Episode 4 - Sacred Adversity: Walking the Hard Road of Faith

Description: What if suffering isn’t a sign you’ve gone the wrong way — but proof that you’re following in the footsteps of Jesus?

In this raw and hope-filled episode of Faith Over Fear, Kimberly Dunham invites you to consider that adversity can be sacred. That the suffering we endure in this life isn’t wasted. That our heartbreak, our exhaustion, our battles — they are not signs of failure… but sacred moments of surrender.

Drawing from her own experience of exhaustion, discouragement, and yet relentless faith, Kimberly explores what it means to walk the hard road of faith with honesty, courage, and hope.

She reminds us that Jesus warned us this road would be difficult — and still, He promised we would never walk it alone.

This episode is for the weary one. The one who wonders if God sees. The one holding a heavy cross and praying for strength to take the next step.

You are not forgotten. You are not fighting alone. And your Savior has already overcome the world.

Scriptures Referenced:

1 Peter 4:12–13: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed

Romans 5:1–5: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

John 16:33: “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Matthew 16:24:“Take up your cross and follow Me.”

Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

As we close, I want to invite you into something simple but powerful:

Find one scripture that speaks life into your weary soul today.

• Write it down.

• Pray it aloud.
• Let it become your sword for whatever battles tomorrow brings.

For me it will be:

Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

If this message touched your heart today, would you share it with someone else who’s struggling to let go?

Subscribe to the podcast and my Substack - Why Faith Over Fear and leave a comment letting me know how this resonates with you.

Stay rooted in His Word, anchored in His love, and confident that God is working in every part of your story.

Take care, friend — "Until we meet again, walk boldly, live surrendered, and may you always choose faith over fear."

Episode 3 - Faith over Fear - Reflections of the heart

The Illusion of Control

Letting Go of the Reins and Finding True Freedom in Surrender

Do you ever feel like you have to keep everything together… like if you don’t stay in control, everything will fall apart?

In this episode of Faith Over Fear, we confront one of the most convincing lies we’ve bought into: the illusion of control.

For the greater part of my life I thought I was in control of my life, my destiny and that it was my job to figure out my purpose and to fulfill it. The idea of having to ask someone what it is that I am supposed to do, to help me live out my destiny and to be the leader and guide of my life seemed preposterous. I mean I am me. An individual fully capable of making my own choices, gaining the knowledge needed to carry out what it is I feel led and compelled to do and make my mark on this world under my own power. Right? Boy was I wrong. I missed the boat or class or chapter in the book of life that said we were here to please God that He created us for specific purposes and gave us gifts to fulfill those purposes.

For years, I thought I had to figure it all out—plan it, build it, manage it, fix it. I believed my life, my future, and even my purpose were solely mine to shape. But the truth is: I was never meant to lead - I was created to follow. Not aimlessly, but faithfully. God never called us to carry the weight of control. He called us to surrender.

We’ll explore:

• • The false promises of self-reliance
  • What surrender really means (and what it doesn’t)
  • How Jesus modeled surrender in Gethsemane
  • Why control leads to burnout, but surrender leads to peace
  • My personal story of letting go and what God did in the quiet afterward
    

• This isn’t about giving up—it’s about giving in to a God who already knows the plan and invites us to walk in step with Him.

  If you’re tired, burdened, overwhelmed, or just feeling like life is heavier than it should be—this episode is for you.

  Let’s talk about trading striving for trust. Let’s talk about laying it all down. Let’s talk about freedom in Christ.

  
  

  Scripture references:

  Proverbs 19:21 - Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

  Proverbs 16:3-4 - Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster.

  Luke 9:23 - Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

  Luke 22:42 - “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

  Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

  If you know someone who's struggling with this and could benefit from the ideas discussed please feel free to share it with them.

  To reach me to leave a comment my email address click hereTo subscribe to my Substack here is the link:

  And to read the original post this derived from here is the link: The Illusion of Control

  
  

Faith Over Fear - Episode 2:

What happens when God asks us to stop striving and start surrendering? What if the purpose we’ve been chasing is buried beneath the very pain we’ve tried to forget?

In this deeply personal episode, I share a story I’ve never told this way before - the moment when, as a little girl, I believed the lie that I didn’t matter. A moment that shaped decades of silence, self-doubt, and striving. But I also share how God, in His mercy, is gently unearthing those buried places—not to harm, but to heal. Not to shame, but to restore.

This is for those in a waiting season. The one wrestling with purpose, with pain, and with the fear that they’ve been overlooked by God. It’s for the one who feels tired—not hopeless, not defeated, just worn out from carrying it all. It’s for the one who wonders if their story still matters.

Through honest reflection, scripture, and a lot of grace, we talk about how God redeems what we bury, how He meets us in the stillness, and how sometimes the digging is what leads to the healing.

I don’t have all the answers. I don’t have clarity on every part of the journey. But I do know this: God sees you. He loves you. And He’s not finished with your story.

If this resonates with you, I invite you to reach out. Share your story. Leave a comment. Message me. Let’s walk this healing road together.

Scripture in this episode:

Exodus 14:14 – “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Want to read the original written reflection that inspired this episode? Subscribe on Substack at Why Faith Over Fear.

And if you found hope in this episode, don’t forget to follow, rate, and share. Your voice and presence here mean more than you know.