Claim OwnershipGrief 2 Great Day - Christian Grief Support for Women, Questioning God in Grief, Life after Loss, Hope in Grief
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Grief Support for Christian Women to Breathe, Laugh and Live again. Loss, Grief and Healing * Coping with Grief * Beginning of Grief * Life after Loss * Stages of Grief * Purpose After Loss * Faith * Surviving Loss * Grief Resources * Holidays and Grief
I help Christian women navigate grief through understanding grief, growing faith and processing daily life to find hope.
• Do you feel lost, confused, or overwhelmed by grief?
• Is the pain so great, you lose your breath and feel it will never get better?
• Have you cried so much there can’t be any tears left?
• Are you angry with God? Or question your own faith?
• Do you need faith-based help through the toughest season of your life?
In this podcast, you will find faith-based grief support to navigate the overwhelming and confusing journey of grief, to continue seeking God and most importantly, to breathe, laugh, and live again.
My mission is to walk with you through the healing, experience the milestones and the minefields to arrive on the other side with a gratitude and peace you never thought possible.
If you’re ready to take a brave step toward healing, understand your grief and find hope, this is the place to be.
Hey, I’m Stef. Southern by choice, turtle triathlete, wife and Jesus follower. I’ve experienced life-changing grief and struggled for years with the physical changes, the emotional roller-coaster and the spiritual questioning. I asked ‘why’ more times than I can count, went ‘boldly’ (and disrespectfully) to the throne, and was confused by a pain I had never felt before. I believed I would never be happy again and had all but given up on fulfilling my purpose.
But God!
Through my trials, I discovered a path to true healing, deeper relationship with God and gratitude that continues to fill my heart. This is a story of faith, FRamily support and redemption that only God can author. And, I want to share this with you.
If you are heart sick, tired of being stuck and ready for real change with Christ at the center …. Practical steps to make your hard days less hard…Understanding of what to expect physically, emotionally and spiritually…Solutions to those ‘gut-punch’ moments…And, Results that build your faith and allow you to enjoy your own ‘great day’ this is the place to be.
It is possible, I promise! Join me today – take that first step of faith right now!!
website: www.grief2greatday.com
I help Christian women navigate grief through understanding grief, growing faith and processing daily life to find hope.
• Do you feel lost, confused, or overwhelmed by grief?
• Is the pain so great, you lose your breath and feel it will never get better?
• Have you cried so much there can’t be any tears left?
• Are you angry with God? Or question your own faith?
• Do you need faith-based help through the toughest season of your life?
In this podcast, you will find faith-based grief support to navigate the overwhelming and confusing journey of grief, to continue seeking God and most importantly, to breathe, laugh, and live again.
My mission is to walk with you through the healing, experience the milestones and the minefields to arrive on the other side with a gratitude and peace you never thought possible.
If you’re ready to take a brave step toward healing, understand your grief and find hope, this is the place to be.
Hey, I’m Stef. Southern by choice, turtle triathlete, wife and Jesus follower. I’ve experienced life-changing grief and struggled for years with the physical changes, the emotional roller-coaster and the spiritual questioning. I asked ‘why’ more times than I can count, went ‘boldly’ (and disrespectfully) to the throne, and was confused by a pain I had never felt before. I believed I would never be happy again and had all but given up on fulfilling my purpose.
But God!
Through my trials, I discovered a path to true healing, deeper relationship with God and gratitude that continues to fill my heart. This is a story of faith, FRamily support and redemption that only God can author. And, I want to share this with you.
If you are heart sick, tired of being stuck and ready for real change with Christ at the center …. Practical steps to make your hard days less hard…Understanding of what to expect physically, emotionally and spiritually…Solutions to those ‘gut-punch’ moments…And, Results that build your faith and allow you to enjoy your own ‘great day’ this is the place to be.
It is possible, I promise! Join me today – take that first step of faith right now!!
website: www.grief2greatday.com
249 Episodes
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🎧 Show Notes
Anxiety can be overwhelming — it paralyzes our actions, steals our peace, and convinces us of lies about our future. In this raw episode, I share the fear-filled season when my husband Jeff faced life-threatening health issues and how anxiety tried to control me. From sleepless nights and “worst-case” thinking to tears in church, I share what it looks like to wrestle with anxiety as a believer.
But more importantly, I share how God met us there. Through His Word, through prayer, through wise counsel, and through the daily practice of surrender, fear began to loosen its grip. If you’re walking through overwhelming anxiety, this episode will remind you: God is with you in the fear, and you can take back your thoughts with His truth.
Scripture Highlights:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.” — Isaiah 55:8
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” — Psalm 56:3
Key Takeaways:
Anxiety often looks like fear of “what’s next,” fueled by irrational, fatalistic thoughts.
It can affect every part of life — eating, sleeping, worshipping, even leaving the house.
God’s Word is the only true weapon against fear.
Wise counsel and community can help re-anchor your heart to God’s truth.
Healing is not “one and done” — it’s a daily practice of choosing faith over fear.
Action Step:
This week, pay attention to your thoughts. Notice when fear starts spiraling. Don’t let those thoughts grow. Instead, combat them with God’s Word — out loud if you need to. Replace lies with truth and watch peace take root where anxiety once ruled.
SHOW NOTES
When God Doesn’t Answer Your List: From Demands to Deep Trust
In this episode, I share what my first prayers looked like after Monica’s death—raw, desperate, and full of demands. From pleading for miracles to panicking over future loss, I’ll tell you how my relationship with God shifted from transactional to transformational.
I’m reading from the final chapter of Dying to Be Healed, where I open up about how Monica’s faith journey—and eventual death—led me to chase after God with a new purpose.
This isn’t a tidy testimony tied up with answers, but a reminder that peace doesn’t come from getting what we ask for—it comes from trusting the One we ask.
And often, the greatest healing doesn’t happen in the way we expect.
📖 Scripture of the Week
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” — Hebrews 4:16
Action Step
Take time this week to reflect: Are you asking God more for things… or for more of Him? Let your prayers shift from demands to drawing near.
SHOW NOTES
In today’s episode, I share what it felt like to return to church and work after losing Monica. I’ll explain the disconnect between those inside the “fishbowl” of grief and those viewing from the outside.
Using the unlikely example of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, we’ll explore why having information about grief is not the same as living it. You’ll hear about the power of compassionate presence, the frustration of well-meaning but hurtful comments, and the difference between education and revelation when it comes to comforting someone who is grieving.
Bible Verse for Reflection: "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." —Romans 12:15 (NIV)
Action Step
Think of someone in your life who is grieving. Reach out and offer a simple gesture: let them know you’re thinking of them and would be honored to listen if they want to talk about their person. It’s not about fixing—just about being present.
SHOW NOTES
Healing in grief often begins with small, consistent victories. By celebrating the little things—getting out of bed, returning a text, breathing through a tough moment—we honor how God is helping us heal day by day.
Bible Verse: Zechariah 4:10 — “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”
Highlights
Grief has no finish line, but it has forward movement in little steps that lead to healing.
Wins are not just the big accomplishments—they’re the small daily faith steps.
Building a “Faith Résumé” helps solidify God’s goodness in our lives.
Naming and sharing wins build confidence and hope.
SHOW NOTES
In today’s episode, I share my personal triathlon experience as an honest metaphor for walking through grief. From choking on the first wave to limping across the finish line, this story is a reminder that real strength isn’t always graceful—and healing doesn’t follow a straight path.
Grief, like a triathlon, demands Acceptance, Belief, and Consistency. It’s not about speed or perfection—it’s about showing up for the long haul.
You’ll walk away from this episode encouraged to stop measuring progress by how strong you look and instead start noticing how brave you’ve been to keep going.
Key Highlights
A story of panic, perseverance, and progress in the middle of a triathlon
The ABCs of healing: Acceptance, Belief, and Consistency
Why showing up daily matters more than feeling strong
How grief setbacks aren’t failure—they’re part of the journey
The surprising encouragement that comes from finishing—imperfectly
Scripture for This Episode
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
SHOW NOTES
Psalm 77 captures the tension of grief: raw sorrow and anchored hope.
Verses 1–10 give space to lament and reminds you God listens.
Verses 11–20 invite us to remember.
This pattern can help you process grief while building trust in God’s faithfulness.
Key Takeaways
You are allowed to question, cry, and feel overwhelmed (v.1–10).
God doesn’t turn away from your brokenness.
Remembering God’s past faithfulness—your “Faith Resume”—can anchor your hope in the storm.
Action Step
Create your own Faith Resume. Write down the moments when God carried you. Let those memories breathe life into your present and future.
Other Verses to Hold on to:
Lamentations 3:21–23 – “Yet I call this to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish…”
Isaiah 43:2 – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you...”
Show Notes
Is it really possible to live again after loss — and not just survive, but thrive? In this honest episode, I walk through my own journey of grief and how I slowly moved from despair, to questioning, to discovering purpose again. I’ll share what helped (and what didn’t), the surrender process that changed everything, and two powerful scriptures that reframed how I see my future.
If you’re struggling to believe in life after loss — this episode is for you. There is hope. And there is purpose. It may not look like what you had planned, but it might just become more beautiful than you imagined.
📖 Scriptures to Meditate On
Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Psalm 77:11 "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of old."
These verses remind us to focus not on figuring out the future, but on remembering God's faithfulness — and trusting Him to lead the way.
💬 Final Thought
You won’t go back to life ‘before’ — and trying to will wear you out. But you can move forward. And in doing so, you’ll honor your loved one in the most beautiful way — by living with purpose, faith, and joy again.
Show Notes
When grief clouds our view, it’s hard to imagine that anything good could ever come from it. In today’s episode, I share the story of my friend Ayako — how a connection born from Monica’s suffering turned into a 16-year journey of friendship, faith, and miracles.
Through Ayako’s baptism, God reminded me that healing, trust, and transformation are often slow — but always possible.
Key Takeaways:
Friendships formed in hard seasons often carry eternal impact.
Small acts of kindness can plant seeds of faith even when we can’t see it yet.
Grief is not the end of the story; it’s often the soil where miracles grow.
God will not let you walk through grief without leaving His fingerprints of hope.
Scriptures to Reflect On:
Philippians 1:6 — "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Isaiah 61:3 — "…to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."
**Closing Thought: Don’t diminish the grief you feel — but never underestimate what the Lord can do through it.
Show Notes
Grief isn’t neat and tidy — it’s a paradox. One minute you’re sobbing uncontrollably, the next you’re laughing at a memory that fills your heart. It can feel crazy and disorienting… but it’s actually normal. This episode unpacks the emotional whiplash of grief — how gratitude can live beside deep sorrow, how peace can sneak in through panic, and why all those contradictions are part of your healing.
Through the story of Monica’s life and loss — and a profound encounter with a grieving mother of four — you’ll gain language and insight to better understand your own grief journey.
If you’ve ever asked “Am I doing this wrong?” — this episode will comfort you with a resounding “No, you’re not.” You’re just grieving. And healing. At the same time.
📖 Scripture Encouragement:
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.” — 2 Corinthians 4:8
❤️ Takeaway Reminder:
You’re not doing it wrong. Grief is messy and full of opposites. Let yourself feel it all — the snort laughs and the ugly cries. There’s healing in both.
Show Notes
Does it feel like you keep ending up in the same emotional place in your grief — like you’re stuck or failing? In this episode, I’ll share how what feels like a setback may actually be a sign of deeper healing.
With a powerful metaphor of raking leaves — dry, damp, and deeply pressed into the earth — I’ll show you how the deeper layers of grief are not signs of failure, but of real, change. This episode will reframe your perspective and give you permission to pause, rest, and return when the ground is ready.
You’ll Learn:
· Why feeling “stuck” in grief often means you’ve reached a deeper level of healing
· How to discern when to keep working and when to wait
· What hidden wounds grief can bring to the surface — and why that’s okay
· The power of patience and wisdom in your healing process
📖 Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."
➤ This verse reminds us that even the slow, deep, messy parts of grief are purposeful and held within God’s timing. You're not off course — you're in a sacred season.
SHOW NOTES
Grief can feel like a cycle of progress and setbacks — especially after milestones, memories, or unexpected triggers. In this episode, we’re talking about one of the most frustrating experiences in grief: feeling like you’re starting over again and again. But what if those moments aren’t setbacks at all?
We’ll walk through five powerful ways to recognize the healing you may not even realize is happening. From drawing near to God (even if it's just a whisper) to surviving grief surges and feeling hope rise again — this episode will help you reframe what healing actually looks like in the messiness of loss.
You’ll Learn:
· Why feeling like you’re starting over is often a sign of progress
· How to spot God’s grace in even the smallest moments
· Why asking when will it get better? means you’re already healing
· How God’s “upside-down Kingdom” gives us a new way to view grief
· How to respond when milestones or minefields catch you off guard
Mentioned in this Episode:
· Grief’s healing wave
· Common experiences in Christian grief
· The quiet evidence of spiritual healing
Takeaway Truth: You’re not starting over. You’re going deeper. Grief comes in waves but so does healing.
Important Scriptures
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
His strength shows up not after we’ve healed — but in our weakness, as we heal.
"Come near to God and he will come near to you..." James 4:8 (NIV)
Even the smallest step toward God in grief is a giant leap toward healing.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you..." Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
A powerful reminder that waves may come, but they won’t consume you.
SHOW NOTES
What if letting go didn’t mean forgetting? What if it meant making space for God to heal your heart and bring new purpose to your life?
In this episode, we’re talking about 3 life-changing shifts that happen after you let go in grief: ✨ You move from holding on to honoring your loved one. ✨ You exchange isolation for deeper intimacy with God. ✨ You trade control for full surrender—and find peace in return.
Grief isn’t about leaving love behind. It’s about trusting God enough to release the pain so healing can begin. When you stop holding on to what you were never meant to carry, God does what only He can—He transforms your grief into something good.
📖 Key Scriptures Mentioned:
· Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
· Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.”
· Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
SHOW NOTES
Grief is hard enough without believing ‘untruths’ that make the journey even heavier.
In this episode, I’m sharing the top 3 lies that hold you back in grief—those sneaky thoughts that make you feel like you’re doing this “wrong” or that healing isn’t going to happen.
Here’s the truth:
Grief isn’t linear—it’s messy, with ups and downs.
You don’t have to start over after loss—you keep going with what remains.
There’s no finish line in grief, but there is absolutely healing when you stay close to God.
As a bonus—but really the most important truth—staying connected to God is the only way to experience true healing. He doesn’t just help you navigate grief; He transforms your pain into purpose.
📖 Key Scriptures Mentioned:
John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Episode 233.0 Down the Rabbit Hole! How to Get Out and Make it Through Grief.
SHOW NOTES
Ever feel like you’re spiraling—stuck in the darkness, unsure how to breathe again? That place is real… it’s what I call the rabbit hole or pit of grief. In today’s episode, we’re naming it, unpacking it, and walking through how to get out—not by your own strength, but by fully depending on the One who never leaves your side: God.
Whether you're just beginning your grief journey, or you've been walking it for a while, this episode is a reminder that you can find your way through, one step and one prayer at a time.
Inside this episode:
Why the rabbit hole or pit is normal—but not your forever
The truth about trying to fix yourself in grief
Why complete dependence on God brings true healing
How to begin seeing your journey from a higher perspective
You’re not alone. You’re not too broken. And this is not the end of your story.
God is the way through—and hope is still ahead.
232.0 Healing in Grief: A Vacation Story of Ducks, Pickleball and Pocahontas.
SHOW NOTES
In this special episode, I’m sharing what healing in grief can actually look like—and spoiler alert: it’s probably not what you expect. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting your loved one or returning to who you were before the loss. It’s about learning to live again, laugh again, and find joy in unexpected moments—even if you still carry the ache.
You’ll hear some fun (and slightly bizarre) stories from a recent visit with my friend Kathy Brasby, a fellow grief traveler and founding member of the Lighthouse Community. From goats and pickleball to duck collections and a man who called me Pocahontas, this episode is full of reminders that healing comes in the ordinary, the silly, the sacred, and the surprising. And through it all, God is faithful.
Whether you’re in your first year of grief or much further along, this episode is a warm hug and a gentle nudge: you’re not alone, and there is still joy ahead.
SHOW NOTES
The last episode you probably heard was - Grief 2 Great Day is Going Private – Now you see that more episodes have been added – so you may wonder, ‘what in the world is going on with Grief 2 Great Day?
I want to share what’s been going on and why and also what you can expect in the future.
2025 has brought a lot of changes for Grief 2 Great Day, the ministry and there have been changes in my personal life and I think sharing some of that with you will help you understand.
That doesn’t mean the resources are gone, though! Here’s what you need to know moving forward:
The Lighthouse Community will close at the end of August.
The Grief Group for Christian Women (our private Facebook group) has reopened, and you are welcome to join us there.
The Grief 2 Great Day Podcast is still available, and you can now access it at www.kathybrasby.com on the grief page or on all major podcast apps.
Podcast episodes from the Lighthouse will also be moved over so you won’t lose access.
While there won’t be new episodes every week, there will be occasional new ones and additional resources as God leads.
I’m also so grateful for Kathy Brasby—she has graciously led the women in the Lighthouse during my absence and is making her site available to host the podcast and resources.
I know change can feel unsettling, but God is faithful, and He is not a God of confusion. My prayer is that these shifts will still provide the encouragement and hope you need in your grief journey—and always point you back to Jesus.
Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
Join the Grief Group for Christian Women on Facebook → (1) The Grief Group for Christian Women - Finding Purpose After Loss | Facebook
Access the Grief 2 Great Day Podcast & Resources → www.kathybrasby.com
SHOW NOTES
Last episode I shared the changes coming for Grief 2 Great Day to make sure you have a single place to call home in your grief journey.
And this week, we’ll touch on change. How uncomfortable it can be and how few of us enjoy change. What we don’t care about in grief is that with great change comes great growth if we’ll allow it to change us.
The changes coming for Grief 2 Great Day include taking the Grief 2 Great Day podcast from public to private.
Please listen to make sure you are able to continue listening to the podcast and have access to all the resources.
WORD of the Week “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10
Song of the Week Naomi Raine - Sing Hallelujah feat. Natalie Grant
Grief 2 Great Day Website - Connect with Me
Join The Grief Group for Christian Women on Facebook
Read about Monica’s entire Journey, Dying to Be Healed - Book - Grief2GreatDay
Visit my Church –Opendoor Church | Home
SHOW NOTES
While I walked through my life-changing grief, I didn’t think I was going to make it. I was indignant and angry with God and at times, doubted He cared about me. I felt like I would never be able to breathe, laugh or live again.
God used my anger to keep me connected to Him and brought true healing to my heart. He showed me – actually – He shocked me with real joy and peace and gave me a calling I never expected. That’s how Grief 2 Great Day was born.
I’m here to share that good news, that confident hope that life will get better, that there will be beauty from your ashes. And one of the most helpful things is having others who understand that kind of pain, a framily, a community where you can go and feel comforted and encouraged.
This week I’m sharing the changes coming for Grief 2 Great Day to make sure you have such a place to call home. Please listen to make sure you are able to continue listening to the podcast and have access to all the resources.
WORD of the Week Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge (Psalm 62:5-7).
Song of the Week For My Good & I Will Be Alright, Calvin Nowell
Grief 2 Great Day Website - Connect with Me
Join The Grief Group for Christian Women on Facebook
Read about Monica’s entire Journey, Dying to Be Healed - Book - Grief2GreatDay
Visit my Church –Opendoor Church | Home
SHOW NOTES
This week we’re going to talk about living after loss. That statement sounds non emotional and 'do-able'…until you are the one experiencing the loss – the life-changing loss of someone you dearly loved – someone who was an intricate part of your daily life.
We all understand anger, questions and pain associated with loss, but along with those emotions comes an overwhelming lack of desire to live life fully. Living daily life is hard enough, but to desire a life that is beyond survival is unfathomable in the beginning of grief.
This week we’re going to talk about wanting to live life after a life-altering loss, as this is the first step to living a joyful and meaningful life.
WORD of the Week Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Song of the Week Cry Out to Jesus by Third Day
Grief 2 Great Day Website - Connect with Me
Join The Grief Group for Christian Women on Facebook
Read about Monica’s entire Journey, Dying to Be Healed - Book - Grief2GreatDay
Visit my Church –Opendoor Church | Home
SHOW NOTES
As Grief 2 Great Day begins to shift from being a public podcast to moving to a private community, I’ve had questions about what that means, when that will happen and how it will affect you.
So today, I want to share what’s happened over the past three years, share the vision of Grief 2 Great Day again and invite you to be a part of this exciting shift!
If you have questions that haven’t been addressed in this episode, please head to the Grief Group for Christian Women (private Facebook group) and pop them in there!
I thank God for giving me this calling and I thank you for being a part of the last three years! 😊
WORD of the Week Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Song of the Week Cry Out to Jesus by Third Day
Grief 2 Great Day Website - Connect with Me
Join The Grief Group for Christian Women on Facebook
Read about Monica’s entire Journey, Dying to Be Healed - Book - Grief2GreatDay
Visit my Church –Opendoor Church | Home
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