159: Spiritual Drowning, Honest Questions, and a God Who Doesn’t Let Go with Heather Thompson Day

The Best of You

Dr. Alison Cook

Health & Fitness, Mental Health

4.9 • 957 Ratings

🗓️ 22 May 2025

⏱️ 40 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

I’m joined by the brilliant and beautifully honest Dr. Heather Thompson Day for a conversation on spiritual wrestling. Heather’s latest book, What If I’m Wrong? Navigating the Waves of Fear and Failure explores what happens when the faith you once relied on starts to unravel. Heather shares openly about her father’s battle with Alzheimer’s, the spiritual crisis it triggered, and the years she spent in what she calls “spiritual drowning.” We talk about attachment, disappointment, failure, and the unexpected ways God shows up when everything else is falling apart. This conversation is a powerful example of how doubt and faith can co-exist. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re allowed to question your faith—or felt like you were losing your grip on God—this episode is for you. We explore: What happens when the God you believed in no longer matches your reality How therapy helped Heather not just psychologically but spiritually Why what feels like failure may be something deeper—and more redemptive The unexpected miracle Heather experienced at the end of her long season of doubt This isn’t a story of tidy answers. It’s a story of holding on, even when you’re not sure what you’re holding onto. 🎧 Listen now and share with someone who needs a reminder: doubt doesn’t mean you’re losing your faith—it might mean you’re learning to trust in a deeper way. 🔗 Heather’s new book: What If I’m Wrong?🔗 Connect with Heather: heatherthompsonday.com🔗 Follow Heather on Instagram: @HeatherThompsonDay 💬 Got a question or reflection? Call 307-429-2525 and leave a message for a future episode. ‍ If you liked this episode, you’ll love:‍ ⁠Episode 98: I Shouldn’t Feel Alone in My Grief—Why Your Grief Matters & How to Support Those Who Are Grieving with J.S. Park Episode 99: I Shouldn’t Feel Like My Spirit is Broken—Exploring a Broken Spirit & the Dark Night of the Soul with Christopher Cook ‍ Thanks to our sponsors: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BESTOFYOU and get on your way to being your best self. Go to ⁠Quince.com/bestofyou⁠ for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Save an additional 10% on any NIV Application Bible and NIV Application Commentary Resources by visiting ⁠faithgateway.com/NIVAB⁠ and using promo code BESTOFYOU Visit⁠ GoGeviti.com⁠ to learn more about how you can start optimizing your health without leaving home today and use code BESTOFYOU. Right now, save $10 on your first purchase when you go to ⁠StoryWorth.com/bestofyou! ⁠ ‍ Editing by Giulia Hjort Sound engineering by Kelly Kramarik Music by Andy Luiten ‍ While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.‍ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. We've come a long way in how we talk about mental health,
0:05.7	but there's still work to do. For years, people avoided therapy out of fear or stigma. But here's
0:11.0	the truth. Caring for your mental health is just as important as caring for your body. During
0:15.8	Mental Health Awareness Month, it's a good time to remember. Getting support isn't a weakness. It's wise. Therapy can help
0:22.7	you set healthy boundaries, manage stress, and show up as the best version of yourself for your
0:27.6	loved ones, your work, and your own peace of mind. BetterHelp makes it easier. With over 10 years of
0:33.1	experience matching people with therapists who fit their unique needs and a network of more than 30,000
0:38.0	licensed professionals, BetterHelp makes finding support simple and accessible. And if it's not the right
0:43.4	fit, you can switch therapists at any time for no additional fee. We're all better with help. Visit
0:49.3	betterhelp.com slash best of you to get 10% off your first month. That's BetterHelp, help.com slash best of you.
1:01.7	Hey everyone, I'm Dr. Allison, and I'm so glad you're here to discover what brings out the best of you.
1:08.4	This podcast is all about breaking free from painful patterns,
1:13.0	mending the past, and discovering our true selves in God. I can't wait to get started as we
1:18.1	learn together how to become the best version of who we are with God's help.
1:25.4	Hey, everyone, and welcome back to this week's episode of The Best of You podcast. Before we dive
1:32.3	in to today's episode, just a quick reminder, you can now call in and leave a voicemail to be
1:39.7	featured in a future episode. The number is 307-429-2525. We've already heard from so many of you, and it's been
1:49.2	incredibly meaningful to connect in this more personal way. You can call with a question, a comment,
1:57.0	or simply respond to this prompt. What is one area of your mental, emotional, or
2:03.3	spiritual health where you like to grow right now? Just include your first name, where you're calling
2:10.0	from, and your message. And if something from today's episode sparks a thought, that's a great
2:15.0	place to capture it. Again, the number is 307-429-252525. We'd love to hear from you.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Dr. Alison Cook, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Dr. Alison Cook and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.