Join us in celebrating 5 Million Downloads of the Jesus Calling Podcast!

Knowing that we have God on our side enables us to find the courage to overcome any fear. Lauren Akins—philanthropist, author, mom, and wife to country music superstar Thomas Rhett—longed to find her purpose. When she turned to God for help, He opened doors that led to a life of service and loving the ones in front of her, expanding her life to reach more than she ever hoped for. Now as a mom to three little girls, Lauren reflects back on her life, thankful for the many types of love she’s experienced, and recognizes “God-winks” woven into the fabric of who she is. Guinness World Record-holding tightrope walker Nik Wallenda comes from seven generations of performers. Through all the daring feats and dazzling challenges that he’s faced in his lifetime, he’s always kept his eye on the One who could get him through. But when one terrifying moment happened right in front of his eyes—when his family members fell off the wire—he faced a fear that almost crippled his career. After coming to terms with that fear and realizing God still needed to use him to inspire others, Nik found the courage to get back on the wire, and show the world the power of God.



Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Life in His Presence

Bear Grylls and Rhonda Vincent



Upcoming Guests

One Tree Hill star Jana Kramer

NFL player Mike Caussin



Lauren Akins

Live in Love book by Lauren Akins

Thomas Rhett

University of Tennessee

Suzanne Mayernick

Love One International

www.laurenakins.com



Nik Wallenda

Facing Fear book by Nik Wallenda

Guinness World record setting “King of the High Wire”

Funambulist

SeaWorld San Diego

Niagara Falls

Discovery Channel

PTSD



Interview Quotes:

“It felt like I was just kind of tagging along wherever Thomas Rhett went. I love being his cheerleader and supporting him, and I love watching him do what he loves. But I felt like I had more of a purpose.” - Lauren Akins

“I can see, looking back, where the Lord has shut doors and open doors, and I tried to have the motto of, ‘Where He opens the door, I'll walk through it, regardless of what I can see on the other side.’” - Lauren Akins

“There were times where I felt like I just couldn't pray another prayer, or when I felt the weakest in those moments, that is where I could just feel Jesus was carrying me on the backs of my friends spiritually and on His back.” - Lauren Akins

“Loving one at a time and doing what you can right just for the one, and then moving on to another one, and then another one—that's how Jesus works. Those are His hands and feet.” - Lauren Akins

“The Lord puts people in front of us to love.” - Lauren Akins

“That is the most important thing, inviting Him into your world so that you're able to see the world through His eyes and you're able to love the way that He loves.” - Lauren Akins

“To think that we still can't grasp just quite how much He loves and how good His love is something that is so hard for my mind to try to wrap around.” - Lauren Akins

“My great-grandfather said it best: ‘Life is on the wire, and everything else is just waiting.’" - Nik Wallenda

“I know for a fact that God has opened doors for me to get to where I am in order to bring glory to His name” - Nik Wallenda

“What I didn't realize was that was a seed of fear, of negativity, of doubt, implanted in my head right after that accident happened, and I just wouldn’t acknowledge it.” - Nik Wallenda

“I think that's what so many people do as they continue to water that seed of doubt, seed of negativity, that seed of I'm not good enough and I'm not smart enough and I will not make it through this, I'm not healthy enough, and people continue to water them. I think