Strength in Weakness: A Journey of Faith w/ Jackie Avilés
Show notes
About This Episode Aaron Smith sits down with author Jackie Avilés, a pastor's wife in Homestead, Florida, to hear her story of walking through a terminal cancer diagnosis. At 26, Jackie was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer and given a 6% chance of survival; she chose her casket and took funeral photos. Today she is nearly 10 years cancer-free. Jackie shares how faith and prayer carried her, how she and her husband Amilio struggled to communicate when he clung to hope in the treatment while she needed him to meet her in her grief, and how 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 became their anchor. She explains what it means to lament well and rest in God's sufficient grace, reminding us that even when we are pressed, we are not crushed.
About Jackie Avilés Jackie Avilés is an author and pastor's wife widely known as the “Internet's Hope Coach,” offering Scripture-based encouragement and practical strategies to help people move from despair into hope-filled living. A stage 4 cancer survivor now nearly 10 years cancer-free, she founded the Pressed But Not Crushed ministry to help couples in crisis.
In This Episode The diagnosis — Stage 4 terminal metastatic breast cancer at 26, with a 6% chance of survival. Preparing to die — Choosing a casket and taking funeral photos while still holding on to hope. Communication in crisis — How Jackie and Amilio learned to meet each other in grief. Pressed but not crushed — How their marriage verse anchored them through suffering. Lamenting well — Bringing honest grief to God while trusting His promises. Faith and prayer — What sustained Jackie through the toughest season of her life. Strength in weakness — Resting in God's sufficient grace. Through the storm — Jesus never promised there would be no storm, but He promised to get us to the other side.
Scripture Referenced 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 — Pressed but not crushed 2 Corinthians 12:9 — My grace is sufficient for you
Resources from This Episode Jackie Avilés: jackieaviles.com Instagram: @jackie_aviles Shop Marriage After God books and devotionals Full show notes and blog post
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