Vaneetha Rendall Risner’s life has been shaped by suffering, yet transformed by deep faith. As a child, she contracted polio, endured multiple surgeries, and faced relentless bullying—experiences that could easily have led to despair. Later, she faced heart-wrenching losses: miscarriages, the death of her infant son due to medical error, and an unexpected divorce. Through each trial, Vaneetha didn’t retreat from pain but instead leaned into it, searching for meaning and connection with God.

Her writing reflects that raw, honest journey. In Walking Through Fire and The Scars That Have Shaped Me, she shares personal stories that illuminate the strength found in spiritual surrender. Rather than offering clichés, Vaneetha opens a space for wrestling with hard questions—like why a loving God allows suffering. Her voice resonates with readers not because she has all the answers, but because she’s walked through the flames and still speaks with compassion, clarity, and hope.

Today, she continues to inspire others as an author and speaker, emphasizing that joy isn’t the absence of pain, but the presence of God amid it. Living in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband Joel, Vaneetha writes for platforms like Desiring God and speaks at events where her story reaches hearts across the globe. Her central message is one of resilience: that pain, while deeply personal, can be a gateway to intimacy with God and a life of purpose beyond our wounds.