‘Life doesn’t stop for anything even a natural disaster. You can become pretty naive to think that it won’t happen to you. And when it did actually happen, the devastation was beyond our comprehension at the time. And we’ve been dealing with that for the last two years.’
When the levee broke, Alex’s farm was inundated. Hear Alex’s story of faith and resilience as she faced the devastating impact of floods and unimaginable challenges.
Listen to the episode
Key takeaways from this episode
- Natural disaster turned life upside down.
When the 2022 floods hit, Alex’s farm near the Murray River was completely inundated—three to four metres underwater—devastating their livelihood and way of life. - The aftermath was more exhausting than the disaster itself.
Beyond the flood, the months that followed were marked by isolation, loss, financial strain, and relentless uncertainty that wore the family down physically and emotionally. - Community support came slowly but became essential.
Initial help was lacking, but Alex realised the power of community and worked to bring people together, leading to new networks of support—especially among women. - Faith was her anchor through grief and hardship.
Alex didn’t question if God was present, but rather where He was in it all—trusting that through the pain, God was doing a deeper work of renewal and strength. - Beauty and peace showed up in unexpected ways.
Amid the destruction, nature reminded Alex of God’s presence—thousands of pelicans arrived, symbolising a kind of divine “circuit breaker” that brought wonder and calm. - Resilience means taking one day at a time.
Alex learned that getting through trauma isn’t about quick fixes but small steps, rest, and faith that brighter days are ahead—and that disasters don’t define your future.
Episode transcript
Click to view PDF transcript
Related booklet
Addiction may be our greatest mental, physical, financial and spiritual challenge. When you cannot find self-control, you cannot experience the joy-filled life you want.
