In Totality with Megan Ashley

Episode 97: The Bumpy Road to Better (ft. Tim Timberlake)

Release Date: November 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the honest and challenging realities of walking out faith, as Megan Ashley welcomes pastor, author, and fellow podcaster Tim Timberlake to discuss his new book, "The Bumpy Road to Better." Together, they explore themes of vulnerability, sanctification, spiritual fatigue, and navigating painful seasons in life as believers. Through transparent stories and practical wisdom, the conversation offers encouragement, raw insights, and a reminder that God’s love and presence anchor us through every bumpy road.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tim Timberlake’s Story and Calling

• Background and Identity
  • Tim describes himself first as “a son”—to his parents, to his heavenly Father, to his wife Jen, and his son Max.
  • Losing his father (a pastor) at a young age led to anger at God and years of running away from faith.
  • A transformative dream—mirroring his father's own call—led Tim to turn his life around and ultimately enter ministry.

    “The longer you run from what I’ve called you to do, everyone you could have influenced, their blood would be held to your account.” (Tim, 08:01)

2. The Heart Behind "The Bumpy Road to Better"

• Honesty about Hardship in the Christian Journey
  • Megan and Tim reflect on how Christian narratives often gloss over difficulty, whereas the biblical walk is consistently narrow, hard, and full of challenges.

    “A lot of times in Christian space...I always want to be mindful of giving an accurate depiction on what this walk [is]. The Bible tells us that the road is narrow...Some translations say, ‘hard is the way.’” (Megan, 10:51)

  • Tim emphasizes that the last three years of his leadership have been "pure hell," and that his new book was written amidst intense pain—not after the storm, but in the thick of it.

    “If I’m gonna laugh about it later, I’m gonna laugh about it now.” (Tim, 12:21)

3. Navigating Pain, Doubt, and "Faith Fatigue"

• Sanctification and Learning in the Wilderness
  • Tim describes the necessity of going through—not just getting past—painful seasons because they draw us closer to God, giving us revelation of who He is rather than just information.

    “We may know Jesus as a redeemer, but we won’t know that personally until He’s redeemed something in our life... In those moments we get revelation about who Jesus actually is in that season of pain.” (Tim, 15:23)

• Holding the Tension: Belief & Unbelief
  • Both Megan and Tim candidly discuss the struggle of trusting God for redemption while waiting for change, referencing "faith fatigue" and the biblical story of the father who says, "I believe—help my unbelief" (Mark 9).

    “I know you’re able to do it for anybody...it’s the tension of, ‘Will you do it for me?’” (Megan, 20:48)
    “As long as I continue to surrender that doubt daily to Jesus, my doubt doesn’t become an idol in my life.” (Tim, 19:32)

4. Pride, Insecurity & Identity in Christ

• Redefining Pride
  • Insecurity and imposter syndrome, Tim explains, are also forms of pride—both seeing oneself lower or higher than God says—rather than simply exaggerated ego.

    “Pride is viewing yourself any kind of way differently than how God views you...We often think pride is ego, but pride is also thinking more lowly of yourself than what you should.” (Tim, 28:00)

• Staying Anchored in God’s Voice
  • Tim details the importance of continual immersion in God’s word as the only way to resist internal and external voices that contradict God’s truth about us.

    “If faith comes by hearing...my doubts are increased by not hearing the Word of God.” (Tim, 30:34)

5. Discernment in the Age of Social Media & Digital Prophets

• Navigating Content Overload and Prophetic Zeal
  • Both reflect on the explosion of self-proclaimed prophets, the pressure for leaders to overshare, and the dangers of “hyper-criticism” or spiritual showmanship online.

    “Followers does not equate to fruit. Followers does not equate to friendship. There’s a difference between having fans and having family.” (Tim, 49:14)

  • Tim urges discernment—checking the fruit and accuracy of voices we follow, and not seeking order, discipline, and boundaries in “deeper,” more sensational teachings.

    “Sometimes the gifts of God arrive differently than we expect. Sometimes it arrives through discipline, sometimes through structure, sometimes boundaries, but we don’t want those.” (Tim, 58:01)

6. Vulnerability, Scars, and Responsible Storytelling

• Sharing from Scars, Not Wounds
  • Tim explains that sharing stories—including his divorce—should wait until wounds have become scars, so as to offer healing rather than just information (or “tea”).

    “I just sat with God and allowed time to bring out of me the things He healed in me, so that I could help other people go on the journey.” (Tim, 39:46)

7. Divorce, Healing & Value After Loss

• Shepherding Divorcees and Navigating Theological Tension
  • The conversation delves into the rarely-discussed pain of divorce, especially for women, and the shame or invisibility that lingers in church culture.
  • Tim provides pastoral wisdom: the heart of God hates divorce because of what it does to His children, not out of legalism.

    “Divorce is helping people to heal from someone that they’re mourning that’s still alive. It’s the only time that we mourn someone that’s still here... But I am not what happened to me. I am so much more than what has happened to me.” (Tim, 65:05; 67:48)

  • He emphasizes the need for theological nuance, therapy, and community, versus rigid or shallow interpretations.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Honest Faith:

  “If I’m gonna laugh about it later, I’m gonna laugh about it now. I want to journey through this season of pain...with my pen and my Word and not lean into my emotions...I need the mind of Christ.” (Tim, 12:21)

• On Daily Doubt and Divine Identity:

  “Sometimes I doubt: ‘Is God good to me?’ ...I am both hopeful and I am doubtful. But as long as I continue to surrender that doubt daily to Jesus, my doubt doesn’t become an idol.” (Tim, 17:17‒19:32)

• On Pride & Self-Worth:

  “Pride is viewing yourself any kind of way differently than how God views you...Who am I to argue with how God sees me?” (Tim, 28:00-29:33)

• On Wisdom & Discipleship in The Digital Age:

  “Followers does not equate to fruit. There’s a difference between having fans and having family. I want family.” (Tim, 49:14)

• Advice to Aspiring Prophets:

  “Before God calls you to be a prophet to the nations, He calls you to be a prophet to your neighbor...there’s a process that takes place, there’s maturity in Christ, there’s pruning before you step into the assignment of the call.” (Tim, 52:37-53:47)

• On Healing from Divorce:

  “Helping people navigate divorce is helping people heal from someone they’re mourning who’s still alive.” (Tim, 65:05)
  “Your value is not shaken by what’s happened to you. It is anchored in the hope of Jesus Christ.” (Tim, 67:46)

• On God Seeing Us:

  “The most rewarding part of writing [the book] is getting that reminder from God: I see you. I haven’t forgotten you. I’m with you.” (Tim, 59:30)

Important Timestamps

• 02:52 ‒ Tim opens with a raw summary of his painful leadership season and shares a prophetic dream calling him to ministry.
• 05:29-09:11 ‒ Tim recounts his journey from anger at God after his father’s death to answering his own call to ministry.
• 11:48-13:37 ‒ Discussion of why Tim’s new book is his most transparent, written during deep pain.
• 17:17-19:41 ‒ Honest exploration of daily doubt, faith fatigue, and surrendering doubt so it doesn't become idolatry.
• 28:00-29:33 ‒ Megan and Tim redefine pride as both arrogance and self-loathing.
• 34:43-37:05 ‒ The power of immersing in God’s word to silence the enemy, and how to discern God’s voice vs. accusation.
• 39:46-43:15 ‒ Deciding when and how to publicly share painful personal stories and responsibly process wounds.
• 49:14-50:12 ‒ Tim's insights on the difference between fans and family—what true leadership and accountability look like.
• 52:37-55:34 ‒ Advice on the process of maturing into ministry gifting before stepping into public prophetic ministry.
• 65:05-67:51 ‒ Pastoring people through divorce, reframing value and identity, and moving forward with hope.
• 73:31-74:33 ‒ Tim’s journal prompt: assess the speed of your obedience; are you moving at God’s pace or your own?

Practical Takeaways

• Go Through, Not Around, Your Pain: Don’t rush past hardship—allow it to draw you closer to Christ and discover new facets of His character.
• Daily Surrender and Self-Reflection: Hold the tension between faith and doubt by surrendering both to God and choosing honesty.
• Immerse in God’s Word: Build spiritual resilience and discernment through continual Scripture intake.
• Practice Vulnerability Responsibly: Share testimonies from a place of healing, not fresh hurt; always lead others to Christ, not just personal catharsis.
• Discern Your Influences: Inventory voices you follow; seek fruit, not just charisma or affirmation of your feelings.
• Affirm Identity Over Shame: Remember your worth is in being a child of God, not in your past or your mistakes.

Journal Prompt (Tim’s Suggestion, 73:31)

“Understand, and for some of us remember, that God moves your future towards you at the speed of your obedience. Some of us are going too fast, and we need to slow down and move at God’s speed... God doesn’t live up to your expectations; He always lives up to His Word. Align your expectations with God’s Word and watch Him move at His pace.” (Tim, 73:31)

Final Thoughts

This episode is a vulnerable roadmap for anyone slogging through life's rough patches, reminding listeners that God redeems even the bumpiest roads. With practical wisdom, scriptural grounding, and honest storytelling, Tim and Megan invite listeners to move with grace, walk in honesty, and root themselves in God's presence and identity—no matter how bumpy the road.

For the full experience and more resources, grab "The Bumpy Road to Better" by Tim Timberlake and connect with the In Totality community!