Count It All Joy with Felicia A Hurd-Johnson (Ep 163)

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Jason McConnell: Thank you for listening and welcome to the podcast. I am your host, Jason McConnell. Today on my ministry mission, I am honored to welcome Felicia Herd Johnson, a servant leader, speaker, author, wife, and mom, whose life beautifully reflects the truth that God wastes absolutely nothing, not even our broken pieces.

Felicia is the author of Count All Joy, including the broken pieces, how my Trials Help me Trust God more. A powerful testimony rooted in James one, verse two through four, and through seasons of breast cancer, job loss, job gain, marriage and divorce, and recently remarried even moments of disobedience and obedience.

Felicia has experienced the faithfulness of God. In deeply personal ways. Rather than allowing trials to make her bitter, God shaped them to make her better. And her story is one of resilience, trust, and enduring joy in Christ. I encourage you to visit feliciahurd.com to learn more about her ministry and her work.

Be sure to check out the show notes for direct links to her website, her book, and her social media. Felicia's heart for the Lord is evident not only in her story, but in her service, mentoring others, leading, life groups, supporting ministries, and speaking biblical wisdom into everyday life.

Today we're gonna talk about what it really means to count at all joy, how God meets us in suffering, and how trusting him in the broken places can transform everything.

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Jason McConnell: So welcome, Felicia. I am truly grateful that you are here with me today.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Hello, Jason. I'm glad to be here too. Thank you so much for having me. I've been looking forward to this.

Jason McConnell: Oh, me too. We, we kinda jumped the gun a little bit. I got a little, my wires crossed. But you were gracious enough to, to go? Nope. I'll follow the process. So, uh, I appreciate that shows a lot of integrity. Uh, I feel like there's overlaps between your life and mine. I mean, I, I believe I mentioned that I lost my sister to, to cancer, um, in June of last year.

And I feel much closer to this topic than I'd really care to admit you survived cancer yourself. So I just feel like this was. Like a divine appointment, not just for the listeners, but for me as well. So I truly, truly want to thank you for giving us the gift of your time.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Yeah, you're welcome. Thank you. Thank your listeners.

Jason McConnell: Absolutely.

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Jason McConnell: So let's get started with your favorite Bible verse, which is the inspiration for your book. Uh, James one verse two through four. Um, goes count it all joy, my brothers. When you face trials of various kinds for, you know, the testing of your faith produces steadfastness and let that steadfastness have its full effect that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

That's, that's a lot. So how does that verse connect with you?

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: that, that connects me. James was writing, uh, to believers after Christ had, uh, died and just reminding them of the trials that they're going through, it's like, we don't wanna lose what Jesus had already taught us. And actually the trials, you can use those, use them as an accounting term. It's like, while they're trials they can also add value, uh, to your life.

So that's how I, I, um, ping my hat and use that. It's like, even though there are trials, God's gonna get something out of it. It nothing is wasted in God's economy. So I just truly.

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Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: I believe that because I often wondered early on to say, how do you count it all joy when you know the sky is falling? You know you have

Jason McConnell: Right.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: at home, issues at work.

It's like, and that's why I made it, including the broken pieces. I didn't want it to be, just count it all joy. Because everything is not all joy And, uh, in the moment I have normal reactions just like everybody else. You know, if there's tragedy, I do, you know, feel hurt or, uh, broken, but I don't stay there.

But, uh, you know, just like normal people, uh, that's my initial reaction. When I was diagnosed with, uh, breast cancer, thought, oh, I'm gonna die. You know, this is it. And then I thought, well, if I stay here, I'm gonna be with God, and if I die, I'm gonna be with God. So it's like, okay, he's got me.

Jason McConnell: That's, yeah, absolutely.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: time to really understand the words, but it took me a moment to actually, believe the words, um, on the page in the Bible, um, that God had left for us.

So I, and that was early on as a Christian and as a a believer, but as I've become a little bit more mature in age and in, uh, my walk with Christ. I understand, uh, the Bible a little bit better, and I take all the words to heart, and even if I don't understand it, uh, I'll meditate on the words to get an understanding because he wants us to know what he wants us to know.

Jason McConnell: It's, it's true.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: to, uh, it's not to, uh, leave us in the dark. So it just takes time and patience to actually understand parts of the Bible that we don't understand.

Jason McConnell: Yeah.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: the time to understand other things in life with less value. And so this is much, the Bible is much more valuable than anything that we have.

So by taking that time and investing in ourselves, uh, we're prepared and equipped when crisis, uh, does come a crisis in somebody else's. along, you're able to offer a kind word or a strip scripture or something on your heart that God has given you to give that person, so you're making deposits into yourself.

So that's what I, uh, equate this to. It's like I'm making deposits into myself, trusting God no matter what, how ever dark it looks. I have my normal emotions and I, you know, share with God, uh, my crazy laments, if you will, but I'm true and honest. Uh, with him, he can take it. And so, uh, I, I trust that.

Jason McConnell: Yeah, absolutely.

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Jason McConnell: And you know when, when you are frustrated, when you're angry, when you're feeling even betrayed by God, when you get that bad news, when, when a family member gets that bad news, you can still have those feelings and move towards God. Because if you take those feelings, if you take that towards him, you're still moving to him.

You can be like, God, I'm really, I'm really angry at you right now.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Right.

Jason McConnell: here you go. You know, you can still seek answers on it, and you are right. He can handle it. He's, he's a big boy.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: and and I like it too, Jason, too. You know, a parent-child relationship, which it is actually. It's like you know your children, your daughter, you know, if she's going through something, you're there for her with open arms. While it hurts her, she knows that you're there with her.

Jason McConnell: Yeah.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: You know, so she's, it's like daddy's here, so she's in the comfort of your, uh, your arms and your presence and that, you know, makes it better knowing that you're not alone.

Jason McConnell: Absolutely. Yeah. Thank you for sharing that.

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Jason McConnell: So for those meeting you for the first time, how would you describe yourself beyond titles? Who is, who is Felicia Atco?

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: At the core, I, over time, I haven't always been this way, uh, Jason, but over because I, uh, you know, was an angry, bitter person, uh, early on and I was a, woe is me kind of person. But developing a strong working, uh, relationship, honest relationship with God transformed me to where I am now. So now I would say that I'm a, I'm a friend that I would want to have. So I am, uh, compassionate. I'm there for people. Um, I hear what people aren't saying sometimes, and so I just, um, am somebody that you can count on. Uh, I'm dependable, I'm reliable. I care, uh, about individuals and their families. And, uh, it's more than a transactional relationship. Uh, if we're friends, we're friends. And so I was talking to my daughter actually about your daughter earlier

Jason McConnell: Oh, nice.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: friends. I feel like we're, we're friends. And so it's like, it's not a, uh, I invest in people, because we all have something, uh, to offer. And oftentimes people may not recognize what their value is or what they have to offer. So I'm an encourager as well to encourage people to follow their dreams or whatever is on their. I was telling my daughter today, she's has some goals that she's working on, and I said, just do it babe. Just swing for the fences. Just, just do it. You know,

Jason McConnell: Yeah.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: limits, take the limits off. So, um, I, I, the core, I'm, I care and I'm an encourager, if you will.

Jason McConnell: Yep. What an insightful question to ask yourself. Am I a friend that I would want to have? That is

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Yeah.

Jason McConnell: I love that.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Yeah. Yeah. Because, you know, and, and too, even in environments, if the environment is not what you want it to be, it's like we'll make the change, you know, be the, create the environment that you want. So we don't have to be subject to a lot of negativity or issues or being held back. It's like we are, um, dynamic beings that can do basically anything, uh, that we put our minds to.

Jason McConnell: Absolutely.

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Jason McConnell: And you, I mean, you wear many hats like servant, leader, author, speaker, mom. Which role do you think God has been using to shape you most in this season?

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: I think as a, a, a servant leader, uh, I really enjoy, uh, working in ministry. My husband and daughter and I were at a. church once you announced in the, uh, beginning that recently remarried. So we both left our previous churches and we found a church together that we're worshiping at. And so I enjoy working, um, with the leaders there and the women.

I just enjoy people, uh, and helping and giving of my, myself. It's like I get so much out of it. more out of it than I think I I put in because I enjoy. Helping people that can't help me. And so it's like I'm not looking for anything other than to, uh, show the love of Christ to, um, to people. So I think being the, the, the servant leader, but also having fun, being a author and having opportunities to speak folks like you, Jason, and, and others.

So it's like, I enjoy that 'cause by nature I am a, an introvert, but this has given me the opportunity to get out of my comfort zone. And I was telling my daughter earlier, it's like. We don't grow in our comfort zone.

Jason McConnell: Yes.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: And so we have to get out and do some things that are a little bit uncomfortable. And so, uh, while you've made this very comfortable for me, I appreciate,

Jason McConnell: Of course.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: so while I'm outta my comfort zone, I'm a little bit in my comfort zone 'cause I'm talking to my friend Jason.

Jason McConnell: Right on. I love it. I love it. Yeah, no, you're absolutely right. I, I mean, that's the hardest part about being a parent is that if you do your job well. You, you end up by yourself. You know, you end up without your kid because they're out doing their own thing. They're, you know, you've taught them to be able to be independent.

And if God doesn't mean you're not gonna see 'em again, but, but still, they don't need you as much and that, that's, that's what you want. But it's like, man, that hurts.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Yeah. We've gotta grow. We've gotta grow. We've gotta let 'em go. We want 'em to grow, and then when it's time for them to grow and leave the nest, it's like, oh, do they really have to grow?

Jason McConnell: Right.

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Jason McConnell: So, uh, so you, I mean, you grew up in Texas. Um, was faith always like a central part of your life or was there kind of a defining moment where that God relationship became personal?

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: I've always had, uh, always attended church here. Uh, had set up to some really strong teaching and preaching really good, uh, foundation. While I didn't always follow, uh, the teaching and preaching it, I knew that it was sound and biblical.

Jason McConnell: Of course.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: I became older, uh, you know, in life and again, maturing in my faith, I think that it turned like when I, um, when my daughter was born, I wanted to be a better mom.

I wanted to be a better wife. I wanted to be a better person. And I knew that I could not do that by myself. And I knew that I needed God to help me that. So that's when I started to lean in. Unto him even more. And so I prayed, uh, for her and when she came, it's like, I will give her back to you. God, when I have a baby, I will commit her back to you. And so even before we had the ceremony, uh, I committed her back to God in my heart. And I just whispered the words into her ear.

Jason McConnell: I love that.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: When she was a baby. Yeah.

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Jason McConnell: So what is something fun about you that people would never know just by reading your bio?

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Something fun. Okay, so a few years ago I had an opportunity to go on a cruise. And so, you know how uh, it was on, um, Royal Caribbean, I think it was, and they have the surfing at the back of the ship.

Jason McConnell: yeah.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Yeah. So I'm in line with a bunch of 12 and 13-year-old boys, and so. I surfed in the Caribbeans on a ship, and it's like I say, I will never see these people again.

So I didn't, it, I had the best time. So my daughter was sitting with the parents watching me, uh, surf on the, uh, in the Caribbean. So that, that's something fun that people probably wouldn't think that I would do. But, um, I, I had a good time with that.

Jason McConnell: I love that story. So this is. Uh, digging back a few years. So there used to be a place called Evermore in Pleasant Grove, Utah. It closed down a couple years ago, I think,

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Uh

Jason McConnell: but when we were able to go visit it while it was being built, it was, it was just a wild hair, you know. I'm like, Hey, I'm gonna be in Utah.

We'd love to come visit. And they're like, yeah, sure. Come on over. So

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Yeah.

Jason McConnell: my daughter and I went and visited. It was, um, it was kind of sponsored by Ken Burt Schneider, who was a, an actor, producer. And we got the whole tour and we, as we were walking out, we ran into him and he asked, well, what do you think? And I'm like, it's wonderful.

I love it. I'm a big nerd, big fantasy geek. It's just this real immersive fantasy theme park they were building. And I'm like, it's, you know, we just, we love the idea of it. And he goes, good. He goes, grownups need a place to play too. And that always stuck with me. It's like, you're right. Grownups need to play too.

So.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: I don't have to stand in line with 12 and 13-year-old boys. There's a place for me.

Jason McConnell: Yeah, well, unfortunately they close, but, but yeah, just gotta go out and play once in a while and just who cares what people think?

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Jason McConnell: Right,

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Yeah, absolutely. So that, that was fun. I had a really good time with that.

Jason McConnell: right on.

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Jason McConnell: So you've been, you've been honest about your, your seasons of, of obedience, your struggles, your growth, your disobedience. I mean, you're a very honest person. I love that. And that kinda leads us right into the heart of. What I think is today's theme

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Mm-hmm.

Jason McConnell: gives us this, this challenging command in James one to count it all joy.

And we've touched on that a little bit, but for many believers that sounds easier preached than practice. I think there's a lot of stuff in the Bible like that.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Y.

Jason McConnell: So let, let's talk about how that passage moved from being words on a page to, to a lived reality in your life. You know, when, when we face trials and, and it's not, if, it's when, when does that verse.

It first become real to you? Was it with the diagnosis? Was it after? You know, how did that kind of just cement itself in your, in your heart?

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Yeah. Uh, with the diagnosis of the breast cancer is when it really cemented because I, I just knew it was over and it's like, but we're supposed to count it all joy. How do we do that? So it was just over time that I had to, um, really digest that verse. then truly understand what it meant, but just taking it one day at a time.

So it wasn't something that was overnight. It wasn't even over a year. And it took some time to actually truly with this verse and allowing this to be my, my anchor verse. And I wanted to, you know, I talk about the, the broken pieces because I didn't want it to appear. It was all Pollyanna pie in the sky. Uh, it's like, oh, can it all joy?

Jason McConnell: Right.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: it's like, yeah, that's true, but there are some trials that goes with that. And so we learn from those trials. And one of my, uh, previous ministers used to say that we go through trials and not, they're not always for us. And I would say, you know, under my breath, but I, people need to go through their own trials.

I don't wanna go through a trial for somebody

Jason McConnell: Yeah, right. Leave me alone.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: let them go through their own trials. But cite with that said. As I've gone through the breast cancer trial and others, I've been able to work with other women and talk with other women and friends of friends that have gone through it and, you know, speaking with you. So it's not wasted. Our trials are not So I, I just have to take it, you know, one you know, at a, at a time and just trust God. 'cause things are, are temporary and he knows. What we need, when we need, and he knows who needs what. And so again, that's going back to the parent, child, uh, relationship.

I just have to trust him. I just have to truly trust and I have to hang my hat, on trusting God.

Jason McConnell: Absolutely.

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Jason McConnell: And I, I think, I think a lot of Christians conflate the idea of joy versus happiness, especially when it comes to suffering. You know, how can you be happy and suffering? Well, you're not supposed to. You're supposed to be joyful. So, you know what, what for you, what does joy look like when you're, when you're in the valleys?

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: It's still being able to hold my head up. It's still being able to pray. It's still being able to have a conversation with God, and it also, it's like I don't look like what I'm going through, so I have the joy on the inside. So it's like, yeah, these are emotions that I'm going through. I, I. Going through a, you know, a divorce and I, just got on the, my knees and I prayed and I screamed to God.

It's like, this is not fair, but you're gonna get the glory out of this. And I couldn't believe I was saying that

Jason McConnell: right.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: the time, but it's like, I have to trust the words that are in the Bible. I can't not, I can't, I don't, I can't not trust. I just, there are some things I don't understand. but I can't, I have to trust what I know.

And knowing that we would trace, uh, face trials of various kinds, it's like that's a long, that's a long list. So being, um,

Jason McConnell: Right.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: that's a, and sometimes it's a long list within the same week, in the same, uh, month. But I don't respond to challenges as I once did. 'cause it's like, okay, God's got this. God's got this.

I just have to remind myself. Of that, but it's the joy on the the inside.

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Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Another thing Jason and I do, it's like, um, uh, over the years, uh, I'd done like some fasting and praying our church was, uh, going through a fast, uh, one time. And so I did the, the 21 day Daniel Fast and a

Jason McConnell: Oh wow.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: what I was, uh, eating and drinking and watching. And so my, uh, my diet changed from that. And this was probably about 15 years ago. I took meat out of my, um, out of my diet, and so I tried to go back to meat and I kept getting sick

Jason McConnell: Oh wow.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: to go back like three or four times and I just finally gave up. So internally, I feel well and so that it's, it's a good thing.

And then I watch what I'm listening to and what I'm hearing, what I'm watching and what I'm hearing. So my intake. Some my eye gates and my ears. I am protective of that. So I don't watch a lot of, uh, sec secular television shows because they don't line up with my values. I'm not a prude or anything. I know that things are out there, but I just choose to or not to, watch certain things or listen to certain things.

So as a result, I don't have, and even with the news, I monitor my news intake. I'm informed. Uh, I stay informed, but I don't consume it. Uh, I don't consume too much of it. Right,

Jason McConnell: Yeah.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: because that can impact your emotion. So I, and then I do, I enjoy walking, so I just try to take care of my physical my mental self, and that helps me to maintain uh, that I have.

So it's a, to me, it's a, a total package. So, um. Taking care of my, my emotional and my physical being has also helped me with my joy. 'cause I enjoy walking. I, I take off on a walk and I go and I'm talking with God. Sometimes I'm crying, sometimes I'm singing. I'm just open. Sometimes it's, you know, tears of joy.

'cause I'm thankful,

Jason McConnell: Yeah.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: I feel good even when things are not going quite as well.

Jason McConnell: Yeah. And it's discernment. I mean, you know, if you wanna watch the shows, watch the shows, you know, if you don't, don't, there's, I mean, you're not gonna judge you either way. Um, but, but I think that's wonderful that you're tuned into that and, and you know that, that contributes to your joy.

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Jason McConnell: so looking back, I'm sure you can see, you know, maybe not in the moment, but when, when you look backwards on things, you can see how God was forming your faith in ways a more comfortable life. Never could

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Yes,

Jason McConnell: with that?

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: I do, because I, I, if I had not stayed in his word and stayed in community, which is another thing that helps, uh, being around other, um, believers as I was going through trials because, um, as I was going through my trials, people had already gone through. That. So I was able to, you know, talk with women that have gone through breast cancer talk with women that have, uh, lost jobs or, uh, gone through a divorce. So I am able to pay it back, if you will, or pay it forward, uh, as with the trials that I've gone through. So, uh, I think that's been really beneficial.

Jason McConnell: Yep, absolutely. And, you know, and when we talk about joy in trials, I think it's important to remember that this isn't, I mean, for you, it, it definitely is not theoretical. It is, it's forged in real pain, real loss, real uncertainty. And you've walked through some incredibly difficult seasons. And I, I, I definitely wanna honor that by giving you plenty of space to talk about how God met you in those, in those trials.

Um, so I just wanna, you know, circle back at, you know, breast cancer, divorce, career transitions.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Yeah.

Jason McConnell: think there's a trial that had. Uh, a greater impact in how you see God? How you, how your prayer life changed all of that, or is it kind of across the board?

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Jason McConnell: It just built on each other.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: I think, uh, all of them, uh, had an impact. But I think in the, as I was going through the, the divorce, I think that was uh, um, 'cause I was angry with my, uh, husband at the time. well as with God, if I'm being honest with you, it's like I did everything I was supposed to do,

Jason McConnell: Right.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: a wife, it's like, this is, this is not how it's supposed to to turn out.

And then I realized in that moment, it's like you sound like you're having a, contractual relationship with God in this area of your life. like, I do this and you do that, and it's like, that's not how the relationship with God is supposed to. Or it's like, it's a relationship regardless of what you're, you're going through, whether he does anything that you can see or not.

'cause a lot of times, as you know, he's doing things for us that we don't even see or, or know about. So, um, going through the divorce and realizing that God would get the glory from this, but it was, it was, uh, it was painful. But I would say, Jason, that leading up to that, I. I earlier that I was fasting and praying, I, um, there was a point where, uh, husband at the time made a comment and I responded in kind he's like, oh, your countenance has changed. And I said, it's all God. So I was thankful that, and I generally did respond in kind. I was feeling good on the inside. So what was in me, that's what came out. And so. I was glad that he saw that difference, and I was thankful that I was able to give God the glory for that.

Jason McConnell: I love that.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: it's, it's gonna, it's okay.

It's okay, but it, it, it's, it's hard, you know, when you're going through when you have a loss.

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Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Uh, even, um, when I was going through, uh, difficulties at work, uh, what my, uh, even noticed a difference. And how I was responding. And I even when I, uh, lost my job and they bought me into the office to, you know, say that we're gonna end the relationship and I just said, thank you. I said Thank you. 'cause I knew that God had me. so, uh, from that I wasn't to receive anything, but fortunately I was able to receive a package and I, that was all God. 'cause it was not. Expect it at all. I was just expecting to walk out with my, and, and my

Jason McConnell: Right, your coffee cup.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: had no expectations, so I was able to take off a year and spend time with my, uh, family that I wouldn't have done otherwise.

'cause I was working crazy hours and so I learned that I, that, I will never put a job before God and my family again I, that's what I was. Doing, if I'm being honest with you, I was spending more time in the office and at work rather than learning about scripture. So those trials sent me or drew me, uh, to God and to his word help me to get to where I am now.

So I'm a, I'm a, a quick study, if you will.

Jason McConnell: You run in, you run into a wall, you'll learn not to do it again. Right?

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Absolutely. Absolutely. It's like, don't keep going that way. So those, you know, those trials sent me to his word. And so I wanted to, and I'm, uh, much better now. It's like, I don't want to wait until there's a crisis to run to his word. So I find myself in his word, of course, daily in my daily devotion at night and, you know, praying and going to bed. But just a casual, you know, I listen to a Christian podcast, uh, and so I. Listen to, you know, other things that can help enrich me in understanding, uh, his words. So I, I use my time differently, if you will. I use my time, uh, differently and more wisely. We're investing in myself. And then I have, with that said, I am able to share with others.

So I, as I, you know, am in community and I hear what others are going through or what their, what their goals and ambitions are. It's like if I hear a podcast or something, I think that would add value, I share that. With them. And I say, you know, just add this to your enrichment list. And so I'll

Jason McConnell: Absolutely.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: you know, text back periodically.

Oh, that was good. That's just what I needed, you know? And so I enjoy being able to, to do that and encourage people to, uh, you know, continue to pursue their, uh, their goals and dreams.

Jason McConnell: Absolutely. Yep.

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Jason McConnell: So you, I mean, one more quick question then I kinda wanna move into your, your book.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Yeah.

Jason McConnell: we are very impatient and little mortals here on earth and we face moments where God's answers just don't come quickly enough for us. And, you know, you do a lot of work, probably discipling mentoring people.

How do you, how do you mentor somebody through that quiet period, um, where God may be working in the background, maybe building character, maybe setting something up. Um, you know, how do you get somebody through that?

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: I. What I usually do is just talk with them and then have, and I do a lot more listening than I do talking because I, and I tell them what my experience have been. I don't tell them if I was you, I would do this. If I were you, I would do that. I don't give that type of direction, so I just plant the seed and pray God to help them through. Uh, through their season. So there are some, while I'm mentoring people, there are some silent, uh, moments there because they don't need to hear my voice. I think they need to, I know they need to hear God's so I will, uh, say what God has placed on my heart to say. But I'm very careful, uh, with that 'cause I don't want people to depend on me or see me as the, the savior.

I need to point them to. The savior. So that's what I, that's what I do.

Jason McConnell: I love it.

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Jason McConnell: So let's, let's talk about how God turned all of your personal challenges into a message to strengthen the faith of others. You know, when when did you finally decide it's time to write this book?

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: So I had wanted to write a book, Jason, for some years now, but as I shared with you earlier, it's like I, uh, was somewhat of a workaholic and I was doing a lot of work, but I was journaling because as I was going through my challenges, I was just keeping a journal to help keep my mind, uh, clear. And so when the pandemic hit, it's like, God, it set us down for a reason. And so the first few days I, uh, thought, well, okay, we'll be out of this in a minute. We'll be out of this in a minute. And then it's like, it never came. And I

Jason McConnell: Right.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: oh, okay, we're gonna be here for a minute.

Jason McConnell: Yeah.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: I gathered all of my, um, my journals and I just started putting it all together and in writing.

And so I, um. I just put everything in there, uh, unedited, if you will. And so after I got all of my thoughts and notes on paper, then I went back and did a edit myself. And the goals were, or the, the criteria, does it glorify God and does it add value? Because as you can, as you know, as you've gone through challenges, there are some people in circumstances and things, uh, that are in those trials.

You're not always in them by yourself.

Jason McConnell: Right.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: not, it's not a, a tell all book and I didn't want to, uh, you know, name names. And it's like, it was not that, does it glorify God and does it add value? And so that was the criteria. So I went through and did a, a cleanup. Of that. So it felt good actually to get it all out.

It was very cathartic to get everything out on paper. And it's like, you know, I can breathe. I said it. And so, uh, going through and then cleaning up and then getting professionals involved to do, um, editing and, uh, getting it prepared. But that's, I, I just needed to, I wanted to come out of the pandemic doing something to glorify God, and I knew we would eventually come out.

I didn't know when. Uh, but I knew that God knew when, and so he had placed it on my heart really heavy. Uh, so I just got busy and just started, um, started writing.

Jason McConnell: That's amazing.

[: 00:31:58

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Jason McConnell: Is there, is there any chapter that was more difficult than others to write?

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Uh, the most difficult one was probably, um, that's a good question. Probably breast cancer one was probably the most challenging to, write. Uh, it was probably the most challenging one. And then I had shared that, uh, before I published. I shared that chapter with, um, at a woman's breakfast doing,

Jason McConnell: Really.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: yes.

And so, uh, I, there were women that came up to me after. That and wanted to know, it's like, can I have your notes? And I was like, I don't, these are just my, you know, my not my talking points. And so that also it's like, okay, this is something that can, you know, potentially turn into, turn into a, a book or something.

But yeah, uh, writing that part was because you just, you don't know, you know, illnesses. you, you don't know. And so you've gotta. You've gotta trust and it's like, I don't wanna just say the words, I'm trusting and not trust, you know? It's like I needed to be honest with myself. I needed to be honest with God and it's people were walking with me and then I heard, one lady with me, she's like, an inspiration.

And it's like, that was the farthest thing from my. I didn't see myself as inspiring. I was sharing to help and remove any shame or stigma associated,

Jason McConnell: Yeah.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: with that. Yeah, yeah.

Jason McConnell: I love that. And, and you know, I mean, you look at the, the early church, uh, the apostles, you know, all through the book of Acts. Every time something crazy happens, every time something miraculous happens, even some of the mundane things, they always point back to God, you know, it's not me, it's God. And you know, you truly are an in inspiration.

Um, but you are because you trust God and you. Point other people that direction. And I think that's, that's one of the more inspiring traits, um, because God will get us through, through trials. But, but having the discernment to go, this wasn't me. It was God. That, that's where it's truly amazing, I think. So kudos to that.

[: 00:34:34

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Jason McConnell: So if someone were to read your book, what is the one thing you absolutely want them to walk away from the book Knowing.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: I want them to know that they can trust God no matter what. Um, I, I can't move away that. It's like you have to them. You have to have a relationship them. And the relationship is an investment, uh, like any relation, any good relationship. So that you want to have, you have to have that, and he wants it with us. He wants us to have, um, a relationship with him. So I think, uh, accepting Jesus Christ as your savior and having a relationship with him, um, it's, it's more valuable than, than, you know, but it, and could, it's baby steps, but it could be giant steps if God wants it to. For me, it was, uh, it was baby steps, but I, I'm, I have not arrived.

I'd want people to know that I have not. I am still growing in Christ. There's still more for me to learn. There's still more for me, uh, to do. I am thankful, um, thankful to him for that.

Jason McConnell: Yeah, it's a lifelong pursuit. It's a, it's one great part about it is that you'll never get bored. You'll never run outta things to ask and, and stuff to learn.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Yes, this is true.

Jason McConnell: So I love that.

[: 00:35:58

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Jason McConnell: Is there anything, anything else you wanna mention about your book, uh, that we haven't talked about already? Any, anything you wanna throw in there?

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Yeah,

Jason McConnell: I

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Uh, so in the book I af but after each chapter I have, uh, 'cause it could be used in a Bible study group. So after each chapter I have growth and reflection questions.

Jason McConnell: Oh, I love that.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: like, as I speak with people, uh, I don't want to just, you know, speak and then walk away. It's like we need to be challenged.

We spend, you know, 30 minutes or 40 minutes. At a conference or a seminar or you know, a podcast, it's like, what's, what's the challenge? So it's like, how can you, it all joy, including your broken pieces? You know? It's like, so after each chapter, uh, there's an opportunity to reflect on what's read and the way that the book is written, Jason, it's, it's, while it's my testimony, but. I've feedback that I've received. It's like people see themselves in the book and I'm thankful for that. It's not written in such a way that it's all about me. Uh, it's my testimony and how God moved in my life. And so people are able to see themselves and see God moving or say, oh, God can move in my life.

The way that he moved in Felicia's, it may be a little bit different, but it is, um, is possible. So, yeah, I, I enjoyed, uh, putting those, uh, growth and reflection questions in the, uh, in the back of each, after each chapter.

Jason McConnell: Fabulous. It's good to know. I like that.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Yeah,

Jason McConnell: So, um.

[: 00:37:29

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Jason McConnell: One more quick question, and I think we can, we can probably wrap it up. Uh, how can, how can the church better support people walking through long-term suffering through cancer, through divorce, through career transitions that are painful through things like that?

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Yeah, you can do that through, uh, life groups or, and just being in community. two, if your church doesn't have that, maybe you are the one that needs to recommend it. So if there's something in your church that is not

Jason McConnell: Okay.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: available, that's meeting your needs, I'd say respectfully, see if that's something that you can, initiate, uh, with the support of maybe one of, uh, two of the leaders. Uh, within the church, but I think for me, Jason, it's been in community, with, um, the different women in the church and the leaders, and they've identified that I have gone through things and I do, I'm able to, you know, um, add value and speak truth and transparency and honesty to people I've been referred.

It's like, well, can you talk with this person or Can you talk with that person? So somebody that is going through, uh, trials and their church don't offer that. Maybe that's something that they can, uh, they can initiate. 'cause maybe the church doesn't realize that they need it or they may not know that people want it, you know?

And so a lot of times, groups and organizations are formed at grassroots when there's a need that somebody's identified that's not being met for them. And so they propose it.

Jason McConnell: Yep. It's so funny you mentioned that because, um, I, I lead a, a dad's ministry at my church and it all started because I went to the pastor and I'm like, Hey. We don't have a father's ministry, like something dedicated just to dads. We should have something like that. And he's like, that's a great idea. When are you starting it?

I'm like, wait, what?

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Be careful what you ask for Jason.

Jason McConnell: So, and I still, I, you know, I still have it to the today. I've got some great fathers in there. And, uh, it's just been a blessing. It's a blessing all around. So I'm glad I said something. I glad I was pushed to start it, but, uh, but that's how it works.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: And then too, what, you know, you started, there are other people, so it could branch off

Jason McConnell: Yep.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: you know, or, and you're not, uh, while you may have started it, like, I started some groups, but I wasn't the only facilitator in the group, so it was shared responsibility. So I wasn't doing the heavy lifting. Um, by myself.

Jason McConnell: Yeah, I'm still doing that.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: We had not, but there were people,

Jason McConnell: Maybe when it gets bigger.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: group. Yeah, yeah,

Jason McConnell: But, but no, it's, it's good. It is a good thing, um, for the church. It's a good thing for, for me, for my dads. And, and we always, you know, it's always goes back to God. Um, so I mean, that's my answer to anyone who's like, well, my church doesn't have whatever.

Maybe you need to start it.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Right, right. Yeah, absolutely.

Jason McConnell: So.

[: 00:40:30

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Jason McConnell: Well, Felicia, as we wrap things up, I wanna kind of zoom out for a moment. Look back over your journey. I mean, the broken pieces, the healing, the growth. There's wisdom that only comes from walking with God through the fire. And I would like to give you the final word to encourage anyone listening who may be on a similar road, just your final thoughts before we, we wrap things up.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Okay. Thank you. So I would say, uh, in closing it's like it's, there are gonna be trials. And there are not gonna be joyful. You will not experience joy as you're faced with a, a challenge. So being realistic, but knowing that you will, uh, get through those trials, but you'll get through those trials with God and just pray that God will also provide you with community to walk with you as you go through those trials, that you're not doing it by yourself. And then identify an anchor scripture for yourself, uh, that you can hang on to and just meditate. On God's word and monitor your intake as far as your, your food. Be mindful of your physical and your mental state as you're going through challenges. So maybe monitor what you're, um, watching, what you're hearing and what your, uh, intake is and get along with God, uh, for as long as you can to spend time, uh, with him at least, you know, 20 or 30 minutes in the morning or the afternoon or whatever work. you. But spending time with God, um, is key. And reading his word and getting your anchor scripture, uh, you too can have joy and you'll be able to count your broken pieces and you'll be able to share, uh, your trials and challenges and successes that God has brought you through with others.

Jason McConnell: It's amazing. All right. Be sure to visit felicia her.com to learn more about her. The link to her website is in the show notes along with information about her book and social media. Felicia, thank you so much for having this conversation with me and sharing your wisdom with all of us. Uh, you truly are remarkable and God is doing wonderful things through you, so thank you for that.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: Thank you, Jason.

Jason McConnell: So

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: much.

Jason McConnell: God bless you, Felicia.

Felicia A Hurd - Johnson: You too.

Jason McConnell: For my amazing listeners. Until next time, keep loving your neighbors. Dive into God's word daily. May the Lord bless you and keep you and fill you with his peace. Take care. God bless, and I'll see you in the next episode.

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