What happens when you begin to lose your voice? How do you regain it?

In this powerful episode of the mercyCast, Vanessa Abraham, author of the new book, Speechless: How a Speech Therapist Lost Her Ability to Speak and Her Silent Struggle to Reclaim Her Voice and Life, shares her inspiring journey of healing and recovery, diving deep into themes of compassion, trauma, and reclaiming one's voice. Through honest conversations about mental health, identity, and self-acceptance, Vanessa explores how community support and resilience play a vital role in overcoming adversity. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of healing and the importance of owning your truth on the path to recovery.

Highlights and takeaways from the conversation:

• We often hide our struggles, but they remain present.
• Losing one's voice can lead to an identity crisis.
• The journey to reclaiming voice is terrifying yet transformative.
• Grief and pain can lead to dark thoughts.
• Practicing gratitude can help ground us in difficult times.
• Community support is crucial for healing and recovery.
• Our thoughts shape our reality and identity.
• Finding joy in small moments can foster resilience.
• It's important to acknowledge the impact of trauma on loved ones.
• We are not alone in our struggles; community can lift us up.

Read Vanessa’s book, Speechless. You can also follow her on Instagram.

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You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Surrender and connection often go together.

In this episode of Mercycast, host Raleigh Sadler engages in a profound conversation with Brittany Higgs, founder of the Her Campaign, an organization dedicated to helping survivors of human trafficking. They explore the journey into anti-trafficking advocacy, the personal experiences that shaped their commitment, and the importance of connecting with vulnerable individuals. Brittany shares her transformative experiences in war zones, the impact of personal connection on healing, and the necessity of intimacy with God in the healing process. The conversation emphasizes the challenges of healing, the significance of triggers, and the balance between striving for perfection and embracing grace. In this conversation, Raleigh Sadler and Britney Higgs explore the profound theme of surrender in the context of faith and personal growth. They discuss the challenges and fears associated with surrendering to God, emphasizing the importance of recognizing His goodness and promises. Britney shares her journey with the Her Campaign, illustrating how surrender has played a crucial role in her work with survivors of trafficking. The conversation highlights the significance of trusting God in difficult times and the transformative power of vulnerability.

Highlights and takeaways from the conversation:

• Brittany Higgs shares her journey into anti-trafficking advocacy.
• Personal experiences in war zones shaped her commitment to helping survivors.
• The importance of connecting with vulnerable individuals is emphasized.
• Healing is a painful but necessary process.
• Triggers can be seen as gifts that reveal deeper issues.
• Intimacy with God is crucial for personal healing and growth.
• Striving for perfection can hinder our relationship with God.
• The power of the Holy Spirit can transform our lives.
• Understanding our identity as God's children is essential.
• Healing is an ongoing journey that requires surrender and trust. Surrender comes from recognizing God's nature and promises.
• Trusting God can lead to unexpected blessings.
• Surrendering can be a scary but necessary journey.
• God's presence is felt in our vulnerability.
• Surrender allows us to experience God's power on display.
• It's important to anchor ourselves in God's promises.
• Surrender is about being willing to do the impossible.
• God is good, even when situations are not comfortable.
• Vulnerability can lead to personal growth and healing.
• Trusting God means leaning into His goodness.

Learn more about the Her Campaign.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

How do we move forward when we are waiting?

In this episode of Mercycast, host Raleigh Sadler and guest Rebecca George, author of You’re Not Too Late: Trusting God’s Timing in a Hurry Up World, delve into the theme of longing, exploring how unmet needs and desires shape our lives. They discuss the importance of waiting well, living fully in the present, and recognizing God's orchestration in our stories. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, they highlight the challenges of navigating envy and identity, especially in the context of singleness, while emphasizing the beauty of individual journeys and the hope found in faith. In this conversation, Rebecca George and Raleigh Sadler explore the complexities of relationships, particularly focusing on the themes of perfectionism, reality in marriage, the concept of 'chill hours' in longing, the importance of surrendering to God's will, and finding purpose in periods of waiting. They share personal experiences and insights on how to navigate these challenges with faith and self-awareness.

Highlights and takeaways from the conversation:

• We all have unmet needs and longings.
• God is at work even when we can't see Him.
• Longing can lead to more longing.
• Waiting well involves living fully in the present.
• Acceptance is key to navigating life's challenges.
• God writes beautiful stories in our lives.
• Envy can arise in seasons of waiting.
• We can hold both joy for others and our own longings.
• Personal stories illustrate God's orchestration.
• Living in community helps combat feelings of isolation. Not everything was perfect and it was messy and it was hard.
• The reality of married life is not always shiny and happy.
• We often superimpose our desires on a pedestal meant for God alone.
• Surrendering means recognizing when something has become an idol.
• Chill hours are necessary for growth and fruitfulness.
• We need to savor the moments we have, especially in marriage.
• Longing can be a part of God's purpose for us.
• Trusting God means believing He has our best intentions at heart.
• It's important to take things slow and enjoy the journey.
• You are not too late; God sees the entirety of our lives.

Find Rebecca’s new book, You’re Not Too Late, here.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.