When life doesn’t look like we hoped, God’s Word still points us to joy. Today, Carole Leathem shares her hard-won story—from a pastor’s-wife life that unraveled through her husband’s mental health crisis to becoming a steady, grace-filled caregiver who clings to Jesus. You’ll hear how James 1 reshaped her questions from “Why me?” to “What now?” and how the God of all comfort meets us in the mess. Carole’s practices for soul health are simple, doable, and drenched in Scripture and hope.

Key Points

• Carole’s backstory and marriage: decades of ministry, infertility followed by two “miracle babies,” and then a devastating mental health crash in 2016.
• Choosing to stay: honoring vows while recognizing mental illness as a brain disorder—and making safety plans with her therapist in the hardest season.
• The pivot from “Why?” to “What now?”—how James 1 reframed her response to trials and anchored her joy in Christ, not circumstances.
• Caregiving realities: ongoing medication management, emotional roller coasters, multiple surgeries, and learning to live one breath at a time.
• Practical soul care: “mini five-minute vacations,” monthly deep-tissue massage, gym five mornings a week with her daughter, staying in the Word, worship, reading, and grandkids time.
• Scripture threads: James 1; 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (the God of all comfort); Psalm 34:18 (near to the brokenhearted); Genesis 50:20 (God’s redemptive good).
• Calling and message: preparing for trials, building a God-first foundation, and finding joy even when “the mud and muck” feel up to your neck.
• Community and stats Carole sees: most caretakers are women; she hears from many who felt utterly alone until they found her resources.

Resources Mentioned

• Are You Ready to Find Joy When Life Gets Messy? by Carole Leathem.
• Podcast: The Caretaker’s Journey (available on major platforms and on her site).
• Scriptures: James 1; 2 Corinthians 1:3–4; Psalm 34:18 ; Genesis 50:20 .

Join Carole Leathem and the Caretaker’s Journey Community at https://www.thecaretakersjourney.com/

Have a prayer request or feedback?
Email Carol at: carol@carolmcleodministries.com
She and her team would love to pray for you.

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The Significant Women Podcast with Carol McLeod is edited and produced by WileyCraft Productions. Visit https://wileycraftproductions.com/ to learn more.