Brianna B.

June 2, 2024 by Gabriela YarelizProfiles, Uncategorized

Today, Brianna speaks to us about navigating health struggles, difficult times and her Release Series on her blog!

Tell us a bit about how you grew up and your childhood: I grew up in rural North Carolina. We always had the things we needed and plenty more to share. My parents are hard workers who provide well for their family. My brother and I both adopted their values of hard work, being kind, and offering a helping hand to others. We lived next to extended family (my grandparents, great-aunts, and uncles, as well as my great-grandmother) in a close-knit community. We had a small farm where we raised cattle and vegetables in the summertime. I went to a large liberal arts school in the middle of the state and found out that people there weren’t nearly as nice as they were at home.

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: Mark 5:21-34 (emphasis on verse 34, “And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”). This Bible verse gives me hope here on earth, I long to hear these words from Jesus but I trust I will hear them one day. And what a day that will be!!!

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: Releasing to God. This has sparked an entirely new series on my blog with guest bloggers sharing how they released certain things—aspects of their lives and relationships—to God, and the outcome. The series starts in June and these stories are already touching hearts.

Profession/Mission: Building His Kingdom by Telling His Story

If you wrote a memoir, what would the title be? Hope in the Healing

When did you first encounter God and how did you encounter Him? I accepted Christ at the young age of (5 or 6) at a Christian Concert Saturday at Carowinds in Charlotte, NC. I had spent the day with my best friend, Tara, and her mom. That night during the invitation, I told Ms. Judy I wanted to accept Jesus into my heart. I remember the aisle to the stage must have been a mile long, or so it seemed for my short legs. That night, I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. Shortly thereafter my pastor came over and talked with my brother (who also accepted Christ that day) and me about what salvation meant to make sure we had a clear understanding. I remember that his Bible had a picture of Jesus knocking on a door, the door to my heart.

As a teenager, I reaffirmed my salvation.

How would you describe Jesus? Jesus is my friend, the person I tell everything to, the one in whom I put my trust. When I’m struggling, He’s the one who I call upon.

How has your relationship with Him changed you? My relationship with Jesus brings me hope and peace. I suffer from several chronic health issues, several of which cause daily pain. Without Jesus, I don’t know how I could survive each day. My salvation brings me hope, knowing that one day I will be healed. That healing may not happen on this side of heaven, but I have that hope that I can make it through. The peace I have at times, is such an unexplainable phenomenon, in the midst of the constant chaos I should be freaking out, but I’m at peace because I have placed my faith in Jesus.

“The peace I have at times, is such an unexplainable phenomenon, in the midst of the constant chaos I should be freaking out, but I’m at peace because I have placed my faith in Jesus.”

What has been the darkest time in your life, and how did you see God in it? The darkest point in my life was when my son was born prematurely, with holes in his lungs, which caused a prolonged stay in the NICU. I was a new mom, floundering in my marriage, grasping at straws trying to figure things out, only to almost lose my son. That was a dark hour. Again in 2021 and in 2022, I had bilateral surgeries on my neck/chest removing muscles, and a rib on either side to alleviate vascular issues with an artery and vein. During that time, I found out what faith truly was. I found out I wasn’t in control of anything, God was. He met me in the waiting room and never left me through the whole experience. When I went in for the second time in just over a year, I had confidence that God had done it once already, so why in the world would I not put my trust in Him? I was able to share my faith with other patients, nurses, and medical staff throughout both my stays. Being able to be the hands and feet of Jesus while lying in a hospital bed will bring a new level of joy.

“I found out I wasn’t in control of anything, God was. He met me in the waiting room and never left me through the whole experience.”

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season? To grow spiritually, I’ve stopped simply reading my Bible. Instead, I spend time each morning in prayer and then I do a more in-depth Bible study. For years I was guilty of reading the words on the page but not storing them in my heart or applying them to my life. Now I spend more time in prayer and applying the Word into my daily life. I spend a lot of time each morning and throughout the day immersing myself in scripture.

Just read/currently reading (and what has it taught you?): I’m currently doing a Bible study on Proverbs. There is a whole lot of wisdom in Proverbs.

Top three essentials: My Bible – it’s the first thing I do after I get a cup of coffee. I even get up an hour earlier than everyone so I can spend uninterrupted time in the Word and then work out.

My Journal – the pages of tears, heartache, prayers, and praises hold the story of my life.

Coffee (black) and water.

How did God speak to you recently? In my April newsletter, I asked my readers to respond with what they have trouble releasing to God along with any prayer requests. The emails flooded my inbox (for which I am grateful). I was able to pray over the concerns and bring these burdens before the Lord, interceding for others. After much prayer, I felt God telling me this was what I needed to do, so I started a series entitled Releasing to God. I made a post on Facebook and IG asking for volunteers to submit their stories. The response has been amazing. Each time I get frustrated, or distracted I just remind myself that God called me to do this, and if I’m doubting, distracted, or frustrated then I know that I’m doing the right thing because the enemy is trying to derail me.

“After much prayer, I felt God telling me this was what I needed to do, so I started a series entitled Releasing to God.”

Hobby: Photography and baking. I love watching the sunrise and sunset and watching God’s creation. I’m the mom who always has her camera taking silly pictures, candid shots, or just photos of everyday life.

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong: Stay in the word, surround yourself with like-minded people, Pray.

Favorite person in scripture? That’s hard, maybe top three. I mean I love Jesus and how he loved others. The bleeding woman because her faith healed her. Ruth, the grit and grace that she possesses to take care of her family are inspiring and encouraging.

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you? Despite your circumstances, there is hope. There is hope on the hard days and there is hope on the good days. Healing happens when we have hope.

“Despite your circumstances, there is hope.”

How do you engage with your community? I write weekly for my blog, Briannagrams.com. I also keep up with my socials. I’m not great about sharing those candid pictures I take, but I do have a teenage son and my husband keeps me on my toes.

Favorite holiday? My birthday. February 22, because it’s my day. My second favorite is Thanksgiving. The whole family gets together and there isn’t the stress and pressure of gift-giving involved. I love being able to just spend time with my family and cherish the memories and moments.

A goal do you have? To share the Gospel with others, providing hope on the hard days and encouraging people when they need it.

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: We buy Christmas ornaments from everywhere we go and decorate our Christmas tree each year, retelling and relishing the memories.

The question you will ask when you get to heaven? I don’t know if I’ll have questions as much as gratitude – Jesus saved me so I could live eternally with Him in heaven.

The thing you want to raise awareness about: Hope for Chronic Illness Warriors as well as helping people release their hurts, pains, and struggles to God, all the while loving people in big way.

What does your morning routine consist of?

4:15 am wake-up alarm;

4:17 am coffee and walk to my spot to read my Bible study and prayer;

4:35 am refill coffee cup;

5:00 am upstairs to work out – weight-bearing cardio as well as strength training;

5:40 am downstairs to make sure my teen is up and time to get ready;

6:00 am kitchen to make lunch and breakfast;

6:30 am devotional with son at breakfast;

7:30 am leave to take my son to school; and

(In the midst of all that, I usually start a load of laundry, unload the dishwasher, reload the dishwasher, do prep for dinner, and finish getting ready—if I’m going to appointments).

What is on your nightstand? My Apple watch, iPhone, alarm clock and two pictures of my son. My Bible sits in a basket beside my chair.

Define Christianity in a sentence: Jesus loved us so much that He died a criminal’s death to save me, that’s love; now go and love others as Jesus did.