Ep. 164: Sarah Walton and Kristen Wetherell on finding God in the midst of suffering.
What happens when the prayers keep coming but the circumstances never seem to change?
In this episode of MercyCast, Raleigh Sadler sits down with authors Kristen Weatherall and Sarah Walton to discuss their new book, Jesus Will Meet You There. Together, they explore chronic illness, parenting through crisis, unanswered prayers, grief, fear, and the long seasons of suffering that can leave us wondering where God is.
Rather than offering quick fixes or easy answers, Kristen and Sarah share how suffering stripped away false expectations and revealed a deeper reality: Christ does not abandon His people in pain. He meets them there.
Drawing from personal experiences with chronic illness, family hardship, and years of uncertainty, they discuss how God's presence often becomes most tangible when strength runs out. This conversation is a powerful reminder that faith is not about escaping weakness but discovering the compassion of Jesus within it.
Whether you're walking through loss, disappointment, unanswered prayers, or simply feeling exhausted by life's burdens, this episode offers hope for the journey and encouragement to keep your eyes fixed on Christ.
In This Episode
Why suffering often reshapes our understanding of God
Finding Christ in seasons of chronic illness and uncertainty
What to do when God feels silent
The difference between God's presence and our feelings
How weakness becomes a doorway to deeper dependence
Learning contentment in difficult circumstances
The compassion of Jesus toward those who suffer
Living with both sorrow and joy
Why eternal hope changes how we view present pain
Encouragement for anyone walking through a long season of hardship
Memorable Quotes
"The most awful moments of my life have also become some of the most sacred because I experienced the presence of Christ there."
"Christianity isn't about getting your act together. It's about Jesus, who has done all the right things for you."
"Sometimes the gift isn't deliverance from suffering. It's discovering that Christ is with you in it."
Resources Mentioned
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For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking.