039 Chronic Illness, Identity, and Faith: Bethany Bacon on Being Seen Beyond Symptoms

In this episode, April talks with Bethany Bacon about living with hydrocephalus after being born at 24½ weeks, holding onto genuine hope, and learning not to let chronic illness—or the world’s opinions—define you. Bethany also shares the heart behind her Anchored in Hope coaching program and how listeners can connect with her.

What You’ll Learn

• What it can look like to hold hope that feels real, not performative
• Bethany’s early medical story: born at 24½ weeks and living with hydrocephalus
• How she thinks about faith in a broken world (and why she talks openly about spiritual battle)
• A simple morning rhythm Bethany uses to stay grounded when symptoms and stress flare
• How a painful moment in public criticism impacted her identity for years
• Why she created her Anchored in Hope coaching program and what it includes

Memorable Quotes

• “People are wanting genuine hope.”
• “Chronic illness doesn’t have to define a person.”
• “I can’t control other people’s reactions. All I can do is obey the Lord.”
• “It’s in my head… and it’s not in my head.”
• “God wants you to see yourself as His child, not through the way the world does.”

Resources

• Bethany Bacon: Created in His Image
• Anchored in Hope coaching program
• Website: created-in-his-image.com (with dashes between the words)

Credits

• Host: April Aramanda
• Guest: Bethany Bacon
• Music: Audio Jungle
• Produced for: The Invisible Illness Club Podcast