What happens to your faith when chronic pain shows up uninvited and refuses to leave? In this episode of the Why She Trusts God series, I sit down with best-selling author and speaker Carolyn Dale Newell.
Carolyn opens up about trusting God as her spiritual flame flickered out during two years of debilitating pain, and how she fought — devotion by devotion — to resurrect hope when suffering and hopelessness threatened to take over completely.
Carolyn recently released her newest 30-day devotional, Embers of Endurance — a book born from her own harrowing journey through severe scoliosis, spinal fusion surgery, and the slow, disorienting grief of losing her health.
We cover a lot of ground in this conversation: why grieving the loss of your health is not only normal but necessary, how physical suffering becomes a three-front battle against your body, emotions, and faith, and why the enemy's favorite weapon in chronic illness is the what if. Carolyn shares how the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego gave her a powerful reframe — trading what if thinking for the bold, surrendered declaration of even if.
We also dig into Philippians 3:10 together and land on something I believe is true with everything in me: suffering creates an intimate, experiential knowing of Christ that nothing else can.
If you or someone you love is walking through chronic pain, chronic illness, or the long, wearying wait for healing, this episode was made for you.
Resources mentioned: 📖 Embers of Endurance on Amazon: https://a.co/d/01xNHlBl 🌐 Carolyn's website: amountainoffaith.com ▶️ Carolyn on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC126VS7qlK8MFwJgdyiqCQQ 👥 Facebook Group – A Mountain of Faith Women's Ministry: https://www.facebook.com/groups/140942697610835/
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