Episode Summary:
Life doesn’t always go as planned, but that doesn’t mean we can’t navigate the twists and turns. Join me with Jillian Benfield for a guide to coping with unforeseen events—gaining insights into the beauty of vulnerability, the healing process, and finding strength in unexpected places.
Watch on YouTube:
Quotables from the Episode:
- When unexpected events hit our lives, we realize just how fragile we really are.
- Unforeseen events are the gateway to living more vulnerable.
- For me, grief looks like good pastoral counsel, reading, digging into my faith, and figuring out what I really believed.
- Asking “why” lets us wrestle with God which is an intimate process that helps us to figure out what we really believe.
- Overcoming is a stance that means to suppress and “get over it” whereas undergoing means we admit we need help, seek help, confront the pain, and work through the healing process.
- We need to come to the truthful realization that success and worth are not attached.
- Unforeseen events provide the opportunity to become more connected to Jesus who suffered for us and with us.
- There are two primary paths to transformation: great love or great suffering.
Scripture References:
- Psalm 13:1-6 NIV “How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me? Consider me and respond, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death, lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes rejoice when I fall. But I have trusted in Your loving devotion; my heart will rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for He has been good to me.
- John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Recommended Resources: (If there are affiliate links in this post, meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you)).
- The Gift of the Unexpected: Discovering Who You Were Meant to be When Life Goes Off Plan by Jillian Benfield
- The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
- YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms
- Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals
- YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1
- YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2
- Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference
- Revive & Thrive Summit 2
- Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1
- Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2
- Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
- Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide
- Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award
- Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award
🎙️ Life's #unexpected twists teach us about our fragility. Join me with Jillian Benfield on how to cope with unforeseen events. Discover the beauty of vulnerability and finding strength in unexpected places. #purposefulliving #Podcast Share on X Turn crisis into triumph! Join me with Jillian Benfield for how to navigate #unforeseenevents with #grace and #resilience. Uncover the silver linings hidden in life's unexpected challenges. Share on X
Social Media Links for Guest and Host:
To connect with Jillian Benfield:
Website / Instagram / Facebook
For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:
For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:
Order book The Hem of His Garment / Order book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Order Book Hope Prevails Bible Study / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube
Guest:
Jillian Benfield is a former journalist and news anchor. She holds a broadcast journalism degree from the University of Georgia. As a freelance writer, her essays about living an unexpected life have appeared on sites such as TODAY, Good Morning America, Yahoo! News, and ABC News. Jillian regularly advocates for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in her writings, community, and as a part of the National Down Syndrome Congress’s National Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition. Jillian and her husband, Andy, and their three children make their home on Florida’s Space Coast.
Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson
