Liz Kazandzhy has been so worried about her family in the Ukraine. She shares some of God’s powerful lessons to her since the war began and how she’s been able to find moments of peace.
Episode Discussion Points
- A funny story about making brownies
- Her personal connection to the Ukraine, serving a volunteer mission there
- How she ended up marrying a man from the Ukraine and how his family still lives there
- The feeling of shock when the invasion first happened
- How dealing with anxiety and the stressors of war have been a challenge for her
- Experiencing grief, sorrow, anger, as well as peace and hope
- Encouraging their family in Ukraine to get out of Kiev
- How she and her husband attend church with a Russian speaking congregation with people from the Ukraine and what their pastor said that has helped their congregation focus on unity.
- What Russians and Ukrainians together in a church congregation taught her about being strong.
- How the Holy Ghost can bring peace even in times of strife
- Anxiety tip—imagining the worst case scenario and then finding God in it (ex: those who have died have gone to God and they are home).
- God understands each person’s worries, fears and what is going on in their lives.
- It brings her peace to know God is with them.
- How Liz has tried to put God and her family as a priority even when she constantly wants to be checking the news and checking on her family in the Ukraine.
- The blessings of putting God first
- The importance of learning to live in the moment because you never know how long you will have with people here on earth.
- Don’t let other things distract you from things that matter most.
- When she couldn’t focus because she was so preoccupied with the war.
- The ah-ha she had when she was reading that the Russians were “occupying” the Ukraine.
- How the Ukranians defending their lands and freedom has become symbolic to her for the battle going on in her mind—battling back despair and depression with faith, hope, light and love.
- Battling fear with faith
Favorite Bible Verse
Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Connect with Liz
#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #war #UkraineWar #Family #battles #peace #comfort #holyghost #Spirit #prayer #mentalbattles #depression#anxiety
Transcription
You can find the transcription of today's episode here:
https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/liz-kazandzhy-finding-peace-when-worried-about-ukranian-family
