A Conversation with Janell Wood: Loving Unbelieving Family Members - Love Does That | Christian Spiritual Director Kari Bartkus

Hey, my friend. I’m wondering if you have a family member in your life—a parent, a son or daughter, a brother or sister—who doesn’t know Christ.

If so, then you probably know the heaviness and grief that can bring to your heart.

You wonder how you can witness to them.

You pray for their salvation.

You try to find ways to love them and show them you care.

But ultimately, you cannot make them accept Christ.

And that’s hard.

This week, I want to let you listen in to a conversation I had with a friend of mine. Her name is Janell Wood and she is passionate about bringing others to know the Lord. And she has such a beautiful podcast dedicated to having honest and real conversations with those who are doubting the Christian faith or rejecting it all together.

It’s called Finding Something Real, and I really encourage you to go follow her show, so that you can continue to let her not just speak truth into your life, but also listen to her model how to have some of these conversations well.

This is a holy and tender conversation. Janell and I both have loved ones who have rejected Christ, and I took the opportunity to ask some really hard and honest questions. And there are a lot of truths in this that I know I need to cling to, and I think you will resonate with them, too.

If you find Janell’s words encouraging, I hope you’ll reach out to her and let her know.

God, I pray that as we listen to this conversation, You would stir up hope and courage in our hearts to not give up on those we love, but to continue pursuing them and loving them all the way to the foot of the cross. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

[Interview]

MEET JANELL:

Janell has been a Christian for most of her life but has a deep passion for those who are struggling with faith. She’s been through her own seasons of wondering, wandering, hurting, and doubting. With a Masters-level education in Counseling Psychology, a background in advocacy for women in crisis, and communication skills gained from 17 years of “’til death do us part,” Janell has found just one who has the answers. His name is Jesus. True Restoration, Eternity, Authenticity, and Love belongs to Him. And she loves to share and talk about what’s REAL with others, whether it’s one-on-one with young women on her podcast, or when speaking for an audience.