Finding God in Our Pain
A Podcast with Sherrie Pilkington
- Because every shattered heart needs to know they're not alone
A podcast dedicated to helping women discover the beauty of Christ in the midst of pain and suffering.
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When life as we know it is flipped upside down, we struggle to make sense of it all. Why would a good God allow this to happen?
Hi, I’m Sherrie Pilkington, your host of Finding God In Our Pain.
In 2018, when I unexpectedly lost my husband of 32 years, questions erupted out of my deepest despair. Since then, I’ve continued to search the heart of God for what He has to say about pain and suffering.
In this podcast we’ll discover how God enters into our pain, shepherds us through our darkest valleys, and leads us to green pastures once again.
I’ll bring you firsthand stories from women who allow us into their authentic struggles, along with professional advice from experts, counselors, and others who can help us navigate pain.
Join me, as we discover God’s answers to the deepest cries of our shattered hearts.
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.
About the Podcast
God is present in our pain
Beloved friend, I know what it feels like to have pain waiting to meet you every morning as you wake up.
It’s easy to conclude that God isn’t there in those dark seasons of our lives. But I’m here to tell you that is simply not true.
God is not only present in our pain, but He meets us in the middle of it, holds us fast, and shepherds us through to the other side.
That’s what this podcast is about. In Finding God in Our Pain, we walk through the journeys of real women who have faced impossible heartache, and found that God was right there in the midst of it with them.
Whether you are facing your own dark night of the soul, or you’re supporting someone who is, these conversations will help you find peace, hope, and a relentless love that is there to meet you in any circumstance.
Sherrie Pilkington
Meet Your Podcast Host
Hi precious friend, I'm Sherrie.
I’m so glad you’re here. Addressing our grief is never easy, so I am truly grateful for your trust as we navigate this delicate subject. I promise there is healing and love to be found here.
I know it from experience. Widowed in early 2018 after 32 years of marriage, my whole world and everything was shaken to the core of my existence. Life no longer made sense. I needed answers, and I desperately needed to know I was not alone.
In the midst of my continued healing, I cherish the love of my sons, daughters-in-law, and beautiful grandchildren who bring the fresh water of joy. But there is a special comfort and encouragement in the stories of other women who have endured the devastation of life-shattering events and can testify to the beauty of Christ meeting them in their despair.
As I’ve lived through this journey, I’ve discovered this truth: we are never alone, as God does not hesitate to enter into our pain with us. He speaks the most beautiful things in the dark.
Are You
Ready to Share Your Story?
Have you experienced the love of God in the midst of your own earth-shattering circumstance?
If you are open to sharing your story with our community of women searching for hope in the midst of grief, I would be honored to have you on the show.
Therapists, grief counselors, pastors, and others with expertise about pain and suffering and who would like to share their insight with our community, are also welcome to reach out about becoming a guest.
The deep fear behind every loss is that we have been abandoned by the God who should have saved us. The transforming moment in Christian conversion comes when we realize that even God has left us. We then discover it was not God, but our image of God that abandoned us…. Only then is change possible.
Support the Podcast
Want to help us share the love of God with shattered hearts?
Donate to the podcast and 100% of the proceeds will go toward encouraging hearts through authentic story and advice from professionals, because every shattered heart needs to know they’re not alone.
Your consideration and support are deeply appreciated!