Life doesn’t always play out as we hope. What happens when it feels as if our dreams have been shattered, our prayers unanswered, and God seems to be leading us a direction we fear might lead to disappointment and pain? In this episode, Kristen Clark, from Girl Defined and coauthor of Not Part of the Plan: Trusting God with the Twists and Turns of Your Story, shares her struggles with infertility, how God met her in her pain, and the unexpected direction in which He took her.

Find Kristen online:
https://girldefined.com
https://www.facebook.com/girldefined
https://www.instagram.com/girldefined/

Resource mentioned: Not Part of the Plan: Trusting God with the Twists and Turns of Your Story: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Part-Plan-Trusting-Twists/dp/0801094720/

30 Days Praying the Names of God Resource: http://girldefined.com/god

Find Jennifer online:
https://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com
https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte
https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/

Find Wholly Loved, at:
https://www.WhollyLoved.com

Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook group at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/442736966614671

Group Discussion Questions:

1. What resonated with you most in today’s episode?
2. When you were a youth, what were some expectations you had for your life?
3. Why do you think unmet expectations can lead to a crisis of faith?
4. Consider a moment or season of disappointment. During that period, were you viewing God’s character through your circumstances or viewing your circumstances through His character? Explain.
5. During times of struggle, disappointment, or pain, how often do you reflect or read Bible passages on God’s character?
6. Kristen indicated that what we believe about God in the deepest corners of our heart impacts the way we respond to all of life. Why might this be so?
7. When we’re hurting, why is it important to remain connected with other believers?
8. Kristen shared how God led her and her husband to a new dream they hadn’t previously considered. When has God turned one of your disappointments into a blessing?
9. How can our expectations cause us to miss or become resistant to the new things God wants to do in our lives?
10. What is one action step God might be wanting you to take this week?