About Us


Living Waters chronic pain ministry seeks to raise awareness of suffering, pain & illness in the church, helping answer some of the tough practical, emotional and spiritual questions, and putting a face on invisible disability within the body of Messiah. Our eight-session biblical-based study, Faith in the Fire: Finding Hope in the Midst of Struggle, is currently offered regularly at Mariners Church, in Irvine, CA, and should be available in published form by the end of 2025.

Shoshana Lipson, founder of Living Waters chronic pain ministry, is a patient advocate, writer and public speaker for migraine and chronic pain. A Divinity school graduate from Aberdeen University Divinity School in Scotland, she comes with over 30 years’ experience in church speaking, women’s ministries, and leading worship. She was a volunteer Care Counselor at Mariners Church in Irvine, CA for 5 years, founded the Living Waters chronic pain ministry there, and currently teaches an 8-part study she wrote called, Faith in the Fire: Finding Hope in the Midst of Struggle. Shoshana is also the founder and president of Hope in Pain, Inc. and Executive Director of Migraine Meanderings. She is a regular speaker at pharmaceutical and medical conferences on the topics of chronic pain, patient centricity, and migraine.  


Having lived with chronic health conditions since childhood, ultimately, God allowed Shoshana to come to a place of surrender and acceptance, realizing that God still had a purpose for her life and could use everything she was going through if she would allow Him to work out His purpose in her life through radical authenticity and faith in the midst of the unfathomable. Shoshana has a passion to reach those who are struggling, and she brings a message of hope and purpose in the midst of unanswered questions, as she seeks to help others connect in a new and deeper way with the Lord even while standing in the midst of the unfathomable. 


Faith in the Fire: Finding Hope in the Midst of Struggle

An 8-Week Bible-Based Study

Struggle is a human condition; at some point in our lives, most of us come face to face with fear, doubt, fatigue, and even hopelessness. Lost dreams, unexpected illness, depression, divorce, financial stress, loneliness, relationship or family issues …. the list goes on and on. In this 8-week study, together we will seek answers to the tough questions, and learn to walk by faith, allowing God to make the desert places in our lives into streams of living waters.


The Bible has a sober and realistic perspective on struggle and pain. It affirms the tragedy and unfathomableness of suffering and its often-staggering weight. It also makes clear that God’s ways are not our ways, and that the miracles we long for do not always happen in the way that we want. When we are sidelined by the unexpected, or just weary of the challenges in our lives, we are often left with more questions than answers. Often, we are simply trying to make sense of what is happening to us. In these times, how can we hold onto hope, keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and trust that He is going to walk through this with us? What happens when you are not “fine” – when the struggle is all too real? Is God still present? Does He hear? Is it ok to grieve? Is His hand still on my life? How am I going to get through this? We may even ask, Has God abandoned me? During challenging times, how do we learn to lean on the Lord and set our minds on Him above? 


In Isaiah 43:2 we read an amazing promise – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned.” But what does that look like in practice for us right now? 


Faith in the Fire is a study for anyone who is facing challenges of any kind and their loved ones, as well as to those who simply want to better understand suffering in the life of a believer. The curriculum includes video content, an interactive study guide, discussion, and practical tips for deepening your faith and walk with the Lord.


Study Breakdown:

  • Week 1:  What does the Bible have to say about suffering and pain?
  • Week 2:  Why do we feel the way we do in times of struggle?
  • Week 3:  Do I have to accept struggle, or is there hope?
  • Week 4:  Does God still have a purpose for my life?
  • Week 5:  How can I navigate relationships and avoid isolation at this time?
  • Week 6:  How do I cope with the hurtful things people sometimes say?
  • Week 7:  How do I find my place in the Body of Christ right now? 
  • Week 8:  Exploring eight steps to finding hope in the midst of struggle 

More Information: 

Email: info@living-waters.net or shoshana.lipson@hopeinpain.org for more information about this study or to inquire about speaking opportunities.


Click Here to Register for the Study at Mariners Church: For more information about Faith in the Fire offered at Mariners Church in Irvine, CA.


Speaking Engagements: Shoshana Lipson

  • Faith in the Fire: Finding Hope in the Midst of Struggle 8-Week Study (Mariners Church, Irvine, CA – January-March 2025) (CLICK to listen)
  • The Messianic Chavurah - co-speaker with Pj de Marigny (MJAA Southwest Conference, February 2025)
  • Daughters of the King: God’s Gift, God’s Promise, God’s Desire (Shuvah Yisrael Women’s Retreat – September 2024) (CLICK to listen)
  • Practical Hope Workshop: Finding Hope in the Midst of Struggle (Mariners Church – June 2024)
  • Messiah in the Passover (Bold Ministries - March 2024)
  • Practical Hope Workshop: Walking By Faith (Mariners Church – February 2023)
  • Kadima: Moving Forwards in the Midst of Suffering  (MJAA Southwest Conference, February 2023)
  • Interrupting Your interruptions (HEAL Podcast, January 2023)  (CLICK to listen)
  • Finding Passion and Purpose in the Unfathomable (Diamonds Conference – June 2022)
  • Pain Perspective 8-Week Study (Mariners Church – January 2020)
  • God’s Not Done With You (Mariners Church – April 2020)
  • Is Pain An Obstacle to God’s Plan (Mariners Church – December 2019)
If you are interested in more materials by Shoshana Lipson, or are interested in having her come and speak at your church, congregation or small group, please email: info@living-waters.net


Watch the HEAL Podcast where Shoshana was interviewed about her experience in ministry, living with chronic pain, and her decision to "Interrupt the Interruptions"


CLICK HERE TO READ THE BLOG AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST


Watch more of Shoshana's Story when she was interviewed about her faith journey at Mariners Church, Irvine, CA.


CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE SHORT VIDEO


Living Waters: Chronic Pain Ministry

Hope in Pain, Inc.