“Widowed at 19 with a three year old child: it’s not a recipe for happiness in anyone’s book, but in a conservative farming village in south India it spells disaster.”
Where do you turn when you’re isolated, ostracised, grieving and rejected. This week Noel Due shares the story of Vijaya and the message that gave her the courage to go against all cultural beliefs and live a life of worth and love.
Grief and Loss
Saying Goodbye
Saying goodbye to someone we love is heart breaking and can cause deep grief. But grief can also occur from other types of goodbyes. Have you ever moved house, changed jobs, or moved away from close family and friends? Listen as Richard shares some insights that have given him hope through grief.
Unlocking Ability
Chris’s daughter, Rachel, was diagnosed at age three with a rare genetic disorder. After battling against doctors who didn’t believe her and even accused her of mistreating her daughter, Chris developed a fierce determination to trust her own instinct when it came to knowing what was best for Rachel. Listen to Chris as she shares how, as Rachel’s parents, they continue to experience life and joy through Rachel’s eyes.
Losing Mike But Keeping Hope
Mike was diagnosed with a brain tumour and initially an operation and treatment minimised the impact of the cancer. But after 3 years there was a sudden and dramatic change, something his wife Jen couldn’t fix. Listen as Jen and their daughter Allie talk about coming to terms with losing Mike.
Where’s God in Tough Times
When things are going wrong we often ask why me? How do you make sense when the tough times seem to just keep coming? Listen as Celia chats with some friends about how they cope when life gets tough.
No Shame
“When we talk about the ’not enoughs’ – I’m not pretty enough, not rich enough, not, present enough with my kids, the root cause of the ‘not enoughs’ says shame. I’m afraid to go there. I don’t want to be known that I’m not enough. So, I just, kind of block it and try and bury it as much as you can.” No-one is immune from shame. Listen as Anna, a counsellor, talks about what shame really is and what we can do about it.
Joy beyond Shattered Dreams?
Have you ever felt stuck in the dark, with no way out? Life may be dark because you’ve lost your job, or someone you love. Listen as Noel Due shares how God does offer us a torch, and how to discover a way through the dark times.
When Dreams Break
Where do you go when your dreams are shattered? How do you grieve? How do you risk dreaming again?
Listen to Deborah’s story and how she found hope to dream again.
Comfort for Tragedy
What do you do when you’re away from home and you receive a phone call that there is a bushfire in your area? Listen to Richard share how bushfires affected his family and the community he grew up in. How do you pick up the pieces after the devastation of a raging bushfire? Or any devastating tragedy?
Why Not Me?
What questions do you ask when you see, or experience, suffering? Listen as Richard, Celia and Noel share their thoughts and experiences on suffering and where to find hope to get through difficult times.