Sometimes our greatest losses are what force us to uncover the deeper riches of God’s love. That’s certainly true in Kara Stout’s case. After losing both of her parents to cancer, God became more real to her than ever before. His love felt tangible. His presence felt close. His nearness was truly her good. During that season, Kara began writing prayers on social media, attracting more and more people who were hungry for that kind of pure, open-hearted connection with God. That season also led to her debut book, “An Untroubled Heart: Calming Anxiety and Finding God’s Peace,” a 30-day devotional to help people enjoy their mornings and evenings in God’s presence.

Today, Kara is opening up about her favorite place to pray, think, grieve, ask God why and celebrate his gifts. She’s also sharing about her fight with perfectionism, her journey to complete dependence on God and why “phone sabbath” is one of her favorite times of the week.

QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT

The meals we enjoy are about so much more than the food we eat. So how does a “go-to” meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind your web bio?

Despite the fact that our city of Los Angeles has some amazing restaurants, I’m going to say my favorite hometown meal is actually made at home. A close runner-up, however, is Yume Sushi in Studio City where the sushi is incredible and our 19-month-old daughter loves making friends with the sushi chefs behind the counter. So I might be sneaking in two examples here! But back to my top favorite spot — home. My husband, Michael, learned how to make homemade New England clam chowder, which has become a special soup to me.

When I was growing up, my dad loved soup, all kinds of soup, and this was one of his favorites. And although we lived in Arizona, which is basically warm year-round, he just loved his soups. He passed away 18 years ago, and through the years, I would order clam chowder at restaurants in celebration of and in memory of him, either for his birthday or the anniversary of his passing. A few years ago, I started eating dairy-free for my health, so Michael took it upon himself to learn how to make this soup at home but made it dairy-free. And I must say it is amazing! It is better than any restaurant clam chowder I’ve had! We continue with this tradition now at home, and it truly is my ideal comfort food.

QUESTION #2: REVEAL

We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. So what are yours? What so-called “nonspiritual” activity do you love engaging in that also helps you find essential spiritual renewal?

Descanso Gardens is a botanical garden that is about 35 to 40 minutes away, depending on traffic, of course. I am a flower enthusiast through and through. Pink roses, bright yellow angel trumpets, purple morning glories, irises, the petals of a dahlia — all point to God’s glory and often make me slow down and “stop to smell the roses.” Truly, what a fitting and perfect phrase this old saying is!

I love walking through the paths of tulips in spring, roses in summer and large trees with their golden leaves in the fall. It is a reset for my heart. It brings me a greater sense of calm being in nature with the fresh air, seeing the beauty of God in his creations. Every time, it is a sweet reminder of his goodness and faithfulness, where I encounter God among the trees and flowers.

I also go here when I’m sad and need to think, process and pray. I’ve sat on benches there, journaling and letting tears fall. I remember one day in the spring of 2022, before adopting our daughter, Norah, writing a deeply vulnerable prayer to God, wondering if I would ever be a mother. It had been nine years of waiting and praying for a child at this point. Then fast forward to early fall of 2023, I was back walking around the large trees with their golden leaves, holding our new baby girl in my arms. How tender and sweet the moment was for me to bring her there for the first time, looking at that bench where I prayed and wrote, recognizing this precious answered prayer.

QUESTION #3: CONFESS

Every superhero has a weakness; every human too. We’re just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re all broken and in this thing together. So what’s your kryptonite, and how do you confront its power head-on?

Perfectionism. That is something I have been struggling with since I was young, maybe since middle school. It’s interesting because no one put the pressure on me to be perfect. My parents didn’t, my teachers didn’t — I put that pressure on myself. Everything needed to be perfect and in its right place. When I was little, I had a shelf in my room where I placed all these little trinkets I had (troll dolls and other figurines), and I placed them all exactly where I wanted them. I would know if someone moved them, even if just a little bit! And it would bother me. While I’ve grown in this, even in adulthood, I like things to be in the place where I have set them and will quickly know if they have been moved. Even now, it bothers me at times.

This carries over into my work. When I did food styling and food photography, this came in handy but only to a point. When it goes past that point, it becomes unhealthy. But I have seen God healing me and transforming me in this, showing me that I do not have to try to be perfect (an impossibility anyway) and shouldn’t strive because it’s exhausting and robs me of the peace God gives as I trust him. I remind myself that I can work hard and do things with excellence with his help but that I must surrender the outcome to him.

I am a work in progress. I wouldn’t say I try to hide it — rather, I forget that it’s a problem at times and, therefore, forget to go to God asking for his help and healing. Perfection is only in him. I am a human in need of grace, one who will always fall short of perfection. Truth that frees me to live as a dependent daughter on her Father.

QUESTION #4: FIRE UP

Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your current obsession? And why should it be ours?

As I mentioned above, I lost my father 18 years ago, and then I lost my mom five years ago. Losing them both radically changed my life and my faith. God became so real to me. The only way I had the ability to endure such great losses was with the strength of God. The only way I felt peace despite my circumstances and joy that did not make sense while I cared for my mom during her cancer treatments was knowing God really was with me in it all.

Thoughts of heaven flooded my mind, and there was a complete shift in my perspective of this life and what awaits us. Words started to pour out. I began to write on social media and other Christian outlets. I couldn’t not talk about the goodness of God and how, in my trials, suffering and times of worry, he was the remedy for the troubles of my heart.

Out of this place, I wrote my first book, “An Untroubled Heart: Calming Anxiety and Finding God’s Peace.” It’s a 30-day morning and evening devotional, so there are 60 total entries, along with 60 total prayers. I saw a need for the evening component and had a desire to create not just a space for the reader to spend time with God in the mornings but also in the evenings, which is often a forgotten time that is sacred and special to spend with him. It builds a rhythm of going to him morning and night, which builds the relationship with him — and inevitably builds peace.

Every day, there is something on the news or online that can be distressing and anxiety-inducing. Not only in the world at large but in our country, in our personal lives and in the lives of our loved ones. People are struggling, hurting and broken. We need God. And the beautiful truth is that he is our Helper, he is with us, and he promises to give us his peace, a peace that really does surpass our understanding. This is one of the main themes behind my book, a theme that I pray will provide hope and healing for each reader.

QUESTION #5: BOOST

Cashiers, CEOs, contractors or customer service reps, we all need grace flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it’s God when it happens?

I love this question. How wonderful it is to have the precious gift of the Holy Spirit. There is no greater Partner to partner with than him.

Whenever I sit down to write, I say a quick prayer: “Holy Spirit, please help me.” And he always does. Sometimes his help looks like words beginning to flow and connect, sometimes new thoughts come to mind, and sometimes he takes me through a wrestling with words to finally reach the completion.

Interestingly, I signed my book contract when our daughter was a little less than 2 months old — which meant I was learning how to be a mother and first-time author all in the same year. I was stretched and brought to the end of myself daily, which if I’m honest, despite the discomfort, was the best place for me to be. I was forced to rely on him entirely and desperate for him to write through me.

It was beautiful to see how he would bring words and sentences and ideas together, all while giving me the strength and peace to keep writing. It was also fun to see the creative ideas he would reveal to me. For example, one of my favorite days in my devotional is about Johann Sebastian Bach — how he would begin and end his compositions — and tying that to how we can begin and end our days.

It becomes a state of worship when we partner with the Holy Spirit in our work.

QUESTION #6: inspire

Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied habits that open our hearts to the presence of God. So let us in. Which spiritual practice is working best for you in this season?

Several years ago on Good Friday, I started the practice of a phone sabbath. I desired to sit in the space of honoring and meditating on what Jesus did on the cross. I didn’t want to rush through it. So I put my phone away in a drawer and didn’t get it out until that Sunday morning. When the next weekend came, I wanted to do it again. I enjoyed this break from my phone so much that I made it a weekly habit, one that I continue to this day.

There is an impact on our minds and spirits when we are flooded with content constantly. And if we aren’t careful, this can take away from time spent with God. It’s important for us to set boundaries, time limits and schedule breaks.

I talk about this in one of my devotional entries called “Seeking Over Scrolling,” where I share what social media and too much time on my phone was doing to my soul, my time and my relationship with God. I was drained, discontent and distracted.

Yet once I implemented this phone sabbath, I began to have greater peace and a healthier perspective on social media. It impacted my faith, my marriage and my parenting. It made space for rest. It has made such a great difference in my life and my relationship with God.

QUESTION #7: FOCUS

Looking backward, considering the full sweep of your unique faith journey and all you encountered along the way, what top three resources stand out to you? What changed reality and your heart?

I’m so excited to share these three resources because they deeply impacted my faith journey. They grew me, taught me and increased my love for God and also his word.

The first one is John Piper’s recitation of Romans 8, which put to music on YouTube. Every single time I hear it, I get chills and tears always come. As I listen, I become emboldened in my spirit to keep living for Christ wholeheartedly and with courage. It has also helped me memorize Romans 8, which is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible.

Secondly, Jackie Hill Perry’s Bible study of Jude called “Jude: Contending for the Faith in Today’s Culture” was life changing — like truly life changing. It’s a seven-session study, which is incredible because Jude is just one chapter. But she goes deep, and she goes all over the Bible, connecting Scriptures and teaching in a profound way with such clarity.

Lastly, there is a documentary called “The God Who Speaks.” It traces the evidence for the authority and reliability of the Bible through interviews with scholars, apologists and pastors. It is moving, edifying and beautifully done.

We all have things we cling to to survive or even thrive in our fast-paced, techno-driven world. How have you been successful in harnessing technology to aid in your spiritual growth?

I’m going to have to say the Bible, which I’m clinging to daily. It continues to transform me, teach me and correct me. It renews my mind and provides wisdom in this season of my life and will in every season after this.

But just in case you want to know another resource aside from the Bible, I would say my daughter. I would encourage anyone reading to consider one person in your life who draws you closer to God. Norah teaches me so much about God, his patience and his love. She reminds me to delight in all that God has created — the birds, squirrels and the moon (which she’s especially obsessed with right now). I see how prone we are to disobey or push boundaries in our limited understanding and why God, in his sovereignty, tells us “no” when it’s for our own protection and good. I am learning just as she is learning.

QUESTION #8: dream

God’s continually stirring new things in each of us. So give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?

In addition to my first book that I shared above, I will soon be working on another book later this year. This second one will be a book of prayers. And I’m so excited about this one too. I’ve been writing down prayers or pieces of prayers as they come to me — I love writing prayers so much.

I have a children’s book that I am dreaming of as well that involves our two pugs. I think this would be such a fun project! I might see if my husband will be the illustrator — he is such a great drawer.

I know these projects will take sacrifice and time and that I will again need to depend completely on God to write through me. I will need to remain in prayer as I follow his leading and seek him to give me the capacity while also savoring this current season of motherhood. It all comes back to relying on God. And the joy of doing this life with him and for him.

What dreams are in your heart, reader? What’s stopping you from pursuing them? What obstacles, time constraints, lack of skills, or fears are holding you back?

Consider writing each barrier down in your journal and presenting it in prayer to God. Then, listen. Take your time here — don’t rush through the silence. What does the Holy Spirit say to you? Where is he calling you to rely on him even more?

Kara Stout