Ep. 118 | Shontel Jackson-Taylor: Purpose in the Pain

Today on the show Dr. Alicia Britt Chole shares with us how disillusionment is not the negative idea we've often assumed it to be. Disillusionment means our illusions about God, us, and others are being taken away - and that's a good thing, y'all! But it can be a painful process. Often physical suffering throws us into the cycle of disillusionment, and Dr. Alicia shares about her own recurrences of cancer on the show today. Like her books are some of the most cherished works of wisdom on my bookshelf now, so this episode is one of my favorites of all time. I hope you enjoy her as much as I did! The Night is Normal by Alicia Britt Chole Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chole 40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole Dr. ABC’s Mentoring and Leadership Cohort

Tammy Comer lived with severe chronic illness for over a decade. She experienced its affects in her body, her mind, and in her walk with God. Through that journey, she learned what it truly meant to trust God. After such a long journey with illness, a few years ago God dramatically healed Tammy's body. In this episode, Tammy shares how God has met her in radical kindness and generosity through the healing part of her journey. This is the second part of this interview; to listen to the first half of the episode, head to Episode 127 of this podcast. Links from our conversation: Deliverance by John Thompson Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard Another book on the topic of demonology that I recommend: What Demons Can Do to Saints by Merrill Unger

Tammy Comer lived with severe chronic illness for over a decade. She experienced its affects in her body, her mind, and in her walk with God. Through that journey, she learned what it truly meant to trust God. This is the first part of this interview; part two will be published next week, where Tammy shares how she was dramatically healed by God from her illness. Stay tuned! You can check out some of her husband's books that I mentioned in the introduction below: Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

We have one of our favorite guests back on the show for the second time! Author and speaker Vaneetha Risner recently released a fantastic Bible study about the questions we ask in suffering, loss, and longing. Join us today as I talk to her about why it’s good to ask questions in suffering, what her past and present experiences with profound suffering have taught her, and how the peace God has given her in the storm takes away her fear of the worst happening in the future. Get your notes ready - this is a quotable one that I think you’ll want to process for many days after you listen. Ep. 55 with Vaneetha Risner Desperate for Hope Bible Study Desperate for Hope Podcast Vaneetha’s Memoir, Walking Through Fire The Scars That Have Shaped Me by Vaneetha Risner Through the Fog Bible Study

Hey friends! Listen to this episode to hear some things I've been learning recently as well as some updates on what's next for the podcast. If you're looking for more ways to connect to The Heal Ministry, you can subscribe to our newsletter here and you can order our Through the Fog Bible study here. We cherish your prayers and support.

“Do you want Story 1 or Story 2?” When God asked Allen this question, he weighed his options. What did God mean? Should he cancel his surgery and see what God was inviting him into? Using the nodules in his throat as the backdrop, Allen takes us through the dramatic lesson God taught him about our stories with God. Plus, he put it all in an INCREDIBLE book called the Eden Option that you can find below. If you’re at an impasse in your suffering journey or you could use a little encouragement to press in again to what God has for you, this episode is for you. Check out this interview with author, speaker, and innovative coach Allen Arnold. ⁠PRE-ORDER Through the Fog: A Bible Study on God's Goodness Amidst Physical Suffering⁠ Use code “TTFHEAL25” for 25% off! (Code good until November 7, 2023) The Eden Option by Allen Arnold Allen’s Free Newsletter Allen’s Website Wild at Heart Podcast Tera’s Website Tera’s Instagram Heal’s Website

Why does Christ’s resurrection matter to you, right now, in your current circumstances? What does Christ’s resurrection really mean for His followers? And what does it look like for your own body to be resurrected with Christ one day? Jeff Brannon and I delve into these questions and more today as we discuss his book about the theology of resurrection. This is a good episode to nerd out on, but it is also an episode to give your faith the weighty grounding of the hope of redemption amidst your suffering. Tera’s Website Tera’s Instagram Heal’s Website The Hope of Life After Death: A Biblical Theology of Resurrection by Jeff Brannon What on Earth is Heaven? by James Paul

Jennifer Ji-Hye Ko is a disabled writer, author, poet, and speaker. Her full-time job is managing her intensive treatments for Lyme Disease, several co-infections, comorbid conditions, as well as Lyme and Autism-related psychosis. In addition to all of that, Jennifer is working to help bridge the gap between the Church and the disability community to avoid exclusion and unintentional spiritual or religious abuse. Curious how she came to do all this? Jennifer shares her story on the pod today, including her deep dive into Scripture herself and how God gives her hope on a daily basis. Check out her book, A Lamenter’s Pathway to Joy, and her website below! ⁠PRE-ORDER Through the Fog: A Bible Study on God's Goodness Amidst Physical Suffering⁠ Use code “TTFHEAL25” for 25% off! (Code good until November 7, 2023) Tera’s Website Tera’s Instagram Heal’s Website Jennifer’s Website Jennifer’s Instagram A Lamenter’s Pathway to Joy by Jennifer Ji-Hye Ko Disability and the Church by Lamar Hardwick Lamar Hardwick Heal Ministry Podcast Episode All My Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore

Do you ever struggle to have the motivation to get out of bed in the morning. Well Alan Noble wrote a book about it, and he joins us today to talk about the burden of living. Don’t worry - it’s an encouraging conversation. We just talk honestly about the responsibility and gift of living, as well as how it is genuinely hard to view life in such a way sometimes. This is an honest conversation about mental illness, physical suffering, and just the plain ole difficulties of normal life. Heads up - we talk specifically about suicidal ideation for a bit in this conversation, so if that’s a trigger for you then maybe take a pass on this episode. I think it’s an important topic, so we try to have gentle grace for the conversation while also giving people hope who are in the darkest places. ⁠PRE-ORDER Through the Fog: A Bible Study on God's Goodness Amidst Physical Suffering⁠ Use code “TTFHEAL25” for 25% off! (Code good until November 7, 2023) Tera’s Website Tera’s Instagram Heal’s Website On Getting Out of Bed by Alan Noble The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Faith is a factor in healing, but there is complexity and nuance within that statement. One thing we do know is that Jesus told us to have the faith of a child. Lacy Finn Borgo wrote a book on just that, and today she shows us what the innocence and faith of children have to teach us amidst our suffering. Lacy also talks to us about her children’s book, All Will Be Well, which she wrote to help children process the loss of someone dear in their lives. This is a great episode that might surprise you! Take a listen today and check out Lacy’s resources below. ⁠PRE-ORDER Through the Fog: A Bible Study on God's Goodness Amidst Physical Suffering⁠ Use code “TTFHEAL25” for 25% off! (Code good until November 7, 2023) Tera’s Website Tera’s Instagram Heal’s Website Faith Like a Child by Lacy Finn Borgo All Will be Well by Lacy Finn Borgo Lacy’s Website Hearing God by Dallas Willard Getting It Right by Andy Stanley