In this episode of Singing Through Fire, host Lara Silverman begins the “Faith in the Furnace” series with Sara Gaver—speaker, advocate, founder of Wheel Life Connections, and Miss Wheelchair USA 2022. Sara shares what it’s like living with Arthrogryposis as a full-time power wheelchair user, including chronic pain, childhood surgeries, and the challenges of relying on caregivers. She tells how she came to faith during a dark season in college after two students prayed for her inner healing, and how God sustained her through abuse, depression, and seasons that felt silent. Sara also recounts the fight to gain independence through assistive technology, including receiving a $65,000 robotic arm (“Joy”) after 28 insurance denials and a Christmas-time financial miracle. Lara and Sara discuss taking up a lifelong cross, praying honestly, practicing gratitude, and learning to hold joy and lament together. Sara explains her heart for advocacy, why her platform isn’t explicitly branded as Christian, and what she wishes believers understood about welcoming people with disabilities—especially the harm of treating healing prayers as the first response. The conversation closes with hope that suffering isn’t the end of the story and that God uses weakness for His glory.

00:00 Meet Sarah Gaver: Miss Wheelchair USA & Wheel Life Connections
02:00 Sarah’s Faith Journey: Finding Jesus in a Dark College Season
04:48 Understanding Arthrogryposis: Daily Life, Mobility & Pain
07:08 ‘Joy’ the Robotic Arm: 28 Denials, Court, and a Christmas Miracle
12:12 Taking Up the Cross: Acceptance, Identity, and Advocacy
17:53 How God Speaks in Affliction: Music, Prayer, and Honest Faith
20:41 When Caregiving Collapses: Rock Bottom, Rescue, and New Independence
26:07 Finding Purpose in Disability: God’s Glory, Gratitude, and Lament
36:12 Why God Heals Some and Not Others: Living With the Mystery
37:17 Wrestling, Discipline, and Surrendering the Need for Answers
39:48 Grace in Weakness: Being a Vessel, Not an “Inspiration” Trophy
41:43 Isaiah 43:1—The Verse She Clings to When It’s Hard
42:39 Does God Know What’s Best? Trust Built Through Past Proof
45:13 God’s Creativity & “Figure-It-Out” Faith in Daily Limitations
48:02 Spiritual Warfare, Caregiver Trauma, and the “I’m a Burden” Lie
52:18 Has Disability Advanced the Gospel? A Platform That Plants Seeds
54:09 Church & Disability: Why “Healing at the Door” Pushes People Away
59:49 Unhelpful Things Christians Say—and a Better Theology of Disability
01:01:45 Joy in the Middle of Grief: The House Foreclosure & Fellowship Story
01:06:20 Miss Wheelchair USA: Redefining Beauty, Breaking Barriers, Final Blessing

Resources and Links:
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Watch the Singing Through Fire podcast on YouTube.
Listen on your favorite podcast streaming platform.
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Listen on Apple podcasts.
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PODCAST DESCRIPTION:

Welcome to the Singing Through Fire podcast! I’m your host Lara Silverman, and this is where we:

• Worship when it hurts
• Discuss hot takes from the furnace of affliction
• Explore a biblical theology of suffering with a side of sass and sarcasm

From lamentations to laughter, this podcast is for anyone desperate for hope who has ever asked, "Why, Lord, why?”

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe because I upload content every Tuesday and Friday!

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2nd Corinthians 4:17.

In this episode of Singing Through Fire, join host Lara Silverman as she tackles profound questions about suffering and faith. Drawing from her personal experience with chronic illness and the loss of her husband, Lara discusses the importance of building a biblical theology of suffering. This foundational episode explores scripture's perspectives on pain and introduces the "Christian Suffering Constitution and Bill of Rights," outlining specific biblical truths and rights for believers in the midst of trials. Lara highlights how suffering can draw us closer to God, enhance our faith, and serve His greater redemptive purposes. Tune in for deep theological insights, heartfelt prayers, and an invitation to find hope and joy even in the darkest of times. Be sure to subscribe for more weekly content aimed at encouraging those walking through seasons of hardship.

*Chapters*
00:00 Introduction: Wrestling with Suffering
00:26 Welcome to Singing Through Fire
01:17 The Christian Suffering Constitution and Bill of Rights
05:06 The Mystery of Suffering
12:58 15 Purposes of Suffering
21:37 The Suffering Bill of Rights
31:08 Conclusion and Resources

*Resources and Links:*
Watch the Singing Through Fire podcast on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/5n8y76dn
Listen on your favorite podcast streaming platform: https://tinyurl.com/2td8xd9x
Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/pu6byepy
Listen on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y3nbfhbf
Connect on Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/536k9x8u
Connect on Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/23v3mdfu

PODCAST DESCRIPTION:

Welcome to the Singing Through Fire podcast! I’m your host Lara Silverman, and this is where we:

• Worship when it hurts
• Discuss hot takes from the furnace of affliction
• Explore a biblical theology of suffering with a side of sass and sarcasm

From lamentations to laughter, this podcast is for anyone desperate for hope who has ever asked, "Why, Lord, why?”

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe because I upload content every Tuesday and Friday!

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2nd Corinthians 4:17.

In this episode of Singing Through Fire, Lara Silverman delves into the concept of Christ's upside-down kingdom and how it contrasts with worldly values. She emphasizes that while society celebrates strength, independence, and personal ambition, Christ's teachings flip these ideals on their head, promoting values like meekness, mourning, and self-denial. The episode aims to prepare Christians for inevitable suffering by realigning their perspective to see trials as opportunities for growth and deeper faith. Lara shares personal anecdotes, scripture references, and theological insights to provide comfort and hope to those questioning God's plans during their hardships. She concludes with a promise of further exploration into the reasons behind suffering in the next episode.

*Chapters*
00:00 Introduction: Embracing the Confusion
00:27 Welcome to Singing Through Fire
01:04 The Upside-Down Kingdom
01:55 Personal Journey and Realizations
03:34 Scriptural Foundations of Suffering
04:58 Living with an Eternal Perspective
05:15 The Beatitudes and Upside-Down Principles
07:26 Trusting God's Plan Amidst Suffering
14:06 Examples of Faith in Suffering
22:33 Conclusion: Preparing for the Next Episode

Resources and Links:
Connect on Facebook
Connect on Instagram
Watch the Singing Through Fire podcast on YouTube
BUY LARA SILVERMAN'S #1 Bestselling Book, Singing Through Fire, here.

PODCAST DESCRIPTION:

Welcome to the Singing Through Fire podcast! I’m your host Lara Silverman, and this is where we:

• Worship when it hurts
• Discuss hot takes from the furnace of affliction
• Explore a biblical theology of suffering with a side of sass and sarcasm

From lamentations to laughter, this podcast is for anyone desperate for hope who has ever asked, "Why, Lord, why?”

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe because I upload content every Tuesday and Friday!

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2nd Corinthians 4:17.