Ep 421: Trusting God in Unexpected Seasons with Jen Jones

Join us as host Tamra Andress talks with special guest Jen Jones. Jen and Tamra explore the profound journey of living a significant life and trusting God through it all.

Jen candidly shares her faith story, which was profoundly challenged when her first child, Addie, was born with Down syndrome. This unexpected twist in her life led her to wrestle with her beliefs and develop a more authentic faith. After years of reflection and growth, Jen felt a calling to share her story more openly, leading her to launch conferences, groups, and a podcast to help others navigate hardship through the lens of faith.

The Season of Pivot

But the unexpected turns didn’t stop there. Jen’s husband unexpectedly lost his job after years in ministry, pushing them to pivot and start over in a new city, launching a new church plant and business. Jen, guided by her faith, also transitioned into a career as a health coach, a path she never anticipated. She shares the challenges and rewards of integrating her faith into this new secular line of work.

Throughout the episode, Jen delves into the vital connection between physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, highlighting the importance of tending to whole health for a significant life. She shares the power of vulnerability with God and others, the practice of diving deep into Scripture, and the use of breath prayers to recenter on truth.

Jen also discusses the profound impact of raising a child with Down syndrome alongside her other children, fostering greater compassion, empathy, and inclusivity in their family.

Overall, this episode’s theme revolves around learning to trust God and lean into unexpected seasons, being obedient in the small daily decisions, and letting Him work His purpose, even when life doesn’t align with our plans or vision.

Tune in to this heartwarming conversation and discover how you too can trust God’s guidance in the midst of life’s unexpected turns. Be prepared to be inspired and encouraged to live a more significant life of faith. #FaithJourney #UnexpectedSeasons #TrustingGod

About Jen:

Jen Jones is the founder and CEO of Jen Jones Direct LLC, and creative architect of the Significant Conference. Through her books, courses, conferences and Significant Life groups, she equips and empowers women to create the life they love on the foundation of faith. Jen and her husband Marcus are living this great adventure with their four children in San Diego, California.

Jen knows what it’s like to experience the unexpected when nineteen years ago she welcomed her first daughter with a birth diagnosis of Down Syndrome. She embraced the unknown and has become an advocate for all people to belong. Jen helps families identify their core values and champions women to know and own their God-given worth to live a life of significance.

She is a certified health coach, and has built a nationwide health and wellness business, and guides people on a path to help them take control of their health—mentally, physically and spiritually. She is in the personal transformation business.

Jen has appeared as a speaker and coach in numerous conferences, retreats and podcasts, including ABC Family and the Live Out Loud Show. She is also the author of Thrive: Growing Through Life’s Greatest Challenges, Tribe: Building Your Family on What Matters Most, The Five-Minute Marriage Mentor and her most recent release, Divinely Different: Creating a Significant Life When the Way is Unexpected, Unwanted and Unknown.

Where to Find Jen:

jenandmarcusjones.com

divinelydifferentbook.com

Where to Find Tamra:

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Show Notes: Trusting God in Unexpected Seasons with Jen Jones

Life is full of surprises, some delightful and others challenging. In the latest episode of The F.I.T. in Faith Podcast, host Tamra Andress engages in a heart-to-heart conversation with Jen Jones, a remarkable individual whose life has been a testament to trusting God through unexpected seasons. Jen’s journey is an inspiring reminder that even when life takes us on uncharted paths, faith can be our guiding light.

Navigating an Unexpected Diagnosis:

Jen’s story begins with the unexpected birth of her first child, Addie, who was born with Down syndrome. This unexpected twist shook Jen’s tidy faith and forced her to confront difficult questions. How could this happen? What did it mean for her family’s future? In the midst of the challenging emotions, Jen found herself grappling with God in new and profound ways. She learned that it was possible to hold both grief and gratitude in tension, and her faith grew deeper as a result.

Starting Over After a Job Loss:

As if navigating a life-altering diagnosis wasn’t enough, Jen and her family faced another unexpected twist when her husband unexpectedly lost his job after decades in ministry. This event forced them to uproot their lives, move to a new city, and embark on a journey of starting a new church plant and business. It was a season of significant change and uncertainty, and Jen’s faith played a central role in helping her family navigate these uncharted waters.

Integrating Faith into Unexpected Places:

With her family in a new city and her life taking unforeseen turns, Jen found herself pursuing a career as a health coach—a path she had never anticipated. Yet, guided by her unwavering faith, she embraced this new endeavor with authenticity and purpose. Jen’s story reminds us that faith isn’t confined to the “spiritual” aspects of life; it can seamlessly integrate into every facet of our journey.

Whole Health and Spiritual Wellness:

Jen emphasizes the importance of whole health, recognizing that our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being are all interconnected. She shares her practices of vulnerability with God and others, immersing herself in Scripture, and using breath prayers to recenter on truth. These practices have allowed her to maintain balance and peace even in the midst of challenging times.

Raising Compassionate and Empathetic Children:

Through her experience of raising a child with Down syndrome alongside her other children, Jen has witnessed the profound impact it has had on her family. The journey has fostered greater compassion, empathy, and inclusivity within their family dynamic. It’s a testament to how unexpected challenges can shape us into better versions of ourselves.

Conclusion:

Jen Jones’s faith journey is a powerful reminder that life’s unexpected seasons can be opportunities for growth, faith, and transformation. Her story encourages us to trust God in the midst of uncertainty, lean into the small daily decisions, and allow Him to work His purpose even when life doesn’t align with our plans. Jen’s resilience and unwavering faith are an inspiration to all, reminding us that a significant life rooted in faith is not determined by circumstances but by our response to them.

If you want to dive deeper into Jen’s journey and insights on navigating hardship, consider reading her book, “Divinely Different.” Her story is a testament to the beauty that can emerge from unexpected seasons when faith is our anchor.