Even If

Kelly Streiff

We want to be people who believe in God’s goodness, no matter what. But what do we do when life is anything but good? When God doesn’t answer our prayers the wa...

Religion & Spirituality Christianity

Available Episodes

5 of 33

29 - The Ones Who Stay
Every one of us that’s walked through the pain of a story you wouldn’t have chosen knows how much it means when people stay. When they willingly step into your mess and stand by your side. When they remember the dates and say their names and sit in silence while you cry and lead the way through the dark. When they sacrifice their own desires for your survival and needs. And as I've read the Christmas story this year through the lens of my own weakness and longing and loss, here's what I'm struck by: Joseph stayed. God will us would have been enough. But Joseph was with her too.
--------
15:37
28 - A Mother's Peace
Nothing about a newborn baby conjures up the image of peace. Especially a newborn baby born in a stable, during a census, and leads his family to flee for their lives. But calling a baby the Prince of Peace reminds us that peace doesn't always mean that our circumstances are calm or under control. It simply means we have access to it even when they aren't. Mary carried peace in her arms, but we carry it in our spirits. No matter what external circumstance we face.
--------
16:07
27 - Get Your Hopes Up While You Wait
If you’re weary of waiting for things in your own life right now, Advent might seem like a backward thing to celebrate. Why would we embrace a season of waiting in our faith when we’re doing everything we can to get out of one in our own lives? Because Advent reveals to us the “suddenly” movements of God where everything changes in a moment, no matter how long you've been waiting, He's been working, and we can get our hopes up in expectation of what He can do. If you're joining our Advent challenge to posture ourselves toward hope this week, share the ways God is increasing your expectation by using #evenifpodcast on Instagram.
--------
12:07
26 - Even When the Holidays are Hard
Thanksgiving can be hard when we're carrying grief, and we're unsure if there's enough room for gratitude also. But gratitude and grief don't cancel each other out. You can carry both at the exact same time. If the holidays are hard for you, this Thanksgiving blessing might be exactly what you need.
--------
6:55
25 - Even When the Church Lets You Down
I've grown up loving the church my whole life. I know that hasn't been everyone's story, but I care deeply for the local church and her role in the Christian faith. But when Imogen died, we were deeply disappointed in the way the church we were attending responded. It wasn't intentional, but the framework they built with their words and their lack of reaching out to us in our grief indicated that our pain wasn't welcome, our suffering wasn't seen, and our grief had to be handled alone. I share our story here, not to shame or criticize the church we were in, but to invite you to evaluate your own church community and whether or not you're making space for people in their grief. It might be the only time they show up.
--------
24:11

More Religion & Spirituality podcasts

About Even If

We want to be people who believe in God’s goodness, no matter what. But what do we do when life is anything but good? When God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we’ve asked or imagined? Or when disappointments and loss dominate this season of our lives? No stranger to loss and longing, Kelly Streiff creates space to acknowledge deep pain and grief, while walking with us on a journey of becoming “Even If” people - people who stand firm in our faith even if God doesn’t show up the way we expect or desire. Together, we’re navigating these seasons of life, learning how to stand firm when life is shaking, and with resolve in our hearts and, sometimes, with a quiver in our voice, boldly declare God’s goodness in our lives…Even If.

Podcast website