This episode is for the ones holding faith in one hand and pain in the other. I share my honest journey of praying, believing, and still living with chronic illness—and the quiet shame, grief, and questions that come with it. Together, we’ll unpack the wrestle of faith when healing doesn’t come, the ways God still shows up in the waiting, and how to redefine miracles beyond physical healing. Whether you’re in a flare, walking through a diagnosis, or simply feeling forgotten, this conversation is an open door to breathe, to grieve, and to believe again—right here in the in-between.

• The Unseen Sisterhood Newsletter – Weekly encouragement for living with chronic illness. Join here
• Related Podcast Episode: What Chronic Illness is Teaching Me About God
• Book Recommendation: Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller
• Free Resource: The One-Minute Joy Journal

In this candid conversation, Shedrica opens up about her lupus diagnosis journey, the mental and emotional battles of living with an invisible illness, and how faith has been her foundation. She shares how using a physical planner transformed her daily life—helping her track symptoms, manage her household, and create space for both rest and joy. We talk about the importance of planning around your body instead of against it, using creativity as a source of healing, and finding hope when life looks different than you expected. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into your chronic illness journey, this episode offers encouragement, practical tips, and a reminder that you get to decide what your “brighter day” looks like.

• 00:00 – Introduction and welcome to guest, Shedrica Holmes
• 01:45 – “Not waiting—just doing what you have to do.”
• 03:12 – What lupus SLE is and how it impacts the body
• 06:45 – “The hardest thing for me is the mental… staying in a good mindset when I don’t look sick but feel terrible.”
• 10:22 – Becoming a mom, weight gain from medication, and discovering the power of planning
• 13:10 – How a physical planner became her most powerful wellness tool
• 17:42 – “People ask, ‘How do stickers make you happy?’ And I say—mind your own business, I’ll mind mine.”
• 20:15 – Why writing things down can help with insomnia and mental clarity
• 23:35 – Faith as the foundation for business, healing, and resilience
• 27:48 – “Hold on—pain ends. Maybe not the way you expect, but there is a brighter day.”
• 30:55 – Favorite tools, gadgets, and the joy of cooking with chronic illness

• Chronically Planned Podcast – Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website
• Shedrica: Instagram – @lupuspeaks | TikTok | Chronically Planned YouTube

• 00:00 – Opening words
• 00:42 – When RV life stopped feeling exciting
• 01:18 – “I felt like I failed at both ends”
• 02:06 – Victor’s support and your internal guilt
• 02:45 – What people don’t see
• 03:30 – The reality of grief in transition
• 04:20 – “You’re allowed to release what no longer fits”
• 05:05 – The invisible grief of downsizing
• 06:00 – Gentle closing + invitation