Thrive Through the Fire

Last week, I shared about stepping into my new role as a Director of Nursing. This week, I want to take that conversation one step further.

Leadership is exciting—but if I'm being honest, it's also intimidating.

I've spent nearly 20 years as a nurse, but this is my first traditional leadership position. Every day I'm learning, making mistakes, asking questions, and wondering if I'm doing enough. More than anything, though, I'm asking God to help me become the kind of leader who reflects Him.

In this episode, I open up about what it's like to navigate leadership while staying true to my Christian faith. I share why I keep my Bible on my desk, the tension between wanting to boldly live for Christ while also fearing what people might think, and how God has been teaching me that being a Christian leader isn't about being loud—it's about being faithful.

We'll look at biblical leaders like Daniel, Joseph, Esther, and Jesus Himself to discover what true leadership looks like. It's less about authority and titles and more about humility, integrity, service, and loving people well.

Whether you're leading a team, raising children, running a business, serving in your church, or simply trying to honor God in your workplace, this episode is a reminder that God has placed you where you are for a purpose.

Your greatest leadership tool isn't your title—it's your character.

In This Episode

• My first few weeks as a Director of Nursing
• Why leadership feels both exciting and overwhelming
• The quiet struggle of wanting to boldly live out my faith at work while also fearing what others might think
• Why I keep my Bible on my desk
• Learning the difference between drawing attention to myself and reflecting Christ
• How fear of rejection can keep us from living authentically
• What biblical leadership really looks like
• Lessons from Daniel, Joseph, Esther, and Jesus
• Why your workplace can become one of your greatest mission fields
• Practical ways to lead with grace, humility, and integrity

Scripture Referenced

Matthew 5:16

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Colossians 3:23

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord..."

Proverbs 29:25

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."

Galatians 1:10

"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?"

Micah 6:8

"Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God."

Mark 10:45

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve..."

Biblical Examples

Daniel

Daniel never compromised his faith, even when the culture around him looked very different. His consistent character spoke louder than his words.

Joseph

Whether he was serving as a slave, sitting in prison, or leading Egypt, Joseph honored God through integrity and faithful service.

Esther

Esther didn't seek influence for herself. She stepped forward courageously when God opened the door.

Jesus

The greatest leader who ever lived knelt down to wash His disciples' feet, reminding us that true leadership always begins with serving others.

Key Takeaways

Leadership is about influence, not position.

Your workplace can become a mission field without you ever standing behind a pulpit.

Bold faith isn't always loud—it often looks like quiet consistency.

Character will always outlast a title.

You don't have to compromise your faith to be respected.

God didn't accidentally place you where you are.

The people you lead may never remember every decision you made, but they'll always remember how you treated them.

Practical Encouragement

This week, ask yourself:

• Am I working for people's approval or God's approval?
• Does my character reflect Christ when no one is watching?
• How can I serve the people I lead instead of simply managing them?
• Is there someone at work who needs encouragement today?

Remember, leadership isn't about having all the answers.

It's about faithfully stewarding the influence God has already given you.

Let's Connect

How has God used your workplace to grow your faith?

Have you ever struggled with balancing your beliefs while working in a secular environment?

I'd love to hear your story.

Connect with me on social media or send me a message. One of my favorite parts of this podcast is hearing how God is working through ordinary people in ordinary places.

If This Episode Encouraged You...

❤️ Subscribe to Thrive Through the Fire

⭐ Leave a 5-star review

📤 Share this episode with someone who is stepping into a new leadership role or trying to honor God in their workplace.

Your support helps us continue sharing stories of faith, hope, leadership, and God's faithfulness in every season of life.

Until next time...

Keep thriving through the fire.

As I pack for another family vacation, I can't help but reflect on one of the most meaningful trips I've ever taken—a vacation that happened right in the middle of my cancer journey.

Just before starting chemotherapy, I asked my oncologist if I could delay treatment by one week so I could take a trip I had earned through my network marketing company. Looking back, that decision wasn't about escaping reality. It was about choosing to keep living in the middle of one of the hardest seasons of my life.

In this episode, I share what it was like to travel with a brand-new ostomy bag, how social media unexpectedly gave me hope by introducing me to young women confidently living with ostomies, and why seeing others embrace life reminded me that my diagnosis didn't have to define my future.

I also talk about the family vacation after my ostomy reversal—the excitement, the fear, the embarrassing moments, and the incredible gift of being surrounded by people who loved me through it all.

Whether you're walking through cancer, chronic illness, grief, anxiety, or another difficult season, I hope this episode reminds you that while wisdom sometimes calls us to rest, we don't have to put our lives completely on hold while we wait for everything to be perfect.

Jesus didn't promise us a life without hardship—but He did promise us abundant life in the middle of it.

• Why packing for vacation brought back memories of my cancer journey
• What an ostomy bag is and how it changed my perspective on everyday life
• How TikTok became an unexpected source of hope during one of my hardest seasons
• The company incentive trip I almost didn't take before chemotherapy
• The blessing of being around people who simply treated me like "Alyssa" instead of "the girl with cancer"
• A friend's emotional hug that reminded me how deeply our struggles affect the people who love us
• The surprising moment someone had no idea I was wearing an ostomy bag
• The challenges of traveling after my ostomy reversal and learning to trust my body again
• Why healing isn't always immediate—and that's okay
• Learning to embrace life without waiting for perfect circumstances

Scripture Referenced

John 10:10

"I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

Ecclesiastes 3:1

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."

Philippians 4:11–13

Learning to be content and find strength in Christ through every circumstance.

Psalm 118:24

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

James 1:2–4

God can produce perseverance and maturity through our trials.

Key Takeaways

Don't wait to live until life feels perfect.

Hard seasons don't have to steal every joyful moment.

Sometimes hope comes from seeing someone else a few steps ahead of you.

Healing often happens one day—and one step—at a time.

There is wisdom in resting, but there is also beauty in continuing to live when you're able.

Your diagnosis may change your life, but it doesn't have to define your identity.

God is present on the mountaintops and in the middle of the valley.

Practical Encouragement

If you're walking through illness, grief, or another difficult season, ask yourself:

• What does "living" look like for me today?
• Is there one small thing I can do that brings me joy?
• Am I waiting for perfect circumstances before allowing myself to enjoy life again?

Maybe today it's taking a walk.

Maybe it's calling a friend.

Maybe it's sitting on your porch with your morning coffee.

Maybe it's finally planning that trip you've been putting off.

Whatever it is, ask God to show you what faithfulness looks like in this season—and give yourself permission to embrace it.

Let's Connect

Have you ever had a season where you thought life had to be put on hold?

What helped you begin living again?

I'd love to hear your story.

Connect with me on social media or send me a message. Your story may encourage someone else who's walking through a difficult season.

❤️ Subscribe to Thrive Through the Fire

⭐ Leave a 5-star review

📤 Share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that life doesn't have to wait until everything is perfect.

Your support helps us continue sharing stories of faith, hope, healing, and God's unwavering faithfulness.

Until next time...

Keep thriving through the fire.

This week, something happened at work that completely caught me off guard. While sitting quietly in my office at the surgery center where I work as a nurse and Director of Nursing, I overheard a conversation about a young patient with a history of cancer. The nurses weren't being unkind, gossiping, or violating HIPAA—they were simply processing the heartbreak of seeing someone so young carry such a heavy diagnosis.

As I listened, I realized something I had never considered before...

This is probably what people say about me.

As a Stage III colorectal cancer survivor diagnosed at just 37 years old, I've spent years processing my own fears, healing, and testimony. But hearing my story through someone else's perspective opened my eyes in a completely different way.

In this episode, we'll talk about what it feels like to become "the person with cancer," "the divorced woman," "the grieving parent," or whatever label life has placed on us. More importantly, we'll discover how Jesus consistently looked beyond labels and saw the person behind the pain.

If you've ever wondered whether people only see your hardest chapter—or if you've ever struggled to know what to say to someone walking through a difficult season—this episode is for you.

• A surprising conversation I overheard while working at the surgery center
• Why this episode is not about criticizing nurses or healthcare workers
• The moment I realized this may be what people say about me after hearing my cancer story
• Processing the emotions of being seen through the lens of a diagnosis
• Why our identity should never be found in the hardest thing we've experienced
• How Jesus consistently saw people beyond their labels
• Encouragement for those living with illness, grief, loss, or other life-changing circumstances
• Practical ways we can better support people who are hurting without reducing them to their pain
• Learning to see ourselves—and others—the way God sees us

Scripture Referenced

1 Samuel 16:7

"People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

John 9:1–3

Jesus redirects His disciples from asking, "Who sinned?" to seeing God's purpose instead of assigning blame.

Luke 8:43–48

Jesus calls the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years "Daughter," restoring her identity beyond her illness.

John 8:1–11

The woman caught in adultery reminds us that Jesus sees people beyond the worst moment of their lives.

James 1:19

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."

Galatians 2:20

Our identity is found in Christ—not in our circumstances.

2 Corinthians 5:17

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation."

Romans 8:38–39

Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Key Takeaways

You are more than your diagnosis.

You are more than your biggest mistake.

You are more than the hardest thing you've ever walked through.

Sometimes the labels we carry are not the labels God gives us.

Compassion means seeing the whole person—not just the hardest chapter of their story.

Jesus never reduced people to their illness, failure, or past. Neither should we.

Sometimes the greatest ministry isn't having the perfect words—it's simply being present.

Practical Encouragement

If You're Walking Through a Difficult Season...

Remember that your diagnosis, your grief, your divorce, your anxiety, your addiction, or your struggle is part of your story—but it is not your identity.

You still have purpose.

You still have gifts.

You still have dreams.

You are still deeply loved by God.

The hardest thing you've ever experienced is only one chapter—not the entire story.

You don't need the perfect words.

Instead, try saying:

• "I'm praying for you."
• "How are you really doing?"
• "I'm here if you need anything."
• "I'm so sorry you're walking through this."

Instead of trying to fix someone's pain, simply sit beside them in it.

Sometimes your presence speaks louder than your words.

Let's Connect

Has there ever been a moment when you felt like people only saw your struggle instead of seeing you?

Or has someone shown you extraordinary compassion during one of the hardest seasons of your life?

I'd love to hear your story.

Send me a message or connect with me on social media. One of my favorite parts of this podcast is hearing how God is working in your life too.

❤️ Subscribe to Thrive Through the Fire

⭐ Leave a 5-star review

📤 Share this episode with someone who may need the reminder that they are so much more than the hardest thing they've ever been through.

Your support helps us continue sharing stories of faith, hope, healing, and the unwavering goodness of God.

Until next time...

Keep thriving through the fire.

Last episode, I shared that I was honestly tired of talking about my cancer. Then God reminded me why our testimonies matter.

This past Sunday, my cancer testimony was shown during church, and while it was one of the most vulnerable things I've ever experienced, it also reminded me that our stories were never meant to be hidden. In this episode, I share what it was like to watch my testimony play in front of my church, why it was so uncomfortable, and why I believe God calls each of us to boldly share what He has done in our lives.

We'll dive into Scripture, explore powerful examples of people whose testimonies changed lives, and talk about how every believer has a story worth telling—even if it doesn't seem extraordinary. Whether your testimony comes from a major life event or from God's faithfulness in the ordinary moments, He can use it to bring hope to someone else.

If hearing my story helps even one person find hope in Jesus, then every vulnerable moment has been worth it.

Watch my testimony from church HERE

In This Episode

• Why watching my testimony air at church was harder than I expected
• Why God repeatedly tells us to remember and share what He has done
• What Revelation 12:11 teaches us about the power of our testimony
• Why every believer has a testimony—not just those with dramatic stories
• The woman at the well and how one conversation with Jesus changed an entire town
• The man Jesus healed in Mark 5 and why Jesus told him to "go home and tell your people"
• Why Paul shared his testimony over and over throughout the book of Acts
• How we can have many different testimonies throughout every season of life
• Why I choose to openly live out my faith at work, online, and in everyday life
• Encouragement to boldly share your story because someone else may need exactly what you've experienced

Scripture Referenced

• Revelation 12:11
• Psalm 66:16
• Mark 5:19
• Romans 1:16
• Proverbs 3:5–6
• 2 Corinthians 1:3–4
• John 4 (The Woman at the Well)
• Acts 22 & Acts 26 (Paul's Testimony)

Key Takeaways

Your testimony isn't about you—it's about God's faithfulness.

You don't need a dramatic story for God to use your life.

Every season of your life can become a testimony of God's goodness.

Vulnerability is often an act of obedience.

God doesn't waste our pain—He uses it to encourage and strengthen others.

Someone may find hope because you chose to tell your story.

Favorite Quote from This Episode

"Your testimony isn't just your story. It's one of the greatest tools God gives you to point people back to Him."

Let's Connect

If this episode encouraged you, I'd love to hear from you!

Send me a message or connect with me on social media and tell me:

What's one testimony God has given you?

It doesn't have to be dramatic—it just has to be real.

Your story may be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.

If This Episode Encouraged You...

Subscribe to Thrive Through the Fire

Leave a 5-star review

Share this episode with a friend, family member, or someone who needs hope today.

Your support helps us continue sharing stories of faith, hope, and God's faithfulness with people around the world.

Until next time...

Keep thriving through the fire.

Have you ever felt like one chapter of your life has become your entire identity?

That's exactly where I've been.

After taking a few months away from the microphone, I realized the reason I hadn't recorded wasn't because I didn't have anything to say—it was because I felt like all I ever talked about was cancer. Every podcast episode seemed to come back to my diagnosis, my treatments, my ostomy, or what God taught me through colorectal cancer.

And honestly...I was tired of hearing myself talk about it.

Maybe you've felt that way too. Maybe your struggle isn't cancer, but you've wondered if you'll ever stop talking about your divorce, your anxiety, your infertility, your grief, your financial stress, or that season of waiting that seems to never end.

In this episode, I'm sharing why I almost walked away from recording, what God reminded me about our testimonies, and why our deepest wounds often become the places where He does His greatest work.

We'll talk about:

Why I disappeared for a few months

Feeling like cancer had become my identity

The danger of believing our story has an expiration date

How God uses our hardest seasons to strengthen our faith and encourage others

Lessons God taught me through colon cancer: patience, trust, surrender, faith, and letting go of control

Why your testimony still matters—even if you've told it a hundred times

What the Bible teaches us about suffering, purpose, and God's faithfulness

Why this next season of the podcast will include conversations about marriage, parenting, leadership, faith, and the everyday trials we all face

No matter what you're walking through today, I pray this episode reminds you that your pain is not your identity—and it is never wasted in the hands of God.

Scriptures Mentioned

Romans 8:28–29 — God works all things together for good.

Genesis 50:20 — "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good."

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 — My grace is sufficient for you.

James 1:2–4 — Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds.

1 Peter 5:7 — Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

Deuteronomy 8:2 — Remember the way the Lord has led you.

Psalm 77:11 — I will remember the deeds of the Lord.

Bible Stories Referenced

Joseph's journey from betrayal to redemption (Genesis 37–50)

Paul's thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12)

The disciples and the purpose found in weakness

God's repeated call throughout Scripture to remember His faithfulness

Reflection Questions

Have I allowed one difficult season to become my identity?

What has God been teaching me through my current trial?

Is there a part of my testimony I've been hesitant to share because I think people have already heard it?

How can my story point someone else toward Jesus?

Where do I need to surrender control and trust God's timing today?

Practical Takeaways

Your trial does not define your identity—Christ does.

God never wastes surrendered pain.

Healing doesn't always look like going back to who you were; sometimes it looks like becoming who God is shaping you to be.

Your testimony may be familiar to you, but it could be exactly what someone else needs to hear for the first time.

God is still writing your story.

Favorite Quote from This Episode

"Don't rush past what God is still redeeming. Don't apologize for the story He's writing. Someone is living Chapter 3 while you're celebrating Chapter 20. Keep telling the story—not because it's about you, but because it's about Him."

What's Coming Next

This season of Thrive Through the Fire is expanding beyond my cancer journey.

We'll still talk about cancer when God leads us there, but we'll also have honest conversations about:

Marriage in busy seasons

Parenting and letting go

Leadership and imposter syndrome

Waiting on God's timing

Faith in the ordinary

Health and healing

Friendships

Boundaries

And interviews with guests whose stories of overcoming point us back to the faithfulness of God.

Connect With Me

If today's episode encouraged you, I'd love for you to:

Subscribe to Thrive Through the Fire so you never miss an episode.

Leave a review—it helps others discover the podcast and encourages me more than you know.

Share this episode with a friend who needs the reminder that God is still writing their story.

Remember this:

Your greatest testimony isn't that you survived the fire.

It's that Jesus walked through it with you.

In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire, I talk about one of the deepest fears we experience as humans. It is not always the pain itself that overwhelms us. Often it is the uncertainty of not knowing how long the pain will last.

This conversation is especially meaningful to me because learning how to face the unknown without fear was one of the reasons I created this podcast in the first place. During my cancer journey and other difficult seasons of life, I realized that discomfort with an end date feels manageable, but suffering without a timeline can shake our faith, our emotions, and even our physical well being.

In this episode, I explore why uncertainty creates anxiety from both a spiritual and scientific perspective. I share how our brains respond to unpredictability, why waiting feels so heavy, and how God meets us in seasons where answers do not come quickly.

I reflect on powerful parallels between childbirth and chemotherapy, two experiences that teach us what it means to endure pain without knowing when relief will come. Through both personal testimony and biblical truth, I discuss how God designs us to endure more than we think we can and how He often softens our memories of suffering while strengthening our faith through it.

We also look at biblical stories of waiting without timelines, including Joseph’s years in prison, the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, and the woman who waited twelve years for healing. These stories remind us that God is always working behind the scenes, even when nothing appears to be changing.

I also share research on resilience and mental endurance, showing how meaning, faith, and focusing on daily faithfulness help us navigate uncertainty. Finally, I offer practical tools you can begin using today to calm fear, anchor your heart in truth, and trust God one step at a time instead of trying to carry the entire future.

If you are in a season where you keep asking God how long, this episode is an encouragement that your waiting is not wasted. God is present in the unknown, and your story is still moving forward even when you cannot see the ending yet.

Why uncertainty often feels harder than pain itself

How the brain responds to unpredictable suffering

What childbirth teaches us about endurance and hope

My personal experience navigating chemotherapy and fear of the unknown

Biblical examples of waiting seasons without clear timelines

What God may be doing during seasons of waiting

Research backed insights on resilience and faith

Practical ways to handle fear when you cannot see the finish line

Psalm 13:1

Isaiah 66:9

2 Corinthians 4:17

Genesis 50:20

Luke 8:48

Matthew 6:34

Romans 8:28

You may not know when relief is coming, but God always knows the ending. Faith is not trusting a timeline. Faith is trusting the One who holds it.

Follow along for more encouragement, faith conversations, and real life hope through hard seasons.

Podcast: Thrive Through the Fire

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In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire, I sit down with my dear friend Stephanie as she vulnerably shares her journey through one of the hardest heartbreaks a mother can experience, child abandonment and separation from her daughter.

Stephanie opens her heart about the pain of missing her child, the daily surrender required to trust God in unanswered prayers, and how she continues to faithfully pray for restoration and reunion. Holding tightly to the biblical story of the prodigal son, she chooses hope over despair, believing that God’s timing and promises are still at work, even in seasons that feel unbearably long.

While waiting, Stephanie discovered an unexpected place of healing: baking.

What began as a therapeutic outlet became a sacred space where grief met creativity. Inspired by memories of watching her own mother bake, Stephanie found comfort in creating desserts that bless others. That small act of obedience and healing has now grown into a business, For The Love of Sweets, where she shares both her gifts and her story through something sweet.

This episode is a powerful reminder that:

1. God is present in the waiting.
2. Prayer is never wasted.
3. Purpose can grow even in pain.
4. Healing sometimes begins with simply using the gifts God placed in our hands.

If you are trusting God for restoration, reconciliation, or breakthrough in a difficult season, this conversation will encourage your heart to keep believing.

1. Navigating the heartbreak of separation from a child
2. Trusting God’s promises when prayers feel unanswered
3. The hope found in the prodigal son story
4. Finding therapy and healing through creativity
5. Turning pain into purpose and passion into business
6. Waiting faithfully while trusting God’s timing

Luke 15:20 — “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him…”

A reminder that God sees, God waits, and God restores.

Follow Stephanie’s baking journey and support her small business:

The Love of Sweets — Follow her on social media to see her beautiful creations and encourage her story.

If this episode encouraged you:

1. Share it with a friend who needs hope in a waiting season
2. Subscribe to Thrive Through the Fire
3. Leave a review to help others find faith-filled encouragement

In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire, I share an honest and deeply personal conversation about food, nourishment, weight gain during chemo, and what it really looked like for me to support my body during treatment.

When I was first diagnosed, I assumed I would lose weight during chemotherapy. I think a lot of people believe that’s what happens. You picture constant nausea and no appetite. But my oncologist surprised me when he said most people actually gain weight during chemo. Between steroids, anti-nausea medications, water retention, inflammation, and reduced activity, weight gain is common. Research even shows many women gain between 5–15 pounds during treatment.

I experienced that firsthand. In the beginning, I looked swollen and inflamed. My face was round from steroids. My body held fluid. I didn’t recognize myself. And if you’re walking through that right now, I want you to know that it does not mean you are failing. It does not mean you are unhealthy. It means your body is under stress and fighting hard.

Early in my diagnosis, I chose to pursue integrative support alongside conventional treatment. I hired a naturopath to help guide me nutritionally. Not instead of chemo. Not instead of my oncologist. But in addition to it.

She gave me clear food and drink guidelines aimed at reducing inflammation and supporting detox pathways. Some of the foods I focused on included:

1. Dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and arugula
2. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts
3. Berries, especially blueberries and raspberries
4. Organic lean proteins like wild-caught fish and pasture-raised chicken
5. Grass-fed beef
6. Garlic and onions
7. Turmeric with black pepper
8. Ginger
9. Flax seeds and chia seeds
10. Avocado and olive oil

For drinks, I prioritized:

1. Filtered water
2. Warm lemon water in the morning
3. Green tea
4. Herbal teas like ginger and dandelion root
5. Fresh vegetable juices that were mostly greens

I reduced or avoided refined sugar, processed foods, artificial dyes, excess dairy, seed oils, and alcohol.

There is no magic cancer-fighting food. Food was not my cure. But food was my support. Research consistently shows that diets high in vegetables and fiber help reduce inflammation, and chronic inflammation is linked to disease progression. Green tea contains antioxidant compounds that have been studied for cancer prevention. Cruciferous vegetables contain sulforaphane, which has been studied for detox support. While none of these replace medical treatment, nourishment matters.

I also share the biblical perspective that shaped my mindset around food and stewardship. In Genesis 1:29, God gives seed-bearing plants and fruit for food. In 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, we’re reminded that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we are called to honor God with them. Taking care of our bodies is not vanity. It is stewardship.

I reflect on the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19. After a great spiritual battle, he was exhausted and discouraged. The first thing God did was feed him. Physical nourishment mattered. Sometimes what we need most is rest and food before anything else.

I also talk about the shift that happened in me during treatment. In the beginning, I looked sick. But over time, something changed. My spirit settled. I experienced deep peace. People began to say I looked radiant. That glow was not just my body stabilizing. It was the peace of God.

In Exodus 34, Moses’ face shines after being in the presence of the Lord. In Proverbs 17:22, we’re told that a joyful heart is good medicine. And in Philippians 4:7, we are promised a peace that surpasses understanding. That peace changes your countenance. It radiates.

If you are in treatment right now, here is what I want you to know:

Do not panic if you gain weight.

Do not obsess over the scale.

Do not compare your journey to someone else’s.

Nourish your body.

Hydrate well.

Reduce inflammation where you can.

Seek integrative support if it aligns with your care plan.

And most importantly, feed your spirit.

Cancer is not just physical. It is emotional, mental, and spiritual. You can eat the cleanest diet in the world and still feel anxious. But peace is supernatural.

If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who may need it. And if you are walking through treatment, know that I am praying for you. Your body is fighting. Your spirit is growing. God is near.

You are not just surviving. You are learning how to thrive through the fire.

In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire, I share why I continue to talk about colon cancer, even years after my diagnosis — and why this conversation is not meant to scare you, but to equip you.

As colorectal cancer rates rise, especially in younger adults, awareness matters more than ever. But this episode is about more than statistics. It’s about stewardship. It’s about obedience. It’s about using the story God allowed me to walk through to help someone else walk through theirs.

When I was diagnosed, I had no idea how public my journey would become. My cancer experience included overwhelming doctor appointments, scans, surgeries, recovery, and waking up with an ostomy bag. None of it was glamorous. None of it was Instagram-perfect. It was raw, uncomfortable, and very real.

Learning to live with an ostomy bag as a young woman and mom was humbling. There were questions no one talks about openly — what it feels like, how to dress, how to navigate confidence, intimacy, church, public spaces, and everyday life. Those conversations are rarely on a stage, but they matter deeply when you’re the one living them.

Early on, I made the decision not to hide. I chose to share my appointments, my surgeries, my fears, and even my ostomy experience publicly. Not for attention. Not for sympathy. But because I believe stories heal.

Sharing became cathartic. It helped me process what I was walking through. It helped remove shame. Silence creates isolation, but conversation creates connection.

I was blessed to have people I could talk to during my journey. One friend in particular became a lifeline for me because she also had an ostomy bag. From one young woman to another, we talked honestly about what life really looked like. I could text her questions that felt vulnerable. I could ask what was normal. I could admit when I felt overwhelmed. That kind of connection steadied me.

Even now, years later, people still reach out. They remember what I shared. They message me when they or someone they love is facing a diagnosis. They ask about surgery, recovery, ostomies, fear, and faith. And I answer — because I remember needing someone who had already been there.

This episode explains why I share boldly. I believe God created me that way. Not everyone is called to speak publicly about their hardest seasons, but I am. If He carried me through hospital rooms, through surgeries, through the physical and emotional weight of cancer, then I don’t want to waste the testimony.

Revelation reminds us that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Testimony is not always polished. Sometimes it includes scars. Sometimes it includes medical devices. Sometimes it includes moments that feel anything but attractive. But when we bring those things into the light, they lose their power to isolate us.

This conversation is not about fear. It is about awareness. It is about listening to your body. It is about getting screened. It is about advocating for your health. And it is about reminding anyone facing a diagnosis that they are not alone.

If my willingness to talk about doctor appointments, surgeries, and an ostomy bag helps one person seek care sooner, ask better questions, or feel less ashamed — then it is worth it.

God wastes nothing. Not even the hard parts.

If this episode speaks to you, share it with someone who may need encouragement or a push to schedule that appointment. Awareness saves lives, and testimony builds bridges.

You are not alone in your journey. And together, we can learn how to thrive through the fire.

In today’s episode, I’m talking about something I’ve had to learn the hard way: doing what’s best for you, even when everyone around you has advice, opinions, or fears they’re projecting onto your situation.

This conversation was shaped deeply by my cancer journey. I share how I was offered support groups and advice from many well-meaning people, but had to be intentional about what voices I allowed in. Not because support is bad, but because not all advice is wise for every season. I knew I couldn’t carry other people’s fear, worst-case stories, or experiences that weren’t meant for me.

I also talk about the weight of decision-making during cancer, from choosing doctors to treatment plans, and how a trusted reminder helped me realize that the hardest part was the uncertainty. Once a plan was in place, peace came through simply walking it out one day at a time.

We dive into how fear often disguises itself as wisdom, why approval-seeking can keep us stuck, and how Scripture calls us to live with discernment instead of anxiety. I share biblical examples of obedience over opinion, and why doing what’s best for you is not selfish, but stewardship.

This episode is an encouragement for anyone standing at a crossroads, feeling overwhelmed by outside voices, or struggling to trust their own discernment. We talk about how to filter advice, why peace is a powerful guide, and how God’s Word anchors us when everything feels uncertain.

If you’re navigating a big decision, a hard season, or a moment where everyone seems to have an opinion about your life, my prayer is that this episode helps you quiet the noise, lean into God’s voice, and walk forward in peace.

Thank you for being here, and for walking this journey with me on Thrive Through the Fire.