Faithformed | Christian Leadership & Spiritual Formation

Justin Belt
  • 4.3 (3)
  • CHRISTIANITY

Are you feeling the pressure to perform, produce, and perfect every area of your life? In a culture that demands constant visibility, Faithformed invites you to find strength in obscurity and purpose in the pause. Join author and host Justin Belt (The Purpose in the Pause, Slaying the Lion) as he explores the intersection of Christian leadership, spiritual formation, and emotional health. Whether you are navigating a season of waiting, battling spiritual burnout, or looking to deepen your Bible study, this show offers the tactical and biblical tools you need to stand firm. What you can expect each week: - Biblical Exegesis: Deep dives into Scripture (Luke, John, and more) to uncover ancient wisdom for modern anxiety. - Honest Conversations: Real talk about the struggles of ministry, parenting, and professional life. - Practical Theology: Moving from "hearing" the word to being formed by it.

  1. 5D AGO

    24. Permission to Scream: The Theology of Lament & The End of Toxic Positivity

    Send us a text When the world is on fire- when we see injustice in the headlines or face tragedy in our own homes- the modern church often tells us to "look on the bright side." We are handed a theological band-aid and told that "faith" looks like a permanent smile. But what if your grief isn't a lack of faith? What if it’s actually the proof of it? In Episode 24 of Faithformed, we explore the lost spiritual discipline of Lament. Drawing on the work of Walter Brueggemann, Soong-Chan Rah, and Jürgen Moltmann, we dismantle the "Theology of Glory" that demands we pretend everything is okay. We dive into the "Psalms of Disorientation," discuss why unprocessed pain turns into cynicism, and discover why God Himself screams from the Cross. Key Takeaways: The Theology of Glory vs. The Cross: Why American Christianity is addicted to "winning" and terrified of the tomb (Martin Luther).The Ban on Sadness: How "Toxic Positivity" gaslights us into thinking our grief is a sin.Optimism vs. Hope: Why optimism is fragile, but biblical hope is a prisoner of the truth (Cornel West).The Danger of Silence: Why "pain that is not transformed is transmitted" (Richard Rohr).The God Who Sits in the Dark: Understanding that Jesus didn't come to fix your feelings; He came to share them.Theologians & Sources Mentioned: Walter Brueggemann: The Message of the Psalms (Orientation vs. Disorientation)Nicholas Wolterstorff: Lament for a SonSoong-Chan Rah: Prophetic Lament (The Idol of Exceptionalism)Jürgen Moltmann: The Crucified GodMartin Luther: The Heidelberg DisputationMemorable Quote: "If your theology cannot handle your grief, your theology is too small. God doesn't need your PR. He doesn't need your fake smile. He needs your honesty." Your pause has purpose! It is never pointless! Get your copy on Amazon by clicking the link!  Connect with us via our Instagram: @faithformed_pod Email us any questions or comments to yourpursuitpodcast@gmail.com Order your copy of my latest book, "The Purpose in the Pause", here We can't wait to build momentum and create a movement of pursuit with you!

    38 min

  2. JAN 26

    23: The Noonday Demon: Doomscrolling, Acedia, and the War for Your Attention

    Send us a text It’s 11:30 PM. The house is quiet, but the blue light of your phone is illuminating your face. You are reading terrible news—about raids, about separated families, about a world that feels like it’s catching fire. You know you should sleep, but you can’t look away. You feel like if you stop watching, you are abandoning your post. In this episode of Faithformed, we argue that our addiction to the news cycle isn't just a bad habit—it is a spiritual crisis the early Church called Acedia (The Noonday Demon). We travel back to 410 AD to see how St. Augustine handled the "Sack of Rome," and we look to the Desert Fathers for the discipline of Nepsis (Watchfulness) to guard our minds. We wrestle with the tension of being faithful witnesses to suffering (like the recent ICE raids) without being consumed by the abyss. Key Takeaways: The "Glance vs. Gaze" Framework: Why we must glance at the news to witness pain, but gaze at God to find the remedy.Acedia (The Noonday Demon): Understanding that doomscrolling is often a spiritual refusal to sit in the "cell" of our own lives.Augustine’s Two Cities: How to remember you are a citizen of the Kingdom even when the "City of Man" is shaking.The Discipline of the Bouncer: Practical ways to practice "Custody of the Eyes" this week.Scripture & Theologians Mentioned: 2 Corinthians 3:18 (Beholding and Becoming)St. Augustine (The City of God)Evagrius Ponticus (The Eight Evil Thoughts/Acedia)Simone Weil (The Theology of Attention)Karl Barth ("The Bible and the Newspaper")Memorable Quote: "We gaze at the world, and we glance at God. And we wonder why we are anxious? If you gaze at the chaos, you become chaotic. If you gaze at the King, you become steady." Your pause has purpose! It is never pointless! Get your copy on Amazon by clicking the link!  Connect with us via our Instagram: @faithformed_pod Email us any questions or comments to yourpursuitpodcast@gmail.com Order your copy of my latest book, "The Purpose in the Pause", here We can't wait to build momentum and create a movement of pursuit with you!

    26 min

  3. JAN 19

    22. The Miracle of "Brother": Faith, Fear, and the Ananias Option (Acts 9)

    Send us a text If Saul of Tarsus lived in 2026, he wouldn’t be a theologian—he would be a federal enforcer with a warrant in his pocket. In a world where power is unchecked and "breathing threats" has become a political strategy, how should the Church respond? In this episode of Faithformed, we thoughtfully explore the "Third Way" of Jesus through the lens of Acts 9. We move past the Sunday School version of Paul’s conversion to focus on the unsung hero of the story: Ananias. We discover that true spiritual formation isn't just for quiet mornings; it is the survival gear we need to face the dragon. Join us as we learn how to break the "protocol of survival," overcome the spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7), and perform the most dangerous miracle of all: calling your enemy "Brother." Key Takeaways: The "Ice Agent" Analogy: Understanding the legal, terrifying power Saul held before his conversion.The Disciple's Reflex: How Ananias used 2 Timothy 1:7 to override his biological panic.The Theology of "Brother": Why welcoming the enemy is the only way to heal their blindness.Resistance vs. Rebellion: How to stand in the gap for the vulnerable without becoming hateful toward the powerful.Scripture References: Acts 9:1-17 (The Conversion of Saul)2 Timothy 1:7 (Spirit of Fear vs. Power, Love, and Sound Mind)Romans 12:2 (Conformed vs. Transformed)Matthew 26:52 (Put away the sword)Mentioned in this Episode: Dietrich Bonhoeffer (The Cost of Discipleship)Miroslav Volf (Exclusion and Embrace)Walter Brueggemann (The Prophetic Imagination)Connect with us via our Instagram: @faithformed_pod Email us any questions or comments to yourpursuitpodcast@gmail.com Order your copy of my latest book, "The Purpose in the Pause", here We can't wait to build momentum and create a movement of pursuit with you!

    43 min

  4. JAN 12

    21. You Aren't God, So Quit Trying to Be (The Idol of Control)

    Send us a text Are you exhausted from trying to be the General Manager of the Universe? Most of us walk through life with a "clenched fist" spirit, trying to micromanage our children, manipulate our careers, and force our own outcomes. We call it "responsibility" or "leadership," but God calls it Idolatry. In this heavy-hitting finale of the No More Idols series, we confront The Idol of Control, or the root cause of our anxiety and the oldest sin in the book ("You will be like God"). If you struggle with chronic worry, micromanagement, or the inability to "switch off," this episode explains why. We dig into the psychology of the "Orphan Spirit" and why trying to control the uncontrollable is a fast track to burnout. In this episode, we cover: The Anxiety Equation: Why anxiety is simply the gap between what you are trying to control and what you can actually control.Stewardship vs. Control: Understanding the critical difference between managing the Input (our job) and trusting God with the Output (His job).The Orphan Spirit: Why control is often a trauma response to feeling unprotected, and how to learn to trust the Father again.The "Palms Down, Palms Up" Practice: A practical tool to physically practice surrender every morning.You make a terrible god. But He makes a wonderful Father. It’s time to unclench your fist and let Him drive. Scripture References: Genesis 3, James 4:13-15, Psalm 127:2, Ecclesiastes 9:11, Isaiah 9:6. Your pause has purpose! It is never pointless! Get your copy on Amazon by clicking the link!  Connect with us via our Instagram: @faithformed_pod Email us any questions or comments to yourpursuitpodcast@gmail.com Order your copy of my latest book, "The Purpose in the Pause", here We can't wait to build momentum and create a movement of pursuit with you!

    34 min

  5. JAN 5

    20. Why Safety is Dangerous for Your Soul (The Idol of Comfort)

    Send us a text We define "The Good Life" as a life where nothing hurts. We pray for peace, but we often define peace as the absence of conflict. We think that if things are easy, God is blessing us. But what if comfort isn't a blessing? What if it's a cage? In this first episode of 2026, we confront The Idol of Comfort—the belief that safety is the goal of the Christian life. If you find yourself retreating from hard conversations, avoiding risks, or feeling "stuck" in your spiritual walk, this episode explains why. Comfort creates atrophy. Just like a muscle that never lifts weight, a soul that never faces resistance grows weak. In this episode, we cover: The Grave of Egypt: Why we, like the Israelites, often prefer "predictable slavery" over "unpredictable freedom."The Theology of Resistance: How God answers our prayers for patience by sending us trials (James 1:2).The Gethsemane Principle: Moving from "Self-Discipline" to "Christ-Likeness" by learning to say, "Not my will, but Yours."Hunting the Lion: Why you cannot coast into a legacy, and why the hard thing you are avoiding is actually the door to your next season.Stop asking God to remove the weight. Start asking Him to strengthen your back. Your pause has purpose! It is never pointless! Get your copy on Amazon by clicking the link!  Connect with us via our Instagram: @faithformed_pod Email us any questions or comments to yourpursuitpodcast@gmail.com Order your copy of my latest book, "The Purpose in the Pause", here We can't wait to build momentum and create a movement of pursuit with you!

    33 min

  6. 12/29/2025

    19. Why "New Year, New Me" is a Lie (The Idol of the New Year)

    Send us a text We treat January 1st like a savior. We convince ourselves that when the calendar flips, we will magically become disciplined, holy, and organized. But by mid-February, the gym is empty, the planner is blank, and the shame sets in. In this episode of Faithformed, we confront The Idol of the New Year—the belief that you can save yourself through willpower and reinvention. If you are tired of the cycle of hype and failure, this episode exposes the theological error at the heart of our resolutions. We discuss why "New Year, New Me" is often code for self-hatred, and why God is not interested in your reinvention, but your restoration. In this episode, we cover: The Willpower Trap: Why trying to finish in the flesh what began in the Spirit (Galatians 3) always leads to burnout.Procrastinated Obedience: Why we use "January 1st" as an excuse to delay repentance today.Rhythms > Resolutions: A practical guide to replacing binary goals (Pass/Fail) with spiritual rhythms (Grace/Growth).The Autopsy of Failure: Why you cannot hate yourself into transformation.Stop trying to create a "New You" this year. Learn how to let the Spirit fill the Real You. Scripture References: Galatians 3:3, Lamentations 3:22-23, Isaiah 43:1, James 4:17. Your pause has purpose! It is never pointless! Get your copy on Amazon by clicking the link!  Connect with us via our Instagram: @faithformed_pod Email us any questions or comments to yourpursuitpodcast@gmail.com Order your copy of my latest book, "The Purpose in the Pause", here We can't wait to build momentum and create a movement of pursuit with you!

    25 min

  7. 12/22/2025

    18. The Idol of Platform: Why Visibility is Exhausting & How to Stop Performing

    Send us a text We live in the age of the Curator. We have become the PR managers of our own lives, constantly managing the gap between who we are and who people think we are. But this constant pressure to be seen, liked, and validated is not just exhausting—it is a spiritual trap. In Part 2 of the No More Idols series, we confront The Idol of Platform—the belief that "Visibility equals Value." If you are tired of the hustle for relevance or feel the heavy burden of maintaining a "Christian image," this episode is your permission slip to quit performing. We explore why God often hides leaders before He uses them, and why building a platform without the character to sustain it (The Saul Syndrome) is a recipe for disaster. In this episode, we cover: The Temptation of Spectacle: A deep dive into Matthew 4 and why Jesus refused the "shortcut" to influence.The Saul Syndrome: Why a platform built on talent but lacking in character will eventually crush you.Identity Received vs. Achieved: Learning from John the Baptist’s secret to freedom ("He must increase, but I must decrease").The Discipline of Secrecy: Practical habits to break the addiction to external validation.You do not have to be famous to be faithful. It’s time to step off the stage, pick up the towel, and find rest in being known by God. Connect with us via our Instagram: @faithformed_pod Email us any questions or comments to yourpursuitpodcast@gmail.com Order your copy of my latest book, "The Purpose in the Pause", here We can't wait to build momentum and create a movement of pursuit with you!

    20 min

  8. 12/15/2025

    17. The Idol of "Next": Why You Feel Behind & How to Trust God’s Timing

    Send us a text Do you feel like you are constantly waiting for your "real life" to begin? We live in a culture obsessed with the future. We tell ourselves, "I'll rest when I get the promotion," or "I'll serve God when I get through this season." But this isn't just ambition—it is a spiritual trap. In this fiery kickoff to the No More Idols series, we confront The Idol of "Next", the lie that says God is waiting for you at the finish line, rather than walking with you in the process. If you struggle with anxiety, hurry, or the constant feeling that you are "behind" in life, this episode is your wake-up call. We expose "Functional Atheism"—the habit of living as if God is absent from the present moment—and teach you how to wage war through the discipline of Radical Presence. In this episode, we cover: The Trap of "Arrival": Why reaching your goals will never actually satisfy you (Ecclesiastes 5:10).Plans vs. Purpose: The difference between your timeline and God’s formation process (Proverbs 19:21).Killing the Hurry: How to stop rushing through the "sheep pasture" seasons of obscurity.Befriending Faithfulness: Practical steps to find God in the mundane, right now (Psalm 37:3).Stop sacrificing your peace on the altar of the future. It’s time to kill the hurry and rest in the "I AM." Your pause has purpose! It is never pointless! Get your copy on Amazon by clicking the link!  Connect with us via our Instagram: @faithformed_pod Email us any questions or comments to yourpursuitpodcast@gmail.com Order your copy of my latest book, "The Purpose in the Pause", here We can't wait to build momentum and create a movement of pursuit with you!

    24 min
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About

Are you feeling the pressure to perform, produce, and perfect every area of your life? In a culture that demands constant visibility, Faithformed invites you to find strength in obscurity and purpose in the pause. Join author and host Justin Belt (The Purpose in the Pause, Slaying the Lion) as he explores the intersection of Christian leadership, spiritual formation, and emotional health. Whether you are navigating a season of waiting, battling spiritual burnout, or looking to deepen your Bible study, this show offers the tactical and biblical tools you need to stand firm. What you can expect each week: - Biblical Exegesis: Deep dives into Scripture (Luke, John, and more) to uncover ancient wisdom for modern anxiety. - Honest Conversations: Real talk about the struggles of ministry, parenting, and professional life. - Practical Theology: Moving from "hearing" the word to being formed by it.

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