Your storm is not your Identity: faith, healing, and reclaiming your purpose

At 36 years old, Judy Armstrong was a Registered Nurse, a Director of Nursing, and a busy mom of two. Then, her body slowly shut down. Eventually diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus—an incurable autoimmune disease—Judy went from a strong, physically capable caregiver to a patient who couldn't even open a jar of juice for her children.

But Judy refused to let her diagnosis define her.

In this episode, Judy shares her incredible 10-year journey of "active waiting." Instead of putting her life on pause, she kept her nursing license active, invested in personal growth, and embraced the unexpected blessing of being fully present with her young children. She opens up about the miraculous moment of prayer that led to her complete remission, and the unexpected phone call that invited her back to work—not just as a nurse, but as the CEO of the very surgery center she had been forced to leave.

If you are currently facing a storm, feeling sidelined by life, or waiting for your next chapter to begin, Judy's story is a powerful reminder that today's setback is simply preparation for tomorrow's opportunity.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to cope when chronic illness strips away your physical capability and professional identity.
• Why keeping your credentials and mind sharp during a dark season is crucial for your future.
• Finding peace, embracing unexpected blessings, and trusting God's timing when you can't see the finish line.
• How Judy went from a 10-year career gap straight into the CEO chair.

Topics covered: self reliance, active waiting, spiritual self reliance, active preparation, career resilience, overcoming setbacks, faith in trials, coping with illness, taking the next step, identity in storms, emotional self reliance, personal responsibility, overcoming adversity, healing and faith, preparing for opportunity, finding purpose

 

Find Judy here: https://judyb-armstrong.com/  

Her Ebook Title is: Faith Through Storms

 

Watch the interview here: https://youtu.be/AeF0S-Kp0G8

 

If you want to dive deeper into the same growth mindset Judy shared today—turning your biggest setbacks into preparation for what's next—here are two fantastic books I highly recommend checking out. Remember that these are Amazon *affiliate* links and as such I earn a tiny percentage if you buy them.

1. The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday

This is the ultimate handbook on grit. Holiday uses ancient Stoic wisdom to show how the very things holding us back—like a sudden diagnosis or a career setback—can actually be used as fuel to make us stronger, tougher, and more resilient.

https://amzn.to/4w699tO

2. Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant

When Plan A is completely off the table, how do you rebuild? This book combines deeply personal stories with practical, scientific advice on how to build your resilience muscle, face adversity, and reclaim your purpose when life takes an unexpected turn.

https://amzn.to/4gEwmhW