163: When Faith Becomes Pride: How God Used Pain to Transform Jody Ammerman's Heart (Part 1)

Can faith quietly turn into pride without us even realizing it?

In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Jody Ammerman shares how becoming deeply passionate about her faith slowly shifted into something she never expected: spiritual pride and self-reliance disguised as devotion. As a young woman, Jody believed nothing could ever shake her faith in God—until a devastating health crisis brought her to the end of herself.

After years of severe pain, medical dismissal, and unanswered prayers, Jody found herself angry with God and questioning everything she believed. Doctors repeatedly told her nothing was wrong until an MRI revealed a life-threatening tumor inside her spinal cord.

What followed was a miraculous encounter with God that forever changed her understanding of faith, suffering, surrender, and grace.

In this episode, Megan and Jody discuss:
• The danger of becoming prideful in faith
• Wrestling with God during suffering
• Chronic pain and medical gaslighting
• Unanswered prayers and spiritual disappointment
• What happens when faith is tested
• Miraculous healing and surrender
• Trusting God when life feels unfair
• How painful seasons reshape our faith

This conversation is honest, emotional, and deeply encouraging for anyone who has struggled with disappointment, pain, or questioning God in difficult seasons. Jody’s story is a reminder that God’s presence does not disappear in suffering and that sometimes brokenness becomes the very thing that deepens our relationship with Him.

In Part 2, Jody shares how her journey prepared her for the heartbreaking reality of loving a son battling addiction and why she is no longer willing to live ashamed of his story.

On About Jody:
Jody Ammerman is the founder of Keep the Light On, a support community for parents and loved ones navigating the pain of addiction, homelessness, and loving someone in crisis. Inspired by her personal journey walking alongside her son’s battle with addiction, Jody is passionate about breaking shame, creating honest conversations, and helping families learn how to hold both boundaries and hope. Through Keep the Light On, she reminds people they are not alone and that healing begins when we bring our stories into the light.

Join Jody's Support Group:
Keep the Light On: https://www.facebook.com/groups/keepthelighton/

About the Host:
Megan Babcock is the founder of It’s Your Story to Tell. She is an award-winning coach, bestselling author, speaker, and podcast host whose work sits at the intersection of faith and neuroscience. She equips leaders to regulate their nervous systems, heal from trauma, and rise with purpose.

After more than twenty years in healthcare and her own journey through trauma, surrender, and spiritual renewal, Megan launched It’s Your Story to Tell in 2023. What once felt disqualifying became the foundation of her calling. She now helps others transform pain into legacy and live aligned, resilient, Spirit-led lives.

Connect with Megan:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meganbakerbabcock
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itscoachmeganbabcock
Website: https://bit.ly/ItsYourStorytoTell

Resources:
Sacred Presence and Sacred Pathways: https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/Sacred-presence-&-pathways
Unstuck Book: https://a.co/d/7CrzzZA
Free Transformation Resource Center: https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/freeresourcecenter