Faith and Resilience
A Story of Helping Others Through Hardship
Navigating Grief and Finding Hope: Lessons from Jenny’s Journey
In the midst of life’s storms, it’s natural to feel lost and alone. But what if you discovered a source of hope and resilience that not only guides you through your trials but also brings you closer to God’s promises? Jenny Mueller’s shares her experiences with grief, resilience, and faith, with a desire to help others in their own struggles.
Watch Jenny’s story.
Jenny’s journey begins with a story that might mirror many of ours. She talks about the deep connection formed through shared pain: “My late husband was diagnosed with cancer when our son was five months old in 2011.”
Empathy and Community
Jenny serves as one of the program specialists at New Day Foundation, where she was originally brought on to provide emotional support and help develop the program, which partners with therapists all across Michigan to serve families impacted by cancer.
Jenny shares, “Gina Kell Spehn and her husband Michael came and spoke at Kensington Church, which is where I attend. … [Gina’s] story is a mirror image of mine.”
Jenny’s husband went through chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. They thought things were working, only to realize they weren’t. He passed away January 9, 2013.
Jenny continues, “Hearing someone talk about the same story that I have been through was really, really powerful.”
Once she became involved with the New Day Foundation, she found a purpose in her pain by supporting others: “I had one patient call me an emotional support matchmaker because I talk with all of our therapists and all of our families who are interested in therapy.”
In our service to others, we can find healing for ourselves. (See Galatians 6:2.)
Resilience in Adversity
Facing adversity, Jenny reveals a resilience that can inspire all of us. She speaks to the overwhelming nature of caregiving and the barriers to receiving support, yet she finds ways to simplify the process for others.
“I do get to take a lot of that legwork [to overcome] that barrier of looking for a therapist and making sure they’re a good fit.” Jenny explains, “Do they accept my insurance? Where are they located? It can be overwhelming, especially if you’re already doing treatments and surgeries and all the appointments, especially as a caregiver. You’re managing a ton and then also trying to take care of yourself.”
Her proactive approach in a world filled with challenges encourages us to also be steadfast in our faith, reflecting on Paul’s words: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair” (2 Corinthians 4:8 ESV).
Faith and Questioning
In her most vulnerable moments, Jenny does not shy away from the questions. “A lot of times when I talk with families, they will say things like, ‘This is really hard, but I know God’s with me.’ And so they’re still leaning into His goodness, and that they know that he has a plan. And it’s hard when you’re going through cancer. You know, when someone is healed on earth and there is no evidence of disease, everyone is like, God is good. He’s healed. He’s still great. But that same response doesn’t happen when someone is healed on the other side, right?”
Talking about her husband’s death with her sister-in-law, “When Aaron passed away, I was talking with her about [how the family] prayed and prayed and prayed, and he was healed as a child of cancer. Why didn’t God do it again? We have this baby now. What are we supposed to do? And she reminded me that God healed him more completely than any of us had the courage to pray. And that has been a really beautiful mindset, but still leaves space for questions like why this route?”
“So, working with families, it’s if we enter into a conversation of faith, typically they are still just clinging by their fingertips,” Jenny shares. “They don’t necessarily have the capacity to step outside of what is right in front of them. Holding onto hope, and holding onto ‘Okay, God can still work this miracle, and I’m still going to lean into Him.’”
God’s plans are beyond our understanding, yet they are always for our ultimate good, even when they are not aligned with our immediate desires.
“I find that it’s usually after that loved one has passed that those questions you now have the time and the brain capacity to wrestle with them. And then you have to rediscover your beliefs.”
Practical Wisdom and Self-Care
Jenny offers practical advice on dealing with the daily stresses that come with grief and caregiving. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and intentional living: “It’s okay to write yourself post-it notes on every square inch of your wall because you need to remind yourself to eat, medications lists, and things like that.”
Jenny encourages, “Being able to talk with someone who has been there can be so helpful, because they have insider tips and tricks [others] don’t have, if they haven’t walked in those shoes.”
These small, practical steps highlight the importance of caring for yourself as a vessel of God’s work, reflecting the wisdom of ensuring your own lamp is filled with oil so you can continue to shine brightly for others. (See Matthew 25:1-13.)
Joy Coexisting with Grief
Perhaps the most moving aspect of Jenny’s journey is her understanding that joy and grief are not mutually exclusive. She shares, “I think it took me a while to realize that joy and grief can coexist.” Jenny models how to navigate this delicate balance, celebrating life while acknowledging pain, which can be particularly comforting to those who feel guilty for experiencing happiness in times of sorrow.
We hope Jenny’s story reminds you that our journeys, though marked by trials, are also filled with moments of beauty and connection. Her resilience, faith, and practical wisdom can help all of us navigate the challenging waters of grief and loss.
May you look for the beauty in the hard, the hope in the despair, and the light in the darkness. Your path may be tough, but you are not walking it alone.
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