In this vulnerable and faith-filled episode, I dive deep into what it really looks like to walk in faith and obedience when life feels anything but easy. As a mom, nurse, and colorectal cancer survivor, I know firsthand the tension between trusting God and asking, "God… are You serious right now?"

From biblical stories of radical obedience to raw moments from her own cancer journey, this episode will remind you that faith doesn’t mean having it all together—and obedience doesn’t always feel convenient. But both are powerful when life feels impossible.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ Why faith actually grows stronger in the fire

✔️ The difference between believing and obeying (and why it matters)

✔️ Real biblical examples of people who obeyed even when it didn’t make sense

✔️ What obedience looks like today when life gets messy and uncertain

✔️ Encouragement if you're wrestling with God or feel like you're falling apart

✔️ Practical ways to hold onto your faith when everything feels shaky

✔️ Powerful scripture to ground you in God’s promises

Hebrews 11:1 – "Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

Hebrews 11:8 – Abraham obeyed even when he didn’t know where he was going.

Job 13:15 – "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him."

Romans 8:28 – "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him."

Isaiah 41:10 – "Do not fear, for I am with you..."

Biblical Stories Highlighted:

• Abraham stepping out without a roadmap
• Noah building an ark when rain had never come
• Mary saying yes to the impossible
• Jesus surrendering to the cross
• And a powerful look at Job, who lost everything but still chose to trust God

I share how obedience looked during my cancer battle—surrendering control, choosing peace over panic, and finding the courage to share her story publicly to encourage others. She reminds us: “You don’t have to feel strong to obey. You just have to be willing to trust the One who is.”

Practical Encouragement:

✔️ Stay in the Word—even if it’s just one verse a day

✔️ Pray honest prayers (even if they’re messy)

✔️ Journal or note your “God moments” to remind yourself He is near

✔️ Surround yourself with people who will speak truth when you forget it

Quotes from the Episode:

“Faith is easy when life is good—but real obedience shows up when it’s not.”

“God may not ask you to carry a cross, but He may ask you to carry this trial with Him.”

“If you’re in a Job season, know this: God sees you, and He is working behind the scenes.”

If this episode spoke to your heart, don’t keep it to yourself.

✔️ Share it with someone walking through a tough time

✔️ Leave a review and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming

✔️ Support the podcast and gain access to Q&A, shoutouts, and prayer threads here: Support the Podcast

Want more encouragement?

Visit www.tools2thrive.org for faith-based resources, free downloads, podcast updates, and more.

Let’s talk about something that no one really wants to talk about—but far too many people are facing: colorectal cancer. In this candid and compassionate episode, I’m sharing my personal journey and walking you through what this diagnosis actually means—from symptoms to testing, treatment, and ultimately, remission.

I was 37 years old, healthy, active, and had no family history of colorectal cancer. What started as something minor—a little bleeding I blamed on postpartum hemorrhoids—turned out to be Stage 3 colorectal cancer. And it turned my entire world upside down.

In this episode, we cover:

• What colorectal cancer is and how it starts
• The early symptoms that you should never ignore
• What the testing process and colonoscopy actually look like
• How treatment plans are formed, including surgery, chemo, and more
• My real story—what I went through, what I learned, and where God showed up
• Biblical encouragement and how scripture carried me through the fire
• Practical advice for staying mentally, emotionally, and physically strong

This episode is for anyone facing a diagnosis, supporting someone who is, or just needing to hear truth and encouragement in a season of unknowns.

Important Statistics You Should Know

• Colorectal cancer rates in people under 50 have increased by nearly 50% since the 1990s
• It is now the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among people under 50 in the U.S.
• About 20% of new colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed in individuals under 55
• Younger patients are more likely to be diagnosed at advanced stages due to delayed detection
• Early detection saves lives—the five-year survival rate is 91% when caught early
• The recommended screening age has been lowered from 50 to 45

The Personal Side of the Journey

I break down everything you might face if you’re walking through colorectal cancer—from what it actually feels like to hear the words “you have cancer” to the awkward realities of testing and procedures. I also talk about how I wore an ostomy bag, endured surgery, and eventually got the news that I was in remission.

None of this was easy. But with my faith and the promises of God as my foundation, I found strength, even in the hardest moments.

Here are a few of the scriptures that held me together:

• Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
• Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.”

Steps You Can Take Now

• Advocate for yourself—if something feels off, speak up
• Get screened as soon as you're eligible
• Move your body and nourish it well
• Find a supportive community of people who will walk with you
• Ground yourself in truth through worship, prayer, and scripture
• Remember that it’s okay to laugh and cry in the same breath—this is hard, and you don’t have to pretend it’s not

Final Encouragement

You are not your diagnosis.

You are not defined by your symptoms or your scars.

You are loved, known, and seen by a God who promises to walk with you through every part of your journey.

You don’t have to go through this alone. Whether you are battling cancer, supporting a loved one, or simply feeling overwhelmed by health concerns—this episode was created to encourage you, inform you, and help you feel seen and supported.

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Welcome Back!

Hey friend, welcome back to Thrive Through the Fire! If you’re new here, I’m Alyssa Kilgore—a mom, nurse, Jesus-lover, and someone who knows firsthand what it’s like when life doesn’t go according to plan.

I don’t know about you, but I love a good plan. I have multiple calendars, a planner (or three), and a color-coded system for keeping my life organized. I love knowing what’s coming next and being in control.

And then, life happens. And God says, "That’s cute, but I have something else in mind."

What happens when life completely derails your plans.

How to surrender to God’s will—even when it doesn’t make sense.

Biblical examples of people who had their plans flipped upside down.

My own story and the moment I realized I wasn’t in control.

Practical steps to mentally, emotionally, and spiritually surrender.

Encouragement to trust that God’s plan is always better than ours.

We’re getting real, honest, a little snarky, and a whole lot of faith-filled—because this is not about sugar-coated Christianity. This is about learning to let go and trust God even when it feels impossible.

I thought I had my life figured out.

I was a busy mom of four, balancing work, family, and a never-ending to-do list. And then, at 38 years old, I was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer—out of nowhere.

I went from being the caregiver to the one needing care. From making plans to realizing I wasn’t the one in charge. God was. (Newsflash: He always was.)

That year, my word became “surrender.” And let me tell you—it was both a smack in the face and the most beautiful lesson all at the same time.

Here’s the thing about surrender:

Most of us don’t do it willingly.

No one wakes up and says, "God, I’d love for You to completely turn my world upside down today!"

Usually, we surrender because we have no other choice. And when we think we’re calling the shots, God humbles us real quick.

If you think your life didn’t go as planned, let’s talk about some Bible greats who probably felt the same way.

Mary – The Ultimate "This Wasn’t the Plan" Moment (Luke 1:26-38)

Imagine being a teenage girl, engaged, planning a normal life—and then BAM—an angel shows up and says,

"Oh hey, Mary! You’re going to give birth to the Son of God. Surprise!"

Not exactly part of her wedding vision board.

And yet, her response blows me away:

Luke 1:38 – “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”

She didn’t argue. She didn’t bargain. She surrendered.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, I did not do that.

I fought. I begged. I cried.

"God, take this away. Please."

And yet Mary’s response? "May your word to me be fulfilled."

That’s a powerful example of surrender.

But if you’re struggling right now, if you’re begging God to take something away, I get it. And God can handle...