Ep 59 - Mandisa: Navigating Tragedy, Wrestling Doubt, and Finding Light

"Have you ever been in a season of confusion, doubt or pain and felt like God didn’t hold up His end of the bargain? Paula’s guest this week knows that space of heartbreak intimately.  Grammy Award-winning music artist, season 5 “American Idol” finalist, and fellow AccessMore podcaster https://www.accessmore.com/pd/Out-of-the-Dark-with-Mandisa--Laura-Williams Mandisa joins Paula for an honest and raw conversation about wrestling with God, navigating depression and fighting through the shadows to find God’s light.  We all know and love Mandisa’s hit song, “Overcomer,” that reached number one on the Billboard Christian Top 20. This song was written about one of her best friends and back-up singers, Kisha, who was battling breast cancer while pregnant. The anthem was personal to Mandisa, as she recalls praying with full confidence that Kisha would beat her illness.  So when Kisha passed, ultimately unable to overcome, Mandisa’s anger towards God was overwhelming. She recalls entering into a season of deep darkness that had her questioning everything. Was God hearing her? How could this happen? Did He even exist?  Mandisa shares with Paula how this dark place would lead her to withdraw, wrestle with God and fall into a deep depression, locking herself inside her house for nearly three years.   But even in the darkness, she would discover that God was at work, calling her into the light. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety or love someone who is, don’t miss the two lifelines that Mandisa says helped her step out of the dark – which also happens to be the title of her new book, available now - Out of the Dark.  Mandisa also talks with Paula about the early years of pursuing her calling. Find out how she kept singing in the midst of ordinary jobs, like typing in Sunday school orders at a publishing company, and in the midst of extraordinary fears, like facing Simon Cowell on national TV. Yet another reminder that nothing is wasted when it comes to our faith and calling!  This personal conversation covers deep topics and is a mix of heart and heavy, so a special note for those with young ears around.  Pick up Mandisa’s new book, Out of the Dark.  Follow Mandisa on Instagram   Learn more about Paula’s new company CARRY Media™ and sign up for CARRY™ ALL, an essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!     Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media   Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook   Sign up for Paula’s new and improved newsletter to get a message from her every two weeks.   Order Paula’s Book - “Called Out: Why I Traded Two Dream Jobs for a Life of True Calling” Subscribe & Listen to more episodes of the Podcast: AccessMore | Spotify | Apple