Who Are You, Really?

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Who Are You, Really?"

The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast
Host: Candace Cameron Bure
Guest: Francis Chan
Date: April 14, 2026

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Overview

In this heartfelt episode, Candace Cameron Bure is joined by pastor and author Francis Chan to unpack the question: Who are you, really? Together, they explore the topic of identity—especially what it means to find your true self in Christ rather than in achievements, approval, or outward appearance. The conversation touches on wrestling with free will, dealing with self-doubt and performance-based faith, and learning to rest securely in God’s unfailing love. Through listener questions, scripture reflections, and personal anecdotes, Candace and Francis model vulnerability and encourage listeners to pursue identity based on truth, not striving.

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Major Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Stage: Humor and Warmth

• Candace and Francis open with friendly banter reflecting on the set's "girly" décor, setting a relaxed, relatable tone (03:19–04:20).
• Francis jokes about recording on a golf course to include a diverse vibe, highlighting their easy camaraderie and the show's approachable style.

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Wrestling with Free Will and God’s Sovereignty

• Listener Question (04:39): Lacy asks about how free will coexists with the biblical idea that our story is already written.
  • Francis’ Insight (05:14):

    “You’re asking a question that theologians have tried to answer for centuries… There has to be some sort of faith in this, some sort of humility that says there are going to be things [about God] I don’t understand.” (05:14)

  • He encourages acceptance of mystery—quoting Deuteronomy 29:29 and Psalm 131 about “not occupying myself with things too great and marvelous for me.”

    “My mind is like a 2-liter bottle and God is the Pacific Ocean.” (10:22)

  • Key Point: Francis stresses that both God’s sovereignty and free will are clear in scripture, even if humans can’t reconcile them intellectually.

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The Value of Mystery in Faith

• Candace probes if this is “naive,” raising an honest objection nonbelievers might voice (10:04).
• Francis counters that it can be prideful to assume we should understand everything about God:

  “My job is not to solve every mystery, but to steward it.” (12:28)

• He shares about the experiential nature of God's love, describing moments after prayer where he can’t diagram what happened—just that he knows he is deeply loved.

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Why Our View of God Shapes Our Identity

• Candace pivots to identity in Christ (16:38):

  “Why does how we view God so deeply affect how we view ourselves?” (16:58)

• Francis:

  “If I have a right view of God…and I really believe it…then suddenly I’m not, ‘how do I look on camera?’, or ‘I hope they don’t cancel me’…I don’t really care.” (17:09)

• Emphasizes the depth of feeling genuinely secure in God’s love, freeing one from living for human approval.

  “When you sit in the security of, oh, I’m just meditating on what it’s going to be like when I just collapse into your arms at the end of my life, God…” (19:18)

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Learning from the “Beloved Disciple” John

• Candace raises John’s self-description as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (20:31).
• Francis reflects:

  “At first I thought it was weird…but [John] was living by faith…he really believed those words: He really loves me.” (21:00–22:00)

• Recognizing that identity grounded in God’s love surpasses identity based on accomplishments or suffering.

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How We Define Ourselves

• Francis shares his own shift:

  “Once you know that [you are loved by God], you’re like—I don’t…what do I want to be known for, like, primary?”

• He admits he previously wanted to be known as a bold preacher, but now wants to be known as someone God showered with grace despite his flaws (28:00–31:00):

  “I was a loser…a wretched, mess of a person. And then this awesome, gracious God just blew my mind.” (31:18)

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Performance vs. True Identity in Christ

• Candace voices common struggles:

  “What about people that feel like having their identity in Christ equals performance, that they have to do more for God…?” (33:43)

• Francis’ Candid Response:

  “That’s Demonic. I really believe it because once you start feeling like, ‘I’m not sure of God’s love for me, so here’s what I’ll do…’ That is a downward spiral.” (34:05)

• Shares a friend’s story of overworking to prove his faith, ending up in a health crisis, before finally experiencing God’s love in a moment of surrender (35:00).

  “And we would never say it out loud like, ‘I’m trying to earn God’s love.’ Right. But it’s like, subconsciously, we are.” (37:21—note, this was the episode’s opening line, looping back near the close)

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Practicing Spiritual Security—Ongoing Renewal

• Candace acknowledges that knowing we are God’s children is easier said than felt:

  “There’s a depth there…that I think we often struggle with.” (38:54)

• Francis affirms the struggle is ongoing:

  “There has to be this renewing or meditating on those truths…preach the gospel to yourself…there is an enemy…we have to take those thoughts captive.” (39:05–40:00)

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What Is the True Gospel?

• Candace asks Francis to articulate the “true gospel” (40:00):
• Francis delivers a clear, heartfelt summary:

  “Right now, as we sit here, there is an all-powerful God in heaven. We are alive because of Him… He has given us His law … and we’ve broken those commands. … But, God so loved you… He’s not a God that says, ‘Candace, you blew it, so you’re going to pay for it.’ … Rather than going, ‘Oh my gosh, that is the greatest news on earth!’ …He’s a God, merciful and gracious, slow to anger… He loves you so much, though, I’m going to have my Son… pay for your crimes on the cross. … That’s the good news.” (40:12–44:49)

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Notable Quotes

• Francis Chan:
  • “My mind is like a 2-liter bottle and God is like the Pacific Ocean.” (10:22)
  • “My job is not to solve every mystery, but to steward it.” (12:28)
  • “Once you know that you’re loved, you’re like, I don’t…what do I want to be known for, like, primary?” (27:38)
  • “That’s what I want you to know about me: as a person that God decided to pour his grace on.” (31:18)
  • “That’s Demonic. I really believe it because once you start feeling like ‘I’m not sure of God’s love for me, so here’s what I’ll do…’ That is a downward spiral.” (34:05)
• Candace Cameron Bure:
  • “What about people that feel like having their identity in Christ equals performance, that they have to do more for God…?” (33:43)
  • “There’s a depth there…that I think we often struggle with.” (38:54)
  • “Will you tell us right now the true gospel?” (40:00)
  • “There’s nothing better than hearing the saving grace of the gospel.” (44:49)

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Key Timestamps

• Opening humor, setting the tone: 03:19–04:20
• Listener question on free will & predestination: 04:39–08:37
• Mystery and limits of human understanding: 08:53–15:00
• Impact of our view of God on our identity: 16:38–19:18
• The “beloved disciple” John and identity in love: 20:31–22:00
• Transition from performance identity to grace identity: 28:00–31:18
• Common spiritual struggles & recurring doubts: 38:35–40:00
• Francis recites the true gospel: 40:12–44:49
• Closing emotional reaction and invitation to listeners: 44:49–45:22

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Memorable Moments

• Francis likening human understanding to trying to fit the Pacific Ocean into a 2-liter bottle.
• Candace becoming visibly emotional as Francis recites the gospel:

  "There's just nothing better to hear." (44:49)

• Francis’ blunt honesty on performance Christianity:

  “That’s Demonic. … That is a downward spiral that is going to lead you into despair, depression.” (34:05)

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Final Thoughts

This episode gives listeners an honest, accessible invitation to let go of performance-based identity and strive for security rooted in God’s love. Candace and Francis draw from scripture, experience, and a loving, conversational tone to help people embrace mystery, fight insecurity, and rest in their identity as beloved children of God. Whether you’re struggling with doubt, works-based faith, or longing to grasp your true worth, these real conversations offer clarity, empathy, and hope.

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For more resources, community, or to download the podcast guide, visit Candace’s site or app (per Candace’s closing remarks).

Transcript

[Francis Chan]

And we would never say it out loud like, I'm trying to earn God's love.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Right?

[Francis Chan]

Right. It's like subconsciously we are. And when we have a good week, we feel like, I think he loves me more. And if we have a bad week, it's like I want to keep a little distance.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

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[Francis Chan]

I literally just sent a picture to my wife, like, three minutes ago of the set, and that's exactly what I wrote. This is the girliest set I've ever been in.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

So I, I.

[Francis Chan]

It's.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

It's.

[Francis Chan]

Well, it should. You're a girl. You should.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

I'm a girl.

[Francis Chan]

You know, it's just a little weird because, you know, like, when I was talking to Val, I'm like, why couldn't we do it on the golf course? I think the women would love it.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Just the women?

[Francis Chan]

Yes, everyone.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

You men would love it.

[Francis Chan]

But if we were talking like, you know, Val and I are golfing right now. Okay, everyone, imagine this, and you're asking me these questions. You're just walking along. That's fine.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

It's fun for you.

[Francis Chan]

It is. I mean, I think you would like it.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

I think it'd be beautiful.

[Francis Chan]

Yes.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

But I feel like that's more of a guy vibe.

[Francis Chan]

Okay. All right, all right.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

But I do think that you and

[Francis Chan]

Val have your listeners vote, and. And if do this again, it'll be on the golf course.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

We're going to drop a question in the comments, and you guys vote. Would you rather have had this conversation, walking and talking on a golf course? All right, well, today we're talking about identity. This is just so important. All of it is. But we're going to take a listener question first.

[Francis Chan]

Okay.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

This one's from Lacy, and she writes, I have always had trouble understanding free will. In conjunction with the Bible, saying, your story was written before you were even born. It seems to take free will out of the picture.

[Francis Chan]

Yeah.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Well, Michelle, also, and this is. We can maybe answer it this way. There's a similar question from Michelle, and she says, if God has granted us free will on earth, why do we pray? Does he intervene when we pray?

[Francis Chan]

Yeah, and I think we talked about that a little bit in that previous. But to answer Lacy's question, at first, I would say, join the club. Like, we don't know how it comes together. There are times when there are these things that. There was one seminary professor who said, you know, when you see an Apparent contradiction like that. That's where you will. If you dig deep enough, you'll find the purest gold. Like, just sit on it and go, well, God's not going to contradict himself. So what do I learn from this? But you're asking a question that theologians have tried to answer for centuries. And so that's why I say, join the club. Like, you say this, but you also say this. And in my human mind, I don't understand how that goes together. I got to trust you that there has to be some sort of faith in this, some sort of humility that says there are going to be things. Because the Bible says your knowledge is unsearchable. So the way you understand, the way God understands, the way all this works, I made. There may be things on earth I don't understand. You know, people love to quote Deuteronomy 29, 29 says, There are secret things that belong to the Lord, but the things revealed belong to us and our children. So there's certain things where I go, I don't know. He hasn't revealed that to me. Let me be faithful with the things he has revealed. And so, you know, to go, okay, did he predestined or do I have free will? It's like, did you drive here or did you eat breakfast? Yes. You know, it's. It's. Now, I don't understand how those both can be true. There are times where I have to accept that my limited ability to comprehend truth and to comprehend like God comprehends. I mean, there's so many things I don't comprehend. I don't understand how. I don't understand. Like, if you move fast enough, time goes backwards or something. Like, how am I going to figure that out? And I know some guy can. But in the same way, it's like, wait, so you created the world in such a way that you are sovereign or in control? But I kind of am. I don't get that. I do know that every day I make decisions. I know every day I'm given this path to choose right or wrong. Every moment, really. And with my thoughts, I can choose to love or be selfish. I feel very much the real choice in that. And so how that goes along with God's sovereignty and his foreknowledge and his predestination. All I know is the Bible to me clearly teaches both. And I don't know that I have to put those together. And I might go nuts trying to figure something out that isn't meant for me.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Now there, I love that you're answering this that way, by the way, because it's not just a pat answer that you feel like you have to be this scholar and you know, because that is a very difficult question for me to explain when I've had friends ask as well.

[Francis Chan]

Yeah.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

And I feel the same way.

[Francis Chan]

And if people have struggled with it for this many centuries, when am I going to come on your show and go, hey, good thing I was born because I got to figure it out that no one else figured out. I love this verse. It's Psalm 131. He goes, oh Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high. I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child with its mother. Like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, open the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. I love that, that my eyes are not raised too high. I don't occupy myself with things that they're just too great, too marvelous for me. And so I'm just gonna accept like a little child that was just weaned off his mom. It's like, okay, I'm just gonna rest. I'll have my soul rest. And my mind is not gonna just try to figure everything out.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

What do you say to people that might say, well that's, that's just naive. Yeah, you're just wanting to believe it just because. And it sounds like a little fairy tale, but that's naive.

[Francis Chan]

Yeah, I guess I would say I could equally say, well that's proud to think that you can know all the thoughts that God thinks and that you're human mind has the capacity to absorb the fullness of God's thoughts. I mean, I heard one person say, you know, my mind is like a 2 liter bottle and God is like the Pacific Ocean. And it's like, okay, let me get what I can, you know, but I'm only going to fit so much. And so I the Bible talks a lot about mystery too, and getting so bad with remembering. I want to say it's First Corinthians 5, but it's probably not there. But it's not there at all. Anyways, somewhere it talks about he goes, let people know me as consider us servants of God and stewards of the mysteries of God. So, so what is my job? I'm just to just see me as a servant, but I steward the mysteries of God and that means there are things that we're not going to be able to draw out on a chalkboard. And we're supposed to leave certain things mysterious. Like people always say, okay, explain the Trinity to me. I'm like, no, I mean, I'll do what I can. But it's like, how am I supposed to explain the totality of this being? Let me tell you what I can. And there's going to be mystery. And my job is not to solve every mystery, but to steward it. And I think part of stewarding is helping people understand that there is a God who's watching us right now, and somehow he knows the beginning from the end. We are going to stand before Him. And how you speak something into existence, I'll never know on this earth. And I'm okay with that. In fact, that's what gives me a fear of him, and it humbles me before him. And I encourage you to do the same thing. Rather than trying to take mystery off the table. My job is to keep people in mystery. That's kind of what we talked about last week when I was talking about that mystery of God revealing something to your soul by the spirit, like him pouring the love of God into your heart. Now, am I supposed to put together a PowerPoint and explain how that happens, or do I go, no, I don't know. There's days I walk out of the room after being in silence before God, and all I can tell you is I'm on top of the world. All I can tell you is I'm so secure in his love, there's no way you could talk me out of. I know what I know. And he is so madly in love with me right now. And you say, well, how do you know that? That's kind of naive. No, God has revealed this mysteriously to me, and I'm okay with not being able to diagram it. I just go, that is the mystery. And it's a sweet mystery. And it's. It's really what the book was all about was, hey, that's weird. All these people prayed for me, and now I know that he loves me. How did that work? What did the prayer do? Was God not loving me before? Was he. Just take it. Just enjoy it. Just go, wow, it worked. I don't know how it worked, but it worked. And, God, I know you love me right now. Even just sitting here right now, God, I know you love me. And thank you for revealing that to me. And I don't even know how you did it, but you did it. And that's why the apostle Paul, who's an apostle, who wrote 17 or no, 13 books of the New Testament. He's not just explaining everything to everyone. He says, for this reason, I bow my knees before the Father. He talks about like, I'm praying for you because I want him to just grant you the strength in your inner being so that that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that you together with all the saints may know how wide and long and high and deep and to comprehend the love of God, which is beyond comprehension. It's like I'm on my knees begging for this mystery. And if anyone could have just done it, you know, or explained it, it's either Apostle Paul or Jesus, you know, who even says to Peter, like, satan wanted to sift you like wheat, but I prayed for you. It's like, so when you're strengthened, go strengthen your brothers. I like, whoa, Jesus. Why would Jesus have to pray? Why would. You know? It's. It's. It's like if anyone had a sermon or an explanation to Peter, okay, you're not going to get anything more, you know, But Jesus, I prayed for you. That's his answer. And I go, whoa, there is a mystery there that he would pray to the Father and how it all works. Jesus did it, and he knew everything was going to be fine with Peter.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Yeah. Yeah. As we talk about identity today and our identity in Christ, why does how we view God so deeply affect how we view ourselves?

[Francis Chan]

That's good. Like, if I have a right view of God and his, you know, and that comes from having faith in what he says about himself and really believing it, you know, and that's where it comes to the love of God. When I go, okay, when I really believe Almighty God, everyone listening right now. The reason why you can listen is God chose to give you the ability to hear right now and a mind to comprehend. And he can take that away in a second. We've seen that where people suddenly, their mind doesn't work anymore, whether it's dementia or an accident or whatever it may be. It's like, whoa, what happened? I'm under. I'm in control. I'm not in control of my life. Like, he can do that. It's like, wow, when you start to believe that, then. And then you realize, okay, God, you're all powerful and you believe that, wait, according to your word, you really love me and I can rest in you. And one day you're going to say, well done. And the more I suffer on this earth, and the more I'll be rewarded in the end, and nothing can hurt me. And When I think about who he is and his affections for me, then suddenly I'm not. How do I look on camera? Hey, a bunch of people are listening to me. I hope they like me, you know, I hope they don't cancel me. I. I don't really care.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

God, I want to come to that place, you know, in my life, you

[Francis Chan]

know, where it's like. But. But it's like a. I don't know that it's a place that you just come to and you stay there. It's like even as I'm saying it, it feels good. And it's like I'm reminding myself. I'm reminding you. Like, one day we'll be ashamed of caring what everyone thought, you know? And if I care too much about what people are saying about me, because anyone in the public is going to get slammed. And there will always be people who will just try to rally the troops to attack you or hate you. And Jesus says that's going to happen. He says, if they hate me, they're going to hate you. It's like, okay, but when you sit in the security of, oh, I'm just meditating on what it's going to be like when I just collapse into your arms at the end of my life, God. And now forever. No more tears, no more pain. But for now, I just stay faithful to you and you love me. What would I rather have the whole world praise my name for however more minutes I live on this earth? Or to know that the Lord loves me and he's pleased with me?

[Candace Cameron Bure]

And will you talk about how John is? He calls himself the beloved disciple. And that felt a little weird to you?

[Francis Chan]

It did. He just says. He goes. I mean, when he writes in the book of John, he says, this is the disciple whom Jesus loved. And I always thought that was weird because I thought, what's Peter gonna think when he reads this? If he reads this? Or I don't know if he reads this?

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Jesus loves me more.

[Francis Chan]

Yes. Yeah. Like, I'm the disciple that Jesus loved. And, and, and then I thought it was weird. But at another point, he says, this is a disciple who. This is the one who put his head on Jesus chest. And I thought, okay, I just. It wasn't a big deal to me. I just thought it was weird. And so I never really gravitated toward John. I like Paul, like, whoa, this guy was stoned, he was beaten, he was shipwrecked. Oh, they left him to die. He got back up again. You know, he went around the world, like, just gosh, like, what was that like? Could I ever be a man like that? Even Peter, I was just like, gosh, look at the way he just charged it. He just like jumped out of the boat. Okay, tell me to come to you. I could walk on water right now. Like, I love that, you know, but it's only been recently that I'm going, whoa. John was not being arrogant when he said that he was the one that Jesus loved. He was, he was living by faith. He, he's the one that writes these words about the love of Jesus. I mean, this is, he wrote John 3:16. He's the one who recorded these things. And, and he was recording in John 15 when Jesus is telling them, look, just as the Father has loved me, so have I loved you, now remain in my love. So the one who penned that is the one who's believing those very words like, he really loves me. Spring Black Friday is on at the Home Depot. Save on grills and patio sets that will be sure to bring your hosting game up a notch. Fire up your feast with help from the Home Depot and save on grills like the next grill 4 burner propane gas grill was $249. Now in special buy for $199 or give everyone the best seat in the yard with the the Hampton bay Mayfield park four piece conversation set for only $399. Save on grills and patio sets with low prices guaranteed during Spring Black Friday only at the Home Depot now through April 22nd while supplies last exclusion supplies. Seehomedepot.com Pricematch for details.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

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[Francis Chan]

Yeah.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Really in the love of father. Like the love of the father. This is what I am.

[Francis Chan]

Yeah.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Known.

[Francis Chan]

Yeah. Because that's what I was saying earlier. Once you know that you're like, I don't. What do I want to be known for? Like, primary.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Most of us are known for what we do.

[Francis Chan]

Yes.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Or where we. What our heritage is or what our. What did you say? What. What we're most enthusiastic about.

[Francis Chan]

Yeah. You know, like, if I bring your name up, like, oh, is that the girl on the View? Was she the one for the full house? Yeah, that's her. So that's, you know, like it or not, that's what people identify. Identify you with. But then it's like, your desire. What do you want to be identified as? So when I was younger, probably when you knew me back in the day, like, I wanted to be that guy that was just not afraid to preach the truth.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Yes.

[Francis Chan]

I wanted to just be the guy. I will live off as little as he wants me to. I will suffer whatever I need to do. I want to be known as a guy that seriously treats him as Lord. And I want people to know that I would do anything for him. And I kind of wanted that identity.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Yeah.

[Francis Chan]

Which isn't bad. Those aren't bad things. I also wanted to be the guy that could preach and hold everyone's attention and. And preach truth. But have you really deal with it? I don't know. I.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

But it's true. You did that because every Sunday.

[Francis Chan]

Yeah.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

I'd walk away and get in my car and I would keep thinking about the sermon all week long.

[Francis Chan]

Yeah.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

And what you don't want is that you're like, what did they say? What did they say? You know, an hour later, you're sitting at brunch going, what happened? But, yeah. And you. You. You have been known for that.

[Francis Chan]

Yeah.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

And what changed, though?

[Francis Chan]

See, I. I think what changed is I. I really. It's kind of like when John the Baptist is like, I don't want anyone to. I gotta become less, and he's got to become more. And. And it's. It's almost like I. I just want to tell people, look, I'm not a good person. When I started off in ministry, I was such a hypocrite. My college years were just. I'm so embarrassed. I try not to feel shame for things I did 40 years ago, but sometimes it comes back. And throughout my life, I struggled with pride, selfish ambition. I mean, those who heard the first talk, you know, that I did with you, the first podcast, I was. I'm just like this unloved, you know, worthless, like, obligation that. And then I find Christ and then still wrestling through so much hypocrisy that hurt a lot of people. Then for no reason other than that God is so merciful and so gracious, and he just decided, I'm just going to pour my love on that guy and I'm going to blow his mind. I'm going to give him the most amazing wife and family, grandkids, and I'm going to let him serve me and experience me in ways that others don't. I'm going to just minister to the soul of him and make him like, the happiest person on earth. And I just, I want to be known as that. Like, he was a loser. Like, he was this wretched, like, mess of a person. And then this awesome, like, gracious God. See, because when God, you have those people that they're gracious, they just always want to give you something. Like, you know, they see you, it's like, oh, let me give you this. Let me give you this. You know, like, just God is that to the nth degree, like, this is. I'm, like, wanting to shower you with all of these things. And then it, it says, that's why we were saved, so he could just lavish his grace upon us. Like, like, that's why I'm like, don't look at me. Like, I was the loser, hypocrite, just failure. No one gives a rip about me. And then God just is blowing my mind. And that's all I want you to know about me is a person that God decided to pour his grace on. And I really want to be known as that. And it's crazy because you think about Jesus. When God introduces his son to the world at the baptism, in a sense, you know, there's this voice from heaven. This is my son, whom I love. That's what he says. Like, that was Jesus identity. I'm loved by the Father. That's good enough for him, good enough for me.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

What about people that feel like having their identity in Christ equals performance, that they have to do more for God, that they have to earn it. That. Yeah, you know that people that you've talked about that, that, that they're people of faith, but they're not 100% certain.

[Francis Chan]

Yes, yes, that's so. It's that. It's Demonic. And I really believe it because once you start feeling like I'm not sure of God's love for me, so here's what I'll do. That is a downward spiral that is going to lead you into just despair, depression. I ran into a friend from seminary, which I don't like running into those guys because most of the guys from my seminary just see me as going off the deep end, you know, because I was at a very conservative. Like, don't believe in miracles. Don't believe in the gifts. Holy Spirit doesn't talk to you. Come on, just knock it off. But I ran to this guy and I was scared. Like, man, he's just gonna judge me. And I said, hey, tell me about your life. And he starts describing the years after seminary. Like, he goes, you know how we were just trying to prove that Jesus was lord of our lives? And. And so I'd wake up earlier and I'd serve harder. And he goes, pretty soon I put myself in the hospital. I. The more I was chasing this, I want to know that I'm loved. Someone do this, this, this, this. It just. I mean, he got way worse than I did. He goes, I. My body shut down. He goes, there came a point where I was allergic to literally everything except eggs. Wow. All I did was eat eggs and water. Like, it was like, what? And then he describes, like, finally his eyes were open to the book of Romans and understanding that God can pour his love into my heart. And there's this just, I don't know, it was just this enlightened moment. He was actually at the gym, and he said, I just sat there weeping. He was on the leg machine. I was doing squats or something. And Because I just fell over and I cried because I literally cried for three to four hours.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Wow.

[Francis Chan]

And God just revealed his love for me. And here's a guy that had spent, gosh I don't know, 20 something years chasing, chasing, chasing. And I mean, he was a guy that I remember in seminary. I was always embarrassed or not embarrassed. I felt some shame because I was smarter than him. Okay. I walk in, he's an older guy, and I just dust him on the test. Like, I didn't even study. Just like, you know, like. And he'd be up all night. But because of his diligence, he ended up graduating with high honors. And I didn't. And I thought, oh, that's really lame. I didn't work as hard as him. So he was like a worker, worker, worker. And he just kept going, going, going, because he was gonna. And we would never say it out loud. Like, I am trying to earn God's love.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Right?

[Francis Chan]

Right. But it's like, subconsciously we are. And when we have a good week, we feel like, I think he loves me more. And if we have a bad week, it's like, I wanna keep a little distance right now. Cause I don't think. Let me prove to him. So then I'll really pray. Then I'll pray. It's like the prodigal son. It's like, maybe I'll just go back as a slave. Okay. Maybe he'll accept me as a slave because I really screwed up. Right. And that's what we do. It's like, I don't know. I don't know. Rather than trusting in him that he's merciful, he's rich in mercy, he's eager to show forgiveness. Just like the prodigal son's father. Like, there he is, you know? Can I be your slave?

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Shut up.

[Francis Chan]

You're not gonna be my slave. You're my son. Get a robe. You know, here's a ring. Let's have a feast. Oh, you're. You know, like. I don't know, you just. You want to be that person that's like, I'm that kid that, in all my shame, God just decided to love me. I don't really have anything to brag about. And it's a great place to be.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

It is. Yeah. I do think that there's so many of us that. That wrestle with it in the sense that we have. Like, I could say I. I'm loved by God. My identity. I'm a child of God. I'm a daughter of God. And I know that, and I believe that.

[Francis Chan]

Yeah.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

But I don't want to say putting it into practice, but there's a. There's a depth there.

[Francis Chan]

Yes.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

That I think we often struggle with.

[Francis Chan]

No, what it is, is I have to do this. I. It's not like. And even I was talking to my friend Ken that I was just talking about. I was like, hey, with you, is it something that once that happened, you just were, like, secure? And he goes. I'm trying to remember his exact words. I think I did an interview with him. You can look it up. But. But basically, he struggled like I did still afterwards. And there has to be this renewing or meditating on those truths. And to sit there and remind yourself of the scriptures, like, preach the gospel to yourself. No, this is what the Bible says. Because there is an enemy. And he does put thoughts in our heads. And we have to take those thoughts captive all the time and go, wait, that's not from the Bible. That's the enemy saying that.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Will you tell us right now the true gospel? I know in this you tell us about some of the false gospels, but tell us the true gospel.

[Francis Chan]

Right now. As we sit here. There is an all powerful God in heaven. We are alive because of him. He knit us together in our mother's wombs. He is going to judge us one day in the end. And that God has given us his law. He's put it in this book. He's actually written it in our hearts to where there's something in us that knows that what we just did was not right. And he gives us these commands and we've broken those commands. And he says, the wages, what you earn, the wages of that sin is death. You should be separated from God for all of eternity. But what the Bible says is that, that God so loved you. That's who he is. There's this love like this. I, I don't want to punish Candace for her sin. I don't want to be separated from her forever. I'm a merciful God too. I just, I want to forgive her and. Which is amazing. That's great news. That he's not a God that says, candace, you blew it, so you're going to pay for it. He could have said that. That's the thing. Like, like, like we take it for granted that he's merciful. Yes. But rather than going, oh my gosh, that is the greatest news on the, on the earth. It is what he told Moses when Moses, I want to see your face. And he goes, you can't see my face. You would die. But here's what I do. I reveal myself to you. It was the Lord, the Lord, a God, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. It's, let me just reveal who I am. There's some good news. Even though I am a God who will not leave the guilty unpunished. You know, but I'll visit the iniquities that God says, I love you so much, but I'm a just God. And you have to, someone has to pay for your sins. And it says in order that he would be fair. Because you and I, we hate when someone commits a crime and gets away with it. That's not fair. He should be punished. That's a horrible thing he did. That sense of justice comes from God. He says, I've got to punish those crimes. Candace, you're rebellious. You were thinking about yourself. You knew my law and you didn't obey it. You didn't want to. He said, I love you so much, though. I'm going to have my son take the form of a man, be a servant on that earth, and he is going to pay for your crimes on the cross to show you that's how much I love you. I'm going to have my son die for you. Candace. He's going to pay for all of those things. And you got to believe that on that cross, what his blood accomplished is if you believe in that, he just wiped you clean. Clean. And now what I will do, if you believe in me and you no longer want to walk that way, I'll actually enter into you and put my spirit in you. I'm going to live inside of you and make you have power over those things so that you spend the rest of your life becoming more like me, more like my son. And it's going to be the sanctifying process. And then one day, your time will be done on that earth. And because of your trust in me, you're going to spend an eternity in this place that I've prepared for you, where you're finally going to see me. Then you're going to walk with me and be with me forever. That's the good news. That's the great news. I'm sure there's a thousand other things I could say, but that's the crux of it.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

That's it. I'm gonna leave it there. There's nothing better than hearing the saving grace of the gospel. Usually don't cry this bad. It's that there's just nothing better to hear.

[Francis Chan]

Yes, exactly. Nothing better to say have come off my lips, you know.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Yeah. Life really is like a roller coaster. And this is my invitation to you to slow down. We have a free guide for you this season. It's an excerpt from my upcoming book, Wild hope. Go to candice.com for the link. And I also. We also now have an app where you can become a monthly member, you can ask more questions and you can join a podcast discussion group. It's called the Together Community. And you can download the app and learn how to [e-mail] together. Until next time, be grateful all day, every day. Candy Rock Entertainment All Rights Reserve.

[Francis Chan]

Chronic migraine is 15 or more headache days a month, each lasting four hours or more.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Botox Onobotulinum toxin A prevents headaches in adults with chronic migraine before they start,

[Francis Chan]

it's not for those with 14 or

[Candace Cameron Bure]

fewer headache days a month.

[Francis Chan]

It prevents on average 8 to 9 headache days a month versus 6.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

7 for placebo.

[Francis Chan]

Prescription Botox is injected by your doctor. Effects of Botox may spread hours to weeks after injection causing serious symptoms. Alert your doctor right away as difficulties swallowing, speaking, breathing, eye problems or muscle weakness can be signs of a life threatening condition. Patients with these conditions before injection are at highest risk. Side effects may include allergic reactions, neck and injection site pain, fatigue and headache. Allergic reactions can include rash, welts, asthma symptoms and dizziness. Don't receive Botox if there's a skin infection. Tell your doctor your medical history, muscle or nerve conditions including als, Lou Gehrig's disease, Myasthenia gravis or Lambert Eaton syndrome and medications including botulinum toxins as these may increase the risk of serious side effects. Why wait? Ask your doctor, visit botoxchronicmigraine.com or call 1-800-44-BOTOX to learn more.