
Fierce Calling
A Family Saga Intersecting MS, Faith, and the Power of God’s Love with Sarah Jean Snyder
Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In this episode, Doris sits down with Sarah Jean Snyder, author of He Said Saga: The Daughter’s Story. The conversation focused on Sarah’s deeply personal journey—her father’s battle with MS, her own diagnosis, and how these experiences intersected with her spiritual growth. A key theme that emerged was how the purpose behind Sarah’s writing evolved over a decade, transforming from sharing her father’s story to encouraging others through her faith. The discussion explored the challenges of living with chronic illness, the significance of supportive communities both in-person and online, and the unexpected ways God leads us through difficult seasons. Several points were raised in this encouraging conversation, including the importance of sharing our stories honestly, embracing change, and finding hope and healing in unexpected places. Join us as Sarah reveals how her family’s legacy and her faith continue to light the path forward—not just for herself, but for anyone navigating hardship. Sarah shares how, through her father’s circumstances, she learned what it looks like to function through sadness, how to trust even with unanswered prayers, and that life isn’t always fair. However, she also learned to focus on the good and be grateful for it. In the end, sickness isn’t the story. Disclaimer statement: The views expressed in this episode or any other episodes of this podcast are for informational purposes only. This content does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ???? Episode Highlights & Key Takeaways Writing Journey and Spiritual Growth The process of writing her book over a decade Initial intent to share her father’s story about MS and how her own diagnosis influenced the narrative Transformation of the book’s purpose and the element of faith guiding the journey The importance of taking the first step even without full understanding of the “why” Impact of Baptism and Faith Milestones Reaffirmation of baptism as an adult and its spiritual significance Reflection on being a preacher’s kid and hesitance to focus on religious elements How moments that seem accidental are viewed as divine interventions The Book’s Structure and Themes Inclusion of personal photos and stories in the book Use of a Facebook group for chronicling and processing her journey The shift from being a book about MS to a story of spiritual transformation and faith Living with MS and Sharing Hope The process of documenting both her father’s and her own experience with MS Contrast in perspectives: witnessing her father’s illness and experiencing her own Sharing hope and healing found in Jesus for those facing medical challenges The Ending That’s Not the End Discussion of how the story continues beyond the book’s final pages Inclusion of group support through online communities Encouragement that everyone’s story is ongoing and evolving Community, Support, and Group Dynamics The role of group studies and support groups for people facing similar challenges How the book’s message transcends MS to address broader emotional and physical struggles Sharing her father’s struggle and spiritual healing from alcoholism Concepts of Healing and Acceptance Comparison between physical and spiritual healing Sarah’s father’s experience: sobriety as a form of healing even without physical recovery from MS Advancements in MS therapies and the shift towards holistic health approaches Health Wisdom and Lifestyle Changes Pursuing knowledge and wisdom through faith and research The importance of gut health and dietary changes, including gluten elimination Learning from dealing with both her own diagnosis and her son’s epilepsy Recognition of the evolving nature of bodies and personal health needs Autoimmune Conditions and MS Education Explanation of MS as an autoimmune condition affecting the nervous system Comparison of MS to electrical cords with compromised protective layers Acknowledgment of the complexities and unknowns in autoimmunity Transparency and Vulnerability in Storytelling Importance of sharing both victories and struggles (divorce, miscarriage, challenges) Using personal story to comfort and encourage others in similar situations Response from the MS community and broader audience through social media Encouragement for Others to Share Their Stories The impact and value of women sharing their stories Overcoming hesitancy, comparison, or feelings of inadequacy when sharing The ripple effect of encouragement and connection within faith communities God’s Providence and Community Connections Unexpected connections and meetings within faith and author circles The role of community events in building support and encouragement Recognition that God orchestrates encounters and opportunities for sharing The Purpose of the Book: Sharing Jesus Emphasis that the ultimate purpose is to share God’s love and the message of Jesus The invitation at the book’s conclusion for readers to receive Jesus’s message Ongoing calling to use her platform for faith-sharing Resources and Accessibility of Her Story Information on where to find her book (website, local stores, Amazon) Announcement of the upcoming audiobook featuring family members as narrators Prayer and Final Encouragement Praying for listeners and readers to feel loved and receive the message Affirmation of God’s unconditional love and grace Encouragement that even in hard and ongoing journeys, hope and purpose persist Personal and Family Reflections Significance of her middle name “Jean” and its family legacy Importance of family involvement in both her story and her audiobook project ???? Connect with Sarah! You can connect with Sarah at https://www.hesaidsaga.com/ Sarah Jean Snyder lives with multiple sclerosis. She is a preacher’s kid, an optician and a mother. She loves the Lord. ???? Your Story Matters As always, remember—your journey, your fierce calling, and your honest story can comfort and encourage others. Where can you share your experiences this week? Grace and peace,Doris Host, Fierce Calling Podcast What Threatens to Steal Your Joy? Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/ Let’s Stay Connected! Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage ! Love Fierce Calling? Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Conference, Tea, Christmas Event, Workshops, Retreats? I have a few dates still available in 2026, and booking for 2027 – 2028! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event… Screenshot Thanks for Listening! I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value, purpose, and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. If you’re looking for a speaker for your next women’s conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift Let’s have a chat about your next event! Stay tuned for more amazing conte...


