Cover of Ep 48: Keeping The Faith When Life Falls Apart. A Story of Loss, Addiction, Divorce, and Cancer | Darlene Radel

Ep 48: Keeping The Faith When Life Falls Apart. A Story of Loss, Addiction, Divorce, and Cancer | Darlene Radel

Ep 48: Keeping The Faith When Life Falls Apart. A Story of Loss, Addiction, Divorce, and Cancer | Darlene Radel

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Sudden tragedy. A broken marriage. Hidden alcoholism. Divorce. Breast cancer. Darlene has faced seasons when the losses kept coming—and prayers did not bring the outcomes she hoped for. In this episode of Run to the Hard, Curtis Christopher sits down with Darlene Radel, a longtime prayer partner for his family, to hear the story behind her faith. At 13, she lost her three-year-old cousin in a devastating accident. Years later, a drunk-driving crash killed her future father-in-law and changed the man she would marry. As their marriage unraveled, Darlene began drinking to cover pain she did not know how to face. A close friend's intervention helped her enter a year of faith-based recovery. But healing did not mean the hardships were over. Her marriage ended, and after rebuilding her life, she faced breast cancer, major surgeries, and treatment complications that nearly took her life. Darlene shares honestly about grief, shame, unanswered prayer, accepting help, and finding a faith that could carry her through a life she never would have chosen. If you have ever wondered how much more you can take—or where God is in the middle of it—we hope this conversation reminds you that you are seen, loved, and do not have to face the hard alone. IN THIS EPISODE - Childhood tragedy, sudden loss, and wrestling with unanswered prayer - How a fatal drunk-driving crash affected her future husband and their marriage - A husband's rejection of faith and the pain of a struggling marriage - Losing herself while trying to save her relationship - Hidden alcoholism and using alcohol to cope with grief and emotional pain - The intervention that helped her accept help for alcohol addiction - Faith-based recovery and healing from childhood trauma - Navigating divorce and rebuilding life after marriage - Facing a breast cancer diagnosis without a spouse - Surviving serious complications after a double mastectomy - How prayer, family, and friendship supported her through suffering - Trusting God when healing does not look the way you hoped CHAPTERS 00:00 A childhood tragedy she never forgot 00:36 Darlene's story of loss, addiction, and faith 03:21 Praying for Michal through her cancer battle 06:26 Childhood hardship and a family rooted in faith 09:16 Her grandmother's legacy of prayer 11:51 The sudden death of her three-year-old cousin 16:51 Unanswered prayer: "Why didn't I get my miracle?" 20:46 Meeting her future husband 22:26 A fatal drunk-driving crash changes their family 27:26 Marriage, motherhood, and growing emotional distance 31:26 Renewed faith and hope for their marriage 37:01 When her husband rejected their Christian faith 39:01 Grief, unresolved pain, and the need for healing 41:36 Losing herself while trying to save her marriage 45:21 Hidden alcoholism behind work and church 49:11 Drinking to cope with loneliness and despair 50:46 When her family discovered her alcohol addiction 54:31 A friend's intervention becomes a turning point 59:26 Discovering a personal faith in Jesus 1:01:31 Alcohol was a Band-Aid over deeper wounds 1:04:16 A year of faith-based addiction recovery 1:06:36 Becoming a prayer partner for Curtis's family 1:09:26 Divorce after recovery and rebuilding her life 1:13:16 Finding purpose through missions and returning to Ohio 1:18:46 The mammogram that led to a breast cancer diagnosis 1:23:51 Praying for a friend with multiple myeloma 1:29:46 Double mastectomy, sepsis, and life-threatening complications 1:33:26 How Michal's faith inspired her through cancer 1:36:41 Learning to trust God with the outcome 1:39:06 Hope for anyone feeling lonely or unseen 1:41:11 Bible verses for fear, anxiety, and faith 1:44:31 Curtis remembers a joyful moment with Michal 1:50:46 A prayer for healing, comfort, and hope ABOUT RUN TO THE HARD Run to the Hard is a podcast about grief, suffering, faith, hope, and finding life after loss. The show was inspired by Michal Christopher's words: "Run to the hard, run to the hurt because it's in the greatest hard that God's gonna do the greatest work." You do not have to have a neat ending to share your story. You can be healing and still carrying questions. You can have faith and still need help. Running to the hard is better when we run together. SUPPORT THE MICHAL FOUNDATION The Michal Foundation helps individuals and families facing tragedy, loss, and difficult life circumstances. Learn more: https://runtothehard.com Support the foundation: https://runtothehard.com/give Rate the podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Subscribe for honest conversations about grief, suffering, faith, and hope. Share this episode with someone carrying a private struggle, rebuilding after loss, or trying to support a person they love. #RunToTheHard #FaithThroughHardship #Recovery
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