What happens when you obey God…and things get harder instead of easier?

When you say yes to something that clearly has His hand on it…and then find yourself in pain, confusion, and a season that doesn’t make sense?

In this powerful episode, Rachel Van Pelt shares the story of a decision rooted in faith—to donate bone marrow and help save a life—and the unexpected journey that followed.

“We had to decide… do we make a life, or do we save one?”

After prayer and surrender, Rachel chose obedience.

The procedure went beautifully.

God’s presence was undeniable.

And then everything changed.

A fall.
A concussion.
And what would become years of physical, emotional, and spiritual struggle.

What followed wasn’t breakthrough.

It was what she calls:

“The murky middle.”

A place of waiting.
Of questions.
Of darkness—literally and spiritually.

“I sat between the bed and the couch all day… I couldn’t read… I could barely talk to people.”

And yet—even there—God was at work.

Through Scripture.
Through worship.
Through moments that didn’t make sense at the time… but later revealed purpose.

Then came a shift.

God brought her to Mark 2—the paralytic man.

And asked one question:

“What did I do for him first?”

“You healed his spirit… before his body.”

And God said:

“That’s what I’m doing for you.”

This episode explores the reality that we don’t talk about enough:

• Obedience doesn’t always lead to immediate breakthrough
• Healing doesn’t always start where you expect
• God’s work is often deeper than what we can see

If you’re in a season where you’ve obeyed… and it still hurts…
If you’re walking through a long, unclear middle…
If you’re asking, “God, where are You in this?”—

This story will meet you there.

Because sometimes God doesn’t start by changing your circumstances…

He starts by transforming your heart.

Key Takeaways 1. Obedience Doesn’t Guarantee Immediate Breakthrough

Rachel’s decision was clearly led by God—confirmed through prayer, Scripture, and provision. Yet what followed was suffering, not ease. This challenges a common belief that obedience leads to quick blessing. Sometimes it leads to deeper processes.

2. The “Murky Middle” Is Where Faith Is Refined

This in-between season—after obedience, before resolution—is where doubt, endurance, and trust are tested. Rachel’s phrase gives language to a place many people experience but don’t know how to describe.

3. Physical Trials Often Carry Spiritual Battles

Her concussion wasn’t just physical—it brought depression, fear, and spiritual warfare. The episode highlights how suffering impacts the whole person, not just the body.

4. God Often Prepares You Before You Understand Why

The Proverbs 3 passage given before surgery came back at the exact moment she needed it. This reveals how God plants truth ahead of time for future battles.

5. You Can See God’s Hand Clearly—and Still Struggle

Rachel had undeniable moments of confirmation (the doctor’s words, the letter impact), yet still walked through years of hardship. Faith doesn’t remove struggle—it sustains you through it.

6. Healing Doesn’t Always Happen in the Order You Expect

Through Mark 2, God revealed a deeper truth: spiritual healing often precedes physical healing. What feels delayed may actually be prioritized differently by God.

7. Long Seasons Can Produce Deep Transformation

Seven years of recovery wasn’t wasted—it became a season of inner healing, forgiveness, and spiritual growth that likely wouldn’t have happened otherwise.

8. God Is Working Even When You Can’t See Progress

In the darkest, most limited moments—when Rachel could barely function—God was still moving. This is a crucial reminder for anyone in a slow or invisible season.

Key Themes

Obedience and Suffering • The Murky Middle • Waiting on God • Spiritual vs. Physical Healing • Bone Marrow Donation Testimony • Faith in Trials • Concussion Recovery • God’s Timing • Trusting God in Pain • Mark 2 Paralytic • Proverbs 3 • Spiritual Warfare • Long-Term Healing • God’s Presence in Suffering • Faith Through Hard Seasons • Christian Testimony • Inner Healing and Forgiveness

Who Will Benefit From This Episode

✓ Anyone who has obeyed God and expected things to get easier—but they didn’t
✓ People currently in a long, unclear season of waiting
✓ Those dealing with chronic illness or long-term recovery
✓ Listeners wrestling with “Why would God allow this?”
✓ Believers who feel like they’re in the middle of a story that isn’t resolving
✓ Anyone experiencing both faith and struggle at the same time
✓ People needing language for seasons that don’t make sense
✓ Those learning to trust God beyond visible results
✓ Listeners who feel stuck between promise and outcome
✓ Anyone asking: “Is God still working here?”

Until next time...

Mentions:

Rachel’s Podcast, Hope Through Hard Times, where she interviews me
OneMatch/Canadian Stem Cell Division
Proverbs 3:25-26 (NIV)
Post Concussion Syndrome