Welcome Back!

Hey friend, welcome back to Thrive Through the Fire! If you’re new here, I’m Alyssa Kilgore—a mom, nurse, Jesus-lover, and someone who knows firsthand what it’s like when life doesn’t go according to plan.

I don’t know about you, but I love a good plan. I have multiple calendars, a planner (or three), and a color-coded system for keeping my life organized. I love knowing what’s coming next and being in control.

And then, life happens. And God says, "That’s cute, but I have something else in mind."

What happens when life completely derails your plans.

How to surrender to God’s will—even when it doesn’t make sense.

Biblical examples of people who had their plans flipped upside down.

My own story and the moment I realized I wasn’t in control.

Practical steps to mentally, emotionally, and spiritually surrender.

Encouragement to trust that God’s plan is always better than ours.

We’re getting real, honest, a little snarky, and a whole lot of faith-filled—because this is not about sugar-coated Christianity. This is about learning to let go and trust God even when it feels impossible.

I thought I had my life figured out.

I was a busy mom of four, balancing work, family, and a never-ending to-do list. And then, at 38 years old, I was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer—out of nowhere.

I went from being the caregiver to the one needing care. From making plans to realizing I wasn’t the one in charge. God was. (Newsflash: He always was.)

That year, my word became “surrender.” And let me tell you—it was both a smack in the face and the most beautiful lesson all at the same time.

Here’s the thing about surrender:

Most of us don’t do it willingly.

No one wakes up and says, "God, I’d love for You to completely turn my world upside down today!"

Usually, we surrender because we have no other choice. And when we think we’re calling the shots, God humbles us real quick.

If you think your life didn’t go as planned, let’s talk about some Bible greats who probably felt the same way.

Mary – The Ultimate "This Wasn’t the Plan" Moment (Luke 1:26-38)

Imagine being a teenage girl, engaged, planning a normal life—and then BAM—an angel shows up and says,

"Oh hey, Mary! You’re going to give birth to the Son of God. Surprise!"

Not exactly part of her wedding vision board.

And yet, her response blows me away:

Luke 1:38 – “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”

She didn’t argue. She didn’t bargain. She surrendered.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, I did not do that.

I fought. I begged. I cried.

"God, take this away. Please."

And yet Mary’s response? "May your word to me be fulfilled."

That’s a powerful example of surrender.

But if you’re struggling right now, if you’re begging God to take something away, I get it. And God can handle...