Our guest today on the Everyday Faith podcast is Lisa Goins, a wife, mother of four, and grandmother to ten grandkids! She is a life coach, owner of GoinStrong, a training program for holistic health, and her passion for Jesus and wellness go hand-in-hand. Her stories take us from the corporate world to becoming a mom, to years spent on the mission field. Lisa’s passionate love for God empowers her to share the love of God with everyone she meets.
Encountering God in Galatians
Growing up, Lisa lived in a broken home, without the comfort and care she deserved. However, her grandmother was crazy about Jesus, and every Sunday, she’d be playing “When We All Get to Heaven” before Lisa and her ever got to Church. Every time Lisa was at church, she would go to the altar and pray to Jesus.
As Lisa grew up, she found her way into the things of this world. Without structure and a healthy family to lean on, she found herself on her own and feeling alone. Having come from an Irish family, Lisa began drinking heavily as she transitioned out of college.
Are you feeling alone? God wants to help you in your loneliness. Renew your mind with our blog: 13 Bible Verses for When You Feel Alone
At 25, Lisa married her close friend, Jeff, and believed that he would rescue her from her struggle with alcohol. A year into their marriage, Jeff’s mom invited them both to come to Church on Easter Sunday. The young pastor at the church was talking about David and kept saying the phrase from Psalm 51, “My sin is ever before me.”
Lisa felt the stirring of the Holy Spirit in her heart, but wasn’t ready to surrender her life to Jesus just yet. On her way out of the Church, the pastor gave her an NIV Bible to take home. A few days later, while hungover, she looked at the NIV Bible and said, “I wonder if that Bible has anything to say to me.” She opened the Bible and read from the book of Galatians.
But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? - Galatians 4:9
While reading Galatians 4:9, Lisa felt God move in her heart, and she knew something big was happening. She called the pastor, told him to come pray with her, and moments later, she gave her life to Jesus. After salvation, God set Lisa free from her drinking habits. She also found discipleship and community at Church that helped her understand the Bible.
God can do anything! Hear more stories about freedom from alcohol with our friend, Savanna Craig: How Encounters with Jesus Lead to Fearless Evangelism
Driven By Love in Daily Mission
When Lisa's life was radically transformed by Jesus, she was working in corporate at American Airlines. Shortly after giving her life to Jesus, Lisa’s co-workers began to question what happened to her. Instead of partying, she was spending her evenings ministering in laundromats or doing street evangelism. Her entire cubicle at work was full of decor that pointed to Jesus. Many co-workers found themselves talking to her about faith and how God set her free. Lisa’s greatest testimony about Jesus is her personal experience with Him as the healer and the deliverer.
Learn more about how to share your story with others: How to Share Your Faith Story
While living life on fire for God, Lisa got pregnant and decided to leave her job in corporate. She had four kids in four and a half years and considered motherhood her mission. Her neighborhood became her mission field over the years as her kids’ friends from school found themselves in her home.
God began to move powerfully in Lisa’s neighborhood. Lisa and the youth pastor at her church knew it was time to start a Bible study. Before school, kids would gather on the trampoline in Lisa’s backyard to hear about Jesus. She’d cook breakfast for everyone and even pick up kids in her neighborhood to drive them to her house. The Bible study grew rapidly in attendance. Eventually, Lisa started a Wednesday night Bible study too, as hunger for God continued to grow in her neighborhood.
Learn more about motherhood and missions in our blog: Celebrating Mothers: Honoring God’s Vision for Women
Missions in Indonesia
While revival was breaking out in her neighborhood, Lisa and her kids were steadfastly praying for one missionary family in Indonesia. When that missionary family returned to the states to raise support, they invited Lisa and her husband to lunch. Mid-conversation, the missionaries asked them to come to Indonesia and partner with them as missionaries themselves. Lisa was shocked by the invitation, but knew in her heart, this call to go to Indonesia was from the Lord. Years before this invitation to the mission field, Lisa wanted to spend time serving in missions. She knows now that God is the God who gives us the desire of our hearts. As the Psalms say:
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. - Psalm 37:4
Whether you find yourself in the city or in the suburbs, your mission field is right where God has you. Learn more about how to follow the mission of God, sharing the Good News with others, wherever you go: Why Obedience to God is a Good Thing
Tragedy Leads to Health Coaching
After years of service on the mission field in Indonesia, things came to a sudden halt. One day, Lisa got a phone call from her husband that changed everything. Her husband, Jeff, shared that he had an aggressive form of colon cancer and that they needed to go back to the states. A few days after hearing the news, Lisa was in her car, pounding her steering wheel and asking God, “Where did my life go?!” God helped her dismantle lies and provide truth for the situation at hand, even though things seemed to only get worse.
Three months later, Lisa was diagnosed with breast cancer. Right after her husband had surgery to remove his cancer, Lisa had surgery to remove her cancer. At the same time, her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and Lisa’s closest friend died from pancreatic cancer, all in the same time frame. God’s love and presence were with her throughout it all.
After healing from breast cancer and growing a desire for healthy living, Lisa started training to be a health coach. Her business, GoinStrong, has been changing the lives of men and women through holistic health coaching, spiritual direction, and encouragement.
Bible Verses to Encounter the Love of God in Suffering
When life gives you lemons, what you actually need is to pause, slow down, and encounter the love of God. The more we encounter the love of God, the more we will be able to share the love of God. Slowing down and being with Jesus, even in suffering, is essential to healing and following God in every season.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life - John 3:16
This Bible verse to encounter the love of God reminds us just how much God loves us. God is three in one - the Father, the Spirit, and the Son, Jesus Christ. God the Father loved the world so much that He sent His son to die for us. When you’re asking, “How do I encounter God?” look to the cross of Jesus and see just how much He loves you!
Learn more about salvation and how to give your life to God – no matter what you’ve done: This is For You
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. - Isaiah 41:10
Bible verses to encounter the love of God in suffering remind us that we are never alone. In Isaiah 41:10, God tells us not to fear. The One who holds the whole world in His hands is holding you right now! Meditating on the word of God is a great way to encounter the love of God, no matter what you’re going through.
Learn more about how to meditate on the Bible: How to Practice Christian Meditation
We love because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19
Sometimes when you’re walking through suffering, the most important thing you can do is to love others. It seems silly, doesn’t it? Helping others as a way to pull ourselves out of a rut. But it’s true: it’s more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). However, we can’t love others well until we receive the love of God for ourselves.
Learn more about just how much God loves you: 10 Bible Verses About God’s Love For You
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28
Bible verses to encounter the love of God in suffering always point back to God’s character and God’s faithfulness. Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all things together for good. Just like in Lisa’s testimony – from recovery from breast cancer to freedom from alcohol, God uses Lisa’s story to encourage others and give them hope. He really does work all things together for good.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." - Matthew 5:4
Matthew 5 holds some of Jesus’ most famous words. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says a bunch of one-liners that are essential for Christians today. This Bible verse about encountering the love of God in suffering reminds us that Jesus promises comfort to those who mourn.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
This Bible verse to encounter the love of God in suffering, is a direct quote from Jesus. If you’ve received Jesus, His love is in you and the Holy Spirit, too! Because of Jesus’ love for you and the presence of the Holy Spirit in you, you have access to a peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). Though you may have trouble, God has overcome the world and offers you peace to conquer any challenge.
Learn more about how to have peace: How to Have Joy & Peace in Difficult Times | 5 Bible Verses for Peace
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. - Psalm 126:5
God is the God of redemption. When you go through seasons of pain and suffering, God is faithful to turn things around for His glory and for your good. This Bible verse to encounter the love of God in suffering comes from Psalm 126:5. You can practice renewing your mind by reading, praying, and speaking this Bible verse about God’s love for you today.
Conclusion
As we finished our interview with Lisa, we heard stories about God redeeming lives through her health coaching practice GoinStrong. These stories of freedom and hope made us excited to honor God with our bodies and to live each day on mission. Did you know that the Bible says Christians are a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)? It’s such a joy to know that God dwells inside us!
Throughout our time of hearing Lisa’s stories, she shared two great tips to help our listeners grow in sharing their faith. Take fear out of the equation of sharing your story with these simple tips for having conversations about faith:
1) Ask lots of questions when sharing your faith: The more you read the Bible, the more you’ll realize that Jesus asked so many questions to the people around Him. When Jesus had conversations with those who were spiritually hungry, He often asked questions rather than telling them a checklist of where to go or what to do.
One question Lisa asks often when sharing her faith is, “What would require the most faith?” This question gets people wondering what they believe about God, what they believe about themselves, and exposes where they have need for God in their life.
Learn more about sharing your faith and growing in evangelism: How to Create a Lifestyle of Evangelism
2) Look for the God Intersect: Asking questions in prayer like “Where is God working? How can I join him?” are easy ways to partner with God when sharing your faith. Not everyone is ready to hear your story, and not everyone wants to hear the Gospel. However, as you grow in sharing your faith, you’ll begin to discern where God is working, how you can join Him, and how you can plant seeds of the Gospel.
Learn more about the God Intersect and how you can partner with God to see people saved: How to Find Faith in Every Conversation
No matter where you are on your faith journey, Lisa’s stories and wisdom are sure to help you trust in God, find healing in brokenness, and stir your faith for the impossible. Subscribe to the Everyday Faith podcast to fuel your faith, break free from fear, and learn how to live each day on mission. We can’t wait to see how God moves in your life!
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