Lessons From Pain: Creating Space for Prayer, Peace, and Purpose

In this powerful episode of Faith Over Addiction, host Tanya Gioia sits down with Lalonna West, award-winning educational leader and author of Solo and Saved: A 31-Day Journey of Faith, Healing & Self-Discovery. Lalonna shares her deeply personal story of walking away from a 25-year marriage to her high school sweetheart and how God transformed her pain into purpose.Through raw honesty and vulnerability, Lalonna reveals how she built an intimate relationship with God in her closet war room, learned to recognize divine signs through feathers, and took a leap of faith without financial security. Her testimony demonstrates that sometimes God doesn't change our circumstances—He changes us, making us strong, steady, complete, and firm through the process.This episode is essential listening for any woman feeling stuck in unhappiness, wondering if change is possible, or struggling to trust God with the unknown. Lalonna's journey proves that when we ask "God, what do You want me to do?" and have the courage to take that leap of faith, He provides in ways we never imagined.Key Points:Building a War Room RelationshipLearning to Recognize God's SignsThe Courage to Walk AwayGod's Faithful ProvisionThe Journey of HealingTaking Leaps of FaithOne Action Step for Women ListeningGuest Bio:Lalonna West is an award-winning educational leader, community builder, and author of Solo and Saved: A 31-Day Journey of Faith, Healing & Self-Discovery. With more than two decades of experience as a teacher, instructional coach, and principal, she has dedicated her career to empowering both students and educators to rise above challenges and unlock their full potential. Her mission is to help women turn pain into purpose by sharing her journey from a toxic 25-year marriage to finding peace, identity, and intimate relationship with God.Resources & Links:Lalonna West's Book:Solo and Saved: A 31-Day Journey of Faith, Healing & Self-Discovery : https://a.co/d/2vHRodsFree Gfit : Get this free list of Christian affirmations that spell out who you are in God – actual in God’s own words. Repeat these biblical affirmations and replace these truths with the lies currently in your head! - https://www.tanyagioia.com/affirmations 👋🏼 GET IN TOUCH💻 Website - www.tanyagioia.com📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/soberon_purpose/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tanya.gioia.9/🎧 LISTEN FOR FREEApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faith-over-addiction-for-christian-women-navigating/id1438258805Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7vDIdU0qejEuoPI2R3szpHRSS - https://podcasts.helloaudio.fm/podcast/2fbb497f-9ffc-4d8a-802b-c862437fb6ee/8V4vMD8N9v🙏 LEAVE A REVIEWIf this episode spoke to you, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others find the show! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faith-over-addiction-for-christian-women-navigating/id1438258805Are you caught in the chaos of addiction, constantly cleaning up emotional, spiritual, and physical messes that aren't yours? Welcome to Faith Over Addiction, where faith meets real life. Hosted by Family Recovery Coach Tanya Gioia, this podcast is designed to offer Christian women hope, healing, and practical tools to navigate the challenges of loving someone with addiction.Through biblical truths, heartfelt stories, and actionable guidance, you’ll learn how to set healthy boundaries, find peace in the mess, and reclaim your God-given identity. You don’t have to carry what was never meant to be yours. It’s time to shift from “this is happening to me” to “this is happening for me,” and let God transform the chaos into something that glorifies Him.Every week, I’m here to encourage you, offer clarity, and remind you that as a daughter of the King, You Always Have Other Options (YAHOO). Together, we’ll embrace faith as the foundation, boundaries as the bridge to healing, and God’s truth as the ultimate guide to freedom, strength, and grace.Blessings,Tanya Gioia 🌸🎵 Music Credit:Track: Luz SolartArtist: Luna CantinaAlbum: Luz SolartReleased: 2024