Finding Hope & Forgiveness After Horrific Pain (with Davey Blackburn)

4 months ago 29

This week I get to share my podcast episode with Davey Blackburn, the author of Nothing Is Wasted: A True Story of Hope, Forgiveness, and Finding Purpose in Pain, to discuss his story of loss, forgiveness, healing, and hope.

In 2015, Davey’s wife Amanda and their unborn child were murdered. In this episode, he shares more about what it was like to walk through that horrific loss, the real and raw emotions he felt, and how changing his perspective from bitterness to compassion gave him the ability to forgive the perpetrators.

He candidly discusses his initial rage and the complexities of forgiveness – both of others and himself, taking us through the challenges of rebuilding amidst deep loss, including the unexpected closure of the church he and Amanda founded. Through it all, Davey shares how he felt God’s presence even in the darkest moments.

One of the most impactful parts of this interview for me when when Davey shares about how empathy for those who caused him unimaginable pain and stepping into their stories transformed his perspective on grace and redemption. His insights are a powerful reminder of God’s ability to bring beauty from ashes, reshaping our understanding of suffering and resilience!

I was so blessed by my time with Davey and really appreciate his willingness to be so open and vulnerable, and whether you’re grappling with loss, betrayal, or trauma, this episode promises to inspire and encourage you to find purpose in your own journey!

In This Episode

[0:35] – Today, I am interviewing Davey Blackburn, author of Nothing Is Wasted!
[1:08] – Davey, based in Indianapolis, leads Nothing Is Wasted Ministries, aiding those in trauma.
[4:44] – We discuss Davey’s real and raw emotions that he chronicles in the book.
[5:51] – Davey reflects on forgiveness — forgiving others and himself.
[11:43] – We talk about compassion and empathy toward others, shaped by an understanding of trauma.
[15:22] – Hearing and understanding others’ stories has helped Davey learn compassion and empathy.
[17:25] – Davey describes forgiving those who murdered Amanda and their emotional courtroom interactions.
[23:49] – The importance of deep grief and leaning into faith during hardships.
[29:27] – Grappling with life’s paradoxes and finding strength in Jesus.
[32:35] – We learn about the mission of Nothing Is Wasted and where they can be found online.