Hope in the Hurt – Episode 229

This week, Chief Victory Officer Eric Guy sits down with Rachel Kerr Schneider, speaker, author, and founder of Spirited Prosperity. After losing her husband to ALS, raising two boys as a widow, and ultimately remarrying years later, Rachel brings a message of healing, hope, and Holy Spirit-led resilience. Her book, The Widow Chose Red, invites us to rethink how we handle grief, community, and personal faith in life’s hardest seasons.

Takeaways:

Red Over Black: Rachel’s decision to wear red, not black, to her husband John’s celebration of life became the powerful title and theme of her memoir, The Widow Chose Red. This act wasn’t about ignoring grief, it was about honoring life. It symbolized intention: a choice to celebrate John’s legacy, their shared love, and the time they had together. Rather than succumbing to the weight of sorrow, Rachel embraced a spirit of hope and light. Her message reminds us that grief doesn’t have to look one way, and we have the freedom to express it in ways that reflect both pain and joy.

Faith in the Fire: Throughout John’s ALS journey and after his passing, Rachel’s faith didn’t insulate her from pain, but it anchored her in the storm. She speaks honestly about her spiritual wrestlings, the prayers, the hope for healing that didn’t come, and the raw conversations she had with God. She didn’t shy away from her doubts or heartbreak. In fact, she leaned in. She talks about the moment a therapist reminded her that even Jesus had a team of 12 to walk with Him and how that gave her permission to not go through this journey alone. Her faith matured in the fire, and her story is a beautiful testimony to the sustaining power of belief even when life breaks your heart.

Let People In: Rachel admits that for a long time, her default response to offers of help was “No, I’m good.” Like so many caregivers, she felt the pressure to handle everything herself. But over time, she realized that doing it all alone was not a badge of honor, it was a pathway to burnout. Her therapist, friends, church community, and even strangers stepped in to lighten the load, whether it was making dinner, driving the kids, or simply listening. Rachel also emphasizes the importance of boundaries, learning how to ask for the help you need, and gracefully declining the help you don’t. Her honesty challenges the cultural narrative of self-sufficiency and shows the deep strength it takes to let people see you vulnerable.

Kids Are Watching: Rachel’s sons were just 10 and 14 when their dad passed. She and John chose to be honest with them, telling the truth in ways they could understand while still preserving their sense of hope and stability. Rachel shares how her boys processed grief differently, one threw himself into sports, the other struggled with addiction. She highlights how trauma manifests uniquely, especially in children, and how parents can walk with them without trying to fix everything. Her story is a reminder that kids absorb more than our words, they watch our faith, our breakdowns, our prayers, and our resilience.

Caregiving Is Love in Action: Rachel never imagined herself as a caregiver, but over time she saw that caring for John was one of the most sacred expressions of love she could offer. From helping with daily tasks to interpreting his needs when he lost the ability to speak, she became his voice, his advocate, and his steady presence. She speaks tenderly about the emotional toll of caregiving, how lonely and invisible it can feel, but also about the spiritual richness it brings. Her words validate those in similar roles, especially the “quiet heroes” who show up day after day, unseen by the world but deeply known by God.

You Are Not Alone: One of Rachel’s most powerful messages is that you are never alone. Even in the darkest night of grief, when it feels like no one understands, the presence of Christ is real. She reminds us that community is out there if we’re willing to seek it, and that healing often starts with connection with others and with God. Whether through a support group, a therapist, a prayer, or a podcast like this one, she urges listeners not to isolate. Her closing encouragement is this: if you’re in the middle of unimaginable loss, take heart. There’s still life ahead. You are held. You are seen. And you are never walking through it alone.

Links:

More of Rachel: https://spiritedprosperity.com/ & https://www.amazon.com/Widow-Chose-Red-Journey-Jesus/dp/1966561105/

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