Overcoming worry with faith | Jill Briscoe’s life lessons
Episode 83 – Stephanie has quite the treat for you today! The one and only Jill Briscoe is sharing with us her life lessons on worry, aging, and prayer. She shares about obedience from faith as the solution against worry and worldly cares. She teaches us, in her trademark style and accent, the tools SHE has used for decades to become a vessel God used mightily. So, you are invited to put the kettle on, steep some tea (preferably with milk—how British!), maybe enjoy a few scones with clotted cream (Stephanie's favorite!).
International speaker and multi-bestselling author Jill Briscoe, 86 years young, invites us to taste life lessons to embrace the fullness of a life lived solely to the glory of God. It feels like afternoon teatime with your wise aunt, so cozy up with us to soak up wisdom and insights from one of the most respected Christian influencers of our generation!
In this episode, Jill shares some of her life lessons. She says, “what I have learned I am now passing onto you.” Such a legacy of faith becomes ours today! For example:
- “Do not worry” is not about self-love and self-care. It is a direct command from the Lord Jesus Himself.
- God’s grass grows overnight. Hum. Intrigued? You don’t want to miss Jill’s wisdom on this point.
- Aging is full of opportunities—take it from Jill!
- The power of prayer, or how to be but one prayer away from anyone who might be hundreds of miles away from you!
There is no experience quite like sitting across from Jill and listening to her life stories. She beckons you into the legacy of a spiritual giant who delights to inspire you to follow hard after God. Do not let her whimsical storytelling fool you: she is a mighty warrior in God’s Kingdom.
Jill gives us the blueprint she has used for decades to approach Scripture. Always look for:
1- a command to obey;
2- a warning to heed;
3- a promise to claim;
4- something about Jesus;
5- something about yourself;
6- and finally, someone standing in the shadows.
As you sip your milk tea alongside Jill, you will hear stories of The Beetles, and of the trap of reaching for your phone instead of your Bible first thing in the morning. You will taste what it is like to emigrate from the UK to the US in the 1970’s, leaving everything behind for the sake of God’s calling upon a family. You will hear what true obedience looks like, regardless of fatigue and exhaustion.
You will hear how Jill uses her personal Scripture reading to discern God’s specific direction for her steps. It is simple and Spirit-filled. You will hear about the privilege of growing old, and the opportunities that come with it. You will hear about the unrelenting pursuit of God through Scripture.
The sound quality isn’t always perfect (sorry about that!). But the depth of wisdom in this episode is such, that we decided to keep it, sound imperfections and all. We hope you will be as blessed with it as we have been!
If you've enjoyed this episode, you will LOVE our Gospel Spice series! Check out the first episode of each season (it will launch in the same app you are currently using to listen):
The Gospel of Matthew: https://www.podcastics.com/episode/3281/link/
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/3281/link/
The Psalms: https://www.podcastics.com/episode/33755/link/
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/33755/link/
The Gospel of Luke: https://www.podcastics.com/episode/40838/link/
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/40838/link/
The Book of Proverbs: https://www.podcastics.com/episode/68112/link/
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/68112/link/
DISCOVER THE GOSPEL SPICE MINISTRIES BEHIND THIS EPISODE
If you enjoyed this episode, we invite you to discover more about how God is at work at Gospel Spice Ministries, and even to join in His work! 3 easy ways to do that:
PLAY IT FORWARD by SHARING the show with friends and family: https://www.podcastics.com/podcast/38/link/
PAY IT FORWARD by supporting us financially: gospelspice.com/payitforward
PRAY IT FORWARD by praying for us and those you share it with!
For more info about Gospel Spice Ministries, check out gospelspice.com.
You will find Jill here:
https://www.tellingthetruth.org/
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJillBriscoe
https://www.instagram.com/jill.briscoe/
https://www.instagram.com/justbetweenusmag/
This season of the Gospel Spice Podcast is powered by Biblica! We are grateful for this partnership.
You are invited to join us on the Gospel Spice Prayer Bible Study, titled "The heart behind prayer" starting September 20, 2025! Details and registration here: https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer
There are a few things in our Christian life that we know we should do more, or at least better – and prayer just might top the list. Prayer is a mystery. Why would a conversation with a human have any influence on God’s eternal, sovereign plan? It defies logic, and beckons love. How can God, the Almighty Lord of Hosts, be this close, this personal? It defies understanding, and beckons involvement.
But, lack of time, inspiration, and discipline, combined with the ruthless tyranny of our busy lives, push prayer to the periphery, to the “one day I’ll get to it” pile. And yet, we can excel at what we endeavor to undertake. So, why isn’t prayer more of a spiritual priority? Could we develop a mindset around prayer that made it attractive, inspiring, even maybe delightful? What if we attuned our spiritual ears to listen to God, and our spiritual eyes to see His provision?
As an unassuming student, I’m going to humbly offer to share the little I have learned from others about the joy of prayer. I will give us theology, practical tips, and useful resources, sharing what works for me as we, together, learn to pray.
If you find prayer intimidating, or if your lack of prayer makes you feel guilty or “less than,” then this is the place for you! If you have been a student of prayer for many years, this is the place for you too! If you have breath in your lungs, then prayer can become one of the deepest joys of your day. Don’t miss out!
A PERSPECTIVE ABOUT PRAYER
To pray is to believe that God not only hears, but that He responds. It is to stand in the gap for a broken world, wielding the authority of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and trusting in the goodness of the Father. The question is not whether prayer works, but whether we are willing to pray the kinds of prayers that invite God’s Kingdom into the darkest places of the earth—and of our own hearts.
We may never fully understand the mechanics of prayer, or how it intersects with God's sovereignty, but we are not called to understand everything. We are called to be faithful. And faithfulness means showing up—in prayer, in persistence, in expectation.
So today, let us pray not only for the comfort of our hearts, but for the transformation of the world. Let us take our place as image-bearers, co-laborers, and co-heirs. Let us believe that God is still listening—and still acting. Because He is.
There’s only one way to find out what might happen when we truly pray like this.
Let’s begin.
THE MINDSET BEHIND THIS COURSE
Before we begin, let me tell you the obvious: I don’t really know how to pray. I’m a humble student and absolute beginner at the holy endeavor that is prayer. So, this course isn’t really about what I’ve learned, or any wisdom I might have gathered. But, I’ve sat at the feet of many prayer warriors over the decades, through books and teachings.
So, I’ll share what I learned from them. Humility is going to be our primary heart posture! With each lesson, I will offer a few thoughts, practices, and ideas – with much humility, and not taking myself too seriously. I will also share her favorite books and resources about prayer. FInally, I will introduce you to some of the most influential prayer warriors of our history as the Body of Christ.
Most importantly, I will invite YOU to pray! Learning to pray comes from praying. Our humble ambition is to inspire you to pray, and to give you a few tips on how to do that. Then, it’s up to you! Prayer is a lifelong endeavor. Let’s make it delightful together!
So, let’s get started.
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