Hi, I'm Jen. I’m a writer, speaker, board-certified mental health coach, and women’s ministry leader with a passion for walking alongside others toward wholeness.

Through my blog, workshops, speaking, and coaching, I help others implement positive lifestyle practices (e.g. nutrition, movement, prayer, meditation) and develop a deeper relationship with God.

Prior to my diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, I was a healthy 39-year-old. I ate well, exercised regularly, and didn’t drink or smoke. In fact, at the time, I was coaching others in health and fitness—helping them care for their body as a temple of the Holy Spirit through proper nutrition, physical activity, rest, and stress management (1 Corinthians 6:19).  

In March of 2021, after 27 months of burning/freezing pain in my legs, hands, and feet, a skin biopsy revealed that I had small fiber neuropathy—a disease characterized by damage to peripheral nerves that relay messages regarding pain and temperature to the brain. Over time, the symptoms increased and spread to other parts of my body. To date, my neuropathy is idiopathic, meaning doctors still don’t know what's causing it. Without a cause, there is no cure.

On the outside, I look fine, but most of the time my extremities, especially my feet, feel like they're on fire. (For additional symptoms of neuropathy, visit the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy's website.)

Many people living with chronic pain and illness believe the lie that no one understands. They're often anxious about their uncertain future and feel alone in their pain. Trust me, friend—you are not alone!

In my own healing journey I've discovered that, along with caring for our body, we must address the mind and spirit. A comprehensive approach to living with pain looks at the whole person.

The Bible tells us that lasting change occurs by the renewal of our mind as we align our thoughts with God's Word (Romans 12:2). Replacing negative thoughts and the lies we believe with truth is imperative to shift our perspective on pain so that we can move forward.

To help you with this, I've created a free resource, 10 Lies We Believe About Pain & The Scriptural Truths to Replace Them, which you can download for free!

While negative thoughts have been proven to amplify pain, positive ones can propel us toward wholeness. Here are a few to get you started:

• You are not alone in your struggles. I see you, and I am aware of how much energy it takes to endure pain every single day. You are a warrior not because you can carry this on your own, but because you are willing to lay down your pride, admit your weaknesses, and invite them to draw you closer to Christ and into community.
• Being in pain doesn’t make you needy, annoying, or helpless—it makes you human. We are called to “do life” in community, to “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Allowing others into your story is not burdening them—it is gifting them with the opportunity to live out their faith.
• God gives us community to grow. When we bring our struggles into the light and let Jesus lighten our load, He breathes life into our hard stories and gives us treasures in the darkness (Matthew 11:30, Isaiah 45:3).

I'm currently writing a devotional, A Glimmer of Hope - Receiving God's Blessings in the Midst of Your Pain, which you can download a 5-day sample of here. Even when you feel like all hope is lost, God will illuminate your path (Psalm 119:105), provide for your needs (Phil 4:19), and lead you on level ground (Psalm 143:10). No matter how messy your life might be, we can walk with God toward healing while leaving anxiety and defeat at the door.

Each day in the devotional, you'll explore one blessing God offers us in pain when we keep our eyes fixed on Him. On Day 5, I share a bonus resource that you don't want to miss!

In a recent meeting with my neurologist, he asked what was helping manage my pain. I told him how movement decreased the burning, good nutrition lessened my fatigue, and massage improved circulation. Strategies like Christian cognitive behavior therapy also helped me focus on what is true, and medication took the edge off. However, the most significant factor helping me through my pain was not any of these things—it was my faith.

When crisis hits we have two choices—we can either fall back on our circumstances or fall back on our core beliefs. The former results in a downward spiral that leads to hopelessness, anxiety, and defeat. But, the latter leads to a firm foundation that isn't shaken by our current reality. It is filled with hope, because we know that "our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).