Stuck in the Refining Fire? Me Too. | Trusting God When Storms Rage On

Transcript here.

Episode Summary:
In this episode, I am raw and real about being in a relentless season of refining fire. I share my experience - what it looks like to walk in faith when there's no break between crisis after crisis: brain cancer, job loss, legal battles, and the daily struggle to not numb out from it all. I dig into Jeremiah 17:7, talk about listening prayer, and how God keeps bringing me back to trust, even when I don’t see the purpose or outcome. If you’ve felt abandoned, exhausted, and unsure how to keep going - pull up a seat, friend. I’m right there with you, and I hope a little commiseration and a big dose of encouragement makes a difference in your day.

Key Points with Timestamps:

1. Introduction (00:00:46):
   I jump in unscripted, sharing that I’m in a hard season and inviting anyone feeling the same to join me.
2. Scripture Meditation & Listening Prayer (~00:03:00):
   How I use Jeremiah 17:7 as an anchor verse, plus what listening prayer has shown me about trust and feeling the drought.
3. Life’s Chaotic Trials (~00:08:00):
   My journey through my husband’s cancer, job loss, single parenting, and tough legal battles.
4. Purpose in the Pain (~00:14:00):
   Honest talk on how pain and instability force me to find my roots in God ... and where I’m seeking stability now.
5. Stop Numbing the Drought (~00:20:00):
   Real confessions about how I’m tempted to numb with social media and snacks, and encouragement to ask God for the strength to feel it all.
6. Practical Encouragement & Community (~00:27:00):
   A call to reach out, cultivate rhythms (not routines!), and build authentic fellowship as we process the hard seasons together.
7. Closing & Subscription Reminder (~00:30:00):
   Hopeful encouragement: this earth isn’t our home, and your story matters. Please subscribe, share, and keep moving “further up and further in.”

Mentioned Links:

• Blue Letter Bible
  https://www.blueletterbible.org
  A free, in-depth Bible study app I love for commentary and word studies.
• The Bible Project
  https://bibleproject.com
  Podcast and videos that help me dig into scripture and context.
• Crafted Prayers by Graham Cooke
  
  
  Book I recommend on creating intentional prayers for your life.

Supporting Verses:

1. Jeremiah 17:7, ESV
   “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.”

What’s Next?

1. Notice and name the numbing behaviors you tend to go to when life feels too hard - whether it’s social media, food, “busy” distractions, or something else.
2. Invite God to help you feel the “drought” (the hard stuff) instead of running from it.
3. Swap one numbing routine - just one - for something nourishing: a prayer, a podcast like The Bible Project, or reaching out to a friend.
4. Ask for community or connection if you need it; shoot me a message or join a group for support.
5. Remind yourself you’re not alone in this refining fire, and it’s okay to not have it all figured out.

Topics Covered:

• Enduring hardships with faith
• Trust and surrender in...