Struggling through the effects of rheumatoid arthritis on his biking career and life, Dave Chernosky sat awake in bed questioning God for two hours. After he finally succumbed to exhaustion, he awoke to loud sounds coming from the kitchen. Trying to protect his kids, Dave ended up getting attacked by a 350-pound black bear. But the most surprising part is that the attack led to one of the most healing moments in Dave's life. Join us today to hear the whole story!

Tera IG: @terabradham

Tera Website: terabradham.com

Heal Website: thehealministry.com

Olympian Ryan Hall speaks today about his keys to enduring pain. This is an excerpt from his podcast, Running Free, used with his team's permission for our audience. As you listen, think about how these tips for enduring pain in running can apply to chronic pain or any kind of other pain in your life. Ryan's advice is profound, and we are grateful for his wisdom! You can click on the links below to connect more with Ryan, buy his book, and hear the rest of the episode from today's show.

If you’re feeling like your ship of life has run aground, like your dreams have been shattered, or you’re questioning how you got so far off course from the plan you thought God had for your life, this episode is for you. Jessica Carey joins us to talk about her journey through an undiagnosed health issue, how God has brought her through and is still bringing her through these unexpected waves, and her book, Chart a Course. There is so much wisdom and beauty in this conversation that I can’t wait for you to hear it!

Jess IG: @jess_careyaz

Jess Website: https://jessicacarey.co/

Chart a Course: https://amzn.com/0578225654

Tera IG: @terabradham

Tera Website: terabradham.com

Heal Website: thehealministry.com

Ellie Sanazaro and her husband were told that their daughter would be born with a disability. While that ended up being false, God had stirred up such a passion in their hearts for parenting a child with disabilities that they ended up adopting a son with Down Syndrome. That process took quite a bit longer than the sentence shows, but we delve into more of the process in the interview. Now, Ellie is the author of a children's book I think everyone should have on their shelf: Image Bearer, a book on the biblical view of disability. The illustrations are of real kids who have different physical differences, and the book is gorgeous! I can't help but believe that if we got these resources into our children's minds, perhaps we could better educate our world on inclusion and our true identities in Christ. Check out Ellie's resources below!

Buy Image Bearer Book: https://www.imagebearerbook.com/

Image Bearer IG: @imagebearerbook

Ellie and Finn IG: @mrfinncredible

Tera IG: @terabradham

Tera Website: terabradham.com

Heal Website: thehealministry.com

Our British brother and sister Jonny and Janna Ivey join us to talk about one of the most heartbreaking subjects in our earthly existence: baby loss. In their new book, Silent Cries, they delve into the depths of their own wounds in order to bring healing to the wounds of others. This is not a pretty episode about a pretty topic, but it's raw, real, and shows the goodness of God in a way that only true sorrow and His faithfulness in the midst of it can. We also address some hard questions and try to model that it's okay to ask these things we rarely have answers for, so if you like the toughies, this episode is for you!

US customers can buy Silent Cries here: https://amzn.com/B08FWQ9KGN

Heirs Magazine (where Jonny writes and is the general editor): https://heirsmagazine.com/

There are also other books listed as resources for those grieving on the back page of Silent Cries. 

Tera IG: @terabradham

Heal Ministry Website: thehealministry.com

As a counselor and an author, Esther Smith takes us through her personal journey of chronic pain, illness, loss, and redemption. I think by taking a look at the title of her books below, you’ll want to check this episode out! Esther shares practical ways we can both grieve our losses and still move forward in the kingdom of God, regardless of what hand we’ve been dealt.

Esther IG: @esthermariesmth

Tera IG: @terabradham

Heal Website: www.thehealministry.com 

Esther’s Books:

The Whole Life: 52 Weeks of Biblical Self Care https://amzn.com/dp/1645071359/

Chronic Illness: Walking by Faith (31-Day Devotionals for Life) https://amzn.com/dp/1629956880/ 

But God, Wouldn’t I be More Useful to You if I Was Healthy? https://amzn.com/dp/1535143525/

When Chronic Pain and Illness Take Everything Away: How to Mourn Our Losses (Chronic Pain and the Christian Life) https://amzn.com/dp/1539613003/

Another great resource we mentioned:

The Body Keeps the Score: https://amzn.com/dp/0143127748/

After a hike, Dustin Ortman felt some weakness in his back. A few days later, he was being rolled in a wheelchair to his doctor appointment looking for answers. He was diagnosed with Guillan Barré, an autoimmune disease that affected his nerves. Today he takes us through this journey and what he does now each year to celebrate the anniversary of his battle with Guillan Barré.

Tera IG: @terabradham

Heal's Website: thehealministry.com

Tera's Website: terabradham.com

The former CEO and president of World Vision US for twenty years, Richard Stearns joins us today for a conversation about global suffering and God's sovereignty and mystery through it all. We talk about Rich's new book, Lead Like it Matters to God, and how Rich led World Vision through the HIV/AIDS crisis. 

Rich Twitter: @RichStearns

Lead Like it Matters to God: https://amzn.com/0830847308 

The Hole in Our Gospel: https://amzn.com/0785229183 

He Walks Among Us: https://amzn.com/1400321867

La Misma Luna Movie: https://amzn.com/B001CQOGM4 

Tera IG: @terabradham

Tera Website: terabradham.com

Heal Website: thehealministry.com

Rick Heitz battled what doctors told him was MS for years before discovering his true diagnosis: Sjorgen's Syndrome. But even the name of his condition doesn't do justice to the relationships and physical capacities it has taken from him. Even amidst such loss, Rick has gained much more. Listen in today to see how God has worked in Rick's life!

Support Rick: https://giving.ag.org/Give/Details/700001-297323?MinistryName=rick%20heitz&Page=0

Special Touch Ministry: https://www.specialtouch.org/

2 Corinthians 1:4-5: "who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ."

Anonymous: amzn.com/B002HRY0FK

The Broken Way: amzn.com/B01863JKA8

Joni and Friends Family Retreats: https://www.joniandfriends.org/ministries/retreats-and-getaways/

Joni and Friends Internships: https://www.joniandfriends.org/ministries/cause-4-life/

Psalm 27:3: "Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident."

Special Olympics near you: https://www.specialolympics.org/programs/

Vaneetha Risner joins us today to talk about the suffering of her life: from starting out as a quadriplegic when she was mistreated for polio as an infant, to her recovery, to walking through four miscarriages and the loss of her son, to the heartbreak she experienced in her marriage and then being diagnosed with post-polio syndrome. While Vaneetha has walked through her fair share of fire, she's also seen someone carry her through the flames, and you'll want to listen to this conversation about a faithful God amidst it all. 

Vaneetha's Website: https://www.vaneetha.com/

Vaneetha IG: @vaneetharisner

Walking Through Fire: https://amzn.com/B085XNP6SZ 

Walking Through Fire Website: https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/walking-through-fire/ 

The Scars That Have Shaped Me: https://amzn.com/1539506584

"Held" by Natalie Grant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UTiei4ftMc&list=RD0UTiei4ftMc&start_radio=1