From Misery to Ministry with Susan Neal

I’m so happy to have Susan Neal on the blog today as I celebrate the big reveal of my website makeover. It’s always more fun to celebrate with friends! If you’ve been with me for any length of time, you know that God has taken the trial of chronic illness in my life and redeemed it. He’s used it for so much good in my life and in the lives of others. God has done the same thing for Susan. I just know her story will bless and encourage you!

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When I was forty-nine, I combated a health crisis that began with a dental crown. Little did I know how that would mark the beginning of losing my health. Over the next nine months, the tooth abscessed without me knowing and poisoned my body. This resulted in ten diagnoses and two surgeries:

1. Bimonthly periods caused by uterine polyps
2. Depression
3. Ovarian cyst
4. Adrenal fatigue
5. Hormonal imbalance
6. Retinal tear
7. Visual migraine
8. Anemia
9. Low vitamin D
10. Candidiasis infection

Nine months later, I had an emergency root canal and ten days of antibiotics and two weeks of steroids. Afterward, I was so exhausted I could not put away the groceries after shopping. No one understood how depleted my system was because I looked fine on the outside, but I was a train wreck on the inside. 

That month I turned fifty, and I had lost my health. For fifty years, I took my excellent health for granted. Now I realized it was precious. For my birthday, a friend gave me a plaque with this verse: 

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

Those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

I clung to that verse and hoped my health would someday be restored. Do you hope for something? Two years after my illness began I was finally healed, and I found the verse 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT), “God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

Through the shattering effects of illness in my own life, God gave me a desire to help others regain their health as I did mine.That is why I published numerous healthy living books: 

7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates

Christian Study Guide for 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates

Healthy Living Journal

Healthy Living Series: 3 Books in 1

Solving the Gluten Puzzle

If you would like to begin your healing journey or attain your optimal weight, please join my Facebook group, 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar, Carbs, and Gluten, where I offer support and encouragement.

Have you suffered trauma, abuse, or a crisis and turned it around so you could help others? To develop a ministry you have to understand, first hand, those you serve. Ultimately, the problems you’ve endured in your life end up becoming your ministry. Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans” (TLB). It is amazing how much compassion we obtain when we’ve experienced trials. Have you created a ministry that came from your tribulations?

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Susan Neal RN has a masters in health science and an MBA. She lives her life with a passion to help others improve their health. After suffering a health crisis, she became an author and health coach to provide others with the tools they needed to heal their bodies and reclaim their ideal weight.

Her award-winning #1 Amazon best-seller is 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates. The third book in her Healthy Living Series, Healthy Living Journal, won the Golden Scrolls award “2019 Best Inspirational Gift Book.” Her newest release Solving the Gluten Puzzle helps many determine if they have a gluten-related disorder and how to treat it.

She’s been featured in many media outlets including The Bridges TV show, Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), Charisma magazine, and numerous podcasts and radio shows. Learn more about Susan at SusanUNeal.com.

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I love how God turns our trials into triumphs. Thank you, Susan, for sharing your story with us. Drop us a comment and share your triumphs with us. We’d love to know how God’s working in your life and giving you joy for the journey. While you’re here, take a look around the new website and let me know what you think!

Until next time,

Josie

“Ultimately, the problems you’ve endured in your life end up becoming your ministry.” ~Susan Neal #ChristianLiving

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