Followed by Mercy Podcast

Somewhere along the way, many of us stopped relating to God like a Father and started relating to Him like a boss we could never please.

We prayed harder. Tried harder. Served harder.
But deep down, we still wondered if we were enough.

In this honest conversation with Mike Pennington, we talk about the performance trap, the crushing weight of legalism, and the life changing truth that God already calls you beloved.

This episode is for the weary Christian.
For the pastor running on fumes.
For the person who secretly feels like they are failing God.

One line in this conversation stopped me cold:

“God is smiling at me.”

Not tolerating you.
Not barely putting up with you.
Smiling at you.

If your heart has been exhausted by religion, shame, fear, or trying to earn what Jesus already finished, I believe this conversation will breathe fresh air into your soul.

🎧 Listen now to:
“God is Smiling at You: Breaking the Performance Trap with Mike Pennington”
Somewhere along the way, many of us stopped relating to God like a Father and started relating to Him like a boss we could never please.

We prayed harder. Tried harder. Served harder.
But deep down, we still wondered if we were enough.

In this honest conversation with Mike Pennington, we talk about the performance trap, the crushing weight of legalism, and the life changing truth that God already calls you beloved.

This episode is for the weary Christian.
For the pastor running on fumes.
For the person who secretly feels like they are failing God.

One line in this conversation stopped me cold:

“God is smiling at me.”

Not tolerating you.
Not barely putting up with you.
Smiling at you.

If your heart has been exhausted by religion, shame, fear, or trying to earn what Jesus already finished, I believe this conversation will breathe fresh air into your soul.

🎧 Listen now to:
“God is Smiling at You: Breaking the Performance Trap with Mike Pennington”

You may discover God has loved you far more deeply than you ever imagined.
You may discover God has loved you far more deeply than you ever imagined.

Cash and Carter Howard: A legacy of grace. 🎸

Rickey Howard didn’t have a dad around to show him the way. Now, he’s raising two boys who are already preaching the Gospel and serving others.

How does that happen? It’s not about "trying harder." It’s about the 180-degree shift that happens when Jesus becomes your finish line.

Check out our latest sit-down here: https://youtu.be/t5lGkmeFlsk

Austin Gardner | Followed by Mercy Seeing God’s Goodness: An Interview with Pastor Rickey Howard (Solid Rock Baptist)

Some stories stay with you.

Over the past few days, I had the privilege of sitting down with Robert and Kelly Canfield to listen to their journey with Pompe disease. It is not a polished story. It is honest, sometimes painful, and deeply human. Yet in the middle of the fear, the exhaustion, and the unknown, something stronger keeps showing up. Grace.

Pompe disease has changed their lives in ways none of us would ever choose. But what moved me most was watching how faith, love, and courage keep rising in the middle of it all. These conversations are not just about illness. They are about what it looks like to keep trusting God when life takes turns you never expected.

If you or someone you love is facing chronic illness, unanswered questions, or a future that feels uncertain, I believe these conversations will encourage you. Robert and Kelly open their hearts and share the realities most people never talk about.

I’ve posted a 5-part series of these conversations below.
Take a little time and watch them.

Their story may strengthen your faith.
It may change the way you see suffering.
And it may remind you that even in the hardest moments, you are not alone.

Watch the series here 👇

https://youtu.be/HknKiv-iFmw

https://youtu.be/Gthel5cLi08

https://youtu.be/NXL5_3ZpzJA

https://youtu.be/fE9A1vE9QX4

https://youtu.be/4df-6xPYK3M

Live Until You Die: Encouragement for Warriors and Caregivers "There’s not a moment I’m not aware I have Pompe." Kelly Canfield joins Austin Gardner one last time to share the raw reality of living with a terminal, prog...

There is one word that can slowly dismantle a heart for service before we even realize it’s happening. It’s the word "mine."

When I start thinking about "my" ministry, "my" influence, or "my" people, I’m stepping into a weight I was never meant to carry. It’s a heavy burden to try and maintain a reputation or a performance for a God who already loves us perfectly.

I’ve learned the hard way that when it becomes about "mine," I lose sight of the relentless grace that actually sustains us. That’s why I’m so passionate about what we share at Followed by Mercy. It’s not about building a kingdom for Austin Gardner; it’s about discovering that we are all just children being chased down by a love we didn't earn.

If you’re feeling worn out by the pressure to perform or protect what you think is yours, let this be your reminder: It all belongs to Him. You can let go. You can breathe.

Join me today on the Followed by Mercy podcast as we talk about the freedom found in letting go of "mine."

I’ll never forget the quiet weight of the room just before my surgery. In those moments, all the religious clichés and performance-based prayers I’d leaned on for years suddenly felt hollow. I didn't need a formula or a pep talk; I needed a Presence.

We often treat peace like a prize we have to win by being "good enough" or "faithful enough." We think if we just pray harder or act better, the storm will stop. But I’ve learned that peace isn’t a feeling you manufacture: Peace is a Person.

When life hits hard and the "miserable counselors" of this world try to explain away your pain with empty advice, remember this: God doesn’t always give us a map of the storm. He just gets into the boat with us. He isn’t looking for a fake "Hallelujah"; He’s looking for the real you, right in the middle of the mess.

If you're tired of performing and just need to catch your breath, this episode is for you. We’re talking about finding real hope when things aren't "fine."

Listen to the full episode at waustingardner.com

You don’t have to carry this alone. You are loved, you are seen, and you are followed by mercy.

You can stop holding your breath now.

For so many of us, faith has felt like a treadmill we can’t get off. We’re constantly checking boxes, trying to be "enough," and wondering if God is finally proud of us. But here’s the honest truth: you can’t earn a love that was already given to you for free.

In our latest podcast episode, "Stop Earning God’s Love," we’re diving into Ephesians 3 and talking about what it actually looks like to rest in God’s grace instead of performing for it.

This podcast is just one part of the journey. If you’re feeling worn out and looking for a way to move from "Pain to Praise," I’ve put together some deeper resources for you at waustingardner.com. It’s a space where we get real about the hard stuff and focus on God’s relentless mercy reaching into every hurting place.

Take a deep breath today. You are loved; not for what you do, but for who you are in Him.

Listen to the new episode and find more encouragement at waustingardner.com.