Finding God in Our Pain

Faith is the Anchor in the Storms of Grief, with Dr. Amanda McNeil

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
Sherrie

 

EPISODES AND/OR BLOGS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS TOPIC:
- Widows, Grief and Finding Hope, with Anne-Marie Lockyer: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/02/14/widows-grief-and-finding-hope-with-anne-marie-lockmyer/
- Pet Loss and Grief, with Pet Loss Grief Companion, Rachel Shirley: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/05/08/pet-loss/
- Joy in the Midst of Grief, with Author, Sonya Mack: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/05/08/pet-loss/
- Finding Peace and Comfort After the Death of Her son, with Alicia Hodges: https://alifeofthrive.com/2023/08/30/finding-peace-and-comfort-after-the-death-of-her-son-alicia-hodges/
- Scars (blog post by Sherrie Pilkington): https://alifeofthrive.com/2021/12/28/scars/
- It’s Always Been You (blog post by Sherrie Pilkington): https://alifeofthrive.com/2021/08/24/its-always-been-you/
- Suffering (blog post by Sherrie Pilkington): https://alifeofthrive.com/2021/09/21/suffering/

 

CONNECT WITH DR. AMANDA MCNEIL:
- Website: https://www.amandacmcneil.com/
- Free Chapter to her newest book: https://www.amandacmcneil.com/free
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandacmcneil/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McNeilCoaching/
- Coaching with the McNeils: https://www.mcneilcoaching.com/

 

Bio:
After losing her father tragically as a teen and later navigating infertility, Amanda learned how to lean into faith and has developed an authoritative voice of hope. Dr. Amanda McNeil is an author, counselor, and pastor from Orlando, FL.

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.

Navigating Treatment-Resistant Depression, with Ron Jones

Summary:
*Ron Jones discusses treatment resistant depression (TRD), which occurs when multiple classes of antidepressant medications fail to provide relief.
*TRD is described as a subcategory of major depressive disorder, unrelated to therapy but linked to the ineffectiveness of psychotropic medications.
*Ron shares his personal experience with TRD, highlighting the frustration and discouragement of ineffective treatments and the lengthy process of testing medications.
*He suggests that emotional and mental needs, when unmet, can lead to chemical imbalances, and treating only the symptoms without addressing underlying issues is insufficient.
*Jones emphasizes the importance of understanding one's identity in relation to God, suggesting that misalignment can contribute to mental health issues.
*He recounts a pivotal moment in a church service where he felt the Holy Spirit's guidance, leading to a significant change in his depression.
*Jones discusses the role of community, vulnerability, and addressing lies or misconceptions about oneself as crucial steps in the healing process.
*He advocates for the recognition of negative emotions as truthful indicators and encourages seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance for healing.
*Jones stresses the importance of relational accountability and having supportive people in one's life to provide honest feedback.
*He concludes by affirming the possibility of finding hope and new life even after experiencing deep depression, through a relationship with Christ and understanding one's true identity.

PODCAST INTRO:
My guest today, Ron Jones, is a pastoral counselor and mental health advocate and he stopped by to share his first-hand experiences and insights into his victory over treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This discussion touches on the complexities of living with TRD, the challenges of traditional treatment methods, and the importance of having a strong identity in Christ and growing in faith throughout the healing process.

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
Sherrie Pilk

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):
SSRIs - (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are a class of antidepressants that help treat depression
Sozo is a practice/method used by some Christian ministries to describe their approach to inner healing, which focuses on restoring broken relationships with God and healing past trauma (for more info check out sozo.org) 
SNRIs - Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
PCP - Primary Care Physician
BPD - Borderline Personality Disorder

Resources along the same topic:
Unrelenting Pain Known as The Suicide Disease (CRPS), with Darci Steiner -  https://alifeofthrive.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=9563&action=edit
Autoimmune Disease, Pulmonary Fibrosis and Faith, with Sara Salazar - https://alifeofthrive.com/2021/09/01/autoimmune-disease/
Hope in the Midst of Chronic Illness, with Sara Willoughby - https://alifeofthrive.com/2025/01/01/hope-in-the-midst-of-chronic-illness-with-sara-willoughby/

Connect with Ron:
Ron’s podcast w/his friend (Nick): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ron-and-nicks-best-friend-podcast/id1599899345

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:
R. Kenward Jones is a disruptive teacher, writer, podcaster (who isn’t these days?), counselor, husband, father and grandfather.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and master’s degrees in biblical studies and counseling. 

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.

God’s Grace In Our Faith Journey, with Leslie Brennan

Summary:
* Leslie Brennan shares her personal journey of faith and resilience, focusing on her experiences with loss and uncertainty.
* She discusses her family dynamics, including blending families and dealing with her husband's past drug addiction.
* Leslie recounts the initial shock and self-blame she felt upon discovering her husband's addiction.
* She describes the challenges of handling financial instability and maintaining family life during her husband's addiction and subsequent recovery.
* Leslie emphasizes the importance of faith, prayer, and support from her family and community in overcoming life's challenges.
* She details the process of moving from questioning God’s plans to embracing His purpose for her struggles.
* Leslie's story includes significant health challenges her family faced, including her husband's motorcycle accident leading to amputation and a subsequent stroke.
* She explains how these experiences have strengthened her faith and relationship with God, highlighting moments of divine intervention and grace.
* Leslie shares her journey through therapy and healing, discovering her self-worth and identity in Christ.
* She is now focused on sharing her story to help others, writing a book, and engaging in public speaking to inspire and encourage those facing similar challenges.

PODCAST INTRO:
In the face of life's most challenging storms, it's often the faith journeys of resilience that inspire us to keep moving forward. Leslie Brennan's journey, as shared on this podcast episode, paints a vivid picture of how faith in the God of the Holy Bible, His grace, and our perseverance/our faith can transform even the darkest moments into a testament of hope and healing. A faith journey that transformed Leslie's heart, her perspective and her future as she transitioned from, “Why God!” to “How can You use this God?”

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!
Sherrie Pilk

Additional Blogs and/or Podcasts That Are Similar to This Topic:
Navigating the Journey to Spiritual Maturity, with Dr. Sheila Jackson: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/09/11/navigating-the-journey-to-spiritual-maturity-with-dr-sheila-jackson/
Healing is a Journey and You’re Worth the Trip, with Taleah Pletzer: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/12/18/healing-is-a-journey-and-youre-worth-the-trip-taleah-pletzer/
Spiritual Disciplines Can Heal and Transform, with Healey Ikerd: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/06/19/spiritual-disciplines/
Turning Chaos Into Purpose, With Noah Asher: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/03/13/turning-chaos-into-purpose-with-noah-asher/

Connect with Leslie:
Website: https://lnk.bio/lesliebrennanspeaks
Email: leslie@targethomegroup.com
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gracetogrowcircle/

Bio:
Leslie Brennan is a passionate speaker, author, and Realtor® dedicated to helping others break free from past mistakes and step boldly into their God-given purpose. With raw authenticity and a powerful personal testimony, Leslie inspires audiences to embrace their true identity, overcome life’s obstacles, and walk confidently in faith.

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.

God Meets us on the Hamster Wheel of Life, with Karen Dittman

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:
- Karen Dittman discusses her journey of faith and personal growth amidst challenging life circumstances.
- Of her two books, one focuses on the benefits of 7 minutes with Jesus, practicing gratitude and the other is a simple yet life changing perspective on wellness from a biblical perspective, introducing concepts like the Grace Cycle.
- Karen's life was profoundly impacted by her daughter's addiction, which led her to seek a deeper connection with God.
- She describes feeling overwhelmed during a difficult period, likened to being on a "hamster wheel," with multiple personal and family challenges.
- A pivotal moment was when she learned to surrender control and place her daughter "on the altar," trusting God's plan for her.
- Karen emphasizes the importance of experiencing God's presence in the midst of life's struggles, rather than seeking to change the circumstances.
- Her journey led to a deeper understanding of God's love, transforming her perception of her own worth and identity in Christ.
- She discusses the concept of the grace cycle in her latest book, promoting gradual, supportive changes rather than drastic overhauls.
- Karen concludes by reassuring the audience that they are not alone in their struggles, as God is always present and ready to offer support and love.

Podcast Intro:
Karen Dittman, my guest on this episode, shares her journey through overwhelming personal challenges. I say overwhelming because in an by itself each one of these challenges could take its toll on any of us and Karen was juggling many of these life challenges at the same time.

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
Sherrie Pilk

 

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

Navigating the Empty Nest with a Healthy Mental Well-being with Dr. Mel Tavares:  https://alifeofthrive.com/2025/01/29/navigating-the-empty-nest-with-a-healthy-mental-well-being/

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:
Website: https://karenadittman.com/

Amazon Book Links:
Thriving in Grace: Unleashing Wellness from a Biblical Perspective: Amazon Link

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

Loss, Resilience and Faith, with Denise Clanin

Summary/Outline:
*Introduction and Context:
The focus is on Denise Clanin's personal experience with the loss of her brother, Garrett, who was diagnosed with a rare disorder called NF2
*Personal Recollections:
Denise shares fond memories of her brother, highlighting his love for music and his contagious sense of humor. She also discusses his academic skills and intelligence.
*Brother's Diagnosis and Impact:
Garrett was diagnosed with NF2 at 11, which led to the loss of certain abilities over time. Denise reflects on how this condition affected her family dynamics and her own feelings of being secondary in focus.
*Coping with Challenges:
Denise talks about the gradual changes in family dynamics and her personal journey through grief. She discusses the importance of giving oneself grace and the role of faith in navigating these challenges.
*Faith and Identity:
The conversation touches on the role of faith in dealing with suffering and the challenges of maintaining one’s identity amidst family and personal upheaval. Denise emphasizes the importance of keeping one’s identity rooted in God.
*Writing as a Path to Healing:
Denise shares how writing her book, "Among the Stars," helped her process grief and pay homage to her brother. The book serves as a medium to explore themes of hope and personal growth.
*Family and Community Support:
The importance of community support and family connections is highlighted, especially through shared experiences like charity events.
*Future Aspirations:
Denise discusses her plans for future writing projects and how she wants to continue exploring themes of identity and personal growth.
*Overall Message:
The conversation ends with a message of hope. Denise encourages finding hope and blessings even in difficult times and emphasizes the significance of prayer and faith in providing strength and direction.

Podcast Intro:
My guest is Denise Clanin, a wife, mom and author. She and I connected because of her willingness to share her personal story about losing her brother, Garrett to a rare mutation known as NF2. This disorder caused tumors to grow throughout his body, and that resulted in degrees of loosing his quality of life such as his ability to speak and hear; two of the major ways we communicate! I can’t even fathom that slow separation from your loved ones. At the time of the diagnosis Denise was 9 and Garrett 11. At the time of Garrett’s passing he was 29.

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
Sherrie Pilk

Related topics (podcast and/or blog):
Sara Salazar - Autoimmune Disease, Pulmonary Fibrosis and Faith: https://alifeofthrive.com/2021/09/01/autoimmune-disease/
Sherrie Pilkington - Here’s How Psalm 23 Showed Me God’s Faithfulness: https://alifeofthrive.com/2022/08/17/heres-how-psalm-23-showed-me-gods-faithfulness/
Genetic Testing and Prophylactic Mastectomy, with Erin Simon: https://alifeofthrive.com/2023/02/01/genetic-testing-and-prophylactic-mastectomy-with-erin-simeone/

Connect with Denise:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092102171844

Bio:
Denise had always dreamed of writing her book. As a child, she loved to write stories with memorable characters and positive themes. She carried this passion for writing into her adolescence and early adulthood, hoping to publish one of her stories someday. However, as with any story plot, there were obstacles to reaching this goal. At Pepperdine University, she began to study accounting, a degree that required intense concentration and countless hours of studying and memorization. In addition, it was around that time when her older brother’s chronic medical condition took a turn for the worse – leaving him in almost constant pain and removing his ability to hear, speak, and see well. His parents transitioned into full-time caregivers who sacrificed their time and energy so that their son could live another day.

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.

Navigating the Complex Terrain of Church Hurt, with Michelle Nezat

Key Takeaways:
*Understanding Church Hurt: Church hurt can arise from personal issues, sins committed by others, and failed leadership. It's important to recognize that while people and communities can fail, Christ remains a steadfast focus.
*Navigating Church Hurt: Michelle emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with a supportive, biblical community and seeking guidance from scripture during times of hurt.
*The Role of Leadership: Leaders should model confession, repentance, and humility, acknowledging their imperfections and striving for restoration within the church community.
*Forgiveness and Healing: Forgiveness is a command and does not always mean restored relationships. It requires personal work, often without acknowledgment or change from the other party.
*Moving Forward: It's crucial to maintain faith and commitment to God's word, even when church experiences are painful. The journey involves seeking a church community that aligns with biblical truth and provides a place for spiritual growth.
*Personal Reflections: Michelle shares her journey of having lost a sense of purpose within her church community and her ongoing pursuit of finding a new church home, highlighting the complexity and emotional layers involved in such transitions.

Intro/Blog Post:
I’m so appreciative for my guest Michelle Nezat and her courage to talk about what is often termed as church hurt. In the intricate tapestry of human relationships, church communities hold a unique place, often serving as a haven of support, spiritual growth, and community. However, church communities including the leadership are not immune to the imperfections of human nature, and at times, they can become a source of profound hurt. 

To Michelle’s heartbreak she and her husband are in between churches. She shared her very transparent, humble journey and what it’s like in their current waiting period of leaning into the Lord to direct and confirm a new church family they can be folded into. Her willingness to look at both sides of the equation was refreshing. Whether it was through the lens of church responsibilities or the responsibilities of the believer she had a fair, biblically informed perspective.

As I listened to Michelle, I became aware of the various ways church hurt affects so many aspects of one’s spiritual grounding. We looked at what are some of the causes of church hurt such as personal sensitivities, past traumas, and individual mistakes. As human beings, we bring our own emotional baggage into every relationship, including those within a church community.

Additionally, failed leadership or sins committed against members can definitely be the most significant contributors to church hurt. Even well-intentioned leaders can fall short in their responsibilities. When they do it can lead to a deep sense of betrayal and hurt because as Michelle states, the leadership is not just someone you like or hope likes you, they are someone you have put your trust in, whom you look up to for examples and modeling of God and His word.

The conversation also touched upon the options available to individuals experiencing church hurt. While leaving the church may seem like the immediate solution, Michelle emphasized that leaving might not always lead to healing. Instead, she advocated for seeking greater holiness and aligning one's actions with God's will. This could involve choosing to stay and work through the issues or leaving with a heart open to finding a new community where spiritual growth can continue. The decision ultimately rests on discerning what leads to greater holiness in one's life and seeking the Lord's guidance in the process.

Finally, our discussion highlighted the role of forgiveness and the importance of maintaining a focus on Christ. Forgiveness is essential for healing, but it does not always mean restoring broken relationships. It involves letting go of bitterness and entrusting the situation to God. By fixing our eyes on Jesus and embracing how He modeled forgiveness, we can navigate the complexities of church hurt and find peace and purpose.

Michelle helps us keep our focus on the fact that the church is the bride of Christ, and where man fails, God himself will reveal His truth. In whatever context we pursue Him in, He will reveal Himself to those who earnestly seek Him.

If you’re navigating church hurt today, this episode is a must. Michelle will encourage your heart, help you stay on the right path and give you hope for your breakthrough in Christ!

Live Loved and Thrive! @alifeofthrive.com
Sherrie Pilk

Other Resources - Podcasts/Blogs:
After Abortion Care and Healing, with Serena Dyksen: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/06/05/after-abortion-care-and-healing-with-serena-dyksen/
Investing in Relationship (Blog): https://alifeofthrive.com/2020/11/03/investing-in-relationship/
Micro Moments with God To Grow Relationship Intimacy, with Sherrie Pilkington: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/08/14/micro-moments-with-god-to-grow-relationship-intimacy/

Connect with Michelle:
Website: https://www.michellenezat.com/about/
Podcast: https://www.michellenezat.com/podcast-3/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleLNezat/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@michellenezattv
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellenezat/

Bio:
Michelle Nezat writes Christian fiction with a purpose. The themes in her novels mirror the themes in the Bible and serve as a jumping-off point to study Scripture and theology in a new way. She's a Cajun girl born in Idaho and living in Louisiana, and she has the best gumbo and sweet tea in the neighborhood (according to her husband and two daughters). Her passion is God's Word and inspiring others to discover and interact with Scripture for themselves. Drawing from over a decade of Bible teaching through her podcast More Than a Song, she's turned to stories to inspire readers to explore deep theological truths.

Building Faith in the Midst of Uncertainty, with Katie Jones

Summary:
Faith and Resilience: Katie shares her journey of infertility, foster care, and unexpected pregnancy. She discusses how her faith was tested and ultimately strengthened through these trials. Her story highlights the importance of maintaining faith in God, even when circumstances seem insurmountable.

Infertility and Foster Care: The conversation delves into Katie's struggle with infertility and how she and her husband embraced foster care. Her experience underscores the emotional and spiritual challenges involved in letting go of personal desires and aligning them with their purpose according to God’s plan for their life.

Unexpected Blessings: Despite having made peace with not having biological children, Katie's unexpected pregnancy brought both joy and new challenges. She shows us how life can take unexpected turns and the importance of being open to God’s plans.

Medical Crisis and Faith: Katie faced a life-threatening situation after childbirth, leading to an emergency hysterectomy and her newborn would need a last ditch effort to save him. Her unwavering faith, even in the face of potential loss, demonstrates profound trust in God's goodness and plan.

Community and Support: The role of community and the church is emphasized as a vital source of support and prayer during difficult times. Katie’s talks about how being part of a faith community can provide strength and encouragement.

God's Presence in Suffering: Katie reflects on the presence of God during her darkest times, finding comfort in knowing that God understands human suffering and pain. She experienced first hand that in God you can find peace and strength through faith, even when faced with trauma and loss.

Transformation Through Trials: The conversation highlights the transformative power of trials, as Katie learns to appreciate God for who He is, not just for the blessings He provides. This insight is a profound reminder of the deeper spiritual growth that can occur through adversity.

Podcast Intro:
My guest Katie Jones is quite inspiring and her story had me holding my breath and fighting back tears. Life is often a tapestry of unexpected events and trials that test our resilience and faith and Katie has that in common with many of us.

Early in her marriage, she and her husband discovered they were not able to conceive and the doctors could not give them an answer as to why they could not. Katie struggled with God about wanting to be a mom. As she and her husband try to discern God’s leading He opens their hearts to fostering children. Despite the challenges that come with fostering children they fall in love with the kids and the beauty in breakthroughs and progress in the children’s healing journey. As they walk out their fostering journey with the Lord, they shifted their desires to align with what they believed were God’s plans for them, no biological children but rather the blessing of foster children. Her story takes a dramatic turn when she unexpectedly becomes pregnant.

This news was hard to wrap her mind around and is initially met with disbelief but that soon turned to joy, and Katie and her husband began to let themselves be excited about having a biological child. But their joy and happiness were severely tested at the birth of her sweet baby boy. Within hours both Katie and their newborn Malachi were being monitored for serious problems. Within a day or two they are both diagnosed with sepsis and things began to quickly and drastically change for them both.

Katie had to make a life or death decision that would prevent her from having any future children and Malachi would endure a last ditch effort that involved cutting into both the carotid and the jugular arteries, a high-risk procedure that would prevent any further use of those two arteries in the future.

One of the more profound moments, for me during our conversation was when she shares how she was praying with her husband, their family, church family and those who have supported them in the last couple of days. They’re praying together as Malachi is preparing to go in for this procedure, what they call an ECHMO procedure and she verbally takes a stance by telling God out loud, God if you take his life, I still trust you. That was yet another place in our conversation where I had to fight back tears because she stands in faith knowing that her one and only son is at risk during a medical procedure and that she has no future opportunity to have biological children.

Katie's story is an incredible testament to resilience, faith, and the power of community. She emphasizes the importance of the church's support and the way God is working through the church as a global community of believers. Her experience underscores the belief that while God does not promise an easy life, His gives us the beauty of HIs presence and His faithfulness and that offers us comfort, peace and hope in the darkest of times.

Listen in to Katie’s message of who the God of the Holy Bible is in the midst of loss and uncertainty and may your faith be encouraged for greater intimacy with Jesus.

Live Loved and Thrive! @alifeofthrive.com
Sherrie Pilk

Here’s where you can find Katie when she’s not playing with Malachi:
My online financial school - https://redeemingyourfinances.com
Free Gospel-Centered Budget Planner - https://kingdomimpactworkshops.com/budget-planner-optin
Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@KatieFiolaJones  

Bio:
Katie Fiola Jones embodies a passion for empowering individuals to manage their money in alignment with their faith. As a youth pastor's wife, mom, foster mom, a graduate of Colorado Christian University, avid traveler, real estate investor, and Certified Christian Financial Counselor, Katie's diverse experiences have shaped her understanding of the intersection between faith and finances. She is the visionary behind Redeeming Your Finances, an online school for believers to learn how to manage their money using skills that are rooted in the Gospel.

Additional Episodes and/or Blogs on this topic:
Living in Uncertainty, with Angie Baughman: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/02/28/uncertainty/
The Uncertainty of Life - Choroidal Melanoma (Eye Cancer), with Suzanne Stines: https://alifeofthrive.com/2023/08/16/the-uncertainty-of-life-cordial-melanoma-eye-cancer-with-suzanne-stines/
Hope in the Midst of Chronic Illness, with Sara Willoughby: https://alifeofthrive.com/2025/01/01/hope-in-the-midst-of-chronic-illness-with-sara-willoughby/

From Living in Poverty to Globally Transforming It, with Ana Megrelishvili

Key Takeaways

Transformation Through Faith: Ana's story highlights the transformative power of faith and community, demonstrating how even those facing significant adversity can find hope and purpose.

Overcoming Adversity: Her journey exemplifies resilience and determination, showing how education and a supportive network can break the cycle of poverty and abuse.

Purpose and Calling: Ana's experience underscores the importance of seeking one's purpose, suggesting that prayer and reflection can reveal one's calling, even in unexpected ways.

Community Impact: Her work with the Christian Professionals Network Worldwide illustrates how individuals can effect change by addressing both physical and relational poverty, emphasizing the importance of holistic support systems.

Hope and Redemption: Ana's story is a testament to God’s redemption and the idea that no matter how dire one's circumstances, there is potential for a better future through faith and perseverance.

Podcast Intro:
Ana Megrelishvili shares her incredible journey from a painful childhood marked by poverty and abuse to finding hope and purpose through faith and community. As a child, Ana faced severe hardships, including hunger and isolation, exacerbated by an abusive alcoholic father. Despite these challenges, she experienced a pivotal moment at 12 or 13 when she felt a profound sense of purpose, after receiving a word of encouragement from God. She shares that she didn’t realize it was God at the time but this experience stayed with her even to this day with great detail and vividness. As her story unfolds, you’ll see that God was speaking about His plans for her life.

Her path to transformation began with a life-changing opportunity to study in the United States as an exchange student, which exposed her to a loving and supportive Christian family. She discovered a way to return to the US via a college scholarship and in her second host family the father was a Christian pastor. These families modeled the heart of God and her experiences planted the seeds of faith, even though she initially resisted religious beliefs. It’s so like God to always be creating opportunities for us to know Him if we choose to engage Him, isn’t it?

She graduates with a degree in business and immediately jumps in to the lucrative career of sales. And she’s successful. After building a solid career in sales complete with the various accolades and achieving all of her personal goals such as buying the condo in the beautiful high-rise, having it tailored to her specific taste, driving the fancy car and wearing the beautiful clothes. Yet Ana felt unfulfilled and empty despite achieving her American dream.

She knew there had to be more to life and so she begins to question God. God visits again and speaks to her. She responds to what He says and makes the most of trying to follow what she heard. In her obedience she’s brought to tears, weeping because of an unexpected gesture from a homeless woman. In that moment a spiritual awakening ignited a genuine desire to pursue the heart of God and discover what her purpose in life was supposed to be.

As Ana shares her journey you’ll notice the golden thread that God was weaving throughout her life and continues to do so to this day. As she pursued God’s heart, laid down all the material things she had collected He brought her full circle and she shares that she’s never been more joy filled in all of her life. She now dedicates herself to addressing relational poverty through her global ministry, the Christian Professionals Network Worldwide, an initiative that aims to eradicate homelessness by building supportive communities and providing mentorship to those in need.

Let’s listen in to discover how God used the very thing, poverty, abuse, .the very things that were supposed to destroy Ana and leave her void of her purpose. But because Ana responded to God, she’s discovering what God had written on the pages of her life before even one of them came to be.

Lived Loved and Thrive! @Alifeofthrive.com
Sherrie Pilk

 

Related Resources:
Does God Care About People in Prison? Ex-con, Steven Snook says Yes!: https://alifeofthrive.com/2023/02/15/does-god-care-about-people-in-prison-ex-con-steven-snook-says-yes/
Crisis Pregnancy and Foundation House Ministries, with Suzanne Burns: https://alifeofthrive.com/2021/02/17/podcast-episode-suzanne-burns-crisis-pregnancy-and-foundation-house-ministries/
Unconditional Love - Blog post by Sherrie Pilk: https://alifeofthrive.com/2019/07/15/unconditional-love/
His Way - Blog post by Sherrie Pilk: https://alifeofthrive.com/2020/09/21/his-way/

 

Connect with Ana:
Website: www.cpnworldwide.com

Bio:
Ana Megrelishvili grew up in the country of Georgia in Eastern Europe in a highly dysfunctional family, experiencing hunger, violence, and abuse. Ana immigrated to the United States at the age of twenty on scholarship with Berea College in Kentucky, where she hoped to begin a better life.

After years of success in business, Ana had a transformative experience that resulted in surrendered faith. As a result of a God-given vision, Ana founded the Christian Professionals Network Worldwide (CPNW) in Atlanta, Georgia, blending her passion for positive change with actionable initiatives.

CPNW goes beyond typical networking by integrating business relationships with service-oriented values, fostering global community transformation. Grounded in Christian principles, Ana ensures CPNW serves as a collaborative hub, uniting faith-driven leaders to pursue a societal betterment.

Though CPNW Foundation work, Ana addresses relational poverty by facilitating meaningful connections and providing a support network. CPNW Foundation focuses on mentoring the homeless, providing them with the relationships and support necessary to rebuilt their lives and break the cycle of poverty.

Ana shares her journey of healing and resilience in her book, Finding Courage to Change, while also contributing to Powerful Female Immigrants: Volume 3, sharing her inspiring journey from Georgie to the US Ana’s impact extends to co-authoring Success Redefined with Jack Canfield, earning her recognition as an Amazon Best-Selling Author