Why do friendships end after you come to Christ? How do you handle deep loneliness, heartbreak, and relationships that change after conversion? In this episode, we dive into finding God in seasons of isolation, navigating friendship breakups, and learning to pray through conflict...even for your enemies.
In this episode of the Raised & Redeemed podcast, Michaela Nikolaenko sits down with Kara Mosher to talk about Christian friendship, friendship breakups, Orthodox Christianity, dating, marriage, and navigating relationships with Protestant and secular friends.
Kara shares the raw story of losing her fiancé and his miraculous baptism. We discuss making idols out of friendships, handling conflict, knowing when a relationship needs to end, and how transforming your pain into prayer ultimately draws you closer to God.
Plus, we answer your questions about Orthodox dating, celibacy, intimacy before marriage, birth control, and the spiritual power of praying for those who hurt you.
#orthodoxchristian #christianfriendship #christiandating
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⏳ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00-3:36 Intro
3:36-6:40 Kara’s friendship background
6:40-10:08 Not making idols out of friends
10:08-18:07 Kara losing her finance and his miracle baptism
18:07-21:13 Why birth control isn’t recommended in orthodoxy
21:13-26:20 What if a man doesn’t want to be celibate?
26:20-27:56 Intimacy before the time
27:56-30:47 Do Orthodox Christians get married more quickly?
30:47-31:29 Theos Sisters Ad
31:29-32:00 Masculine Revival Ad
32:00-34:37 Can relationships still work after coming to Christ?
34:37-44:20 Why relationships sometimes come to an end
44:20-51:59 Secular Protestant and orthodox friends
51:59-1:00:36 Navigating conflict in friendships
1:00:36-1:06:35 The lonely season after loss
1:06:35-1:09:27 Only God can save people
1:09:27-1:13:07 God will both use and redirect us from our pain
1:13:07-1:23:45 Praying for our enemies is our ticket to paradise
1:23:45-1:26:03 Stay for the extended Elder Ephraim chat
1:26:03-1:27:23 Closing