What do you do when God makes a promise—but your reality doesn’t match it yet? In this episode, Shaped by God’s Promises, we step into the tension of waiting, when doubt creeps in, and control feels easier than trust. If you’ve ever found yourself striving, second-guessing, or trying to “make things happen” instead of resting in God’s timing, this conversation will lead you back to a faith that holds steady, even in the unknown. What does it look like to be Shaped by God’s Promises when life doesn’t unfold the way you expected? In the space between what God has spoken and what you can see, faith can feel fragile—and waiting can feel long. But it’s in that tension that God is at work, shaping your heart, your trust, and your story. When we can’t count on others—or even ourselves—it’s easy to tighten our grip and try to control the outcome. But self-reliance is a graceless substitute for faith, leaving us depleted and striving. Instead, God invites us into something deeper: a steady confidence in His promises, even when fulfillment feels far off. In this episode of Living the Grace Life, I’m joined by author and Bible teacher Shannon Popkin to talk about what it means to be Shaped by God’s Promises through seasons of waiting. Drawing from the life of Sarah in Genesis, Shannon shares from her book and Bible study, revealing how God’s faithfulness meets us in the middle of doubt, unmet expectations, and self-reliance. Together, we explore how God uses both the waiting and the fulfillment to form authentic faith—not manufactured effort or “fruit stapling,” but Spirit-grown transformation. In today's conversation, we chat about: When Sarah's faith shifted into self-reliance, and what we can learn from it The moment God ensured Sarah personally heard His promise How to trust God's promises for both the present and the future The internal shift that happens when we truly believe what God has said Why "fruit stapling" doesn't lead to real spiritual growth Shannon's personal story of reconciliation after many years of waiting Three grace-filled mindsets for living as women shaped by the promises of God If you’ve ever wrestled with control, doubt, or discouragement while waiting on God, this conversation will help you move from striving to surrender—and from fear to authentic, grace-rooted faith. Because beneath every story—including yours—is a faithful God who keeps His promises, not because we deserve it, but because of His unchanging grace. 💬 Grace Quotes from Shannon Popkin: "Faith ends where self-reliance begins." "Don't judge God's faithfulness to you based on what you're seeing in the here and now." "Control says, 'It's all up to me.' Surrender says, 'It's all up to God.'" "It's never too late to be shaped by God's promises.” Scriptures Mentioned: Hebrews 11 – The Great Hall of Faith Galatians 5:22-23 – The Fruit of the Spirit Resources Mentioned: 🌿 Shannon's FREE Printable - Pray the Promises 🌿 Shannon's book Shaped by God's Promises 🎶 Shannon's go-to grace song I'll Wait for You by Shane and Shane Connect with Shannon Popkin: Website: shannonpopkin.com Instagram: @shannonpopkin Facebook: @shanpopkin Related Episodes: Ep. 25 Divine Detour and Deepened Faith with Lori Ann Wood Ep. 28 How to Find Hope in God's Promises | Hebrews 11:13 Ep. 42 What if Doubt is Part of Faith? with Niki Hardy Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata: 🎁 My FREE gift to you: Prayers That Change Us 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content & episode updates ⭐ If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with a friend! 👉🏼Living the Grace Life is the place where real grace meets real life. Host Jennifer Sakata explores how God’s grace moves from theological idea to lived practice in everyday moments of faith, encouraging listeners to experience forgiveness, freedom, and trust. Website | Instagram | Facebook
