Ep. 010 | Developing a Theology of Suffering with Abigail Dodds
Held
In this episode of the Held Podcast, I chatted with Abigail Dodds about the importance of developing a theology of suffering. We talked about what a theology of suffering is, how to develop one, and walked through some common thoughts and reactions to miscarriage that cause us to doubt God’s goodness in the face of our suffering.
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Ep. 009 | Receiving Help and Service with Irene Sun
Held
In this episode of the Held Podcast, I chatted with Irene Sun about help and service in the wake of pregnancy loss. Whether you’re wrestling with pride, acutely feeling your need, or experiencing disappointment over the lack of help from your family and community, I pray that Irene’s vulnerable reflections and biblical insights will be a help and a comfort to you.
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Ep. 008 | Pregnancy After Loss with Courtney Reissig
Held
In this episode of the Held Podcast, I chatted with Courtney Reissig about pregnancy after loss. We talked about common struggles and temptations that women face in pregnancy after loss including fear, anxiety, cynicism, blind optimism, triggered grief, and feeling guilt over not enjoying the very thing they’ve hoped for. I hope it this episode will encourage you to run to the Lord with whatever you may be feeling or facing, and find that he is compassionate and trustworthy.
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Ep. 007 | Thinking and Praying through "Trying" After Loss with Gretchen Saffles
Held
In this episode of the Held Podcast, I chatted with Gretchen Saffles about thinking and praying through “trying” after loss. We talked through some general struggles and specific scenerios that may confront a woman as she considers when to “try” or whether or not she and her husband should “try” at all after miscarriage. I hope it will encourage you as you think and pray through this question for your own family.
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To Tell or Not to Tell with Kristen Wetherell
Held
In this episode of the Held Podcast, I chatted with Kristen Wetherell about making the decision to share or not to share about your miscarraige, or how publicly to share if you choose to do so. We talked about everything from reasons people choose not to share, to the benefits of sharing with a choice few or more publicly, to what to do if someone finds out about your loss later and feels offended you didn’t share with them.
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Ep. 005 | Degrees of Grief with Jessalyn Hutto
Held
In this episode of the Held Podcast, I chatted with Jessalyn Hutto about the way we relate to one another based on how long we carried the babies that we lost. Drawing from her own experience with both an early and a later gestational loss, Jessalyn explored the differences and similarities between those two experiences and the numerous other factors that impact the way we grieve.
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Responding to Hurtful Words with Trillia Newbell
Held
In this episode, I chatted with Trillia Newbell about how we can respond biblically to hurtful comments in the wake of loss . We talked about why well intended comments are often so painful, and talked about responses like assuming the best, walking away, and even offering a strong rebuke to uphold God’s truth and protect the next woman. I pray that you would walk away from listening to this episode feeling seen by God and more equipped for your next awkward or painful encounter.
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Guilt, Grief, and Gratitude with Lauren Washer
Held
In this episode, I chatted with Lauren Washer about the complicated interaction between grief, guilt and gratitude. Lauren is well acquainted with grief of many kinds. We talked about the temptation to feel guilt over our grief because it feels like ingratitude and how to biblically navigate living in this tension between weeping and rejoicing, lament and thanksgiving, gladness and grief.
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Holistic Healing with Jessica McDaniel, LPC
Held
In this episode, I chatted with licensed counselor Jessica McDaniel about the interplay between body, mind, and emotions when healing from pregnancy loss. We talked about everything from how the experience of our body impacts our grief, to the way that the body of Jesus displayed his grief, to how to know if you should seek professional help to facilitate healthy healing. I pray that this episode will be an encouragement to you as you consider your own experience of loss and journey through grief.
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An Introduction to the Held Podcast | Ep. 001
Held
In this introductory 10 minute episode, Abbey Wedgeworth introduces herself, briefly shares her own experience with pregnancy loss, chats a bit about the Held book, and tells you what you can expect to find within these episodes.
info_outlineIn this episode of the Held Podcast, I chatted with Irene Sun about help and service in the wake of pregnancy loss. We talked about everything from why it is sometimes difficult to ask for or receive help, to what we should do when the attempts of others to help actually end up hurting us, to where we can go when we feel like no one is offering to help us. Whether you’re wrestling with pride, acutely feeling your need, or experiencing disappointment over the lack of help from your family and community, I pray that Irene’s vulnerable reflections and biblical insights will be a help and a comfort to you.
About Irene Sun:
Irene Sun was born in Malaysia but has lived all over the world. She is the author of the picture book God Counts: Numbers in His World and His World. She studied liturgy and literature at Yale University (M.A.R.) and the Old Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Th.M.). She now teaches her four boys at home with her husband Hans, is the pastor of a Chinese Church in the Pittsburgh area.
Questions in this Episode:
Would you start off by just telling us a bit about your own experience with miscarriage?
What are some of the ways that people cared for you in the wake of your loss that were really helpful and meaningful?
What do you think some reasons might be that people refuse to ask for help or decline it when it is offered after pregnancy loss or suffering in general?
What word does the bible have for women struggling to allow others to help them?
Are there good/ non-sinful reasons to refuse help?
Maybe we’re overwhelmed by general offers of help like “let me know if you need anything” and even though we are overwhelmed and hurting, we don’t know how to respond specifically. What help/ suggestion would you offer here?
Sometimes helping hurts. Maybe we feel violated or offended by the way someone helps us. How does God’s word and the Bible offer comfort and help when this happens?
Maybe someone listening doesn’t feel like anyone has offered to help or maybe feels disappointed by her husband, her family, or her church or community’s response to her loss. What encouragement would you offer her?
Questions for every guest:
What’s one way God has used your experience of miscarriage to work in your heart and life?
If you could encourage a woman to meditate on or memorize any verse or short set of verses in this season, what would it be and why?
Scripture References:
Psalm 73
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Psalm 139
Psalm 84
Intro/ Outro Music:
My Soul Will Wait (Psalm 62) [feat. Stacy Lantz], Hilton Head Presbyterian Church
“Held” Book Purchasing Info:
purchasing link (discount code: heldpodcast10 )
(or order from amazon)