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What do you do when life doesn't follow your carefully laid plans? When the path you expected becomes unrecognizable? This question lies at the heart of Savannah Sands' extraordinary journey from bitterness to breakthrough.

Savannah never imagined becoming a single mother at 21. Raised in a conservative Christian home with solid biblical knowledge but limited real-world application, she found herself pregnant in college and facing a future that looked nothing like she'd planned. The judgment she received from her faith community planted seeds of bitterness that threatened to define her future. 

But Savannah's story isn't about victimhood—it's about choice. Recognizing that her bitterness would ultimately harm her young son, she took a brave step toward healing. Through a small group for single mothers and transformative books on forgiveness, she began what she describes as God's "open-heart surgery" on her life, removing the infection of resentment that was poisoning her from within.

The most profound revelation? Her circumstances didn't change—her heart did. For seven years, Savannah remained a single mother, but her perspective transformed completely. This foundation of healing became crucial when unimaginable tragedy struck: losing two brothers within eight months. Once again facing a choice between bitterness and healing, Savannah chose the harder but more rewarding path.

Today, newly married to a man she believes God brought into her life through the very circumstances she once resented, Savannah sees the redemptive thread woven through her pain. "My relationship with God is where it is because of the pain I went through, not the good things," she reflects.

Whether you're facing unexpected challenges, processing grief, or simply feeling that life hasn't turned out as planned, Savannah's journey offers a compelling invitation: will you let your heart harden, or will you pray for the courage to face your pain and find healing? Remember, your circumstances might never change—but your heart can.

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The unexpected diagnosis of cancer at age 21 forced Brooke Lovingood to confront mortality in ways most young adults never imagine. What began as a seemingly benign thyroid nodule evolved into a life-altering journey through multiple surgeries, radioactive isolation, and the haunting uncertainty of whether cancer had spread.

Yet as Brooke shares with raw authenticity, the most challenging part wasn't during treatment but afterward—when survival mode ended and emotional processing began. This counterintuitive reality mirrors what many experience during significant trauma; we often don't have the luxury of processing emotions until immediate danger passes. From this valley emerged a transformative understanding that now shapes Brooke's ministry as Women's Ministry Director: "We are not victims to our thoughts."

This powerful conversation explores how suffering shapes character in ways prosperity never could. Brooke offers practical wisdom about managing anxiety through physical movement before attempting to engage spiritual truth—recognizing our integrated nature as body, mind, and spirit beings. She introduces the freeing concept of holding "the good and the hard" in tension, acknowledging that while nothing post-Fall is fully good, nothing post-Cross is entirely bad either.

Most compelling is Brooke's insight on weakness. In a culture obsessed with strength and self-sufficiency, she found liberation in 2 Corinthians' counter-cultural message that weakness becomes the very platform upon which God's strength is displayed. Her testimony challenges listeners to examine their response to suffering: Will you choose victimhood or victory? Will blessings become burdens by focusing only on challenges? Can you trust that specific grace awaits for whatever suffering appears in your story?

Whether you're currently navigating illness, recovering from trauma, or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers hope that transcends circumstances and reveals how life's darkest moments often forge our deepest purpose.

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What happens when the God you've trusted lets you down? When prayers for healing go unanswered and the unthinkable happens? Elise Adams walks us through her raw, honest journey through both infertility and the sudden loss of her father to cancer.

After years of fertility treatments and heartbreak, Elise and her husband Michael welcomed their miracle baby William. Their faith had grown stronger through the waiting. But just when life seemed perfect, her father was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer and passed away just two weeks later. The finality of this loss—coupled with confusion about why God didn't heal him—sent Elise spiraling away from faith.

"I didn't want to sing songs about the goodness of God," she shares candidly. "He wasn't good to me. He didn't heal my dad, and he could have." For nearly five years, Elise walked away completely. During this time, she unexpectedly became pregnant twice more without medical intervention, which only complicated her feelings. How could she be grateful to the God she was angry with?

The turning point came through reading about God's heart for sufferers and a startling realization that she had become a "reverse evangelist"—actively discouraging others from faith. "I learned that God is gentle and lowly," Elise explains. "Mercy comes second nature to Him. He was just waiting for me to come back."

This conversation offers profound insights into grief, the questions we ask when God doesn't answer as expected, and the patient love that waits for our return. Whether you're walking through loss, questioning God's goodness, or supporting someone who is, you'll find wisdom, comfort, and hope in Elise's journey back to faith.

Check out the book that was a turning point in Elise’s journey: GENTLE AND LOWLY, THE HEART OF CHRIST FOR SINNERS AND SUFFERERS by Dane Ortlund.

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What happens when the healing you're praying for doesn't come in the way you expected? Bridgette’s powerful testimony reveals the unexpected path to freedom she discovered after 24 years in a marriage devastated by pornography addiction.

From the beginning, there were warning signs. A premarital counselor explicitly advised against the union, but young love and faith convinced Bridgette they could overcome any obstacle together. Just two weeks after their wedding, her husband suggested an annulment—the first of many painful cycles in what would become decades of broken promises, counseling attempts, and dashed hopes.

Bridgette vulnerably shares how she exhausted herself trying to manage her husband's recovery, pouring resources into his healing while neglecting her own. The turning point came when she symbolically handed him over to God, declaring "I'm not going to be the detective anymore." This surrender paradoxically became her first step toward freedom.

The most profound moment of clarity arrived during a beach vacation when, while playing in the waves as her husband isolated himself in their condo, she distinctly heard God speak: "This is life, and that is death." Months later, when confronted with undeniable evidence of continued and profound addiction, that divine insight gave her the courage to draw a line she had never been able to maintain before.

What makes Bridgette’s story so powerful isn't necessarily her decision to leave, but her commitment to healing from the shame that had defined her experience for decades. "God hates divorce but He loves divorced people," a counselor told her—words that helped her reconcile her faith with her circumstances. Today, she radiates a joy that defies expectations, having discovered that sometimes the healing we pray for isn't about changing others, but about allowing God to transform our own hearts.

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What happens when life takes a drastically different path than you ever imagined? Renee Stains' powerful testimony reveals the raw, unfiltered journey of raising a medically complex child for 25 years while fighting to maintain her faith through seemingly endless suffering.

When an ultrasound during pregnancy revealed that one of Renee's twins had a large tumor on his face, she had no idea the medical odyssey that awaited her family. Daniel was born with a tumor as large as his head, requiring a tracheostomy at just six weeks old and beginning a lifetime of surgeries, hospitalizations, and constant medical interventions. Never able to eat by mouth, almost completely deaf, non-verbal, and developmentally delayed, Daniel's care consumed every aspect of family life for decades.

With remarkable transparency, Renee shares the toll that constant caregiving took on her marriage, her faith, and her mental health. Living in perpetual "fight or flight" mode while coordinating complex medical care would have broken many people. She recounts moments of anger toward God, questioning His goodness, and wishing for some kind of escape from the  suffering. Her husband turned to alcohol to numb the pain, creating additional challenges in their already strained lives.

Yet what makes this story extraordinary isn't just the suffering but the transformation that occurred through it. Renee describes a pivotal moment when, crying on her bedroom floor, she made the conscious choice to trust God even when she couldn't see His goodness. This decision began a journey toward supernatural peace that culminated years later when she clearly heard God tell her He would be "taking Daniel to heaven." Though the timing proved different than expected, Daniel did indeed pass away shortly afterward, finally free from suffering.

The spiritual insights Renee gained through this crucible of suffering offer profound hope for anyone facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. Perhaps most powerfully, she reflects on Job's words: "My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you," suggesting that sometimes the deepest, most authentic relationship with God comes precisely through our most painful experiences.

Have you wondered if God has abandoned you in your suffering? Listen to Renee's extraordinary testimony and discover how even our darkest moments can become sacred ground where we encounter God in ways we never thought possible.

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Martha's mother shares her profound spiritual journey through chronic illness, revealing how suffering can refine rather than destroy us when approached with trust and purpose. Her experiences with multiple autoimmune diseases have shaped her into someone who helps others navigate their own challenges with the comfort she's received.

• Like a silversmith refining silver, God allows heat in our lives to bring impurities to the surface
• Bitterness, jealousy and disappointment are captors that prevent us from experiencing kingdom living
• Even in hospital with sepsis and severe pain, she viewed each person she met as her spiritual "assignment"
• Joseph's biblical story demonstrates how evil intended against us can be transformed for good
• The goal isn't to be pain-free but to walk free, positioning ourselves to experience God's presence in suffering
• Meditation on scripture, particularly Psalm 23, provides a practical way to maintain perspective during pain
• Walking in the Spirit requires choosing gratitude and trust rather than fear and victimhood

Lord, we thank you that you're withholding nothing from us but holding all things for us. We speak release over everyone from fear of the next thing or tomorrow, release from speculations of what might happen or could happen, and we speak trust from the Lord for each person in their environment, for their next thing.

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Susan Litchford's perspective on suffering will challenge everything you think you know about healing and faith. After 37 years of living with rheumatoid arthritis, she offers wisdom that stands in stark contrast to popular prosperity-focused teachings: what if your unhealed condition is actually a profound spiritual opportunity?

Susan takes us back to the moment everything changed for her. Trapped in a church balcony, overwhelmed by physical pain, she heard a message about the potter who applies "pressure on the outside and pressure on the inside" until he creates a vessel he can use. This revelation from Jeremiah 18 didn't end her suffering, but it broke affliction's power over her mind and heart. While she has experienced partial healing—her crippled hands straightened through prayer and her twisted arm partially restored—she focuses not on what remains unhealed but on how God uses her circumstances.

The conversation delves into Satan's three primary tactics: bitterness (hungering for what we feel entitled to), jealousy (compromising to obtain what others have), and disappointment (testing God by treating Him like a vending machine). Susan counters these deceptions with profound metaphors, comparing our spiritual refinement to a silversmith purifying precious metal until he sees his own reflection in it. "Power is not in what I perceive as my perfect life," she explains. "Power is standing firm in the truth that God is making me a pot He can use."

This episode offers a refreshing counterbalance to contemporary Christian culture that often emphasizes instantaneous healing as the primary evidence of God's faithfulness. Whether you're struggling with chronic illness, emotional wounds, or unanswered prayers, Susan's testimony provides a framework for finding purpose in pain and victory in unwanted circumstances. Subscribe now to hear the conclusion of Susan's story in our next episode, where she'll share more personal experiences and wisdom about living on divine assignment despite physical limitations.

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Martha welcomes Erika to speak about moving from victimhood to victory after her husband unexpectedly left their marriage of 16 years despite her faithful Christian life and service.

• Growing up deeply involved in church and developing strong spiritual disciplines
• Marrying at 19 and living the "good Christian life" as a pastor's wife and mother
• Feeling angry with God when her marriage fell apart despite doing everything "right"
• Realizing she had a transactional relationship with God rather than understanding His true character
• Finding strength in Isaiah 54 - "your maker is your husband, the Lord Almighty is his name"
• Experiencing God's provision through unexpected financial gifts after faithfully tithing
• Learning God cares about even small insecurities when He prompted someone to do her hair
• Choosing to focus on God's presence and blessings rather than dwelling on difficulties
• Understanding that developing "eyes to see and ears to hear" transforms our perspective
• Recognizing that God is enough regardless of our circumstances

If you're curious to hear more or if you like what you've heard, subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen to yours or follow our Instagram account, sips from the fountain, or our Facebook page by the same name.

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Join us for an enlightening and heartfelt episode as we delve into the emotional journey of infertility. Esther bravely shares her struggles, revealing the pain of waiting, the lies that often cloud our hopes, and the profound strength that emerges through faith. Her story navigates the complexities of longing for motherhood and the many trials faced along the way. 

Listen as she opens up about the personal battles that life brought her way, leading to powerful truths and revelations from God. This episode serves as both a source of solace for anyone facing similar struggles and a reminder that our identities are not defined by life circumstances. Through candid discussions, we explore the transformation that occurs when we shift our focus from what we desire to what we can learn through the pain.

This conversation is not just for those dealing with infertility; it resonates with anyone seeking understanding and meaning in their struggles. Tune in to lean on the stories of others, find encouragement, and perhaps take a sip from the fountain of hope that flows through shared experiences. 

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review if you found solace in our conversation. We love connecting with our listeners and hearing your stories!

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Discover the transformative power of faith in our latest episode, where unexpected challenges reveal God's purpose in moments of turmoil. Join Martha as she shares a personal story that begins with a simple plan for relaxation at a plant outlet spa, only to lead to a flat tire that changes the course of her day—and her perspective on life.

As she navigates through overwhelming doubts and fears, Martha invites listeners to reflect on the lies that often cloud our judgment during tough times. The episode takes a rich turn when a kind stranger enters the scene, sharing his heartbreaking story, and reminding us how divine appointments can emerge in the most unexpected ways. This gentle interaction becomes a lesson in compassion and connection, highlighting how our struggles can open doors to healing for ourselves and others.

Through heartfelt conversation, Martha emphasizes the significance of trust in God amidst life's chaos, encouraging listeners to embrace vulnerability and ask for help. With her authentic insights, she explores the journey of moving from victimhood to victory, underscoring that faith can guide us through the most challenging circumstances. 

Join us as we learn that despite the ups and downs, we can find hope, community, and purpose in our trials. Are you ready to uncover the miracles in your story? Don’t forget to subscribe and connect with us on social media for more inspiring content.