Send us Fan Mail How do you trust God as a good Father when your earthly father was absent, emotionally unavailable, abusive, or unable to give you the love you needed? In this powerful episode of The Redeemed Podcast, Lauren Burns sits down with author and speaker Kia Stephens for an honest conversation about father wounds, forgiveness, healing, childhood wounds, and learning to trust God as our Heavenly Father. Kia grew up in the church, but as she entered adulthood, she began wrestling with a difficult question: If God is a Father to the fatherless, what does that actually mean when you've experienced the pain of an absent father? Kia shares the seemingly ordinary moment involving a bookshelf that uncovered years of hidden pain, how father wounds affected her relationships and need for validation, and how our relationship with our earthly father can influence the way we view God. Lauren and Kia also talk honestly about biblical forgiveness—what forgiveness is, what it is NOT, why forgiveness and healthy boundaries can coexist, and why healing is often a journey rather than a single moment. One of Kia's most powerful realizations: “I failed to realize that while I was pursuing my biological father, God had been pursuing me.” If you've struggled with father wounds, childhood wounds, unforgiveness, abandonment, or trusting God after painful experiences, this conversation is for you. In this episode, we talk about: • Recognizing father wounds you didn't know you carried • How an absent father can affect identity and relationships • Searching for validation when a father's love is missing • How our earthly father can influence the way we see God • Wrestling honestly with God • Learning to trust God as a good Father • What forgiveness is—and what it isn't • Why forgiveness and healthy boundaries can coexist • How God can redeem our deepest wounds • Recognizing the ways God has been pursuing us all along 📖 OVERCOMING FATHER WOUNDS — KIA STEPHENS Kia Stephens is the author of Overcoming Father Wounds, a biblical and practical resource for women seeking healing from the wounds left by an absent, distant, or difficult earthly father. Learn more about Kia, her ministry, and Overcoming Father Wounds at KiaStephens.com. Overcoming Father Wounds https://a.co/d/0aj138k0 📖 STOLEN — LAUREN BURNS STOLEN: subscribepage.io/R8EW8e 🌐 laurenburns.net Lauren Burns is the author of STOLEN: True Story. Kidnapped. Rescued. Redeemed. At seven years old, Lauren was kidnapped by her father and taken halfway around the world. But rescue was only the beginning. STOLEN also tells the story of what happened after Lauren came home—the trauma, father wounds, forgiveness, healing, and the journey of learning to trust her Heavenly Father. STOLEN is available now in hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook, narrated by Lauren. Learn more about Lauren, STOLEN, The Redeemed Podcast, speaking events, and resources at LaurenBurns.net. If this conversation encouraged you, share it with someone who may be carrying a father wound of their own, and subscribe to The Redeemed Podcast for more honest conversations about faith, healing, forgiveness, testimony, and redemption. “Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story…” — Psalm 107:2 Disclaimer: The purpose of the Redeemed Podcast is to share the love of Jesus. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on behalf of guest do not necessarily represent the thoughts of the host. This podcast does not constitute services or medical advise. Pease pray and thoroughly research options for medical needs. Listeners and viewers consume this content on a voluntary basis and assume all responsibility for resulting consequence and impact. Lauren Burns Stolen, true story of being kidnapped by their father at seven years old, taken halfway around the world, and rescued. The book covers what happened after returning home, including years of hiding, father wounds, forgiveness, and discovering that God working in her story. Stolen: True Story, Kidnapped, Rescued, Redeemed is available now in hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook. Lauren personally narrated the audiobook find it wherever books are sold.
