Show notes
Throughout the summer, we're revisiting some of our most meaningful conversations - stories of hope, healing, and life-changing collisions with Jesus that continue to encourage women year after year.
This episode originally aired in May 2024 and we're grateful to share it again with you.
Whether you're listening for the first time or returning to it again, we pray it meets you right where you are and reminds you of God's faithfulness, grace, and redeeming love.
What do you do when your body begins to fail, your future looks nothing like you imagined, and faith doesn't make the grief disappear?
Maybe you've been told to "just trust God," but underneath your brave face you're exhausted, grieving, or quietly wondering if anyone understands what you're carrying. If you've ever wrestled with suffering, chronic illness, loss, or the tension of holding both faith and heartbreak, this conversation will remind you that Jesus meets you honestly, not after you've cleaned yourself up.
Meet Shelbi Shutt
Shelbi is a pastor, speaker, writer, and disability advocate living in Portland, Oregon. Diagnosed with the rare neuromuscular disease Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy at age sixteen, Shelbi has spent years learning what it means to trust God while navigating chronic illness, progressive disability, grief, and mental health challenges. Today she encourages others to find God's presence in weakness and discover hope through honest faith.
In This Episode You'll Discover...
- Why faith and grief were never meant to compete—and how they can exist together.
- How to stop pretending you're "fine" and begin bringing your honest emotions to God.
- What chronic illness taught Shelbi about identity, weakness, and God's grace.
- Why isolation nearly cost Shelbi everything—and how community became part of her healing.
- Practical ways to experience God's presence when suffering doesn't have an ending.
How This Episode Will Encourage You
Friend, whatever you're carrying today, you don't have to pretend it isn't heavy in order to have faith. God isn't waiting for you to become stronger before He meets you. His grace is present right here—in your weakness, your questions, your tears, and your story.
If this conversation encouraged you, would you share it with someone who needs the reminder that they're not alone?
Resources Mentioned
Collide Women’s Conference - Join us for a powerful one-day event filled with inspiration, connection, and encouragement to help you pursue healing, purpose, and deeper faith.
✨ Learn more and grab your ticket on our website.
Collide Counseling Bundle - This online course tackles the 12 most common issues women face in counseling, offering practical tools, expert advice, and encouragement from licensed mental health professionals. The course also includes a beautifully designed printed workbook (mailed to your door) filled with exercises, reflection space, and helpful resources to guide your healing journey.
Follow Shelbi - Instagram
Connect with Willow - Website | Instagram | Facebook
Order Willow’s New Book! ECPA New Release Bestseller\ Collide: Running into Healing When Life Hands You Hurt
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Episode Highlights
0:00 — Shelbi's surprising journey from athlete to living with a rare muscular disease
5:45 — Receiving a life-changing diagnosis at sixteen and the unexpected peace that followed
13:00 — Why many Christians unknowingly skip grief—and why that's so dangerous
19:30 — Shelbi shares her mental health crisis, trauma recovery, and finding hope again
28:45 — How weakness became the place where she experienced God's presence most deeply
35:20 — Learning to receive God's grace one honest conversation at a time
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