Hello everyone and welcome to the Graceology with Gwen Smith podcast.

I'm Gwen Smith and I am so glad you joined us today.

Around here we have fun, faith-focused, grace-filled conversations, all to help you know and

trust God more.

Our discussions are honest, often humorous, and always practical. And they're going to encourage

you in meaningful ways to live out and lean on the grace of Jesus in the midst of cluttered, messy days.

You got any of those? I know I do. And I can't wait to get to today's conversation, which is all

about trusting God in our trials and our disappointments.

Today, my guest is Lauren Gaskell.

Lauren is a speaker, and she's the author of a new book called Into the Deep.

She has a passion to encourage women to pursue a deep relationship with God

by fighting to keep the faith alive in their hearts.

And let me tell you, this girl has a story

of struggle to back it up. At a young age, she was diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder

that sent her life into a downward spiral of anxiety and pain. Lauren and I go deep into this

episode and talk about how the tension of trials can leave us wrestling with doubt.

Lauren shares honestly about how God met her in the questioning, and she shows us that we can

even use those dark nights of the soul times in our lives to learn how to develop a love and a trust

of God's grace. So if you've ever been overwhelmed by a season of darkness or anxiety or depression or

maybe for you it's physical illness or a parenting or relationship disappointment, today's

conversation is going to help you in practical and thoughtful ways.

Hey guys, I just want to say a quick thank you to all of you in the Graceology community

...