MercyCast

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 Jesus Will Meet You There by Kristen Weatherall and Sarah Walton Connect with MercyCast If this episode encouraged you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need the reminder that Jesus meets us in the middle of suffering—not just after it ends. Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts. Subscribe and rate on Spotify. Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you! Email us at info@mercycast.com. You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

This week on the MercyCast podcast, I sat down with my friend Tanner Olson, author of the new book, Getting Through What You’re Going Through, to talk about something we don’t slow down enough to admit: It’s just hard to be a human being. Not the polished, Instagram version. Not the “better than I deserve” church answer. The real version. The version where you’re grieving. The version where life didn’t turn out the way you thought it would. The version where the only prayer you have left is, “Help.” Recently, I officiated the funeral of someone who was like a second father to me. In that moment, I realized something important about grief and healing: so many of us try to get past our pain instead of going through it. We want closure. We want resolution. We want to look in the rearview mirror and say, “I’m glad that’s over.” But true healing doesn’t work that way. When it comes to processing grief, emotional pain, and spiritual struggle, the only way out… is through. In This Episode, We Discuss: How to process grief in a healthy way The difference between “processing” and actually healing What Christian hope really means in the middle of suffering Why vulnerability strengthens relationships and mental health How to navigate disappointment when life doesn’t go as planned How each of us is a “first-time human being.” The power of asking, “How are you doing… really?” Simple, honest prayer during hard seasons We talk about the temptation to rush through pain — to fix ourselves, silence the negative voice, or solve the entire problem at once. But real spiritual growth and emotional healing often begin with something much smaller: The next faithful step. Not the marathon. Not the five-year plan. Just the next step toward hope. We also explore the messiness of life — the “messy middle” where growth, resilience, and faith are formed. If you’re walking through uncertainty, grief, anxiety, or burnout, this conversation offers encouragement rooted in Christian faith, prayer, and honest vulnerability. Prayer, we discovered, doesn’t have to be polished or poetic, but as one word whispered in a cathedral or your car: “Help.” And if you’re struggling with feeling like a burden, hear this: You are not a burden. But you do have burdens. And you don’t have to carry them alone. If You’re Navigating a Hard Season… If you’re searching for: How to heal emotionally How to deal with grief How to find hope in hard times How to pray when you don’t have words How to slow down and be present How to build an authentic Christian community This episode is for you. Don’t wait until you’re “through it” to talk about what you’re going through. Don’t minimize your pain with “it could be worse.” Don’t rush past the season you’re in. Sit with it. Invite someone into it. Pray through it. Walk — don’t sprint — through it. If this week feels heavy… if you’re tired… if you’re quietly trying to hold it all together — you are not alone. Listen in. Slow down. Take one step toward healing. And if this conversation encourages you, share it with someone who might need hope today — and ask them the question that matters most: “How are you doing… really?” Find Tanner’s new book, Getting Through What You’re Going Through. Follow Tanner on threads. 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. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

Sometimes life doesn’t fall apart all at once. Sometimes it cracks. In this episode of MercyCast, I sit down with Rachel Krentzman, author of As Is: A Memoir on Healing the Past through Yoga, to talk about what happens when the world you thought you understood suddenly looks different—and you can’t unsee it. Rachel shares the story behind her memoir, including the cost of vulnerability, the courage it took to tell the truth, and the long, uneven road of healing that followed. We talk about what it means to go first, to name discomfort instead of escaping it, and to learn compassion not from a distance but from the inside of our own pain. Rachel reflects on how practices like yoga, writing, and time in nature helped her separate her identity from her experiences—and how being truly seen and accepted changed everything. This conversation is honest, tender, and grounded in the reality that healing is rarely quick or tidy. It’s about learning to sit with what hurts, trusting that growth isn’t linear, and discovering that we are always more than our stories. If you’ve ever felt broken—but not destroyed—this episode is for you. Listen now, and if this conversation resonates, I’d love for you to share it with someone who needs permission to slow down, be seen, and begin again. In This Episode, We Explore: How compassion is often learned through adversity, not comfort Why vulnerability always costs us something—and why it’s still worth it The power of writing as a way to process pain and tell the truth Why healing is not linear and what it means to honor the ups and downs How mindfulness helps us notice thoughts without letting them define us The importance of sitting with discomfort instead of numbing or escaping it Why nature has a grounding, restorative effect on our minds and bodies The role of safe community in healing—and why being seen matters How professional guides can help us see what we can’t see alone What it looks like to transform pain into compassion for others If something in this episode stirred something in you, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out, share your story, or let us know how you’re learning the art of compassion through adversity. You’re not alone—and you don’t have to rush the healing. Find Rachel’s new book on Amazon. 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. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

Is our dependence on artificial intelligence a good thing? In this episode of MercyCast, I sit down with Abdu Murray, the author of “Fake ID,” for an honest conversation about faith, technology, and what really makes us who we are. We dig deep into the intersection of artificial intelligence, identity, and Christianity—topics that are shaping how we see ourselves and each other in a rapidly changing world. Abdu shares his journey from Islam to Christianity, revealing how deeply personal and relational the path to faith can be. Together, we examine how the Imago Dei—the image of God—grounds our identity and purpose, even as artificial intelligence and technology push the boundaries of creativity and relationships. Abdu’s insights challenge us to consider the dangers of over-reliance on AI, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of genuine human connection and compassion. Episode Highlights: AI can streamline our lives, but it also complicates our sense of identity. Abdu’s personal story illustrates how faith journeys are rooted in real relationships. Understanding the Imago Dei is essential for discovering who we truly are. The rise of AI prompts big questions about human creativity and purpose. Overusing AI can lead to cognitive debt and a false sense of companionship. We discuss why AI should be a tool—not a crutch—and how the Bible anticipated many of today’s technological challenges. Human relationships remain central to spiritual growth, compassion, and creativity, even in a tech-dominated world. Grounding ourselves in faith gives us wisdom and resilience to navigate technology’s pitfalls. Tune in for a conversation that is both timely and timeless, exploring the role of AI, identity, and the Imago Dei in our lives. Whether you’re curious about technology, faith, or the creative process, you’ll find encouragement and insight here. Subscribe to MercyCast and leave a review. Read Abdu’s book, Fake ID: How AI and Identity Ideology are Collapsing Reality. You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content