Episode 95 - Why Do We Worry? Going From Fear to Faith with Cheri Swalwell

Date: January 9, 2026 Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Cheri Swalwell   Story Highlights: In this powerful and hope filled episode of The Women Behind the Words, Debbie Dufek sits down with writer and speaker Cheri Swalwell for a deeply honest conversation about overcoming fear through faith and learning to trust God one step at a time. Cheri shares how fear first entered her life during childhood through misunderstandings surrounding her mother’s health. What began as a fear of loss quietly followed her into adulthood, shaping her thoughts, her decisions, and even her marriage. Although fear lingered for many years, Cheri reflects on how the foundation of faith her parents planted, along with her growing personal relationship with Christ, became the pathway God used to bring healing and freedom. One of the most impactful moments in this conversation centers on a seventeen year fear of winter driving that began after a traumatic experience involving a semi truck on a snowy road. That fear quietly limited Cheri’s life, affecting her travel, opportunities, and willingness to participate during winter months. After joining a new church and developing a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit, Cheri asked God to reveal the lie beneath her fear. The Lord gently showed her that the semi truck she feared had actually been positioned to protect her from oncoming traffic and allow her to turn around safely. That revelation marked the beginning of her healing journey. Cheri shares how God continued this work through obedience, prayer, and intentional thought renewal. She stepped out in faith by volunteering for AWANA despite winter driving, trusting God with one small step at a time. Over time, her fear of driving lifted, followed by freedom from depression after thirty days of focused prayer, and eventually deliverance from panic attacks as she learned to take her thoughts captive according to Scripture. Throughout the episode, Cheri offers practical tools God gave her to interrupt fear and replace it with truth, including speaking the name of Jesus, inviting worship into moments of anxiety, and anchoring her mind in specific Scriptures. The conversation deepens as Cheri recounts God’s miraculous protection over her daughter during two serious car accidents in 2023, including a head on collision with a drunk driver. Rather than reigniting fear, these experiences further strengthened Cheri’s trust in God’s faithfulness and protection. Cheri also shares how praise, thanksgiving, and gratitude reshaped her spiritual life. She describes meaningful family traditions such as choosing Scripture verses to wear as reminders, keeping a blessings journal, and documenting God’s ongoing protection and provision. Together, Debbie and Cheri encourage listeners to focus on God’s promises rather than their problems, to capture fearful thoughts, and to surround themselves with faith filled community. This episode closes with encouragement to trust God’s timing, surrender fear daily, and actively remember His faithfulness through simple practices like a blessings journal or blessings jar. With prayer, honesty, and hope, this conversation reminds listeners that fear does not have the final word. Faith does.   About Our Guest: Cheri Swalwell is a Christ follower, a wife, a mom, a writer, and a speaker. She is the co host of the Cheer UP Podcast and leads an online mentorship community as the monthly hostess of Jesus in the Everyday. Through her writing, speaking, and mentorship, Cheri encourages women to recognize God’s presence and faithfulness in their everyday lives.   Group Highlight: Jesus in the Everyday Mentorship Are worry, isolation, or chaos trying to steal your peace? Do you crave real joy but struggle to find it in the mess of everyday life? Do you long for a sisterhood to lock arms with, even if you are homebound? Whether you are new to faith and need a solid foundation, feeling stagnant and longing to reignite your fire, or full of questions and seeking truth, Jesus in the Everyday exists to meet you where you are. Inside this mentorship, you will find a battle plan to replace fear with faith, a lifeline to recognize God’s goodness in the grind, and a tribe of women who understand real life and real faith. No perfect people allowed. The enemy does not take a day off, and neither do we.   Connect with Cheri: Website: www.cheriswalwell.com Jesus in the Everyday Mentorship: https://cheriswalwell.com/pre-order-specials/ Cheer UP Podcast: https://cheriswalwell.com/cheer-up-podcast/ Facebook: Jesus in the Everyday YouTube: Jesus in the Everyday Substack: https://cheri102458.substack.com/ Email: [email protected]   Closing Thought: Cheri’s story reminds us that fear may speak loudly, but God’s truth speaks louder. When we surrender our fears, renew our minds, and remember His faithfulness, freedom follows.