Finding God in Our Pain

SUMMARY:

PODCAST INTRO:

Anita’s family had always provided a strong foundation of faith in Christ and they pointed her to Him again when she needed clarity, answers, direction, forgiveness. As you’ll hear in her story, God was ahead of her need beginning with a relocation. God had already stirred her pastor father to look for a church in Lancaster, PA. Her father was offered a pastoral job so they had just recently moved when Anita discovers she’s pregnant. The church that the Lord placed them in welcomed them with kindness and the desire to help them. It was a church family and environment that would be supportive to a new pastor and his family including an unwed 17 year old pregnant daughter.

When Anita asked God what was best for her baby she felt she’d heard clearly that adoption was to be her choice. Even after making the decision she felt God was leading her toward, as her belly grows and she begins to feel the baby move, she second guesses whether it was God she heard or herself. Have you ever been there? Trying to discern whether you heard God right, did He really say that? I think that question is as old as the Garden of Eden. It’s that struggle where we’re asking/wondering, was that your voice God or my internal voice?

As we all know, adoption does not end with a decision. This is an issue of the human heart and there is a lifetime ahead both for the mother and the child. Anita points out her concerns about creating abandonment and rejection issues for her daughter. Even though she had prayed and requested a Christian family for her daughter, Anita still had anxiety wondering if her little girl was safe, loved, protected.

In the delivery room, Anita had only heard her daughter cry, she did not get to see her nor hold her so Anita’s heart ached to meet the baby that had changed her life. She so desired to learn more about her. In our conversation, you can tell that Anita’s heart was broken but she held on to hope that God would one day allow a reunion and Anita would actually meet, touch, hug her daughter, hear her daughter’s voice once again.

There are many precious moments that Anita shares but the one that stood out to me was the exchange that she and God had in a quiet moment together and God speaks into her spirit about His longing for the orphan hearts of the children that He desires to adopt and even those who have professed Him as their Savior but have yet to make Him the Lord of their life through reading His word, talking with Him and creating intimate relationship. As God speaks into Anita’s spirit, the revelation that God shares is a pivotal moment in her life and her ministry is born. She has an incredibly hope filled heart to model and equip, in a simple way, how to engage the heart of God, pursue Him and grow in intimacy.

Listen in to hear how God walked with Anita in the midst of her unplanned pregnancy. Learn what is was like for Anita to finally meet her daughter. And to me, the cherry on top of it all, the beauty of God’s ability to use the pain of Anita’s broken heart yearning for her daughter and exchange it for something far more beautiful than Anita could think to ask for.

That’s our God; to take the pain of this life, dismantle it with His truth and His love, repurpose it and bring beauty! A true beauty for ashes story. Let’s listen in!

Lived Loved and Thrive! @alifeofthrive.com

OTHER PODCASTS AND/OR BLOGS ON THIS TOPIC:

CONNECT WITH ANITA:

BIO (as seen on her website joyshop.org/about) 

With a compelling story of how God used a very difficult situation in her life for His glory, Anita shares candidly how she became pregnant as a teenager – all the more “scandalous” because she was a preacher’s daughter – and made the difficult choice to place her daughter for adoption. Although she never had the privilege to see or hold her child, Anita never stopped yearning to know her first-born daughter, even as she married and had four more children. Through a file of letters and the help of her adoption agency, Anita finally met her firstborn 21 years later. God used Anita’s own desire to know her child to impress upon her how much He wants to know His children – us! With that knowledge, a ministry was born that is now thriving and impacting lives every day.

Anita is the author of, “The File: A Mother and Child’s Life-Changing Reunion.” Her motivational 6 session DVD series, “Seeking God First,” has encouraged and challenged those who long for a deeper relationship with God. Her DVD, “Letters to an Unknown Daughter” is her personal testimony of motherhood, hope, and healing. Her book and DVD series, along with additional supportive materials, can be purchased on her website.

Anita Keagy lives in Washington Boro, Pennsylvania, with her husband Paul. She is the mother of 5 adult children, and 11 grandchildren. She attended Messiah College and received training from both Kay Arthur, of Precept Ministries, and Anne Graham Lotz.

SUMMARY:

PODCAST INTRO:

Author Kim Haar shares her personal story not only with divorce but the harrowing experience of her ex-husband kidnapping her, assaulting her for 4 hours and then shooting her boyfriend Andrew, 10 times.

Initially when Kim was trying to make her marriage work she shares that while she and her husband attended marriage counseling there were many times when she felt lost and unsupported and that’s what motivated her to work toward and achieve her license as a professional therapist. Today she’s helping women become the best version of themselves and she’s super passionate about helping women get “unstuck” from the things they may not be able to put a finger on yet but they do realize there’s a disconnect.

Once a victim, Kim now walks in victory and that is what lead Kim to write and publish her book, Healing from Life’s Deepest Hurts - Reclaiming Your Life After Grief, Loss, or Trauma. She shares her personal story in much more detail than we have time for in this podcast episode and she also gives the reader tools so they can initiate their own healing and wholeness in their personal story.

If you find yourself facing a divorce or in the aftermath of divorce, listen to Kim because not only does she remind you that you are not alone, she’ll help you navigate the painful terrain of what can feel like a shameful failure. If you’d like more wisdom and discernment for the journey, you can check out her book (links below) or you can reach out to her using her contact info (as seen below).

Side Note: When Kim is talking about her ex-husband shooting Andrew we leave you hanging. I didn’t mean to do that! ’m sure it was because Kim and I had already talked so I knew how it turns out and therefore could easily focus on other aspects of Kim’s message. Do know that at the end we come back to Andrew and let you know how that all turned out. You could fast forard to the end but you’d miss so much deep wisdom that Kim shares along the way. So hang in there because Kim does tell you what happened not only with Andrew but brings us up to speed on her life.

Let’s listen in to find out that there’s no story so broken that God cannot heal it!

Live Loved and Thrive! @alifeofthrive.com

Other podcast episodes and/or blogs on this topic:

CONNECT WITH KIMBERLY:

BIO:

SUMMARY:

PODCAST INTRO:

The process of grief is as different as the person it comes upon but none-the-less we can find incredible value because shared story is how grieving hearts find encouragement. Child loss is an indescribable pain that no parent wishes to be part of. For Lisa, the loss of her son Chandler was a life-altering event that reshaped her world in countless ways.

Lisa shares a heartfelt conversation of her experiences, providing us with a glimpse into a love that will never end coupled with the grief that accompanies the loss of a child. Her story is one of resilience, hope, and the unwavering belief in the power of connection both with having Christ as your foundation and staying connected to life by way of offering practices of remembrance whether that be spontaneously and deliberately.

You’ll hear Lisa’s reflection on Chandler’s adventurous spirit, the kind of person who embraced life with open arms and an open heart. Chandler was one of the four children that Lisa and her husband have (and I do say have because the fact that Chandler is their son will never change)…, a son who brought joy and chaos in equal measure (If you’re raising boys you’ll know exactly what she’s talking about when she shares those examples). You’ll definitely see that Chandler lived life to the fullest.

The journey of grief is a roller coaster ride at best, yet it is also a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Lisa's approach to grief involved reclining in the Lord and trusting Him to be with her through the dark valley. With God beside her, she decided to embrace the pain and allowed herself to feel deeply. She talked about other healthy ways of processing emotions and pain whether through counseling, writing, or simply sitting with the emotions; maybe with trusted friend who can bear that type of weight (in a healthy way).

By accepting the loss and finding ways to adjust to a world without Chandler, Lisa not only finds encouragement for each day but peace and dare I say it (in this context of grief), she finds joy that honors her son's adventurous spirit.

In her quest to find meaning amidst the sorrow, Lisa found purpose in helping others navigate their grief (her coaching services). Her writings, initially shared on a blog, became a source of comfort for many, offering a candid and raw portrayal of her journey. Through her words, Lisa provides a lifeline to those who feel isolated in their pain, reinforcing the knowledge that they are not alone. Because of the response she was receiving from her blog posts, she decided to published her story and it is now available to anyone who would love to be encourage (link below). Her story is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, the possibility of joy and connection can light the way forward.

Lisa Espinoza's story is a poignant testament to the enduring power of love and the human capacity to heal and find meaning amidst profound loss. Her journey through grief is a beacon of hope, showing that even in the face of unimaginable pain, you are never alone and you can trust God to know the way through.

Live Loved and Thrive! @alifeofthrive.com

Connect with Lisa:

BIO:

OTHER BLOG POSTS AND/OR PODCAST EPISODES ON THIS TOPIC:

LISA MENTIONED THESE BOOKS:

PODCAST INTRO:

Liz and I agree that grief changes you in countless ways and as much as we may want things to go back to the way they were, they never will. How can they? We’ve lost a significant portion of our life.

Liz and her first husband, Ryan met when she was 22, fell in love and married in 2014. They wanted a family and were blessed with their first daughter. But sadly, they would only have 6 1/2 years together. Ryan, at 39 years of age unexpectedly passed away at home, alone on his treadmill.

To add more trauma to her shattered heart, Liz discovers that she’s pregnant one day after Ryan’s funeral. Not traumatized over being pregnant, but heartbroken that Ryan will never meet his daughter, nor will she meet her daddy and being a single parent was never in her life plans.

One of the significant motivators of transformation for Liz was the realization that she could stay bitter or get better. She chose, get better. She engaged the hard questions, evaluated the cost of living angry and despite the pain, she pushed forward to discover that she isn’t afraid to draw new boundaries, set new standards and start new businesses. She’s exploring life, options, opportunities and breaking ground (personally/professionally) in countless ways.

Liz has an encouraging perspective on finding her way through the pain, embracing new revelations of who she is as she grows through the various challenges and pain points with personal discoveries in all the many facets of her life.

Listen in to find out that widowhood is not the final chapter in her story, my your story and even your story.

Liz’s example gives us the courage to discover that there is even more to life because God is the author of our stories. He always has a plan and fulfilling your purpose has only begun.

You’ve heard me say many times before…keep your eyes on God because He’s writing a much bigger love story, an overarching love story with you as the unique person He created you to be and Liz, with the life she is choosing to cultivate is a beautiful example of that.

Let’s listen in and be encouraged today!

Live Loved and Thrive! @alifeofthrive.com

Here are some additional podcast episodes and/or blogs that pertain to finding God in our pain:

CONNECT WITH LIZ:

BIO:

Widowed and pregnant at 31 years old, I spent the first six months in a state of rage and anger, continuously growing more upset when people treated me like either a fragile flower or a bomb about to explode. After months of therapy, I learned to focus on the intention behind people’s words rather than get upset when they didn’t approach a situation how I wanted them to. Grief can be isolating, but we grievers can’t shut out everyone who says or does the “wrong thing”. One day, I decided to focus on the intention behind the sometimes poorly delivered sentiments because I realized if I ended every relationship when someone said the wrong thing, I would not have any friends left. I was glad they did not know what I was going through.

Every day I wake up and say to myself, "I'm not going to waste the day being angry. That's not fair to Josh." It takes so much work. I know that anger is a normal part of grief. I can't control the way the world treats grievers, but I can control how I respond.

My podcast, instagram account, book club, and other resources are all devoted to helping it be easier for others to grow through grief.

SUMMARY:

Judgment vs. Discernment - Parts of the conversation focuses on the difference between judgment and discernment. Kim stresses the importance of building relationships and understanding individual stories because we can’t expect to be heard if we don’t first invest, aka listen.

The Role of the Church - The conversation touches on the importance of allowing space for questions and struggles without fear of judgment or ostracism. Invite difficult conversations and differing viewpoints for the purpose of discovering and revealing God’s truths and His heart about the matter for both the one struggling with identity issues as well as the believer who may have a heart posture that God wants to bring a deeper revelation that aligns with His truth, love, character and nature.

Embracing Both Faith and Love - As Kim reveals, it's possible to hold onto faith while loving an LGBTQ child. Kim emphasizes that understanding doesn't mean affirming every choice but involves listening, empathizing, and walking alongside them.

Tools and Resources - Kim's journey led to the creation of resources like "Pride and Promises," aimed at helping families navigate these complex dynamics.

Final Reflections - The conversation ends with a powerful reminder of God's scandalous grace — a grace that doesn't discriminate and a love that is unwavering. Kim's story is a testament to the transformative power of love and the importance of reflecting Christ's love in all interactions. We can lay down the weight of judgement, which enables us to share God’s truths without feeling responsible for the outcome and relax in the knowledge that the Holy Spirit is qualified to do His work.

In navigating these challenging waters, may we all strive to embody the empathy, compassion, and love that Kim so beautifully advocates for.

PODCAST INTRO:

Kim doesn’t have any 3 letter adjectives behind her name or lofty degrees that declare her worthy but she is a mom with the courage to stand in the gap between God’s truth in the holy scriptures and God’s heart for humankind. Kim is motivated by the fact that many Christians struggle to truly love like Jesus without feeling like they're compromising biblical truth.

When I think about the phrase of investing blood sweat and tears, surely Kim’s picture is next to that description…actually, any mom who has been willing to be the punching bag (my words not Kims) for truth in the very context of a broken world and their children trying to find their way in it.

I want to share my personal take away from our conversation because I could really relate to every bit of the relationship aspect of our conversation and relationships beyond my children. I do not have children who struggle with same sex attraction but relationship (across the board) is hard, complicated and layered.

I used to think that the hardest part of raising children was when they were young and I was trying to bend their will to the things that would bring them reward, benefit, health. In my heart I was trying to equip my sons to contribute to the world in meaningful, purposeful ways. But no one told me it would be more difficult when they were adults and you have to watch them struggle with the complexities of life as it gets weightier and responsibility after responsibility is added to their years.

Here’s a quote from Kim “And the hard part is when we hold on so tightly to our right and your wrong, and we don't take one another's stories with empathy, then that's where we hold our fist up and we don't end up coming back together. And so you always diffuse anger with empathy and understanding. And truly, anger is almost always love disappointed.” That my friend hit me in the heart.

I had a powerful reminder of the finished work of the cross when Kim brought us back to the cross….and it always comes down to this for any human being (and not just in the context of this topic, it’s all of humanity)….if the opportunity to have direct access to God again was going to be a possibility then it was necessary for Christ to go to the cross. For me, my sins. Imagine yourself as the only person alive and Christ goes to the cross for you.

He endured the horrific process of crucifixion, the bloody, beaten beyond recognition, publicly stripped naked, disfigured in every way; and I’ve read some commentary that pointed out you would not have been able to tell if he was male of female. 

When Christ hung on the cross He had no guarantee that any of us would choose Him. Now, God knows our heart, the condition/character/nature and because of that He knows which one of us will choose Him but that does not negate the fact that our gift of choice is still a real thing.

He doesn’t man-handle our gift of choice. There’s enough evil in the world to see that He does not intervene with our ability to choose. In other words, He doesn’t remove that ability because we refuse to use it in a responsible, wise, healthy way but it is worth remembering He is capable of healing anything this broken world does to us via other peoples choices or the places we find ourselves in because of our own choices.

Kim has such courage to have this delicate conversation pointing out that the core of where the conversation should be grounded is in the person of Christ versus where the church and most people, myself included focus on, and that is sexuality. I get it though, the world has made it a sexual issue but as believers we’re to look through the lens of God’s heart at the world around us.

And that’s what Kim does at Pride and Promises. A wealth of information that is honest, straightforward biblical truth and presented with the same compassion that Christ provided for each and every one of us on the cross. As Kim and I agreed, at the foot of the cross is level ground for sinners.

When you hear Kim’s heart behind her encouraging message, I hope that you have breakthrough in your personal life and personal relationships on every level. All of what she shares can be applied to any relationship we can experience because again, our conversations and heart motive should be grounded in the person of Christ.

Let’s get into the beauty, the hope, and the heart of God by listening to what Kim has to share!

Live Loved and Thrive! @alifeofthrive.com

Other Episodes and Blogs that pertain to this subject of God meeting us in broken places:

Connect with Kim:

Kim's Bio:

Driven by a profound dedication to my family, a gratitude for people, and a love for the one-anothers, my heart is to encourage other families in navigating the tangled up circumstances that don’t have linear solutions. We haven’t done it perfectly…read the blogs.

SUMMARY:

- The conversation centers around grief, faith, and healing, featuring Dr. Amanda McNeil, an associate pastor and counselor.

- Amanda shares her journey, raised in a blended family and losing her father as a teenager, impacting her deeply and leading her to her current path.

- She speaks on the intersection of the Bible and science in understanding grief, discussing her book, "Overcoming the Overcast: Navigating the Storms of Life with God."

- The dialogue explores the concept of grief as a journey that can coexist with hope, emphasizing the importance of community and support.

- They discuss the role of childhood perceptions and shame in shaping adult grief experiences, highlighting the need for honest engagement with personal stories.

- The transformative power of God in grief is emphasized, with insights into how God’s presence can provide comfort and healing.

- Amanda stresses the importance of allowing oneself to feel both joy and grief simultaneously, a duality that can aid in healing.

- The discussion touches on identity shifts due to grief and how the church can better support those suffering.

- Amanda’s book serves as a practical guide combining scripture, neuroscience, and personal insights to help navigate grief.

- The conversation concludes with the notion that despite the storms of grief, the constant presence of God offers hope and healing.

PODCAST INTRO:

Grief is a universal experience. As I’ve often shared with you, there are many types of grief so if you’re listening today and you haven’t lost a significant person but you’ve been separated from something that you held near and dear to your heart then you’ll be able to apply what Dr. McNeil shares in this message to your pain/your life. I say Dr. McNeil because she’s certainly earned her credentials but I found her to be so down to earth I caught myself addressing her as Amanda.

Dr. Amanda McNeil, is mom, wife, counselor, pastor, speaker, and an author and I’ll share a little bit about her most recent book in just a minute.

A Personal Journey of Grief and Faith

Her journey with grief began at a young age after unexpectedly losing her father. And this personal tragedy began to shape her path, leading her to become a strong voice and advocate for those who grieve.

The Interplay of Grief, Mental Health, and Faith

During our discussion, Amanda highlighted how grief impacts mental health and how both the Bible and science provide insights into navigating this difficult journey. She emphasized the importance of understanding how grief can be traced through family history and how it affects us on multiple levels—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Story Work and Healing

Amanda advocates for engaging in "story work" to process grief. This involves reflecting on our life experiences and understanding the narratives we've formed, often from childhood. By doing story work, we can identify and challenge lie-based beliefs that might be rooted in shame or guilt. The purpose for bringing those emotions to the surface is because now you have a target to work with in regard to healing and wholeness.

Joy and Grief Can Coexist

A common struggle in grief is reconciling moments of joy with the pain of loss. Dr. McNeil reassures us that experiencing joy does not betray our grief or love that was attached to our loss. Instead, it is part of the healing process, allowing us to live fully even amidst sorrow.

Overcoming the Overcast

As mentioned she’s an author and her latest book titled "Overcoming the Overcast: Navigating the Storms of Life with God," is her book that she describes as a “love letter” to those experiencing loss. It combines scripture, neuroscience, and counseling principles to provide a practical guide for navigating grief. She emphasizes that, like a storm, grief can feel overwhelming, but the "Son of God is still shining" above the clouds, offering hope and healing.

Final Thoughts

Grief is a complex journey, and faith can provide a powerful anchor. Whether through scripture, community, or personal reflection, finding ways to navigate grief with hope and resilience is crucial. Dr. Amanda’s insights remind us that while loss may be a part of our story, it does not define the entirety of our lives.

If you’re in need of encouragement and hope today, listen in to receive the wisdom and guidance that Dr. McNeil offers those who are navigating the storms of grief and loss.

Lived Loved and Thrive! @ALifeOfThrive.com

EPISODES AND/OR BLOGS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS TOPIC:

CONNECT WITH DR. AMANDA MCNEIL:

Bio:

She is an expert in leadership coaching, and both premarital and grief counseling. Her first book released November 2024 as a #1 New Release on Amazon for the Christian Counseling and the Death, Grief, & Spirituality categories.

She is an international speaker for leadership and mental health conferences and the cofounder of McNeil Coaching alongside her husband, Justin. She is a miracle mom and is mid at pickleball and is proudly millennial picking an oat milk latte over any other type of coffee.

Summary:

PODCAST INTRO:

What is Treatment-Resistant Depression?

Treatment-resistant depression is a severe form of major depressive disorder. Ron explained that clinically, it is defined as depression that does not respond to at least three different classes of antidepressant medications. Ron also shared that this condition is not merely about resistance to therapy but is specifically linked to the ineffectiveness of psychotropic medicines.

The Struggle with Traditional Treatments

Ron describes the frustration of navigating the medical system, which often prioritizes treating symptoms over addressing root causes. He likens the process to taking aspirin for a headache without investigating the underlying cause. He even pointed out that this approach can be disheartening, especially when medications take weeks to show results, if at all.

A Journey of Identity and Faith

Throughout his journey, Ron emphasizes the importance of understanding one's true identity. He believes that much of mental illness stems from a misalignment between who we are and who we perceive ourselves to be.

For Ron, this journey of self-discovery was deeply intertwined with his faith, which provided a foundation and a source of hope. This foundation withstood 13 years of struggling AND also provided room for growth and intimacy with Christ as he searched how to get out from under his depression. As shared in then opening clip….Ron was desperately clinging to hope God and yet had no hope.

Steps Toward Healing

Ron offered practical steps for those struggling with depression:

Evaluate Your "Have To's": Examine the non-negotiables in your life that might be contributing to your stress and consider whether they are truly necessary.

Identify Primary Lies: Reflect on the negative emotions you feel most often and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the first time you felt this way.

Listen for the Holy Spirit: Spend time in silence, asking the Holy Spirit, "What's We most important thing I could hear right now?" and be open to whatever answer comes without editing it.

Something I added, only because I have to do this: when I’m seeking God for an answer I have learned that I need to write it down. It is very commen for me to forget the details of what He spoke into my spirit. If you want to add a #4: Write down what you hear the Holy Spirit speak into your spirit and refer to it as often as you need to.

Conclusion

Ron’s story gives us a deeper revelation about Treatment Resistant Depression because it’s from his personal experience; his 13 year battle to find relief. His faith, community, and self-reflection was instrumental in overcoming his TRD. While traditional treatments may fall short mainly because they’re go to is to fix things with medicine vs looking at a more holistic approach that would include a deep dive into one’s identity. So Ron's journey offers hope and encouragement to those facing similar struggles, reminding us that there is always a path to discovering the benefits of knowing the truth and having a stronger identity.

Live Loved and Thrive! @alifeofthrive.com

With regard to the acronyms you’ll hear Ron use, here is what they stand for (this info is more current than the audio intro to this podcast episode):

Resources along the same topic:

Connect with Ron:

Amazon link to Ron’s most recent book - The Little Book of Forgiveness - The Pathway to Freedom: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Forgiveness-pathway-freedom/dp/B0DYNXWKBW/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oljVyfzmkcvd-tRRqhc8qzcDCCeB-vKQpdasKmcPpGyLFkFehAMYradfiTGZARL3MVN6ar_YRewiXpEMrwt-ig.0u01g9j57uS-UD4NfXgrNw4IxQKkAQYxAoW0rJG8AV0&qid=1743803194&sr=8-1

Ron’s Bio:

His debut novel, Buried at Sea, was published by Penmore Press in 2022.  Daily, he writes proverbs, parables and prayers and shares them on his Facebook page and website to inspire and encourage.

R. Kenward Jones is a US Navy veteran and served as both an enlisted man and officer for 12 years before he left the military to become a pastor.  After a 13-year long bout with treatment resistant depression he left the ministry to reset his life.  He knows the Valley of the Shadow of Death and the power of personal Creativity as the way through it and out of it.

Currently he works as a counselor and teaches the 515A “zero excuses” bootcamp at the local YMCA.  He and Tina, his high school sweetheart, have been married for 40 years, have two children and one grandchild, and live in Southeastern Virginia although they still consider the Shenandoah Valley to be their “home.” 

R. Kenward Jones enjoys life and joy tempered by suffering and more than anything wants to help other sufferers experience the same.

Summary:

PODCAST INTRO:

Embracing the Unexpected

Leslie's story begins with the revelation of her husband's drug addiction, a discovery that initially left her questioning her own role in the unfolding chaos. The initial blame, filtered through past trauma, led her to believe she was somehow responsible for the turmoil. However, it was through this painful revelation that Leslie began to see the bigger picture: a journey of faith that would lead her from self-blame to a deeper understanding of God's purpose and His extravagant love.

A Journey of Faith and Healing

Leslie emphasizes the importance of not abandoning faith, even when life's challenges seem insurmountable. Her husband's addiction, his process to overcome his addiction…and later, separate from any addiction issues, his motorcycle accident that resulted in the loss of his leg, these were pivotal moments that tested their marriage and her faith. Then two years after the motorcycle accident her husband suffers a debilitating stroke brought on by an undetected fragmented bone that prohibited blood flow. Yet, it was through these trials that Leslie witnessed what she describes as "God's extravagant grace."

The Power of Vulnerability and Sharing

One of the most powerful aspects of Leslie's story is her willingness to be vulnerable and share her journey with others and her story serves as a reminder that our past mistakes and current struggles do not define us; rather, they become a part of the larger narrative of redemption and grace as God brings us inner healing, clarity and purpose to our lives. 

A Testament to God's Grace

Despite the challenges and heartaches, Leslie has emerged with a stronger faith and a renewed sense of identity. Her journey from questioning "why" to embracing "how" God will use her experiences for good exemplifies a profound shift in perspective that many of us strive for.

As she continues to navigate life's uncertainties, Leslie's faith remains her anchor. Her story encourages us all to seek God's presence in our own trials and trust that He is writing an overarching love story with us, one of redemption, healing, purpose and hope.

In sharing her journey, Leslie invites us to reflect on our own lives and consider how we can find grace and strength in the midst of our personal storms. 

Listen in and discover Leslies’ message that God uses every painful moment because no matter how dark the night, in God’s hands there’s always a breakthrough—a new beginning filled with the promise of God's unwavering love and grace. 

Live Loved and Thrive!

Additional Blogs and/or Podcasts That Are Similar to This Topic:

Connect with Leslie:

Bio:

As a trusted Realtor® in Hampton Roads, Virginia, Leslie helps families find the homes where their next chapter begins—serving with compassion, integrity, and a heart for healing. Whether from the stage, in her writing, or across the closing table, her mission is the same: to bring healing, hope, and lasting transformation to those ready to rewrite their story.

The God of the Holy Bible has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. So when life becomes overwhelming we have the option to turn to Him and let Him be the support we need. Guest, Karen Dittman shares the insight she’s gained through her seasons of life on the hamster wheel. She knows that God meets on that wheel and she’s here to share the various ways we can do more than survive, we can thrive even in the midst of overwhelming situations.

Summary:

Podcast Intro:

In Karen’s personal example she didn’t have the option to put life on hold, catch her breath and reengage. Life was coming non-stop, fast and furious and in serious ways. Serious responsibilities that included her husband and her children. She and her husband fostered and adopted, and after struggling years with infertility she’s surprised with a bio child at 47 (God has a sense of humor right!). She discovers that her adult daughter is struggling with addiction, and Karen has walked through other challenges with her children, things like anxiety, ADHD, autism.

Rather than delve into each one of these areas we touched on a couple but I thought it important to discover how did Karen learn to lift our head under the weight of everyday life. I want to know not only how she survives but actually thrives. What did she discover about Jesus in the midst of what she terms as life on the hamster wheel?

Life can be very chaotic and I loved the way Karen pursed the heart of God for a practical solution that met her where she was at. She discovered that God cares about the hamster wheel and that He had solutions and practices that would keep her tethered to His heart, walking His pace and staying in grace, peace and true joy.

We talked about her book: Thriving in Grace: Unleashing Wellness from a Biblical Perspective. I found great value in the Grace Cycle. A process for change that focuses on acceptance, small steps to turn things around and celebrating progress. The Grace Cycle is so simple and yet life changing. I scratch my head sometimes. How is it that I overlook the power of Christ’s simplicity. There are often times when the simplicity of God is my stumbling block to breakthrough!

Also, Karen has a spiritual discipline of spending 7 minutes with Jesus throughout the day. I knew immediately the value of this because when I am intentional about making this a priority to my day I’m refreshed, I have clarity and I’m motivated. So I loved this reminder. She gives us great info on the benefits of 7 minutes with Jesus and how she practices that but she goes into greater detail in her book The Fruit of Gratitude: Cultivate a Thankful heart of Experiencing God’s Goodness.

Karen’s ability to find peace and purpose through pain serves as a beautiful inspiration for those of us facing similar challenges, offering hope and practical guidance for deepening one's relationship with God. That my friend, intimate relationship with our Creator enables us to lift our head under the weight of life in its most crushing seasons.

Let’s listen in so that we might discover how to live loved and thrive in the midst of the overwhelming seasons of life!

Live Loved and Thrive! @alifeofthrive. com

Additional Podcast Episodes/blogs related to this topic (overwhelm):

Letting God Rewrite Trauma and Abuse, with LaShaundra Barnes: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/11/20/letting-god-rewrite-trauma-and-abuse-with-lashaundra-barnes/

A Caregiving Season with No Regrets, with Rayna Neises: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/12/04/a-caregiving-season-with-no-regrets-rayna-neises/

Connect with Karen:

Amazon Book Links:

Bringing Grace Home: A Bible Study Companion to Thriving in Grace: Amazon Link

The Fruit of Gratitude: Cultivate a Thankful Heart by Experiencing God's Goodness: Amazon Link

Summary/Outline:

Podcast Intro:

My conversation with Denise weaved together loss, resilience, and faith and the fact that grief can be very transformative in powerful ways. Faith was the cornerstone for Denise as she navigated what it meant to have a sibling who was experiencing a gradual decline in health and in quality of life.

We talked about how she felt as her parents naturally gravitated to Garrett’s ever increasing dependency. I was curious about that because at 9 years old she’s in elementary school, and then through middle and high school and into college; crucial years for a young girl, a young woman. As we talked, I felt I heard in her voice (and the way she shared about this part of the journey) healing and acceptance saturated with grace.

With the ever morphing process of the family dynamic we talked about identity and how that is impacted, and how everything about our life is based on identity and so what do we do when things are shifted and we lose titles, responsibilities, relationships? Denise talked about God’s ability to use the tragedy of life for transformation in us and how He moves us into a greater purpose using the pain of life.

We talked about the book she authored, Among the Stars and how she blended parts of her life to create a family friendly read that has an uplifting message for the heart and the mind. We folded into the conversation, how therapeutic writing/journaling can be in the grief process. And she’s started on her next book that will develop one of the characters found in the first book. I love a series where you can engage in more than one book.

Listen in and I hope you’ll be encouraged by Denise’s desire to share her experience into the complexities of grief, the importance of community, and the enduring power of hope, faith, and love.

Live Loved and Thrive! @alifeofthrive.com

Related topics (podcast and/or blog):

Connect with Denise:

Bio:

For Denise, this devastating life change meant taking a step back from her hobbies, instead focusing on her family and establishing herself in her career. Sadly, her brother succumbed to the complications of his condition five years after her college graduation. She appreciated the precious time she had with him and the positive impact he left behind. Although she continued her accounting profession after his passing, she knew the corporate world wasn’t where she wanted to remain.

A few years later, Denise and her husband moved from sunny San Diego to the forested terrain of Post Falls, Idaho, to plant their roots – buying their first home and expanding their family. That was when she finally found the inspiration to pen her first book, “Among the Stars” – originally an idea she wrote for her creative writing class in college. From there, she continued to push forward despite a decade-long writing hiatus and several bouts of writer’s block. She is thankful that God has provided her with the words to share with others through her book, touching on the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and hope – while also paying homage to the notable people in her life, including those who have passed. She hopes this tale of first love, friendship, and family connection will bring joy and encouragement to those who need it.