S11.BONUS 2 | When Faith Meets Pain: How God Redeems Our Deepest Wounds with Hannah Hughes
In this powerful interview, Carla sits down with Hannah to talk about the raw, unfiltered process of healing from trauma, eating disorders, and deep emotional pain.
Hannah opens up about growing up in a Christian home, struggling silently with mental health, and the night she almost gave up hope. But God met her there - turning her pain into a story of redemption and purpose.
Together, Carla and Hannah unpack how faith and vulnerability intersect in healing, why honesty in prayer matters more than performance, and how hope can coexist with suffering. If you’ve ever wondered where God is in your pain, this conversation will remind you that He’s right there with you.
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3 Key Takeaways from This Episode
Healing begins where honesty starts — God can redeem what we’re willing to reveal.
Faith doesn’t remove pain, but it transforms how we walk through it.
Hope isn’t found in perfection; it’s found in trusting God’s goodness in every season.
Bio: Hannah Hughes is a Denver-based mama, author, and podcaster who is passionate about helping everyday women build authentic faith in every season of life.
Through her own journey, she has learned that purpose isn’t about reaching mountain top moments or having it all figured out — it’s trusting Jesus through the messy middle and hidden seasons, where real life happens, hard questions arise, and grace meets us in our imperfections.
Through honest conversations and Biblical truth, she equips women to grow deep in their relationship with God, embrace hope in every season, and break free from the pressure to be “the perfect Christian.”
Hannah’s willingness to share vulnerably and talk about the hard stuff honestly empowers women to embrace every chapter of their story with God and walk boldly in all that He has created them to be!
🔗 Want to Go Deeper?
If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to invite you into my Substack community, where I share extended reflections, encouragement, and practical faith tools for your healing journey. 👉 Join me on Substack here
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Connect With Carla:
Foundations to Healing—-> https://www.carlaarges.com/foundations-of-healing
Inquire about 1:1 coaching ---> Book a FREE Discovery call
Come hangout on IG with me @carlaarges
Check out the blog
Resources:
5 Steps to Building Resiliency
Affirming Truths Facebook Community
5 Tips for Overcoming a Negative Body Image
Who You Say I Am Biblical Affirmation Cards
Summary
Hope and Healing Through Faith
Carla and Hannah discussed Hannah's journey of healing from trauma, eating disorders, and abuse, emphasizing the importance of faith in navigating pain. Hannah shared her experience of finding hope and restoration through Jesus, despite ongoing challenges. They also touched on the potential triggers that children can pose for parents healing from trauma. The conversation aimed to provide encouragement and hope for women facing similar struggles.
Christian Faith and Eating Disorder
Hannah shared her personal journey of struggling with an eating disorder and mental health issues while growing up in a Christian household. Despite appearing to meet all the expectations of a "good Christian life," she experienced deep hopelessness and considered suicide at age 15. On the night she planned to take her own life, her friend's mother informed her parents about her struggles, and Hannah's mother prayed for her while she was upstairs. The next morning, Hannah's parents took her to church where she revealed her plans, marking the beginning of her healing process. Overcoming Mental Health Struggles Hannah shared her journey of struggling with cutting and mental health issues, initially hiding her problems from her parents. Despite her fear of their disappointment, her parents' supportive response encouraged her to seek therapy and begin her healing process. Through therapy, Hannah learned the importance of honesty and hard work in her recovery, eventually overcoming her eating disorder and finding healing with God's help.
Faith and Healing Journey
Hannah shared her journey of discovering her life's purpose through faith, only to face challenges such as miscarriages and mental health struggles, which led her to realize that perfection is not the goal but trusting in God's goodness in all seasons. Carla resonated with Hannah's story, sharing her own struggles with reconciling God's goodness with personal trauma and mental health issues, and asked how God shows up in such times. Both emphasized the importance of hope and faith in navigating life's difficulties, acknowledging that healing and understanding are ongoing processes.
Hope and Faith in Suffering
Carla and Hannah discussed their personal experiences with hope and faith, particularly in challenging times. Hannah shared her journey of pregnancy complications and how she learned to find hope and faith in the midst of suffering, realizing that God's presence and redemption are not limited to mountaintop experiences. Carla emphasized the importance of acknowledging suffering while trusting in God's plan, highlighting that hope and joy can coexist with lament. Both women reflected on the broader theme of the gospel, emphasizing that God's love and redemption are present even in difficult circumstances.
Authentic Faith and Vulnerable Prayer
Carla and Hannah discussed the challenges of maintaining faith and spiritual practices, with Hannah sharing her journey from performing religious duties to developing a genuine, vulnerable relationship with God. Hannah emphasized the importance of honesty in prayer, suggesting that acknowledging one's true feelings and desires, even if they conflict with expected religious behaviors, allows God to work more effectively in their lives. She highlighted a practical approach of starting prayers with "If I'm being honest" to shift from obligation to devotion, and stressed that God can work with honesty more than with productivity, encouraging a daily act of surrender.