Michele Cushatt returns to the podcast this week to talk about something that we didn’t get to dive into last time – her personal story and journey! Michele has a brand new book coming out in March called A Faith That Will Not Fail: 10 Practices to Build Up Your Faith When Your World Is Falling Apart, and if anyone knows what it’s like for your world to fall apart, it’s definitely Michele.
Michele dives into her journey and talks about all of the devastating loss that she has endured throughout her life. She describes her life over the last three decades as being “riddled with suffering” which includes cancer repeatedly coming back.
She touches upon the importance of lament and why grief is an important part of healing, why we need to anchor ourselves to something static other than the outcome, the importance of forgiveness and how refusing to hurts only ourselves, and so much more.
One of my favorite parts of Michele’s book are the Five-Minute Faith Builders at the end of each chapter. These give you really practical tools for what to do next when you feel sucked into the vortex of grief and loss and don’t know how to cope or function.
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In This Episode
[00:35] – Michele Cushatt returns to the show today!
[01:37] – How Michele’s world fell apart.
[06:43] – What does the word lament mean to Michele?
[08:23] – What lamenting looked like when Michele was diagnosed with cancer.
[10:18] – Grieving is the necessary first step to new living.
[10:36] – How do we avoid getting stuck in grief?
[15:40] – How do we anchor ourselves to something other than the outcome?
[18:35] – Overwhelming suffering can lead to panic.
[19:42] – What forgiveness has looked like in Michele’s life.
[21:39] – Forgiveness always comes at a cost.
[22:16] – How do people learn to forgive when they don’t want to?
[24:02] – Michele explains how she goes into the next day knowing it will be hard.
Links & Resources
- The Crystal Paine Show – 187. Loving Someone Well Even When We Disagree (with Michele Cushatt)
- A Faith That Will Not Fail: 10 Practices to Build Up Your Faith When Your World Is Falling Apart by Michele Cushatt
- 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
- Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
- MoneySavingMom.com
- My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
- Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com
Terri C says
A stumble upon post for me, but I thank you for taking time to do this interview and featuring this author. How she spoke to me in my current season of life. I haven’t been through cancer but it’s felt like non-stop grievances over the past four years. I barely made it through Christmas this year until I acknowledged my grief and anger with God. I’ve ordered the book and thank you and Michelle Cushatt for taking time to do this interview. Thank God for stumbling upon it (is it ever really a stumble when we’re led?).
Crystal Paine says
I’m so grateful it was such an encouragement to you!
Chris says
Looking forward to listening. I still remember when you sent me her book “Undone” when I was undergoing chemo. I was so touched at the kindness you showed me then, Crystal. ❤️
Crystal Paine says
I’m so grateful it encouraged you! And I hope this episode encourages you, too!
Michele Cushatt says
I love that Crystal did that, and not at all surprised. Sounds just like her! I hope you’re doing well, Chris. May your heart be encouraged today!