In The Seams

Lauren Watt has dealt with devastating chronic illnesses and pain since her early teenage years. After experiencing a massive disruption in her life, she graduated from high school at the age of 23. Lauren still struggles with some chronic conditions, but her life is greatly improved. She has been helped through a therapy called "brain rewiring." In this episode, Lauren shares her heartbreaking story, but also how God walked with her through her darkest days, and how lament helped her (and can help us) stay connected to God. Lauren shares how scripture has helped her stay rooted in God's promises and His character, and how we can continue to follow Jesus, regardless of our circumstances. Lauren's Substack; https://laurenspen.substack.com/Dr. Lee Warren's podcast (brain rewiring and neuroplasticity): https://www.wleewarrenmd.com/podcast/Sermon by Tim Keller mentioned by Lauren: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulmaUtbayGY&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tDBooks recommended by Lauren: https://www.amazon.com/Hope-When-Hurts-reflections-suffering/dp/1784980730https://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Gospel-Devotional-Connecting-Scripture/dp/1433593483Host: David HeflinProducer: Andres RuizEditor: John Shields

Rachel Lundy has lived with various chronic medical conditions--all under the umbrella term, dysautonomia--since she was a teenager, robbing her of a normal teenage life and a promising athletic career as a swimmer. Rachel began her website and blog in 2007. Today, it is a hopeful collection of blog posts, book recommendations, and other resources for people with chronic health conditions.Rachel is now a wife and mother of four. She still struggles immensely with chronic illnesses, chronic fatigue, and disability. Yet, her story and witness to God's faithfulness in her struggles are very inspirational and encouraging to our own painful journeys.Rachel has written two books (Hope For The Hard Days and Chronic Illness and Friendship), both of which have free PDF versions available here: https://www.cranberryteatime.com/p/books.html.Paperback and Kindle versions of Hope For the Hard Days can be found on Amazon.Rachel's two favorite books: When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty: Tada, Joni Eareckson, Estes, Steve: 9780310238355: Amazon.com: BooksHeaven by Randy AlcornAlso mentioned by Rachel: Together Through the Storms: Sarah Walton, Jeff Walton: 9781784984724: Amazon.com: BooksRachel is also a regular Diamonds Conference speaker.Host: David HeflinEditor: John Shields

Dr. Timothy Gunnells, professor, preacher, and president of Broken and Mended Incorporated, shares from his struggles with the changes and stresses brought on by chronic illness in his Diamonds Conference 2025 talk. Diamond's Conference all-access pass to the 2025 Diamonds Conference and other past events can be purchased here: https://diamondsconference.org/past-events.Past blog post from Tim: https://brokenandmended.org/traveling-together-on-the-path-of-chronic-illness-by-timothy-gunnells/Past podcast interview with Tim: https://brokenandmended.org/episode/chronic-pain-career-and-family-life-a-conversation-with-timothy-gunnells/Intro: David HeflinEditor: John Shields

Professor, counselor, and author Nate Brooks shares about his new book, Disrupted Journey: Walking With Your Loved One Through Chronic Pain and Illness..Nate shares what he has discovered on his journey in supporting his wife, Kate, through her chronic health conditions. We cover the importance of faithful lament, finding ways to still have fun together as families, creating an atmosphere of accountability and confession, rebuilding a more meaningful community that you lost, and more! Links mentioned in the show: Nate's faculty page: Nate Brooks - Southeastern Baptist Theological SeminaryNate's two blog posts that led to him writing the book: https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2022/11/21/when-your-spouse-suffers-from-chronic-pain-or-illness-part-one/https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2022/11/23/when-your-spouse-suffers-from-chronic-pain-or-illness-part-two/I'm Exhausted by David Powlison Emily Maurits page for "Watchers" (those supporting loved ones through chronic health problems).Emily Maurits Interview on In The SeamsInterview with two husbands of spouses living with chronic pain and illness Nate and Kate's websiteCounseling Website1 John 1:8-9 NIV - If we claim to be without sin, we - Bible GatewayQueen - Bohemian Rhapsody (Official Video) on VimeoHost: David Heflin, Producer: Andres Ruiz, Editor: John Shield

This is the talk David gave for the Diamonds Conference on 1/24/25. How do you have joy in the midst of pain? Is happiness the same thing as biblical joy? How has the prosperity gospel harmed our ability to experience joy? How can Tolkien's vision of fellowship help us find courage and experience joy? David tackles these questions and more in this session. Here's the link for the all-access pass to listen to all the sessions from the conference: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/diamonds-2025-courage-in-chronic-illness-tickets-1217186089359?aff=oddtdtcreatorEdited by John Shields

In our final episode of 2024, we review the interviews and themes from all the episodes of 2024. Some of the dominant themes that emerge throughout all the conversations: embracing weakness as knowing the power of God, the overlap between chronic illness and mental illness, the need for the church to re-imagine its theology of suffering, practical resources for addressing chronic conditions (mental or physical), and God raising up people to help people who are hurting. Please see previous episode show notes to find links or resource mentioned.I did say I would like to Let's Start Talking (a missions ministry I was involved in) and Terry Powell's recent post about dealing with depression that was recently published on our website.Donate to Broken and MendedScripture discussed in the episode: 2 Cor. 12:1-10Diamond's Conference registrations 2025We will see you in 2025 with more interviews and episodes! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! (And please subscribe/follow and review!)

Mandy comes on In The Seams and shares her story of battling chronic pain for the past 13 years and how God has used her as an author to help others on this journey. Her children's book Soft Hugs For Mommy and her upcoming devotional book take unique approaches to help parents talk to their children about their chronic health issues and using music in a unique way to help us focus on God in the midst of our pain. Scriptures referenced: Ps. 119, 2 Cor. 12:6-10Blessings By Laura Story(on stage with Joni Eareckson Tada)www.mandyandmichele.com - Women's health, my journey with pain, book reviews, devotions, and more www.mandyfarmer.com - S.O.F.T. H.U.G.S. - Tips and resources for the chronically ill, plus updates on new books coming. Soft Hugs For Mommy www.softhugsformommy.com Holly the Holstein Talks About Milk Cows. Holly has a farm club online at www.thefarmersplace.com. Sign up for free downloadable coloring pages, farm jokes, and more. There is farm swag available on Mandy's Etsy account. (puzzles, shirts, cups, etc) https://legacygiftscreations.etsy.com

Amber has a multi-faceted ministry to help people with their mental health struggles as well as people living with chronic health conditions. Her website is here. Check out her resources and dance ministry (Light in the Darkness).In this conversation Amber shares her own painful struggle with mental and physical challenges and how God uses her pain to touch the lives of other struggling people. We also talk about how the church and Christians can be more helpful, instead of harmful, in serving those with mental illnesses. Amber also shares about her struggle with endometriosis.Other resources mentioned in the podcast: Mental Health Education & Certification resources: AACCMental Health First Aid USA National Council For Mental WellbeingBCCTR-IBCCBook Amber discussed: I Love Jesus But I Want to DieDiamonds ConferenceHost: David Heflin, Producer: Andres Ruiz, Editor: John Shields

Aren and Trina talk with us about their struggle with chronic Lyme disease and the loss of their son, Ori, after a life-limiting diagnosis. Remainwithus.orgPodcast: Remain | Podcast on SpotifyPodcast (Honey and Gold): Honey & Gold (Vol 1-3) | Podcast on SpotifyMinistry referenced in the interview that helps families who are pregnant with a baby with a life-limiting diagnosis: Abelspeaks.org

Author and speaker Shannon Cramer shares about her journey with chronic illness (Narcolepsy and POTS), and why many chronic illness sufferers struggle with the question, "Is God Punishing Me?" Shannon's website.Shannon's book: How To Keep Believing When You're SufferingHost: David HeflinProducer: Andres RuizEditor: John Shields

Terry shares his journey from childhood depression to developing an impactful ministry to those who struggle with depression. Depression occurs at a higher rate amongst those with chronic illness and pain than the general population It is why we continue to speak out about mental health issues. Through his humility and by his radical dependence on God, Terry shows the church better ways to talk about depression and how God can use in powerful ways what he doesn't take away. Terry's website dedicated to helping Christians navigate depression can be found here: Home - Penetrating the Darkness.You can also email Terry at terry.powell@ciu.edu for a reference sheet of resources addressing depression. The books we discuss in the episode can be found here: Serve Strong - Penetrating the DarknessAnd here: Amazon.com: Can You See The Cross From There?: Grace and Grit For Sufferers and Sinners eBook : Powell, Terry: Kindle Store.Terry also mentions two other book recommendations, which can be found here:Amazon.com : david murray christians get depressed tooSpurgeon's Sorrows: Realistic Hope for those who Suffer from Depression: Eswine, Zack: 9781781915387: Amazon.com: Books

Dr. Timothy Gunnells shares his own experience with chronic pain in a vulnerable and gentle way. He teaches us that weakness is to be embraced as a way of experiencing the power of Christ (2 Cor. 12:9). This episode contains the Q&A that followed Tim's presentation, hosted by Sara Willoughby, Diamonds Conference founder. Here's the link to the all-access pass (hear from nearly twenty different speakers and sessions for only $54.00) Diamonds 2024: Journeying Tickets, Fri, Mar 15, 2024 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

David Heflin's presentation for the 2024 Diamonds Conference. Here's the link for the all-access pass: Diamonds 2024: Journeying Tickets, Fri, Mar 15, 2024 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

Pierce Taylor Hibbs is the author of over twenty books and other works. Pierce has a unique perspective on anxiety and why getting rid of whatever ails you may not be the solution you need. How can God walk with us through our mental and physical condition? David and Pierce explore these questions and more in this important interview that explores relationship between chronic illness and mental health through a biblical theology of suffering.Pierce's website:https://www.piercetaylorhibbs.com/Pierce's YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@piercetaylorhibbs2263Richard Gaffin article referenced by Pierce:https://www.newhopefairfax.org/images/Gaffin_Usefulness_of_the_Cross.pdfTimothy Keller book referenced by David:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=walking+through+pain+and+suffering&hvadid=580629419466&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9026448&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6225375699090442662&hvtargid=kwd-392143720726&hydadcr=8295_13500824&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_38j3luori5_e

Chronic health conditions are often more than just annoyance. They can alter the course of your entire life. How do you pick up the pieces of shattered dreams and meaningfully move forward. In this episode, Bethany Honaker acknowledges the real losses she has experienced along the way and the surprising ways that God has given her purpose to move forward. Show links: general information on Ehlers-DanlosCounseling service mentioned by Bethany: https://www.betterhelp.com/David mentions "Faithful Counseling," but their website redirects to their parent company Better Help. You can find a Christian Counselor through their services, even though it is not an exclusively Christian business.

Timothy Gunnells and David Heflin co-host this episode on the specific struggle of men and chronic pain. Why are men so less likely than women to talk about it? Why do they avoid doctors or connecting with other men who have similar struggles? And how can we change the dangerous downward spiral of mental health amidst chronic pain isolation in men? Tim and David explore these issues and more in this episode of "In The Seams." Trigger Warning: We discuss mental health and suicide in this episode at length. Here is a suicide hotline number if you need to reach out for help: 988 (Calling from U.S.) or visit their website: https://988lifeline.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=oneboxSources mentioned in this episode:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8405105/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5845507/https://www.pathways.health/the-male-stigma-in-chronic-pain/https://livethepain.org/men-in-pain-how-ideals-of-masculinity-harm-men-with-chronic-pain/David can be reached at David@brokenandmended.orgTim can be reached at Tim@brokenandmended.org

Sara, 22, has struggled with chronic illness since she was 14, but she has used this hardship to reach thousands for God's glory through her book "He's Making Diamonds" and the twice annual Diamonds Conference, an online conference featuring speakers from chronic illness ministries. In this episode, she shares part of her story and how important community is for those who struggle with chronic illness and pain. Below are the relevant links mentioned in the show:Diamonds Website: https://diamondsconference.org/Sara's website: sgwilloughby.comSara's Instagram: @sgwilloughbyPeople Hope: https://www.peoplehope.org/My Book: http://sgwilloughby.com/book-in-progress/BrokenandMended.org

In this episode, David talks about the additional struggles that chronic illness heaps upon us while we still have to go through the usual griefs of life like losing a loved one, relationship struggles, and financial hardship. David talks about three resources we have from our Christian faith that can guide us through these struggles. Here are the websites to two counseling resources mentioned in the episode. They are shared for informational purposes only and this does not amount to an endorsement. Esther Smith's counseling business: https://www.christiantraumacounseling.com/our-counselors/Faithful Counseling: https://www.faithfulcounseling.com/get-started/?utm_source=AdWords&utm_medium=Search_PPC_c&utm_term=christian+therapists_p&utm_content=142672131029&network=g&placement=&target=&matchtype=p&utm_campaign=18802721640&ad_type=text&adposition=&kwd_id=kwd-308632899983&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0tKiBhC6ARIsAAOXutkTyLMb6A15887IYay0JaWqwh2x2Ln9684TN7ghfMSFcFks8gYVkxcaAu5fEALw_wcB¬_found=1&gor=start&go=true

We welcome Micah Heflin (my son) and Katum Redfearn on this episode of In The Seams, a junior and senior in high school respectively. They both struggle with significant chronic illness and pain. We discuss how chronic illness changes the lives of teenagers, how their social relationships are impacted, their relationship with God, and their outlook on their future. Chronic illness is a teenage problem too! These two teenagers open their hearts to us as we hear their hard-earned wisdom and faith due to their suffering. Also in the episode we mentioned Sara Willoughby and The Diamond Conference. Here is the website: http://sgwilloughby.com/ Finally, there are some minor microphone issues in the background. It doesn't affect your ability to hear the speakers.

In this episode, I interview Jeremy Harrison and Jeremy Wright, two faithful Christians and ministers, who have wives living with chronic illness. Both Jeremys open up about their personal struggles with faith and purpose in their loved one's pain and their grief on their behalf. This one is especially for those of you watching a loved one go through the struggle and dealing with the helplessness you often feel when you can't take the pain away from them and can't get God to do it either. How do we go forward in a life we never envisioned? How do we hold onto each other and to God? Jeremy Wright mentioned a book he couldn't remember in the podcast. Later he told me it is called "This Too Shall Last: Finding Grace When Suffering Lingers" by K.J. Ramsey. You can find on Christianbook.com here: https://www.christianbook.com/shall-finding-grace-when-suffering-lingers/k-j-ramsey/9780310107255/pd/0107255?utm_source=google&kw=29064775092&mt=&dv=c&event=PPCSRC&p=1186432&gclid=CjwKCAiA0JKfBhBIEiwAPhZXDxuJTHIiVrGENhSeQ6Av74LAfsV1RSyWTn-UQBMBiIDnd1gdVjH_CBoCFX0QAvD_BwE

Professor and minister Timothy Gunnells shares his journey with chronic pain and its impact on his family life and career and how his faith has sustained him through his worse days into some brighter days. Tim shares his perspective on how we can stay thankful through even the painful days.

Reflections from David Heflin on the eve of surgery concerning what the Christian attitude should be toward medical care and expensive interventions in the midst of a land where we take these sort of things for granted. David reflects on our approach to healthcare as a whole, compassionate responses to those who have greater needs, and the concerning trend to use medical care to end life instead of save it.

Jessye Wilden, author of the upcoming book We Wrote Your Name In Color, joined us to share the story of when her brother-in-law killed his wife and then himself. Jessye and her husband Ryan were best friends with both Ryan's little sister and her husband. They began raising their children after the homicide/suicide. How can such tragedy and pain lead to forgiveness, hope, and healing for the Wilden family as well as their small community in northern California? We talk about that and the overlapping issues of mental health (depression and anxiety) and suicide in the chronic pain community. We also talked how forgiveness is possible even in the hardest of circumstances. Jessye's book comes out on 10/19. Get more information and pre-order on her website: https://www.jessyewilden.com/.

Chronic illness robs people of so much they enjoy doing, but it does it mean we have less value as servants of God? In this episode, David Heflin explores this question through Paul's metaphor of "jars of clay" in 2 Cor. 4. A paradox of the gospel is that the weaker we are the more God's glory/power are made known through

Esther Smith has a book being released on 6/22/22 called A Still and Quiet Mind: Twelve Strategies for Changing Unwanted Thoughts. While the book addresses a general Christian audience, the issue of chronic illness' impact on unwanted thoughts is addressed through Esther's own experience with chronic illness and her professional experience as a counselor. Here's the Amazon link for the book: https://www.amazon.com/Still-Quiet-Mind-Strategies-Changing/dp/1629959219 and the Publisher link: https://www.prpbooks.com/book/a-still-and-quiet-mindEsther's website is here: https://esthermariesmith.com/. Here counseling site: https://www.christiantraumacounseling.comAdditionally, we had a blog interview about Esther's personal story here: https://brokenandmended.com/2022/03/22/conversation-with-esther-smith/

What happens when your life is going great and chronic illness shows up to crash the party? Tara Cole and I talk about it and more. "God does a lot with our little." Tara's website is https://taralcole.com/. You can subscribe to Tara's newsletter and receive a free e-book here: https://www.subscribepage.com/taralcole-subscribe_copy2Here's the five-day Abide challenge that Tara mentions in the podcast: https://taralcole.com/abide/ and her content for subscribers is here: https://www.patreon.com/overacup

Emily is a believer from Sydney, Australia, who has walked with her mother and sister through their chronic illnesses. Emily's journey inspired her to start a website dedicated to ministering to those who are watching their loved ones suffer and offers specific encouragement to their experience. See CalledToWatch.com. Emily is also a published author. Please see more information about her books at https://emilyjmaurits.com/books/. As always you can find more information and connections to the Broken and Mended ministry at www.brokenandmended.org.

Nora Ellis is Broken and Mended's volunteer professional editor. She has helped the ministry in numerous ways, and she has her own journey with chronic illness. In this episode David and Nora discuss how God places key people in our lives and how he works through the Scripture to point our way forward through chronic illness and pain.You can see Nora's profile on our staff page: https://brokenandmended.com/meet-our-staff/Learn about how to start a support group (virtual and/or in-person) here: https://brokenandmended.com/group-leader-application/See our blog here: https://brokenandmended.com/conversations-with-david/

Are we under spiritual attack when we suffer chronic illness or pain? If so, how do we fight back? Is my chronic illness by spiritual problem? In this episode we tackle questions like these from a biblical, and we hope, well reasoned perspective.

This episode introduces the ministry of Broken and Mended and the podcast "In the Seams." Founder and President, David Heflin, shares his story and struggle with chronic pain and illness and how it led to the founding of Broken and Mended, a nonprofit ministering to those with chronic pain and illness. How can God use Broken and Mended to minister to you "in the seams" of your brokenness?