Faith grows strongest when we learn to trust God through every season of life.

Gene Thrailkill — Faith Through Illness, Family, and God’s Grace

Introduction

Faith does not always grow during easy seasons. Sometimes faith grows through illness, caregiving, uncertainty, prayer, perseverance, and learning to trust God one day at a time.

Faith Through Illness, Family, and God’s Grace

For a long time, my wife Lucy wanted me to attend an Emmaus Walk, a Christian retreat focused on faith, worship, and spiritual renewal. She kept encouraging me to go, but honestly, I really wasn’t interested.

Finally, after hearing about it enough times, I said, “I’ll go just to shut her up.” She sent off the paperwork, and I forgot all about it.

Then in October 1993, I found out I was actually going.

There was only one problem—it was football season, and Auburn was playing Georgia that weekend. Auburn was unbeaten, and I had already found a way to get a ticket to the game in Georgia.

After a family discussion, I finally decided I probably needed to go to Emmaus more than I needed to go to the football game. As always, I had the last word—and as always, it was, “Yes dear.”

So while I was packing for the trip, I slipped a radio into my bag so I could secretly listen to the game. Lucy discovered it before I left. She took the radio out, and that started another family discussion.

After I tried to explain why I needed that radio, she calmly told me, “Either the radio stays home, or you do.”

The radio stayed home.

I wasn’t very happy about it.

I went that Thursday and honestly didn’t want to be there. I remember watching an old film where the color had faded so badly you could barely tell what you were looking at. I kept thinking, “Is this the best they have to offer?”

Friday came with more talks, more worship, and more discussions. Saturday was much of the same. The speakers were good, but at first I still thought I had heard it all before.

But somewhere during that weekend, something changed in me.

One of the things we did during the retreat was gather in small prayer groups. We would stand together in a circle, pray aloud or silently, and pass a wooden cross from person to person.

When the cross was passed to me, I remember holding it and feeling the Lord speak to my heart.

God said, “If you love Me, then serve Me.”

That moment changed my life.

For the first time, I understood more clearly not only who I was, but to whom I belonged.

Song Reflection: Sanctuary

“Sanctuary” reflects the heart of Gene’s testimony — a desire to trust God, serve faithfully, and walk closely with Christ through every season of life. Through illness, uncertainty, family struggles, and spiritual growth, this song reminds us that God continues shaping ordinary people into vessels of His grace, love, and faithfulness.

Years later, I found myself facing a battle I never expected.

Everyone who knows me knows about my illness. I understand that one day cancer will take my earthly life. When I was first told about the diagnosis, I guess most people expected me to panic, but strangely, I didn’t.

I believed then, and still believe now, that God has a purpose for my life. And when He is ready for me to come home, He will call me home.

That does not mean the journey has been easy.

Lucy and I have walked through many difficult days together. There were doctor visits, treatments, long nights, physical struggles, uncertainty, and moments of exhaustion. There were times when life felt heavy and the future felt unclear.

But through every season, God kept reminding me that I was never alone.

He gave us strength through family, friends, church members, prayer, encouragement, and simple acts of kindness. Sometimes God’s presence showed up through people who sat with us, prayed for us, checked on us, or simply listened.

I learned that faith is not about having all the answers.

Faith is trusting God when life does not make sense.

Faith is continuing to pray when you are tired.

Faith is loving people through difficult seasons.

Faith is serving others while you still can.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that life is precious and time moves quickly.

Football games, schedules, worries, and many of the things we spend our lives chasing eventually fade into the background. What matters most is faith, family, forgiveness, compassion, and the way we treat people along the journey.

I have learned to appreciate ordinary moments more than I once did.

A conversation.

A prayer.

A church family.

A quiet day.

A kind word.

Time with the people you love.

Those things matter.

I know my earthly life will not last forever, but my hope is not built on fear. My hope is built on Christ.

And when my journey here is finished, more than anything else, I want to hear those words:

“Welcome home, my good and faithful servant.”

Reflective Questions

When has God used an unexpected moment to speak to your heart?

Possible answer: God often works through ordinary experiences, difficult seasons, worship, prayer, relationships, or moments when we least expect Him.

What fears have you had to place in God’s hands?

Possible answer: Illness, grief, uncertainty, aging, family struggles, or fear of the future can become places where faith grows deeper.

Who has helped carry you through difficult seasons?

Possible answer: Family members, caregivers, church friends, neighbors, pastors, medical workers, or people who simply showed kindness and support.

What does faithful service look like in everyday life?

Related Pages

Closing Invitation

These stories are shared by members and friends of the church to encourage others and remind us that God is faithful in every season of life.

At Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, we believe testimonies help strengthen faith, bring hope, and point others toward Christ.

Learn more about Christian discipleship and spiritual growth through worship, study, prayer, service, and daily faith.