← Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt
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- [00:00]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
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- [01:04]
Leah Gregory
What's up, guys? Welcome back to another episode of Stay True podcast.
- [01:09]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
I'm your host, Madison Pruitt Trout and Leah Gregory.
- [01:13]
Leah Gregory
We practiced that before and I feel like, I feel like our practice round might have been a little better than the real thing.
- [01:18]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
We could have done better, but it's okay. They get the real stuff.
- [01:22]
Leah Gregory
They do.
- [01:23]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
Honestly, this episode is going to be the real stuff.
- [01:25]
Leah Gregory
I mean, yeah, this is what, our third time doing this and so we'll be. We got. I've got the DMs this time, so ask the Instagram, ask the DMs.
- [01:33]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
It's some good questions.
- [01:34]
Leah Gregory
Oh, it's some good questions.
- [01:35]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
She, like, briefed me a little bit right before we pressed record and I'm like, oh, goodness. Okay, I hope I'm ready. Hope I'm ready for this. But these are some good questions and I was told to give brief answers so that we could go through all of them.
- [01:47]
Leah Gregory
So when you ask Maddie to give a brief answer, y' all know how that goes. Y' all been listening to the podcast long enough?
- [01:52]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
15 minute long answers, but we'll get through it. But we are, like on a high right now. Why are we on a high right now?
- [01:58]
Leah Gregory
What did we just have Stay True Worship night last Friday night? I mean, it was unreal.
- [02:03]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
Like, it was so good.
- [02:04]
Leah Gregory
It's a good. I don't know if any of y' all came. It was in the Nashville area. It was at a barn. There was animals roaming around. We had mocktails. I mean, and like, it was amazing.
- [02:13]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
But what, like, the craziest thing to Us was that we had people drive eight hours to be there. Like, I was totally expecting to show up, and it was gonna be this local event, and it was everybody from here and just, like, excited to come and worship and, like, meet people. And it was people who had driven from Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, like, different parts of Tennessee, Indiana. I mean, there were people from all over. I was blown away. It was so powerful. The presence of God was so tangible. It was so cool watching people encounter God, meet incredible other people of God. And Lanie Pickens did the worship, and she was amazing.
- [02:54]
Leah Gregory
She's amazing. She's amazing. She just has such a purity of heart. Just the way. It was such a good night. I am still not over it. I've been trying to recover, and I. I'm not over it. But the good news is that we'll probably be having another one coming up soon.
- [03:08]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
I'm gonna say we need around two.
- [03:09]
Leah Gregory
I would say that inspired me to want to plan another one, so we'll probably do it. Be doing that another time soon, so be sure to check out the Instagram and make sure you're not missing another worship night. It was so, so good.
- [03:20]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
It was so powerful. And, you know, hopefully I had a couple of girls come up and be like, you need to do a sequels event.
- [03:28]
Leah Gregory
Oh, man.
- [03:29]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
Or a dating event. So I'm like, I don't know. Maybe that's up, though.
- [03:32]
Leah Gregory
Our new venture.
- [03:33]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
Yeah, it's me and my mom's dream, honestly. I'll be honest. We. We, like, want to be a matchmaker so bad. It's, like, our dream.
- [03:39]
Leah Gregory
You're. You're a great matchmaker, though.
- [03:40]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
Like, well, I don't have any success stories.
- [03:42]
Leah Gregory
Okay.
- [03:43]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
Well, she's like, you're a great matchmaker. I'm like, I'm zero. I'm zero for zero.
- [03:48]
Leah Gregory
Well, at least you try with people. I feel like that's half the battle. Like, I'll tell you, I'll be like, oh, Like, I want to be set up. And you, like, actually, like, bring me names of people. Like, I feel like that's the better way.
- [03:57]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
And if you're like, I have a crush on that person, I'm like, I'll literally go talk to them right now. Like, are you down? Are you down for me to go talk to them? I know you're like, never mind.
- [04:03]
Leah Gregory
Never mind, never mind.
- [04:04]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
No, no, no.
- [04:05]
Leah Gregory
He really will you. No fear in that. So I think that. I think that's respectable. I think that's a good thing. And so maybe singles event is in your near future.
- [04:12]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
Listen, and I was proud of some of the girls at this event because they were not afraid to drop the. What is it called?
- [04:17]
Leah Gregory
Drop the hanky.
- [04:18]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
Yes. They were like, hey, I think you're cute. I'm gonn the hanky. Cuz we had some people on the parking team who were single, some guys and, you know, girls weren't afraid to drop the hanky.
- [04:25]
Leah Gregory
I know. It kind of was a singles event already.
- [04:27]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
I know. I'm like, I'm so down. Let's. Let's keep going, girlies. Like, let the men chase and pursue. But, like, I think it's great to drop.
- [04:34]
Leah Gregory
I do too.
- [04:35]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
I think it's beautiful.
- [04:35]
Leah Gregory
Yeah, no, I'm. I'm here for it, so. I thought that was great. It was so good. How about we get into some dms? Are you ready?
- [04:41]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
Oh, I'm excited.
- [04:42]
Leah Gregory
Okay. Well, the first one, we got a ton of dms. How has your social media break been? You've been off of it. We're recording this. It'll be about five or six months in to your social media break. Have you had any withdrawals? How are you doing? Like, do you. Do you. Are you going to get back on it?
- [04:58]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
I don't know if I'll get back on social media. I most likely will. But this season has been so good being away from, like, everything that's going on. I don't see anything that's going on, like, in the world. And I. I just feel like I've been able to be so much more present. I feel like I am so, like, I'm so much more quick to grab the bible over my phone. I'm so much, like, quicker to call that friend or to pray, like. And it's crazy how much you spend time on social media that you don't even realize, like, you're spending time on social media. Like, since being off of it, I feel like I've just gained so many more hours of being present with H. Hosanna, being present with friends, of being present with grant, of praying, of, like, diving deeper into the word, memorizing the word. And I'm so thankful. Like, it really has been so good. I really have not had. We were talking about this, I guess, like yesterday. I have not had withdrawals, which is actually crazy. I thought it was gonna be so much more challenging. I thought I was gonna have, like, fomo. It was gonna be so hard. And it has been the complete. It has been the biggest blessing. It's been so good. I would say probably a month into it. I had, I guess you could say, I mean, I guess you could say withdrawals without knowing it was withdrawals. Like, Graham, Graham was like, maddie, you were taking anger out on me. And I don't really know why. Like, you're. You seem more frustrated and irritable and I don't really know why. I just realized I've slown down so much. I've like dropped 90% of my work. The only thing that I'm doing now is podcasting and it's literally out of my house. And so, like, I'm basically just a stay at home mom and a wife and, you know, a friend and a daughter and sister and all the things. And I think a month into that I was realizing, wow, like I was. I'm used to, like, working, I'm used to, like, going and being distracted and all the things. And it's just been really cool, I think in the last few months to just like, slow down, to learn true rest, to just like, get back to the basics of like, getting in my word, memorizing scripture, having my prayer closet, and being able to, like, show up for friends. It's like we have a neighbor who was going through something and I've just been able to, like, check in on her and drop things off at the house and, you know, friends going through stuff and just being able to show up for people more. And so I feel like I have so much more time. I feel like I have so much more peace and I'm so much more present. And I'm like, that's what we all want. Like, we're all like, man, I just feel like I just want more peace in my life. I just want my relationships to be better. Like, I feel so lonely. I feel so, like, distant from people. I feel distant from God. And it's like for many of us, it's because of our phones. For many of us, it's because of social media, yet we don't do anything about it. And I feel like we have become such complainers and we've become such, you know, grumblers about the things that are robbing us of everything that we're looking for, but we don't do anything about it. And it's so much easier to talk about it, complain about it, gossip about it, grumble about it, rather than to actually take action. And I just was at a point in my life where I'm like, I want to take action. And so like, my challenge to every person listening is like, don't just be a superstar at conviction. Like, be a superstar at action. And I think we have become benchwarmers at action. It's like, oh, I'm convicted over this, but then I'm just convicted. And it's like, no, no, no. Let that conviction lead to repentance. Let that conviction lead to action. Like, don't just feel bad about it. Don't just, like, be like, oh, man. Like, this is just really hard. Oh, man. Social media is causing me to lust or, you know, compare or be jealous or be whatever it may be to be distracted, but I'm not going to do anything about it. I'm just going to kind of stay in that same cycle. And so my. My challenge and encouragement would just be like, do something about it. If. If you feel like this has been a struggle for you, then act on it. And I have, and it's been amazing.
- [08:40]
Leah Gregory
That is so good. It actually makes me think of the next DM we got was when we have conviction about something. And you talk about this all the time. You talk about going to people with it and you talk about accountability. And a conversation that circled in my friend group this week is like, okay, we want accountability. And when you go to someone with and you, like, confess something, what do you do with that? Like, how do you actually. Like, what are practical ways you keep someone accountable? Like, is it a certain. Are you supposed to send a certain text? Are you. Like, how do you. What's the practical of accountability? Like, what's the practical way to do that?
- [09:15]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
Yeah, I love this question. And I feel like it's such a, like, Christianese word, like, accountability. You know what I mean? You're like, okay, accountability. If you said that to someone who, like, didn't follow Jesus, they're like, what the heck are you talking about? It's just like, people like, those are just people in my life that I talk to. And so, I mean, I think, like, just to give it. Just like, why. Why do we do that? Why do we call it accountability? What is accountability? How do you have accountability? Accountability is just like finding some friends who are chasing Jesus. Like, you're chasing Jesus that as Proverbs 27 talks about in verse 17. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. That's quote unquote, accountability. Like, you want to find people that are sharpening you, not just people. Like, if you just had two dull rocks next to each other. It's like, what's. Like, we're called to be, like, sharpened. Like, we want to be, like, looking more like Jesus every day. We want to be doing more for the kingdom of God every day. And so having those people in your life who are actually going to push you towards holiness and righteousness and push you towards Jesus and not to sin and is so important. And so finding those friends in your life who aren't going to just, like, be like, yeah, sure, you love God, cool. It's like, no, no, no. Like, I want to make sure, like, you're looking more and more like him every day. I want to make sure. Like. Like, what have you. What have you been learning in scripture, Leah? Like, what. What has God been? How's your prayer life been? Like, I literally sat down with two girls yesterday, and I was like, so, how's your prayer life been? And, you know, it's like, oh, you know, me and my husband pray or, like, before meals or whatever. And I'm like, no, no, no, no, no. Your prayer life, like, because you're only going to be as strong as you are submitted, you're only going to be as anointed as you are desperate. So it's like, if you're not on your knees, like, in your prayer closet and, like, just desperate for him and being intimate with him, like, it's going to be really hard for you to anyway. So I would just say, like, having those friends that can push you in those things is one form of accountability. Proverbs 28 says in verse 13, Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. And so there's so much power in confession, in confessing to one another not only for healing, but also to experience, like, prosperity, to experience, like, abundant life. And so there's so much power in that confession. I mean, I was literally with friends this morning, and we went around and we were confessing some fears that we had, and I was just being super vulnerable about, you know, things that I'm walking through and what Grant and I are walking through of just like, hey, like, we really would love to have another baby. Like, we would love to be pregnant right now. Can I just, like, confess, like, these fears that I'm having around that and just lies that the enemy's, like, targeting me with, with that. And can you guys just, like, pray for me in that area? And so that's like a form of confession. Another form of confession is like, hey, I had this, you know, I stumbled into something that I shouldn't have been looking at, and I need to confess that to you. Hey, I had this, like, really jealous and envious thought about this Friend, hey, I gossiped about this person, and I just. I need to, like, confess this. And so sometimes it's like a thought, and sometimes it's an action, but either way, just like, confessing and having those people that you're confessing to not just be like, thanks for sharing, but it's like, hey, will you hold me accountable? AKA will you make me better in this area? Like, will you point me closer to Jesus and not let me stay stuck in this sin? And so if it's gossip you're struggling with, like, tell your friends, like, hey, if you hear me talking about anybody that's not present in the conversation in a negative way or in a way that is, like, I'm telling their story without them telling it, then call me out. Like, I need you to be like, hey, let's stop the story. You. You asked me, you know, to hold you accountable in this area of gossip, so I'm gonna stop you right here. They're not present. Like, let's not keep talking about this situation. Like, invite your friends into doing that. I think we're so afraid of, like, you know, being put in that position. We're so afraid of, like, being, I guess, like, humbled or called out. But Proverbs talks about it so much. Like, how important it is to have those people around you, wise counsel around you, to. To be reproved, to be rebuked in a way. Like, that's how we get better. That's how we be sharpened. And so iron. Sharpening iron is not comfortable. Like, if robs or rocks are rubbing against each other, like, that's not. Like, that doesn't feel good, right? Like, it's creating friction, but. But it's making you better, and it's making you sharper, and it's making you look more like Jesus. And so you need those people in your life that aren't just gonna tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to hear. And ultimately, what God says and pushing you closer to that. And so I think of accountability. Like, yes, you're sharing the things that you're like, oh, I can't tell someone that. Like, you're sharing all of those things. Nothing stays hidden. Nothing stays in the dark. You're confessing, even at the thought level with those people, those few friends, but then they're holding you accountable, and they're coming alongside of you and saying, okay, you're struggling with pride, so I'm gonna check in every week. How are you doing with pride? Or, like, hey, I saw you respond this way. And that felt prideful. Like, let's. Let's pray and let's continue to, like, work on that. And they help you think of ways to, like, seek humility. Like, hey, what's. What's a way that, you know, maybe you can go low this week. Like, what's a way you can overcome this, like, spirit of pride and go low? And let's pray together every day this week. Like, lord, give, you know, my friend, a spirit of humility, and let's, like, seek after that with all of our heart. So, yeah, whether, I mean, whatever the sin is, if it's lust, if it's pornography, like, hey, I'm gonna give you my password to my Instagram and I want you to, like, look at what I'm looking at. Like, I want you to have access to everything I have access to. And I want you to check in every single day and text me and say, hey, like, how are you doing? Just. Just remember, like, keep your eyes pure. Just remember, like, blessed are those who are pure in heart. Like, hey, just remember, like, God cares about your heart. And above all else, he tells us to guard our heart, so don't let any impurity get in. And so, like, just having those friends that can, like, encourage you, that can challenge you, that can pray with you, that is accountability. And so for me, in my life, like, I have a group of friends here locally that we are texting all the time, we're meeting weekly. And so I do think there's. There's so much power in accountability and deep friendship, being local and you doing actual life together. I have other friends that don't live here that I still, like, share those things with sometimes. And, like, we still talk and, like, we're still really close. But I personally believe there's so much more power when you do it locally because you're actually getting, like, FaceTime with each other. Like, you're getting in person contact, you're getting to go on walks, you're getting to go for coffee, you're getting to go for lunch. Like, you're seeing each other regularly and doing life together so that those friends can pick up on. Oh, like, you made that comment that felt like it was coming from a place of bitterness. And I know that's something you've been working on. Let's talk about that. And it's like, if you're not seeing them all the time, it's gonna be a little bit harder to do that. And so I have three girls here that, you know, we're in with our spouses like, we're in a community group together, and we will text each other, hey, like, I had this thought, or, hey, I responded to my husband this way, or, hey, like, I have this fear. I'm confessing this to you guys. Like, will you hold me accountable? Will you pray for me right now? And so I just believe James 5 is so clear of, like, confessing to each other and praying for each other. And that's how we experience healing. And so having those friends that you can confess to, but that also will pray with you and come alongside of you is so important. When we talk about accountability, it's really, really good.
- [16:29]
Leah Gregory
That's so powerful and so convicting. I love. You say this a lot, but, like, the most loving thing you can do for someone is to tell them the truth. And I even had a situation last night where my friend was telling me something she wanted me to hold her accountable in. And this has been a conversation I had to apologize to her and say I'm sorry. Like, I sugarcoated it a few weeks ago. Like, the most loving thing you can do for someone is to tell them the truth. And so you. It should offend you sometimes of when you look at someone and hold them accountable, that's gonna offend you. If you're living in conviction, it doesn't feel good.
- [16:57]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
I mean, I've literally had. I've had so many conversations with friends where they're like, hey, Maddie, I felt super unloved with how you reacted in that moment. And, like, your facial expression or what you said, like, just made me feel, like, not seen by you. Or it felt like maybe it was coming from this place or whatever it was, and it's like, oh, ouch. Like, that does not feel good, you know? And almost like the spirit of defense rises up in you, but then you're just like, wait, no. Like, I need, like, I want you to feel so loved by me or a friend that's like, hey, that seems like you're coming from a place of pride. Like, let's talk about that. That does not feel good. You know what I mean? But then you're like, you sit on that and you're like, I am so, so thankful that I have someone that cares more about my eternity than my current, like, level of comfort.
- [17:40]
Leah Gregory
Yeah.
- [17:40]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
Because right now, that's not comfortable. That's not comfortable to have a conversation with someone and be like, yeah, I see that pride in your life. And it's not cute, but, man, does that make you look more like Jesus and help you make more of a difference for Jesus when you're walking in alignment with, like, his spirit and his will for your life. And. And not to have those friends that are, like, more afraid of what. What they're going to make you feel than more afraid of, you know, having to maybe one day give an account for, like, oh, you didn't say that on behalf of your friend, and you saw it, like, why didn't you say that to your friend and you had that responsibility because, like, I put that friend in your life for a reason. And you didn't speak up because you feared man more than you feared God. And so I think getting back to that place of, like, it talks about that in Scripture, like, fear of man will prove to be a snare. And so, like, there. There is no blessing in walking in the fear of man, but there is great, great blessing and walking in the fear of God. And just ask God, like, give me courage to, like, say that thing like, whether you're on the receiving end of, like, okay, Lord, help me to receive this and not react from a place of, like, anger, or whether you're on the like friend that's saying, hey, I see this in you. And, like, Lord, give me courage so that I can be the friend to, like, say the hard things that I know will be a blessing in the long run.
- [18:50]
Leah Gregory
Yeah, that's really, really good. All right, let's move on to the next dm. So next one says, why do I feel so disappointed when. When God doesn't give me the opportunities, calling, or the blessings I thought he would? How do I stop feeling entitled to a certain dream?
- [19:04]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
You guys know we talk a lot on this podcast about purpose and really seeking the path God has for our lives. And when it comes to education, I truly believe that path should lead to something meaningful. That's one of the reasons I love Grand Canyon University. GCU is a private, nonprofit Christian university located in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona. And they are passionate about making education an affordable path forward for students who want to grow in their faith and in their calling. What I really love about GCU is that they are grounded in Christian truth and focused on equipping the next generation to lead with integrity and serve with purpose, which is something I know so many of you care about, too. And they've actually kept tuition at the same rate on their traditional campus for 17 years. Plus, in 2025 alone, they awarded over $404 million in institutional scholarships. So whether you're looking to earn your degree on campus or online, you can pursue your purpose at GCU Private Christian, affordable nonprofit. Visit gcu.edu to learn more. You guys know I'm really passionate about making decisions that align your faith with your values, especially when it comes to your family. And one area where that can really feel challenging right now is healthcare. Costs keep rising, and it's hard to feel confident that you're choosing the right path. That's why I wanted to share something I've been learning about called Liberty Health Share. It's not health insurance. It's a healthcare sharing ministry, which means you're joining a community of believers who come together to help carry one another's medical expenses. And what I love about it is that it's not just practical, it's rooted in faith. It's people living out the idea that we're stronger when we support each other and show up for one another. I know so many of you are in seasons where you're making big decisions for your future and your family. They offer programs for different stages of life and different budgets. So whether you're newly married, starting a family, or just looking for a better, more aligned approach coach, it's worth checking out. If you've been praying about a better way to navigate healthcare, this could be something to look into. You can learn more@libertyhealthshare.org that's liberty healthshare.org Liberty Health share a force for good. I think my first response is, what is your hope in? If your hope is in an outcome, if your hope is in getting that thing that you want and your hope is not in Jesus, then you're hoping in the wrong thing. Your priorities are wrong. Your affections are wrong, your perspective is wrong. And so for me, I, again, in a season of like. Like, I'm being super vulnerable in this podcast, in a season of Waiting, Wanting baby number two, I'm like, okay. In the car this morning, I was like, lord, my hope is in you. Like, my hope is not in getting pregnant. My hope is not in this particular outcome. My hope is not in getting what I want. Like, I'm not entitled. I literally said, God, you don't owe me anything. You don't owe me anything. You have given me the greatest gift of all time. You've given me salvation and eternal life. And eternal life is not just something you get when you get to heaven. Eternal life is Jesus, like a relationship. You have a relationship with eternal life right now if you are following Jesus. And so, like, just even I have to remind myself often because it's so easy to slip into an entitled mindset of Like, God, I'm serving you, so you owe me. Like God, I'm following you, so you owe me. It's like, no, no, no, no. Like, God was not made for us. We were made for God, and we were created to worship Him. He is not here to worship us, and we're not here to worship ourselves. Like, we are all worshipers of something. And so it's like, are you worshiping your dreams? Are you worshiping other people? Are you worshiping God? And so for me, it's just like every single day reminding myself, maddie, you do not belong to yourself. Like, you have crucified yourself. Like, you are now one with Christ. You belong to him. Your body does not belong to yourself. Your body belongs to the Lord. Your life does not belong to yourself. Your life belongs to the Lord. Your marriage, your kids, like, all of that is God's. And so reminding of yourself of that, having people remind you of that is so important. And I think about, like, it talks about in the Bible, that the fear of the Lord is what keeps us from sinning. And it's such a sin to have pride and entitlement in our heart and kind of, like, treat the Christian faith as God owes us. Or, like, you know, I'm following Jesus to get something out of it, like. Or, God, I'm praying. And so, like, you gotta come through. Like, I'm doing all these things. You gotta come through. And so, man, I just would even encourage you, like, fear God more. Just fear God more. Because that's gonna be the answer to almost any struggle you sit here and ask me about. Because I believe, like, it is the love of God that, like, softens our heart and overwhelms us, that we're like, man, we are so loved by God, and we get to receive his grace and receive his forgiveness. Like, who am I to be loved by an almighty God? God, I love you with all of my heart in return. But it's the fear of the Lord that's gonna keep us from turning from God. It's the fear of the Lord that's gonna keep us from resisting the. The ability to, like, turn to all these other things for pleasure or for security or for belonging. And so we have to, like, yes, be so in love with Jesus, but we also have to remember, like, he is the name above every name. He is sovereign, he is judge. He is ruler. He is king. And we one day are gonna have to give an account to him for our lives. And so even as we find ourselves in waiting seasons where we're not Getting what we want. Like, how we steward these seasons really matter. And we're not just, like, sitting on the sidelines being like, well, I guess I gotta just wait till I can get into the game. Like, waiting on that spouse. I'm waiting on that job. I'm waiting on the baby, and I'm just, like, waiting for God. It's like, no, no, no. Like, you're in the game right now. Like, there's. There's so much God wants to do in you and through you in the season that you're in right now. Like, it's not a mistake that you're in the season that you're in. God is he. He's so intentional, right? And I also think about. We just memorized together Psalm 34. And it says that those who fear the Lord lack nothing. They lack no good thing. And what I take from that is not like, oh, if you love God and fear God, you're gonna have every desire you could ever want. You're gonna have the perfect house and the perfect job and the perfect spouse and the perfect dog and the perfect kids. And, like, that's not what it's saying. But when you fear God, you have everything you need because you have God. And you're in the posture of actually, like, being in the right relationship with him. You're in the posture of hearing from him. You're in the posture of receiving from him. And so the fear of the Lord leads to humility, grace, favor. I mean, so much as it talks about throughout the Word. And so I just would encourage, you know, I don't even remember your question, but, like, I just would encourage you to, like, fear the Lord, continue to take it to the Lord in prayer. He does care. He's such a good God. He cares so much. And I think about the scripture in Hebrews that says, like, you don't have a high priest that's unable to empathize with your weaknesses. You have a God who cares. He is all powerful and almighty, but he also really cares. Like, he cares and loves you so, so much. And he wants to hear the things on your heart. He wants to hear you cry out to Him. He wants you to be, like, the one who's running to him. He wants. He wants himself to be the place that you run to for security and safety and love and affection and comfort and all of those things. And so just keep running to him. Keep knocking. And then just remind yourself, like, I have to remind myself every day of my hope is in Jesus. My hope is in heaven. Because it's gonna be really, really sad if we're putting our hope in other human beings. It's gonna be a really sad outcome if we're putting our hope in a circumstance and an outcome, because those things are fleeting and fading and failing. Like, Grant's gonna fail me. I'm gonna fail me. You're gonna fail me. People are gonna fail me. Circumstances are gonna change. Like, the economy's gonna change, the government's gonna change. You know, what's going viral and what's cool and popular today is not what's going to be cool and popular in a week. Like, everything is changing. And. But what does God's word say? That Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Like, he is our rock. He is never changing. And so when we put our hope in him, there is such security and warmth and joy and peace that comes with that. And so that doesn't mean stop dreaming, stop hoping, stop praying, like, but just make sure your hope is in the right person. Make sure it's in Jesus. Remind yourself of that often. And then, you know, if there's something you're really believing for, like, bring people around you and, like, pray together and keep taking it to God. Like, I love. I think it's Luke 18, or maybe it's Luke 11, but it's this, like, story of this woman that, like, kept knocking on the door, and finally it was like. And it was like, midnight. And it says that finally, like, the person opened the door not because, like, out of love, but literally out of, like, you're annoying me. Like, stop knocking on my door. And he's like, okay, if this. And the Lord is saying, if this person who is not God and not perfect, is opening the door almost out of, like, annoyance, like, how much more will your Heavenly Father, who is perfect and loves you so much, like, how much more will he open the door to be with you and hear you and see you. And. And so I would say just, like, keep knocking, keep praying, keep showing up, even in the doubt. Like, don't let the doubt discourage you. I love the disciple Thomas, that even though he's known as, like, the doubting disciple, he is. His story is so encouraging because he kept showing up. Like, even in his doubt, he kept showing up. And so if whatever it is that you may, like, find yourself doubting of, like, man, I've been praying for this for a long time, and the Lord hasn't shown up or, like, I've been believing for this or hoping for this, and I just am not seeing anything change. Just Keep showing up, keep knocking, keep showing up, keep asking the Lord and just trust like his ways are higher, his ways are better. And he hears you, he cares, he loves you, and just stay in it.
- [28:56]
Leah Gregory
I love that you can. I love this next question because everything you just said kind of confirms all this. Like you, like just hearing you say that, it would just make me smile because I'm like, you love Jesus, like your whole heart is devoted to him. And so one of the questions you got was what made you personally believe that Jesus is the only way? I'd love to hear your journey with that. And I feel like some of your answer was kind of revealed in that. Like it's cool to see where you are now, but how, how did you know he was the only true way?
- [29:24]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
Yeah, I believe scripture when it talks about too much is given, much is required. Right? Well, I, I grew up in a Christian home and I was given much in the sense of, I was raised in an environment where my parents loved each other and loved God and I'm so grateful for that. I grew up in a church where, you know, we had a relationship with the word of God and the person of God and the spirit of God and the like people of God. And it just, it was, it was so beautiful. I saw the power of God, I saw the love of God. I saw just like people like making a difference for God and just so passionate. And so I saw that from a really young and early age. I would say for me, like when I got to college, it was like that crossroads moment freshman year of like, I know head knowledge, everything that I need to know, and I've seen everything I really like need to see. But now it's like, am I going to choose to have faith, to believe this for myself? And I believe that we all will have those crossroad moments, whether it's like, we've already had them, we will have them, we'll have them again. Like, I don't know what you know, everyone's story is, but I know for me that was like a big crossroads moment of okay, for the first time in my life I'm not just like living under my parents authority. Like I, I now can choose what do I want to believe, what do I believe is true. Like, do I actually believe the God of the Bible? Do I actually want to like live this out? Like it's one thing to like go to church on Sunday and be like, yeah, I'm Christian, but like, do I actually want to be about it? Like, do I want to live this out. Do I want to be a doer of the word and not just like pick and choose the parts that I. And that was like a real tension for me. And I would say for like six months, I kind of like flirted with the world and flirted with God. I was kind of like in between, I was like, I don't know, like, I kind of like flirting with boys and I kind of like all the attention and I kind of like, you know, the thrill of just like being cool and dressing this certain way and kind of like glorifying myself and my body and whatever it may be. And I. I really kind of like flirted with that for a little bit. But I also was like reading the Word and I. I wanted to love God and I kind of found myself in that tension point. And yeah, I just remember having this moment where I got down on my knees in my college dorm room floor and I just was like, lord, I don't have all the answers, but I do know, like, you're real. And I just. I wanna go all in with you. And I just wanna see like. Cause having one foot in, one foot out is honestly, in my opinion, the most miserable place you can be. Because you're like getting just enough of the world to like, feel really bad about your relationship with God. But then you're like getting just enough of God that you, like, still kind of crave a little bit of sin. And so it's like you just are in this like, weird tension spot. And it wasn't until I was like, no, I'm gonna, like, I'm gonna just try it. I'm gonna go all in and I'm gonna confess the things that I said I would never tell anybody. At this point, I had, you know, in my past been so stuck in sexual sin that I had never told anybody about. And so I had so much shame. And then I also, you know, was boy crazy. And so I was like, okay, so what is that gonna look like for me? And there were just all these things that I was like, I don't know how to wrestle with that, but I'm just gon to God and I'm just going to go all in. I'm going to join a church. I'm going to join my church, a small group. I'm going to confess these things. I'm going to like, start reading the. The Bible every day. My church was going through this thing called 21 days of prayer and fasting. I started showing up at my church at 6am and praying for an hour straight. At first it was really weird and then by the end I was like, this is my favorite thing ever. And it was really during like that season of my life that I just was like, God is real and God is the only one who satisfies. Like before, like finding it in sexual pleasure, finding it in relationships, finding it in guys attention, finding it in my body and what my body looks like, finding it in followers and Instagram following, finding it and anything else, like it just didn't measure up. And I just for me, I think about the story of the woman at the well, where it's like he looks at this woman and he's like, hey, you're going to have to keep coming back to this well again and again and again because at the end of the day you're going to get thirsty again. But if you come to me, you will never thirst again. And that's just what I found to be true, was like, we were all made to thirst, but Jesus is the only one who can truly satisfy our thirst. And so I just realized I'm like, I've been thirsting after the things of the world and still staying thirsty and coming up thirsty and empty. But then when I went all in with Jesus, it was like he was the only one that fully satisfied that thirst. And Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that we were, you know, all made with eternity on our hearts. And that means that we can only be fully satisfied with the things of God. Like we were made to know God and to be known by him. We were made to worship God. And so, you know, I just am such a big believer in like, give it a try. Like, I can sit here and give you scriptures, I can sit here and argue. I can sit here and give you like all of this. And I think that like the dangerous thing is, is we live in a culture where that's like so prevalent, where it's like, let me argue to you why you should believe. And it's like, no, like at the end of the day, let me just read to you the word of God. That the word became FL like that, that Jesus died so that you can live like that Jesus loves you so much and that you don't have to keep searching and striving and straining and looking for other things to satisfy. Jesus says that he can satisfy you. And I just think that that is so powerful and so like my, my prayer would just be like, hey, just try it. Like, just try it. Because I've sat down with some of the most like, like knowledgeable People that have studied every religion that is like, so head knowledge. And like, I've gotten into this debate with this guy and, you know, he's like, he's kind of a family friend and he's just like, you know, well, I've studied, you know, the Quran and I've studied the Bible and I've studied that. I've studied all these different things and. And he's just like, I don't know, like, maybe I just don't have, like, the gift of faith. Maybe it's just like, not something. And. And we get into this whole conversation. But what I really got down to the root was there was some, like, pain. Like there was like some pain in his life and some hurt that he had that I think he just put on God. And so there was this wall between him and God. And I just was like, you know what I honestly think is I think you're scared. I think you're just scared. And I think you should just try this whole faith thing out. Why don't you just give it a go? It sounds like you've tried everything else. Sounds like you've turned to knowledge and books and other religions and people and all these things, but it seems like you're still searching. Seems like you're still unsatisfied. So why don't you try out faith? Why don't you just, like, try and be like God? If you're real, would you show me? Like, I want to just, like, go all in with you and I want to see what this would be like. Why don't you just try that? And. And I don't know if he has. I don't know where he's at. But that's what I would say is just like, just try it. Like, read the Bible every day, Grab a few friends, go to church. Like, like pray the prayer and just go all in. Give it a go for a month. Why don't you try it for a month and just see? And so I'm just a big believer. Like, it's like faith is the confidence in what we hope for, the assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1. So you're not going to see it. There's not going to be this, like, hey, here's this, you know, d do that and like, you will see God right in front of you and he'll sit down across from you at the coffee table and be like, this is what you are to do. Like, it's like, that's not the reality. So just like, try it out.
- [36:38]
Leah Gregory
That's great.
- [36:39]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
And. Yeah. And I mean, as I followed the Lord more and more, I've seen that John 14:6 is true. That when Jesus says, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me. It is true. It's been true for me, and it's been true for so many people that I've seen around that have. I've literally watched go from death to life, from bondage to free.
- [36:58]
Leah Gregory
Yeah, you and Grant talked about this a few weeks ago in an episode. But how do you share the gospel? Like, what is the gospel?
- [37:05]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
Yeah, man. I think about how Romans. I honestly want Grant to come on here because he has such a. I love the way that he does it. But there's so many different ways you can share the gospel. There's no, like, perfect way you can do Ephesians 2:8 through 10. For it is by grace you have been saved through faith. It is not your own works. It is the gift of God. And just like, walking through, like, it's not your works that save you. It's the wounds of Jesus Christ. It's the cross of Jesus Christ. It's the finished work of Jesus Christ. And if you put your faith in him, if you choose to believe in him, in his death and in his resurrection, like, not only did he take on your sin and shame, but then he died for you, and then he was resurrected. Like, he was raised to life, and he wants to raise you to life. Like. And just, like, talking about that, you know, Romans talks all about, like, we were all born into sin, and the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. Sin separates us from God. We all have a sin problem, right? Like, we've all been born into this, like, sin problem world. And if sin separates you from God, how do you. How do you get right with God again? And so there's so many different, like, passages and things you can walk through. And I actually do think it would be a really helpful conversation to have Grant on and really, like, talk about specifically, like, evangelism. But what I have truly found to be the most powerful thing is just ask questions and be loving and listen and then ask the Holy Spirit for courage for when that moment comes. And the moment will come.
- [38:32]
Leah Gregory
Yeah.
- [38:33]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
If you ask the Holy Spirit to, like, and then you gotta have the courage to do it. Like, I mean, we can. We can shrink back in fear and not do it. I've. That's happened to me. But then you just, like, it's like, you know, like, hey, like, what's the best part of your day to day? Or what's something that like makes you really, really happy? What's the last thing that made you so excited? And you just like ask someone a question, right? And then you hear them out or you be like, you know, do you have a, do you have a local church? Do you have a faith? Like sometimes I'll literally just be like, do you have a faith? I mean like you literally can just be like that or hey, is there anything I can pray for you for? Like, I mean any, like, just question like that and you just like get them going and then you just listen and you, you care and then you ask follow up questions and then you share like whatever version of the gospel. Sometimes it's just like your testimony. I think sometimes your testimony is the most powerful thing you can say, you know, and you don't have to have some crazy testimony. Like it literally can just be like, man, I once was like looking to the world and the things of the world to meet every like, desire and need that I had. And I just kept wondering why I felt so empty and I lacked so much peace. And it wasn't until like I went all in with Jesus where I actually discovered why I was created and what I was made for and why life is worth living. And I mean you just like, you just share your story.
- [39:51]
Leah Gregory
Yeah.
- [39:52]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
And so that's, that's typically how it goes with us. Like when we're out at a restaurant, it's like we're just asking questions, we share our testimonies. And like sometimes you get in those conversations where someone's like wanting to debate you. But I just, I just think Paul said it so beautifully in Romans 1. It's just like, it's the power of the gospel. Like it's the gospel that's gonna save people. Like, it's not gonna be your debate, it's not gonna be your argument, it's not gonna be your head knowledge. It's not gonna be every little thing that you have memorized for every question they could ask. Yeah, it's just like, just love them really well. Like stay prayed up and then just share the good news of Jesus Christ that every other religion, you have to work your way up to God and be good enough. But God said you can't be good enough. So I'm gonna become flesh, make my way down to you. Take on the. So that in me you can have life and life to the fullest. Share that. That's like the best news of all time. And so I just think we have to be moved by the gospel. We have to believe it for ourselves and be changed by it in order to, like, want to share it.
- [40:57]
Leah Gregory
Yeah. That's so good. Okay, as we wrap up the podcast, I have a few relationship questions, which I know people love. That I know. Here we go. So here's the DM we got My boyfriend and I love Jesus, but we keep falling into sexual sin. We want to honor God, but we feel stuck. We keep feeling so much shame and are confessing to the people around us, but the cycle doesn't seem to end. We know we want to marry each other, but want to honor God in our dating relationship. What would your advice be?
- [41:24]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
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- [42:41]
Leah Gregory
Yeah.
- [42:42]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
However, I want to differentiate the difference between shame and conviction because I think sometimes the lines can be blurry there. And it says in 2nd Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret. But worldly sorrow brings death. So this is this shame versus conviction, right? Godly sorrow conviction brings repentance. So when you get convicted by the Holy Spirit. Oh, man. Like, that was not right. Like, we fell into sexual sin. And I know I'm called to be holy because he is holy. I know I'm called to walk in purity because that's what God says is like we're called to do. And that's what scripture says. And so literally it says right before this in 2nd Corinthians 7:1, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and soul, spirit perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. So it is worship. Like, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. They don't belong to ourselves. It is worship to God when we give him not just our bodies, all of us, body, soul and spirit, every part of us. And so that is a call by God. That is our. Our. Like, that's God's will for our life, right, to live a sanctified, holy life. That's what's pleasing to him. So we have to know that. We have to know the why. We have to know the heart. But then we need to talk about the difference between shame and conviction. Because godly sorrow, when that spirit, like, that's your spirit on the inside of you, you're quenching the spirit. When you're walking in continual sexual sin, like, every time you fall into that, that's the spirit being like, no, no, no, no, no. Like, this isn't what you're made for. This isn't what your body's made for. This isn't God's design. And it's not to bring shame. It's to bring repentance that leads to salvation. And there's a difference. Because when you get that conviction, conviction is what is trying to pull you up closer to God. But shame is trying to pull you away from God. And so shame comes in as whisper from the enemy, like, and makes it almost makes it like a hopeless situation or makes it all about you. Not about your sin, about you. Like, how could you do that? Like, you're such a horrible person. You're such a bad Christian. God could never use you. God can never use your relationship. Your relationship is doomed now. I mean, that. That's the voice of the enemy. That's shame. And that's why it says that worldly sorrow brings death. Like, there's no life in listening to lies. There's no life found when you're giving the enemy an ear to what he has to say. But there's so much life to be found when you turn your ear to what. To what God's word says. And when God says that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, that we should flee from all sexual immorality, that we should run from any sin that leads us away from him, because all sin separates us from God. And it says that sexual sin in and of itself is actually. It kind of puts it in its own category from every other kind of sin because it's a sin against our own bodies, because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Like, God used to dwell in temples like buildings. But when Jesus ascended and sent the Holy Spirit, we became the temples. Like, we now have an indwelling of the Spirit. And so when you, like, continually commit sexual sin, like, you're grieving the spirit and the spirit is inside of you. Like, no, no, no, we're made for so much more than this. Like, no, no, no. Like, you're hurting God's heart. And that's, again, not to bring shame. That's hopefully to bring conviction of you were made for so much more. And I get it. I've opened up so much on this podcast about my own struggle with sexual sin. And I know what it's like to be like, I'm not gonna do this again. Okay, I did it again. I'm not gonna do it this time. I did it again this time. Okay, no, no, no, God. Like, I'm done with this. And then I did it again. Like, I will be the first to tell you, I know what that's like, and it's the worst feeling. And so, one, I just wanna say you're not alone in that. And there's probably a lot of people listening to this podcast right now, like, feeling such a. Like, stirring in their spirit and conviction in their spirit, because they're like, oh, that's me. And so you're not alone in that. I would say, for me, like, the shift was one. I needed to understand this. Like, I needed to understand it was God's will for me to be holy and pure. I needed to understand that there was a difference between conviction and shame. Because I continued to listen to shame, which made me want to run away from God. Like, I wanted to hide. And then I felt so much shame in my relationship. I felt so much shame in my identity. I felt so much shame in my purpose. But it wasn't until, like, I started listening to conviction of, like, oh, no, no, no. This is like, God speaking to me that he has so much more for me. He's not trying to rob me. He's not trying to rip me off. He actually wants me to be free. Like, this Isn't bringing life. This isn't making me closer in my relationship. Every time I fall into sexual sin with this person, I don't feel closer to them. I actually feel, like, ashamed. I feel, like, distant. I feel like I want to hide myself. I feel, like, so much regret. I feel now distant from God. I feel now confused about my purpose. I now feel. And that's the enemy, because he comes in as a tempter, but then he quickly turns accuser. And so he's like, hey, hey. Like, this will feel good. Hey, hey. This will make you closer in your relationship. Hey, it's not a big deal. But then as soon as you fall for it, what does he. He turns accuser. How could you do that? You're the worst. Like, you call yourself a Christian. You say you want a relationship that honors God, and you keep falling into that. Are you kidding? Like, everybody else is free from it.
- [47:57]
Leah Gregory
Look at you.
- [47:57]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
I mean, these are the things that the enemy will come at you with. But you have to remember, okay, that's not the voice of my God. Like, my God says, I call you to a holy life because I want you to be free. I call you to a holy life because I care about you. I call you to a holy life because I want a relationship with you. Your body belongs to me, not that person. And so, again, I think you have to come back to the why. I think you have to get to that place. And then the next thing I would say is a verse that has literally changed my life is First Corinthians 10, verse 13. And it says, no temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. That is so powerful to me, Leah, because it tells me that I will never be presented with a situation where I have to sin. Never. Never. There's never going to be a situation where on one side I have to choose sin, and on the other side I have to choose sin. You will always be presented with an opportunity to choose holiness. You will always be presented with an opportunity to choose Jesus. And so I encourage people with that of, you're not a slave to your sin. We're told that in Romans, like, if you have the sin spirit of God on the inside of you, you're a slave to righteousness. Like, you are filled with the spirit of God, and you get to choose to be led by the spirit of God. But you have to choose it. And you're never gonna be put in a situation where there's not an option to choose it. And so you don't have to sin. And I think it's really important to know that because purity is an option. Like, I think we just live in a time and a culture where it's like, there's impurity everywhere and everyone's doing things. And everyone's like, okay, well, at least I didn't do this. Or at least I'm not stuck in this. So, like, you try to justify your sin or justify your sexual sin, it's like, no, no, no, no. Like, we are called to be holy to God's standard of holiness, not to the world's standard of morally good. Like, we're called to be holy like God. And so, like, chasing after him is so important. And then for me, bringing in accountability. So, like, understanding the word of God, understanding the heart of God, Like, I'm not just, like, trying to be pure. Cause I'm trying to save myself for the person that I'm gonna get married to one day. That's not the heart. That's not the why. The heart behind saving myself for marriage was because God had all of me. God gets all of Maddie. And then the day that I say I do to grant, he now gets all of me too. Like, cherry on top, right? But every day in my singleness, every day in my dating, every day in my engagement, God had all of me. And even if you have not made that decision up until this point, you can make it now. Like, you can choose right now to be like God. I give you all of me and body, soul and spirit. I belong to you. My body is not my own. And so, God, would you cleanse me? Would you forgive me for sinning against you and going against your word, or thinking I could find pleasure or control or purpose or whatever it may be outside of your design. Would you forgive me and would you give me the strength and the self discipline to choose holiness? I mean, again, First Corinthians has, like, this whole passage on, like, the need for self discipline. Like, we're not running a race to get a prize. Like, the world's running. Like, we do it. Like, we don't do it aimlessly. It talks about how, like, we do it for a crown that will last. We do it to get a crown that will last forever. We don't run like someone running aimlessly, like a boxer beating the air. And it's just talking about how, like, no, no, we have self discipline. Because we know, like, our hope and our purpose and that it's all about eternity. And so, like, I choose right now to save myself for Jesus to not give in to sexual pleasure or sexual sin. Because I know, like, I'm living my life for a crown that will last forever. Like, I'm living my life for eternal pleasures that Psalm 16 talks about. I'm not living for temporary pleasure. I'm living for eternal pleasure. And it's so powerful, guys, when you choose that. Because then it's like, not only do you receive so much blessing and God's presence in your dating life, but then you receive so much blessing in God's presence in your married life. Like, and purity leads to God's presence. That's why it says that in Matthew 5. Like, blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Hebrews 12 says, without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Who are those that can approach the mountain of God? Who are those that can ascend the mountain? It says in the Psalms, like, only the one with clean hands and a pure heart. Like, it is impossible to fully see God and to be an intimate relationship with God as long as you stay stuck in your sexual sin. And that is hard to hear. But that is the truth. And that is why when I was stuck in my sexual sin, I felt distant from God. I wasn't walking in true, like, power and boldness that the Holy Spirit gave. I wasn't walking fully free. I always felt like there was, like, a chip on my shoulder. Like, oh my goodness. Like, what if someone were to find out? Like, and it wasn't until I confessed that sin asked people to hold me accountable in it. Like, dove into the word of God and chased holiness with all of my heart. And it's both. It's a both. And, like, you have to resist sin and you have to chase holiness. Like, you have to be on guard and you have to pray. Like, you see, all throughout Scripture, God gives this. Like, you have to. It talks about in First Peter. Like, you have to submit to God and you have to resist the devil. Like, it's a both. And you're on guard, like, on fight. And you're pursuing, like, you're pursuing purity. You're pursuing the things of God, and you're on guard because there's a very real enemy that wants to keep you from walking in intimate relationship with God and wants to destroy your relationships here on this earth. Like, he doesn't want you to have an amazing marriage one day. He doesn't want you to live your life on purpose and on mission for Jesus. Like, he's like, okay, well, if you give your life to Jesus, well, I guess, like, I'll just try and get you, like, stuck in some sin. I'll try and get you distracted by all these things. I'll try and get you, like, deluded by, like, the things of God and the heart of God. And so, anyways, that's a lot. But I think, again, it goes back to the fear of God. The fear of God will keep you from evil. So, like, fear God more. Be reminded that God is so good, you will never be tempted beyond what you can bear. He will always give you an opportunity to say no, submit yourself to God and resist the devil. So stay so submitted to God, but also, like, pray for strength. Pray for self discipline. Pray for a person to come into your life that can hold you accountable. Confess to friends and then ask them to hold you accountable and check in. Like, whatever you gotta do, do it. Like, if they've gotta be with you every time you're with the person you're dating, let them be with you every time. Like, if you can only go on dates in public and not have anything in private, like, if they can never step foot into your apartment or your house, do whatever you have to do. Like, what are you gonna do? Like, straddle each other in the middle of a McDonald's? No, you're not. Like, you're not gonna do that. So, like, you know what I mean? Like, whatever you have to do, like, do it. If you can only go on dates publicly and, like, not have any time alone privately, then do that. Like, do whatever it takes, because it's so worth it. It.
- [55:07]
Leah Gregory
That's so good. I've never quite heard it explained like that, but I love it.
- [55:10]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
Leah, don't go straddling anybody in a McDonald's.
- [55:13]
Leah Gregory
Y' all heard it here first. Don't be doing that. And I mean, what a way to end the podcast, too. But seriously, that was such good advice that this whole podcast was just. I love that the theme of just accountability. I love the theme of pursuing holiness. Like, that was woven throughout. And that is truly something that you model so well for me. And so I love when we get to do these. These are so, so helpful. And these questions are seriously what people want to know. So thank you for. For answering these, and we'll have to do it again sometime.
- [55:39]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
It's so good. And thank you guys for sending in questions. Like, we want to know what you're struggling with. We want to know what you're hoping for. We want to know how, like, we can best encourage you. Like, this podcast is for you. And so I want to know, like, one, how we can be praying for you. But two, like, the questions that you guys have so we can answer them. And so, like, be sure to dm, email us, whatever works. But we want to know, like, yeah. What you guys are wondering and how we can be specifically praying. And I just, like, always want to be the first to say, like, you never arrive. Like, you're always growing in your faith. And we're memorizing Colossians one right now. And one of my favorite parts is it talks about, like, continually growing in the knowledge of God. And I love that so much because I just. You never arrive. Like, we're all on a journey. And I pray that every day I'm looking more and more like Jesus. And I was just talking with some friends a couple days ago that I do not recognize the Maddie that stood on the altar and looked at her husband now and said, I do. I do not recognize her. I do not recognize her. And I pray, I say that about Maddie in five years right now, like, this Maddie right here. Because I hope every single day we're being sanctified more and more to look more and more like Jesus. Like, I pray that I look more and more like Jesus in five years than I do right now. I pray that I'm more in love with in five years than I am right now. And my hope and prayer is that everybody listening, like, you're never neutrally drifting towards God and holiness. Like, you have to fight for it. You have to choose it. There's no stagnant Christian faith. Like, that's why he says, follow me. It requires action. It requires steps. It's an everyday decision. You have to die to yourself daily. And so, like I pray, we continually grow in our faith and in our knowledge of God. And all of these, like, you know, little problems and hopes and fears and things that we have going on that are so real, like, they just get put in the proper place. Whenever you make him your everything. Whenever you make Jesus your everything. Well, yeah. Matthew 6:33. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything else will fall into its rightful place, will take care of itself. Like, it will be added into you. Like, he will take care of the rest. Just seek him first. So I'm so grateful for these questions. So grateful for you. I'm so grateful for y' all true crew. And so we love you. Be sure to send in more questions and we wanna know how we can be praying for you. And so, yeah, Ready?
- [58:01]
Leah Gregory
We gonna do the outro together too. All right, ready? Let me see if I remember it.
- [58:05]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
Wait, as always, I'm like, wait, no, now I'm tripping.
- [58:08]
Leah Gregory
Here we go. 5, 6, 7, 8. As always, be sure to stay you and stay true. We love you.
- [58:23]
Maddie Pruitt Trout
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