09/01/2026
Surviving a difficult season is one thing. Learning to flourish again is another.
In Part 2 of Jodie Chiricosta’s conversation with Crystal Sarmiento, Crystal shares how her growing faith was tested through a controlling and abusive marriage—and how she sought God through thirteen difficult years, wrestling with when to keep believing for change and when it was time to let go.
But hardship wasn’t the end of her story.
As Crystal continued to follow God, she experienced freedom, healing, and restoration in ways she never expected. God restored her confidence and identity, brought a loving husband into her life, and opened surprising doors in business, leadership, public service, and ministry. What had once been a life focused on surviving began to flourish—and eventually became a testimony that would help other women discover who God created them to be.
Listen and discover how to:
-Hold onto your faith when circumstances don’t change as you hoped.
-Seek God’s wisdom when facing painful and difficult decisions.
-Move beyond survival and allow God to heal and restore broken places.
-Rebuild your identity after fear, control, and painful experiences.
-Recognize healthy love that encourages you to flourish rather than diminish.
-Trust God with unexpected opportunities and new seasons.
-Allow your restored places to become a source of strength and encouragement to others.
If you’ve wondered whether life can be good again after years of disappointment or pain, Crystal’s story offers a powerful reminder: broken seasons do not have to become permanent identities. As we surrender our lives to God and follow His leading, He can restore what has been damaged, renew our hope, and lead us forward into a life of greater freedom, purpose, and flourishing.
Surviving a difficult season is one thing. Learning to flourish again is another. In Part 2 of Jodie Chiricosta’s conversation with Crystal Sarmiento, Crystal shares how her growing faith was tested through a controlling and abusive marriage—and how she sought God through thirteen difficult year...
