On a Journey with God
May 26, 2025
On a Journey with God
This issue of Heartlands features Elysia Cunningham, one of the Tasmanian Baptist Council northwest representatives. She is a psychologist from Penguin who attends Penguin Baptist Church.
I am a born and bred Taswegian, having been born in Hobart and living in various places around the state, including St Helens, Smithton, Launceston, and Hobart. Most of my life has been spent living along the North West Coast, with a foray to Launceston and Hobart for a few years while studying at university. I now live in Penguin with my husband, Warwick, along with our dog, three cats and goldfish. All my family also live in Penguin, which is lovely to have them close by.
A Christian Heritage
I was very privileged to grow up in a Christian family, with strong Christian faith back through the generations on both sides. I remember going to church on Sundays, going to Christian camps over the school holidays, and attending youth groups and Girls’ Brigades throughout my childhood and teen years. All this helped me to develop my own faith at a young age, around seven years old.
I remember asking my mum how to ask God into my heart and then kneeling behind our couch, for a bit of privacy in a busy house, to pray for God to become a part of my life.
I now attend Penguin Baptist, a small church on the hill. Being a small church, I assist in most roles within it, speaking, leading, communion, cleaning, morning tea and so on. I love the sense of family that comes with a small church, along with the opportunities to learn and grow in multiple ways.
Working with Others
In my day-to-day life I work as a clinical psychologist. It’s not what I would call an easy job, often leaving me mentally exhausted at the end of the day. My poor husband then must put up with me being short-tempered by the time I get home – it’s something I am continuously working on! Many days I have to pray to God to “give me the words to say”, as I sit with people through some of the toughest times in their lives.
I’ve worked in various places as a psychologist, including schools, forensic mental health, and private practice. In 2024 year I ventured back to working for the Department of Health in the Diabetes Service, a space close to my heart after my diagnoses with Type 1 Diabetes as an 11-year-old.
Living with Chronic Disease
A few years ago, I never would have wanted to spend my days working with diabetes, as it wasn’t something I got along well with in my own life. But now I feel I can sit comfortably with a chronic disease and help others to learn to do that too.
When I was first diagnosed, I remember crying on my bed and asking God why he had to give it to me. It felt unfair I was lumbered with this disease, when no one else in my family had it. It took nearly 30 years to reach a place of acceptance of diabetes; not that I blamed God that whole time, as I quickly came to realise that God doesn’t want us to suffer but suffering is a part of the world as it currently is. I have been on a journey with God as I’ve worked this through.
In Awe of God
Despite the suffering in the world, there is also beauty throughout. Living in Tasmania, where we can enjoy the beauty of creation all around, is such a blessing. It leaves me in awe of God and helps to restore my soul!
Short ‘n’ Sweet
I am looking forward to… having holidays soon.
I am worried about… time going too quickly while I’m on holiday.
I‘m confident that… nothing is impossible for God!
I am joyful about… summer and sunshine.
I would like to change… the world!
I‘m at my best when… I’m asleep (or so many people would say!)
Go back to Heartlands Winter 2025 >
On a Journey With God
More Amazing Tasmanian Baptist Women
- Hazelyn Mohan (Claremont Baptist)
- Morgan Read (Lifeway Baptist Church)
- Anna-Maree Richardson (Tas Baptists Assistant Admin)
READ Heartlands Autumn 2025
READ Heartlands Summer 2024-25
Originally published in Tasmanian Baptists reCharge, 3 December 2024