Finding Freedom Through Forgiveness

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“What God gives us in suffering is more than he takes away.”

Vaneetha

Vaneetha Risner contracted polio as an infant, was misdiagnosed, and lived with widespread paralysis. In and out of the hospital for ten years, she faced bullying after each hospital stay. When she became a Christian, Vaneetha thought things would get easier, and for a time they did: carefree college days, a dream job in Boston, and an MBA from Stanford where she met and married a classmate.

But life unraveled again. She had four miscarriages and her son died because of a doctor’s mistake. Vaneetha was later diagnosed with post-polio syndrome, meaning she’d likely become a quadriplegic. And when her husband betrayed her, he moved out and left her to raise two adolescent daughters alone.

With a Job-like story, Vaneetha’s suffering, loss, questioning, and anger has become a life filled with incomprehensible peace and joy.

Today on the podcast, she’s sharing from her new book Walking Through Fire about how her ongoing hardships have drawn her closer to Christ. Hear how God has given her grace to forgive those whose harmful choices radically altered the course of her life and be encouraged by her courageous journey toward wholeness amidst a world of brokenness!

Preorder Walking Through Fire

Walking Through Fire: A Memoir of Loss and Redemption is a story of God’s faithfulness in suffering. Vaneetha tenderly reminds us that the same God who walked with her through fire is present with each of us in our pain—and offers beautiful purpose and peace.