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 discusses the power and simplicity of gratitude as a spiritual discipline.
*Gratitude is seen as a choice and a discipline that can lead to transformation and intimacy with God.
*Practicing gratitude can rewire the brain’s neural network to focus more on positive aspects.
*Simple daily practices, such as acknowledging things to be grateful for, can cultivate gratitude.
*Gratitude can combat negative emotions like fear and anxiety, promoting peace.
*Engaging with biblical teachings, like Philippians 4:8, can help maintain a posture of gratitude.
*The discussion emphasizes the importance of intimacy with God for true gratitude and compassion.
*Gratitude and love are linked, with love being viewed as faith in action and compassion.
*Practicing gratitude can lead to improvements in one’s life, including emotional and spiritual growth.
*Gratitude is portrayed as a gift from God, intended to be shared with others as an overflow of His love.
Podcast Intro:
Gratitude is an ever-present concept in our lives, yet we often underestimate its power to transform our perspectives and experiences. The episode today was a great conversation with author, podcast host and speaker, Amanda Schaefer.
She shared her insights on how the simplicity of gratitude can be more profound than we imagine, offering a window into a value system that transcends our earthly understanding. Gratitude, she explains, is not a trait some are simply born with, but a discipline and a choice that anyone can learn and embrace. It is an attitude that, when practiced intentionally, can lead to a profound transformation in one’s spiritual and emotional life.
Amanda discovered gratitude is part of our neural pathway that, once traveled repeatedly, becomes a well-worn trail in our minds. This practice of choosing to focus on the positive aspects of life, even amid challenges, reaps, peace, joy, and blessings.
By acknowledging the beauty and goodness around us, we can cultivate a mindset that anticipates good things and, in turn, experiences more of it. This is not to say that gratitude is a natural inclination for everyone; it requires conscious effort and practice. Amanda emphasizes that the discipline of gratitude is something that has to be developed, much like any other skill or habit. Once the habit is formed, you will naturally perceive and notice countless things to be thankful for.
The practice of gratitude is not complicated. Amanda recounts how she began a simple morning routine of expressing gratitude before her feet even touched the ground. By starting the day with a focus on the goodness of God, she found that it set a positive tone for the rest of her day. When one is grateful, feelings of fear and anxiety are replaced with peace and joy, as gratitude and fear cannot coexist.
Moreover, Amanda highlights the biblical perspective on gratitude. We talked about Philippians 4:8, which encourages believers to focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. This verse encapsulates a heart posture of gratitude, guiding individuals to meditate on the good and praiseworthy things in life. In doing so, one aligns closer with a life of peace and intimacy with God. The act of focusing on gratitude is not just a spiritual exercise but a transformative experience that can renew the mind and spirit.
Throughout this conversation Amanda reminds us, this practice of gratitude is within everyone’s reach and can bring about profound personal and spiritual growth and create deeper intimacy with Christ.
Let’s listen in and be encouraged today!
Live Loved and Thrive! @alifeofthrive.com
Other Related Podcast and/or Blog:
Blog – Hallelujah! https://alifeofthrive.com/2021/11/02/hallelujah/
Podcast: Donna Renay Patrick – When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned: https://alifeofthrive.com/2021/11/10/donna-patrick/
Connect with Amanda:
Website: www.acupofgratitude.org
IG: www.instagram.com/acupof_gratitude
FB: www.facebook.com/amanda.f.schaefer
Bio:
Amanda Schaefer is a podcast host, author, and speaker. She carries with her the goodness of looking through a lens of gratitude. The “A Cup of Gratitude” podcast is global, reaching over 111 countries and 3000 cities. As a speaker, Amanda teaches the Bible while challenging audiences to live the way God intends. She has a way of making scripture come alive through everyday examples. Amanda’s books include, “Crumbled, A Place for Broken People” and “Daily “Instaration.” She is a contributing author of “Life Changing Stories and the newly released books, “One Chance, One Dance, Don’t Miss the Moments in Your Life,” and “Courageous Voices Unlocked.” Her books are down to earth and packed with Biblical truth. Amanda has also written articles for “The Brave Women Series,” “The Uncommon Normal Gratitude Series,” “The Love Offering,” “The Warrior Women Series,” “Butterfly Living, “The Empty Nest Mom Series,” and “The Season Series.” She has a new collaborative book project due to be released this December and is under contract to write a new manuscript slated to be released in February 2025.
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!