Send us Fan Mail Can Christians struggle with anxiety and still trust God? Is taking mental-health medication a sign of weak faith? What do you do when you pray, read Scripture, and your situation still doesn’t change? In Episode 141 of the Campfire Council Podcast, Luke, Joey, and Miranda sit down with their friend Olivia for a candid conversation about faith, anxiety, antidepressants, depression, and healing after rock bottom. Olivia shares how anxiety became physically debilitating, why she chose therapy and medication, and how she learned to see those resources as tools rather than replacements for God. She also opens up about the darkest period of her life: a broken engagement two weeks before the wedding, losing her job, financial hardship, isolation, and years she now calls her “black hole years.” Together, the group wrestles with difficult questions: • Why do Christians still struggle with mental health? • Can medication and genuine trust in God coexist? • What does faith look like when God could remove our suffering—but doesn’t? • How should we respond when “do not be anxious” feels impossible? • Can painful experiences ever fully heal? • How do you trust God and date again after a devastating relationship? Olivia’s story is ultimately one of hope. Through faith, medication, friendship, church, Bible study, and Christian community, she slowly found her joyful heart again. Her testimony is a reminder that your identity is not your anxiety, your darkest season is not forever, and God can use every part of your story. If you are struggling today: you are loved, you are not alone, and there is no shame in reaching out for support. Subscribe for more honest conversations about following Jesus, Christian relationships, testimony, culture, and everyday faith. #ChristianMentalHealth #Anxiety #ChristianPodcast #Faith #Testimony #Depression #Antidepressants #TrustGod If you have a prayer request or question, send us a DM or leave a comment. We would love to pray for and with you. ⛺ Welcome to the Campfire Council 🎙️ 🙏Got prayer requests? Drop them in the comments—we’d love to pray for you. 👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE & SHARE if this episode impacted you! ✝️ God bless and thank you for watching! Timestamps: 00:00 Everything That Could Go Wrong, Did 00:56 Healthcare Stories and Pre-Show Banter 03:35 Sewn In Strength 04:19 Meet Olivia 06:40 Powerlifting, Competition and Body Image 10:23 Finding Church and Christian Community 16:38 Olivia’s Experience With Anxiety 21:22 Anxiety Medication and the Christian Faith 28:45 Why Do Christians Struggle With Mental Health? 30:15 Learning to Stop “White-Knuckling” Life 31:37 Can God Deliver You From Anxiety? 33:22 “Even If He Doesn’t, He Is Still God” 35:37 Your Identity Is Not Your Anxiety 39:40 Encouragement for Anyone Struggling 40:21 When “Do Not Be Anxious” Doesn’t Help 44:16 Scriptures About Anxiety and Worry 45:20 Finding God in the Middle of Anxiety 49:16 The Great Ice Cream Debate 51:41 Olivia’s Depression and Broken Engagement 57:04 “Everything That Could Go Wrong, Did” 58:57 How God and Community Brought Her Through 61:51 Are You Ever Fully Healed? 63:55 Christian Dating After Heartbreak 69:15 Why Community Matters 72:28 Olivia’s Final Message 75:25 Never Be Ashamed of Your Testimony Produced by: Luke Guagliardo Productions LLC Links: 🔥👕 SEWN IN STRENGTH Shop Christian clothing and accessories at: https://sewninstrength.com Use code: CAMPFIRE for 20% off entire website! Miranda's business account: https://www.instagram.com/_sewninstrength/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3sRU3X1IZpC1TVkM8a6lvN?si=09TDQdKVQNyB59okg3iv2Q&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaa8T5P3KSjH8a3gjVY3MuB_S04oHo-fTRwcHjg9rBTEDpoZqdR0ecNmuJI_aem_62vi08aZh0415A1zyM0ysw&nd=1&dlsi=7af2c97f634548f9 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/campfire-council/id1723620035 💬 CONNECT WITH THE CAMPFIRE COUNCIL: https://www.instagram.com/campfire.council.pod/ https://www.instagram.com/luke_guagliardo/ https://www.instagram.com/joedeguy/ https://www.instagram.com/joederockguy/ https://www.instagram.com/blontok_/