heaven's All Around

Now that "normal" is in the rearview mirror you may feel like you are in the wilderness. Here are 4 things to remember along the way.

Are you frustrated by the restrictions of COVID-19? You are not alone. It's understandable to feel overwhelmed when things have radically changed. But there is good news.

You have a once in a lifetime opportunity because of COVID-19.

In this episode, Jen talks about how you can show up and seize the opportunity that is before you! 

One of the challenges of COVID-19 is a shortage of personal protective equipment that healthcare workers need in order to stay healthy and safe as they serve on the frontlines of this pandemic.

In today's episode, Jen reminds us that we too also need to stay safe during this battle as we serve on the spiritual frontlines. Fortunately, you have your own personal protective equipment...God's very own weapons. Supplies will never run low. But you do need to suit up in order to stand in these challenging times.

Scripture Read: Psalm 27:14 AMP

The question was never did you have the time, but rather, what will you do with the time you have?

There is a great gift that awaits you in this season...to give up the normal things that were hurting your soul so that you can fully live and lead as the person God created you to be!

In a continuation of our mini-series: Living and Leading in the Era of COVID-19, Jen shares how she's been confronted with the truth that trusting God means He gets to decide the outcome. Scripture read today is from Psalm 18 NLT

Creating space and margin to acknowledge our feelings and fears during the COVID-19 crisis (or any crisis for that matter) is extremely important. Jen talks shares the two words that have she has found to be powerful and pastoral during difficult times.

The Giving Up Normal podcast has been around since March of 2019. In the past few months, changes were being made to bring you even more focused content as we deal with our overstuffed lives and undernourished souls.

Then enters COVID-19.

The conversation around healthy margin and boundaries and caring for your soul is as relevant as ever but the context of our world as changed. Therefore the plans for content and frequency of the podcast has changed for now as well.

As we deal this viral pandemic, mini-podcast episodes will be released every weekday...at least, that is the plan. This episode is an introduction to this new format and ends with a reading from Psalm 91.

Let us know how we can be praying for you. Thank you for all you are doing to share the gospel and build the Kingdom. Our world may have changed...but GOD never changes!

You can find all the previous episodes of the Giving Up Normal podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, and at Jen's other website ...