# When Life Falls Apart: Faith, Suffering and Raising Kids Through It With Dr. Rick and Dema Esper

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/orthodox-christian-parenting-7491105/when-life-falls-apart-faith-suffering-and-raising-kids-through-it-with-dr-rick-and-dema-esper
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/orthodox-christian-parenting-7491105/when-life-falls-apart-faith-suffering-and-raising-kids-through-it-with-dr-rick-and-dema-esper.md
Podcast: [Orthodox Christian Parenting](https://stenobird.com/podcast/orthodox-christian-parenting-7491105)
Published: 2026-04-14T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/153b8722
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/153b8722/82061c66.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/orthodox-christian-parenting-7491105/episodes/when-life-falls-apart-faith-suffering-and-raising-kids-through-it-with-dr-rick-and-dema-esper
Duration seconds: 3206

## Resource

What do we do when the bottom drops out from under us? And how can moments of suffering become pathways to transformation, both in our own lives and the lives of our children? In this episode, Dr. Rick and Dema Esper join the podcast to share their powerful testimony of finding strength in Christ after a stroke changed everything for their family. They reflect on how their struggles brought them closer to Christ and offer practical advice on how to show up for your kids in the midst of suffering. Download this week's free Discussion Guide here . Episode Recap: Today we’re talking about finding strength in the midst of suffering with Dr. Rick and Dema Esper. What did your lives look like before everything changed? Can you tell us about the stroke and your recovery process? How did you find the motivation to keep going? When did you realize God was transforming you through this? How did you learn to find gratitude in the most difficult times? What did your children learn from this experience? What spiritual changes have you experienced in the years since the stroke? Can you share some advice for parents going through a difficult time? How did you show up for your children when you didn’t have the energy? How do you stop feeling guilty for being changed by difficult circumstances? Resources: Follow and rate the podcast on Apple , Spotify or YouTube Download this episode’s free Discussion Guide Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources Download The Encounter app “10 Things Every Orthodox Parent Should Know”

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