Jim Burgoon on Mental Illness, Loss, and Trusting God When God Says No | STF Podcast Ep. 17

In this episode, Lara Silverman welcomes Jim Burgoon—strategist for Faith-Driven Leaders, host of the Unshakeable Life Podcast, military veteran, and former pastor—to share his “faith in the furnace” story, centered on his wife’s decades-long battle with four major mental illnesses, recurring hospitalizations, and a near-suicide attempt while raising children and leading in ministry. Jim describes the church’s frequent lack of support and stigma around mental illness, his 2017 decision to step down and relocate for better care, and how surrendering control to Christ sustained him. The conversation addresses asking “why,” lament, and rejecting prosperity/word-of-faith formulas, emphasizing that God’s “no” can be about timing or eternity. Jim also recounts losing his mother and sister to cancer in 2023, a suicide attempt by his wife, and his own chronic illness, highlighting hope, truth over feelings, and trusting God’s goodness through suffering.

Jim's Bio

Jim Burgoon is a strategist for faith-driven leaders, podcast hosts, and
content creators. He is the host of The Unshakable Life Podcast. A
military veteran who is certified as both a Leadership Development
Coach and DISC consultant, Jim helps leaders stop hiding and start
building. He serves the "forgotten but called"—entrepreneurs and
leaders who are tired of hustle culture and ready to lead from a place
of rest. Jim’s approach shifts the focus from "earning your worth" to
stewarding your calling. Whether he is coaching on content strategy,
leadership development, or deep spiritual health, his mission is simple: to help you build a purpose-rooted life that stands firm when
the world gets chaotic.

Chapters
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
01:41 Jim's Furnace Story
03:18 Diagnosis Not Identity
06:05 Church Stigma and Support
08:59 2017 Turning Point Move
10:33 Hope and Surrender
13:15 No Dead Ends With God
15:31 Why Questions and Sin
18:12 Healing Theology Myths
24:46 When God Says No
28:13 Jeremiah 29 Context
31:07 Mom and Sister Cancer
33:40 Grief Without Bitterness
34:14 Obedience to Resign
35:00 Hardest Year Unfolds
36:06 Cascade of Loss
37:05 Anger and Trust
38:01 Discipline or Comfort
40:25 Lament as Worship
42:14 Sovereignty and Evil
45:39 Grief and Joy Together
47:42 Eternity and Salvation
50:13 Suffering Opens Hearts
54:08 Redefining Good
56:38 Sanctification and Fruit
01:01:11 Chronic Illness Endurance
01:04:27 Surrender and Resets
01:07:19 Caregiving by Truth
01:10:22 Final Encouragement

Resources and Links:

Jim's podcast, The Unshaken Life

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PODCAST DESCRIPTION:

Welcome to the Singing Through Fire podcast! I’m your host Lara Silverman, and this is where we:

• Worship when it hurts
• Discuss hot takes from the furnace of affliction
• Explore a biblical theology of suffering with a side of sass and sarcasm

From lamentations to laughter, this podcast is for anyone desperate for hope who has ever asked, "Why, Lord, why?”

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe because I upload content every Tuesday and Friday!

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2nd Corinthians 4:17.