Episode 408 - Honoring Grief and Loss During the Christmas Season with Lanier Ivester

How do we keep going when we find ourselves exhausted, spiritually weary, or in a season that feels like a desert? And what can the wisdom of ancient Christian traditions teach us about developing resilience in the midst of modern life?Tish Harrison Warren is an Anglican priest and author who writes about the ordinary practices that shape our life with God. In her book, "What Grows in Weary Lands: On Christian Resilience", she explores the ancient wisdom of the desert fathers and the spiritual practices that can sustain us when we feel burned out, disconnected, or weary. Rather than offering a quick escape from difficult seasons, Tish invites us to discover how stability, prayer, and community can help us remain rooted in God when life feels dry.In this episode, Davey and Tish talk about what Christian resilience looks like in seasons of weariness and exhaustion, how ancient Christian practices can speak into modern burnout and disconnection, and why choosing to remain present and rooted in community can shape us spiritually through difficult seasons.If you’ve ever felt spiritually exhausted, struggled to keep going through a desert season, or wondered how to stay connected to God when you’re weary, this episode is for you.

How do you find rest when grief comes in waves and the child loss you’ve experienced changes everything? And how can faith prepare us to endure child loss while still believing that God is good?Matthew Efird knows the profound pain of child loss and the questions that come with walking through grief. In the midst of his own journey, he discovered that God’s character remains steady even when our circumstances do not. Through his book, "Even Though, We Will: Finding Rest in the Waves of Child Loss and the Practical Arks that Carry Us Through", Matthew shares how faith, preparation, and the presence of others can help carry us through seasons of unimaginable suffering—and how our stories can ultimately become a source of hope for others.In this episode, Davey sits down with Matthew to talk about navigating the waves of grief after child loss, how we can come alongside others with presence and empathy rather than trying to find the perfect words, and how God can use adversity to deepen our faith and lay a foundation for future purpose.If you’ve ever walked through child loss, wondered how to support someone who is grieving a child, or struggled to trust God when child loss happens, this episode is for you.

How do you move forward when the marriage you once hoped would last forever comes to an end? And what does it look like to rebuild your life with faith, courage, and hope after divorce?For Alisha Roth, walking through divorce meant facing not only the loss of her marriage, but also the questions, judgment, and uncertainty that can come with rebuilding life as a Christian woman. Through her own journey of healing, she discovered the importance of honest conversations, supportive community, and spiritual practices that helped her encounter God in the midst of the pain. Now, through her book, "Courageous Divorce: A Christian Woman's Guide to Healing, Rebuilding, and Embracing an Abundant Life", Alisha offers hope and practical guidance to women navigating the difficult road of divorce and finding their way forward.In this episode, Davey sits down with Alisha to talk about navigating biblical perspectives on divorce and marriage, how community and vulnerability play an essential role in healing, and the spiritual practices that can help us rebuild a life of purpose and abundance after divorce.If you've ever wondered how to find healing after the end of a marriage, struggled with judgment or shame surrounding divorce, or needed the courage to believe that God still has a purpose for your story, this episode is for you.

How do you continue to choose love when marriage brings disappointment, failure, and unmet expectations? And how can God's grace sustain a family through the valleys of loss, grief, and the refining seasons of life?For Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, more than 40 years of marriage have brought both extraordinary joy and unimaginable pain. As Steven's music has impacted generations of listeners, the Chapmans have also walked through deeply personal struggles—including the tragic loss of their adopted daughter, Maria. Together, they have discovered that a resilient marriage and family are not built on getting everything right, but on returning again and again to the grace and faithfulness of Jesus. In their book, "Still Here: Life Together on the Long Way Home", Mary Beth and Steven offer an honest look at the beauty, heartbreak, and refinement of a life spent walking together with Christ.In this episode, Davey sits down with Mary Beth and Steven to talk about the refinement and sanctification that comes through marriage, how they have navigated profound grief and loss as a family, and why God's grace and faithfulness are enough to sustain us through every season of life.If you've ever wondered how to keep choosing love through disappointment, walked through a season of loss, or needed God's grace to carry you through the hardest chapters of your story, this episode is for you.

How do you find hope after the unimaginable loss of a child? And what does it look like to walk through grief with people who truly understand your pain?After losing their 17-year-old daughter, Hannah, to brain cancer, Brad and Jill Sullivan discovered the life-changing power of being surrounded by others who had experienced a similar loss. That journey led them to found While We're Waiting, a ministry that provides retreats, support groups, and Christ-centered community for bereaved parents. Today, they help grieving families find hope by meeting them where they are and reminding them they don't have to walk through loss alone.In this episode, Davey sits down with Brad and Jill to talk about how While We're Waiting was born from their own grief journey, why faith, lament, and authentic community are essential parts of healing, and how God restores hope and purpose even after the deepest loss.If you've ever wondered whether healing is possible after profound loss or longed for a community that understands your grief, this episode is for you.