Christians With Chronic Illnesses

L. A. Sprague
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Christianity

Magnifying the voices of chronically ill brothers and sisters to inspirit their health journeys and their faith.

  1. 3d ago ·  Video

    ANOTHER Prosperity Message?! with L. A. Sprague

    Somebody told you the miracle comes after you “believe hard enough.” Somebody else hinted that anxiety means you’re outside God’s will. If you live with chronic illness, chronic pain, depression, panic attacks, or any long-term condition, that kind of teaching doesn’t just miss the point, it can bury you in shame. I’m responding to a sermon that echoes prosperity gospel ideas and walking through why I believe it’s toxic, especially for believers already carrying heavy burdens. We open up 2 Kings 3:9–20, the story of three kings running out of water in the desert, and we pay attention to what’s actually happening in the text. The leaders are scared. They doubt. They assume God has abandoned them. And still, God provides water in a way they cannot control, predict, or manufacture. That matters because it challenges the idea that obedience or emotional certainty is the price tag for God’s care. From there, I zoom out to Jesus: the one who refuses to blame the sick for being sick, who spends time with sinners and outcasts, and who doesn’t treat healing like a reward system. I can’t tell you why God hasn’t healed you, but I can tell you what I believe with my whole chest: your illness is not proof that you are failing God, and faith can exist inside uncertainty. If this hits home, share it with a friend who’s tired of being told their suffering is their fault, subscribe for more conversations about Christian faith and chronic illness, and leave a review so others can find this community. What’s the most harmful thing you’ve been told about sickness and faith? https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support Purchase here: https://a.co/d/6dM3f89 Music for The Supernatural Case of an Accidental Time Traveler Ad: https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/sketch-book License code: FFWQZDUHONOHPA8O Support the show  Share your story: CWCIPodcast@gmail.comContribute towards the production of Christians With Chronic Illnesses:https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcastFollow us: Facebook: Christians With Chronic IllnessesTikTok, IG, X, Threads, Twitch, & YouTube: @CWCIPodcast Discord Support Group https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty Visit our websitehttps://cwcipodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/

  2. Aug 10 ·  Video

    Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy and Mother Mary's Obedience with Madeline Meade

    A wheelchair destroyed under a garbage truck wheel. A holy card pierced while everything else held. A double rainbow after last rites in the NICU. Madeline Mead’s life with cerebral palsy is full of moments that force the question: do miracles happen, and, if so, why only some? We talk with Madeline Meade, a Catholic psychological associate from outside Philadelphia who works with clients living with disabilities and chronic illness. She breaks down what cerebral palsy actually is, how spasticity and muscle tightness affect daily function, and the exhaustion insomnia causes. Madeline also shares what has helped her cope, including praying the rosary during sleepless nights and learning when to reach for medication as a last resort. The heart of our conversation is faith and identity. Madeline speaks candidly about seasons of anger with Christ, especially when friends hit milestones she could not, and why she still chooses to see God as a steady Father. From the clinical side, she explains identity loss after injury or diagnosis, the unique grief of congenital disability, and a powerful reframe: interdependence does not mean helplessness. We also dig into ableist microaggressions and how to turn subtle insults into motivation, boundaries, and self-respect. If you care about faith and disability, Christian encouragement for chronic illness, disability advocacy, or the mental health reality behind “staying positive,” this conversation will meet you with honesty and hope. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support Purchase here: https://a.co/d/6dM3f89 Music for The Supernatural Case of an Accidental Time Traveler Ad: https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/sketch-book License code: FFWQZDUHONOHPA8O Support the show  Share your story: CWCIPodcast@gmail.comContribute towards the production of Christians With Chronic Illnesses:https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcastFollow us: Facebook: Christians With Chronic IllnessesTikTok, IG, X, Threads, Twitch, & YouTube: @CWCIPodcast Discord Support Group https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty Visit our websitehttps://cwcipodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/

  3. Aug 3 ·  Video

    I'll Probably Delete This Later (It's About Depression) with L. A. Sprague

    You can believe in Jesus and still feel crushed by depression and you can look “fine” while you’re quietly fighting to stay alive. I’m L. A. Sprague, and this is one of the most vulnerable stories I’ve ever shared: my experience with major depressive disorder  and the long habit of masking pain in Christian spaces that taught me sadness was shameful or even spiritual failure. (Content warning: self-harm, suicidal ideation, domestic violence, trauma, and inpatient mental health care.) I walk through what depression actually felt like in my body and mind: numbness, insomnia, agitation, intrusive and violent images, paranoia that people hated me, and moments when driving became dangerous. I also unpack how certain church messages can deepen stigma, why some forms of “biblical counseling” left me feeling worse, and how a distorted view of martyrdom became a pipeline for passive suicidal thinking. Then I share what helped me survive and rebuild: going to a mental hospital when I hit a breaking point, starting medication and finally sleeping again, creating a safety plan with warning signs and people to call, and finding healthier support through therapy, friends, and practical steps that reduce risk. My faith is part of the story too, including deconstruction, doubt, and the comfort of a Savior who knows what abandonment feels like. If you’re in a dark place, you’re not alone, and you’re not beyond help. Listen, share this with someone who needs it, and please follow, subscribe, and leave a review so more people can find this community. https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support Purchase here: https://a.co/d/6dM3f89 Music for The Supernatural Case of an Accidental Time Traveler Ad: https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/sketch-book License code: FFWQZDUHONOHPA8O Support the show  Share your story: CWCIPodcast@gmail.comContribute towards the production of Christians With Chronic Illnesses:https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcastFollow us: Facebook: Christians With Chronic IllnessesTikTok, IG, X, Threads, Twitch, & YouTube: @CWCIPodcast Discord Support Group https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty Visit our websitehttps://cwcipodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/

  4. Jul 27 ·  Video

    Welcome to the Invisible Illness Club with April Aramanda

    We invited April Aramanda (host of the Invisible Illness Club) to talk with us about what it looks like to live with chronic illness while staying honest with God and still reaching for joy. April shares her real-life health roller coaster: fibromyalgia, ankylosing spondylitis, nerve pain from degenerative disc issues, hyperthyroidism, kidney failure after a medication reaction, POTS with an atypical presentation, and now a parathyroid problem that’s spiking heart rate and blood pressure. We dig into what helped her finally get clarity through specialized testing at Mayo Clinic, why “standard” results can miss real symptoms, and how to keep advocating for yourself without losing heart. We also get practical about coping strategies that actually work on the hard days: heating pads and ice packs, hydration habits, hobbies that pull your mind out of pain, worship playlists for praise and peace, and a simple five-senses grounding exercise for anxiety. One of the biggest takeaways is spiritual and freeing: you can be mad at God and still be faithful. If you need encouragement that doesn’t gloss over suffering, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who feels alone, and leave a review so more people living with invisible illness can find this conversation. Join The Invisible Illness Club:  https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com/connect https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support Purchase here: https://a.co/d/6dM3f89 Music for The Supernatural Case of an Accidental Time Traveler Ad: https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/sketch-book License code: FFWQZDUHONOHPA8O Support the show  Share your story: CWCIPodcast@gmail.comContribute towards the production of Christians With Chronic Illnesses:https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcastFollow us: Facebook: Christians With Chronic IllnessesTikTok, IG, X, Threads, Twitch, & YouTube: @CWCIPodcast Discord Support Group https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty Visit our websitehttps://cwcipodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/

  5. Jul 20 ·  Video

    r/CHRONIC ILLNESS Reaction with L. A. Sprague

    DayQuil-fueled honesty, hospital chaos, and the kind of humor you only learn after too many appointments. I’m L. A. Sprague, and while I’m fighting a cold (yes, I’m congested and a little loopy), I’m reading through Reddit threads from the chronic illness community and reacting to the funniest, strangest, and most relatable medical moments people have lived through. We get into everything from wholesome nurse stories and pop culture in the hospital halls to the darker side of “funny,” like medication reactions, ER overwhelm, and waking up confused after pain meds. It’s a reminder that chronic illness isn’t just symptoms like POTS, tachycardia, or endometriosis pain, it’s also the emotional whiplash of trying to stay human in a system that can feel impersonal. Then we shift into sharp comebacks and petty one-liners people use when strangers misunderstand disability, including the reality of ambulatory wheelchair users and the ableist assumptions that show up in public. As a Christian with chronic illness, I also talk through a tender topic: why “I’m praying for you” can be deeply comforting in one moment and exhausting in another, depending on the tone, the theology, and whether you feel seen as a person. If you need a break from heaviness without pretending life is easy, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who gets it, and leave a review so more chronically ill Christians can find the show. https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support Purchase here: https://a.co/d/6dM3f89 Music for The Supernatural Case of an Accidental Time Traveler Ad: https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/sketch-book License code: FFWQZDUHONOHPA8O Support the show  Share your story: CWCIPodcast@gmail.comContribute towards the production of Christians With Chronic Illnesses:https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcastFollow us: Facebook: Christians With Chronic IllnessesTikTok, IG, X, Threads, Twitch, & YouTube: @CWCIPodcast Discord Support Group https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty Visit our websitehttps://cwcipodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/

  6. Jul 13 ·  Video

    What if Small Fiber-Neuropathy IS God's Plan A? With April Barcalow

    Your life can be turned upside down by symptoms that never fit neatly into a chart, and that uncertainty can quietly reshape everything: your faith, your marriage, your work, and even how you walk into a grocery store. We talk with registered nurse, mom, and author April Barcalow about living with celiac disease, small fiber neuropathy, and long seasons of debilitating fatigue and weakness that still do not have a full explanation. April gets painfully practical about what a gluten-free life really costs, including cross-contamination stress, social isolation around food, and the constant planning that healthy people never see. We also dig into pacing and chronic illness self-management, why scheduled rest is not selfish, and how accessibility choices at home and at work can reduce the severity of a crash. Her wheelchair stories are honest and surprisingly funny, but the takeaway is serious: mobility aids can create freedom, presence, and real family memories. We also go deeper into Christian chronic illness questions: how do you trust God when tests stay negative, specialists “break up” with you, and healing does not come the way people promise? April shares the sentence she clings to, the ways suffering has formed her prayer life, and how chronic illness can feel like a third person in a marriage. If you’re a caregiver, a spouse, a medical professional, or someone with invisible illness who just wants to feel understood, this conversation offers language, perspective, and hope. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more listeners can find Christians with Chronic Illnesses. What part of your chronic illness story feels hardest to explain? Follow April's Writing here: https://aprilbarcalow.com/ https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support Purchase here: https://a.co/d/6dM3f89 Music for The Supernatural Case of an Accidental Time Traveler Ad: https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/sketch-book License code: FFWQZDUHONOHPA8O Support the show  Share your story: CWCIPodcast@gmail.comContribute towards the production of Christians With Chronic Illnesses:https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcastFollow us: Facebook: Christians With Chronic IllnessesTikTok, IG, X, Threads, Twitch, & YouTube: @CWCIPodcast Discord Support Group https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty Visit our websitehttps://cwcipodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/

  7. Jul 6

    God "Told" Me to be a Missionary and Then I Got Sick with L. A. Sprague

    When you’re convinced God gave you a specific assignment, it can become your whole identity. And when chronic illness shows up and takes your capacity, it can feel like you didn’t just lose a dream, you lost your direction, your faith confidence, and maybe even your sense of worth. I’m L. A. Sprague, and I’m naming that grief out loud.  I talk through the Pentecostal idea of confirmation, especially the “three signs” framework that many charismatic Christians use to make decisions. I share how that theology shaped me as a teenager reading about persecuted Christians and martyrdom, and how I came to believe God was calling me to a specific city overseas. That belief drove a decade of choices: missions training, learning Arabic, teaching English, and studying abroad in Jordan, all wrapped up in a single future I thought I had to obey.  Then POTS and depression changed everything. I open up about the crash, the practical realities of needing accommodations, the sting of workplace ableism, and the spiritual spiral that follows when you’re not able to do the thing you once called “obedience.” From there, I offer the shift I’m living into now: calling is not one fragile destination. Calling is love. Love God with what you have today, love your neighbor with what you can carry today, and yes, love yourself enough to rest.  If you’re a chronically ill Christian or you’re deconstructing parts of your faith while trying to survive your symptoms, I hope you feel seen here. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more people living with chronic illness can find this community. https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support Purchase here: https://a.co/d/6dM3f89 Music for The Supernatural Case of an Accidental Time Traveler Ad: https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/sketch-book License code: FFWQZDUHONOHPA8O Support the show  Share your story: CWCIPodcast@gmail.comContribute towards the production of Christians With Chronic Illnesses:https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcastFollow us: Facebook: Christians With Chronic IllnessesTikTok, IG, X, Threads, Twitch, & YouTube: @CWCIPodcast Discord Support Group https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty Visit our websitehttps://cwcipodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/

  8. Jun 29

    Adenomyosis, Endometriosis, and Lament with Therapist Sharkia O'Garro

    Pain can make you question everything you thought you knew about God and it can also make you feel painfully unseen by the people around you. I sit down with Shakira “Kira” O'Garro, a licensed mental health counselor who serves Christians navigating medical trauma, chronic pain, and the kind of faith crisis that often stays unspoken in church. Kira shares her own story of coming to Jesus after years of atheism while living with severe stage four endometriosis, plus what it’s like to keep believing when your body feels unpredictable and unfair. We get practical and specific about endometriosis and adenomyosis: what the stages mean, how symptoms can show up across the whole body, why surgery can be necessary yet still not a cure, and how misinformation around hysterectomy can leave patients grieving and confused. Along the way, Kira names the real spiritual questions that come with chronic illness and infertility, and why those questions don’t disqualify you from God’s love. A big focus is lament. We talk about lament as honest sorrow brought to God, how it differs from complaining, and why “God, I’m angry” can be a holy starting point. Kira also brings in evidence-based mental health tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, emotional awareness, and self-compassion practices that help you process grief without letting chronic illness become your identity. If you need language for suffering and a path back to hope, this conversation makes space for both. Subscribe for more honest stories, share this with a friend who feels alone, and leave a review so others can find Christians With Chronic Illnesses. https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support Purchase here: https://a.co/d/6dM3f89 Music for The Supernatural Case of an Accidental Time Traveler Ad: https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/sketch-book License code: FFWQZDUHONOHPA8O Support the show  Share your story: CWCIPodcast@gmail.comContribute towards the production of Christians With Chronic Illnesses:https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcastFollow us: Facebook: Christians With Chronic IllnessesTikTok, IG, X, Threads, Twitch, & YouTube: @CWCIPodcast Discord Support Group https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty Visit our websitehttps://cwcipodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/

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5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Magnifying the voices of chronically ill brothers and sisters to inspirit their health journeys and their faith.

Information

  • Creator
    L. A. Sprague
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Christians With Chronic Illnesses
  • Show Website
    Christians With Chronic Illnesses

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