Summary:
*Suffering Well: Heather discusses the concept of suffering well, emphasizing the importance of maintaining faith and finding peace in the presence of God, even amidst life’s most painful trials.
*Christ as a Model: The conversation delves into how Jesus’ suffering and obedience to God serve as a model for Christians to follow in their own times of hardship.
*Loss of a Child: Heather shares the heart-wrenching story of losing her four-month-old son, Brennan, which became a catalyst for her deepened relationship with Jesus and a transformative moment in her faith journey.
*Challenges with Mental Illness: She recounts the struggles with her other son, Nate, who battled mental health issues, and how this experience taught her about spiritual warfare and the power of persistent prayer.
*The Presence of God: Heather repeatedly emphasizes the unparalleled peace and joy found in God’s presence, which she describes as the ultimate reward for enduring suffering with faith.
*Miracles in the Journey: She highlights that the miracle often lies in the journey itself rather than an immediate resolution, and how persistence in faith can lead to profound personal and spiritual growth.
*Persistence in Prayer: Heather encourages believers to persist in prayer and not give up, even when immediate answers are not apparent. She uses biblical references, such as the persistent widow and the story of Jericho, to illustrate the importance of enduring faith.
*Spiritual Warfare and Authority: She discusses the importance of recognizing and combating spiritual attacks, particularly those targeting one’s family, and the necessity of standing firm in faith.
Intro:
Author and Women’s Ministry Leader, Heather Bradley shares her profound experiences and insights on the theme of “suffering well”. Heather’s journey through personal tragedies and challenges highlights the intersection of suffering, faith, and the transformative power of a relationship with God.
Heather herself has been challenged with this very thing not once but twice and both of those instances had to do with 2 of her children, both sons. She refers to these seasons of life as her “even if” and “even though” stories.
God didn’t move His hand to change Heather’s 4 month old son’s health issues and her baby boy, Brennan passed into the arms of Jesus. When her other son, Nathan was 6 years old the family experienced his overnight transformation into a mental and emotional journey of pure exhauston lasting 10 years before God moved His hand to change Nathan’s health condition.
How do we suffer well when the One who could change our circumstance doesn’t or at the very least He waits an awfully long time?
But hold on to this truth…we don’t need to fear the painful valleys in this life, and it has nothing to do with sidestepping or avoiding the pain itself. Nobody this side of heaven avoids trauma and suffering. But if you’re a believer in Christ our suffering and pain are turned into purpose.
We’re transformed, refined and walking in a deeper level of intimacy with and freedom in Christ. There is nothing in this life that compares to the peace and joy that God can give in the very midst of traumatic pain and suffering. That’s why no weapon formed against us shall prosper. If we give God space to speak into our pain, to answer the cries of our heart, comfort us when the answers won’t come, He gives us the beauty of His presence that overwhelms our pain.
So Heather and I made it a point to talk about the struggles and realities faced by many Christians, particularly in the United States, who often perceive faith as a pathway to unending joy and favor, devoid of pain and suffering. However, Heather’s journey illustrates that suffering can coexist with divine joy, favor, and anointing, revealing a more complex, yet enriching, narrative of faith. The truth is, God is in the business of transforming us using the very pain that was supposed to destroy us.
In sharing her journey, Heather not only provides insight into her personal trials but also offers a message of encouragement for others navigating their own paths of suffering. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the beauty that can emerge from the ashes of our pain.
As believers, we are reminded that suffering is not the end of our story. God transforms all the weapons formed against us for our good and His glory. To me, being held in God’s secure embrace, is the safest place to be in the most unstable environment I’ve ever know.
Let’s listen in to hear the wisdom that Heather shares, may your heart be encouraged!
Live Loved and Thrive!
Sherrie Pilk
Other resources on the topic of suffering:
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/
Discovering God Through RevelationShip, with Cathy Garland: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/10/23/discovering-god-through-revelationship-with-cathy-garland/
Finding Hope in the Ashes, with Lea Turner: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/09/25/finding-hope-in-the-ashes-with-lea-turner/
Suffering (Blog Post), Sherrie Pilk: https://alifeofthrive.com/2021/09/21/suffering/
Connect with Heather:
Website: https://www.truthfreedomministry.com/
Podcast: https://www.truthfreedomministry.com/podcast
Link for her Book, Unthinkable: https://www.truthfreedomministry.com/unthinkable
Brandon Heath – Don’t Be Afraid: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=WzmghvthTTk&list=OLAK5uy_lwPpoQjoIU5-72AJC5MRU6ug30PYAeKuU
Brandon Lake – Don’t Give Up On Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gW1IVM3qq0#ddg-play
Bio:
Heather Bradley is the founder of Truth Freedom Ministry, a social media ministry for women, to be equipped and encouraged in the things of God. She is passionate about helping people walk through the hard things of life.
A Texas girl at heart, but loves the adventure of going to new places. She has been married to the love of her life, Kelly, for over 29 years and they have 4 children. They homeschooled their kiddos and have lived all over the USA, but are happy to be home in Austin during this season.
You will typically find her serving at her local church, that they help plant, in pastoral care and women’s ministry. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Later she attended Bible School and has been ordained in pastoral ministry.
Heather love’s gardening, reading books, trying new recipes, and traveling. Her favorite pace to be is sitting down for coffee with others while listening to them share their life stories. The latest news is she is a first time grandmother! So, her new name is Gigi!
Heather co-host’s a podcast, called Leaving The Shallows, with her good friend-where they help listeners leave the shallow end and go into the deeper things of God. Her prayer is that others would know the love of Jesus in their hardest moments here on earth and experience His healing and purpose and know that He is always with them.
