Podcasts about Suffering

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Diane Pietras to share the story of her incredible faith journey. Raised Catholic, Diane's story isn't the typical story of a Catholic convert from another faith tradition – although she does, indeed, become a non-denominational Evangelical at one point – but rather a story of proper conversion: of falling away and coming back to the faith, again and again. Diane's story is one of deep tragedy and trauma, of spiritual warfare and physical violence, of demons and dreams and visions, of incredible mystical experiences and a near-death encounter. It's an amazing story. Listener discretion advised: some content is not suitable for all listeners.Please do listen to Diane's daughter, Carolyn, in Episode 353 of the podcast.For more from Diane and her daughter Carolyn, please follow her brand new YouTube channel.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out our faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

Go to https://joniandfriends.org/volunteer/ to see how you can serve today! --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

EVEN MORE about this episode!Could trauma cause part of your soul to leave—and could getting it back change your life?In this episode of the Ask Julie Ryan Show, Julie Ryan welcomes renowned shamanic practitioner Jan Engels-Smith for a fascinating exploration of soul retrieval, spirit allies, energy healing, and the hidden causes of emotional and physical suffering.Together, Julie and Jan explore spirit guides, parallel lifetimes, dreamwork, intuition, vision quests, and the remarkable ways healing can occur when we reconnect with the deepest parts of ourselves. Jan also shares astonishing stories from her career—including patients whose abilities dramatically shifted between personality states—and explains why true transformation often begins beyond the physical body.Whether you're curious about shamanism, seeking healing after trauma, or exploring your own spiritual path, this episode offers thought-provoking insights into consciousness, soul purpose, and the extraordinary potential for healing that exists within every person.Guest Biography:Jan Engels-Smith is an internationally recognized shamanic practitioner, educator, licensed professional counselor, hypnotherapist, Reiki Master, and founder of the LightSong School of 21st Century Shamanism and Energy Medicine. With decades of experience and more than 3,500 soul retrievals performed, Jan has become a leading voice in adapting ancient shamanic healing practices for modern life. She is the award-winning author of Becoming Yourself: The Journey from Head to Heart and Through the Rabbit Hole: Exploring Energy and the Shamanic Journey, and is dedicated to helping others awaken their innate healing abilities through transformative education, energy medicine, and personal growth.Episode Chapters:(0:01:49) Are Emotional Struggles Spiritual Imbalances?(0:05:22) What Shamanism Really Is(0:18:57) Past Lives & Parallel Lifetimes(0:31:38) The Spirit Vision That Changed Everything(0:38:08) Soul Retrieval: Recovering Lost Parts of Yourself(0:49:22) Does Most of Your Soul Live Outside Your Body?(0:57:29) What Really Happens After Death?(1:02:34) Humanity's Great Spiritual Awakening(1:12:08) Instantaneous Healing: Is It Possible?(1:18:10) Why Did Your Soul Choose This Life?➡️ Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan YouTube➡️ Julie's Intuitive Trainings✏️ Ask Julie a Question!

How do you faithfully teach the Bible? How should Christians study Scripture? And what does suffering teach us about knowing God? Nancy Guthrie joins Michael Easley and Hanna Seymour for an encouraging conversation about biblical theology, hermeneutics, ministry, and how the loss of two children shaped her lifelong passion for God's Word. Nancy explains her practical process for studying Scripture, offers wisdom for aspiring Bible teachers, discusses the importance of preparation over platform, and shares why every believer should learn to see Christ throughout the entire Bible. Whether you're leading a Bible study, preparing sermons, or simply wanting to understand Scripture more deeply, this conversation offers practical encouragement rooted in God's Word. Key Topics Covered -Nancy Guthrie's journey through grief and suffering -How suffering deepened her understanding of Scripture -Why biblical literacy matters -Practical Bible study methods and hermeneutics -Preparing to teach God's Word faithfully -Preparation vs. platform in ministry -Encouraging women to teach the Bible -Learning under church leadership and accountability -Seeing Christ throughout all of Scripture -Nancy's new Beholding Christ Bible resource Chapters 00:00 How suffering shaped Nancy Guthrie's ministry 03:40 Losing two children and studying Job 09:35 How Nancy became a Bible teacher 15:10 Why theological training matters 19:30 Nancy's step-by-step Bible study process 28:30 Applying Scripture faithfully today 36:30 Evangelism, discipleship, and everyday faithfulness 40:15 Encouraging women to teach the Bible 46:20 Ministry, accountability, and the local church 54:15 Why every page of Scripture points to Christ 58:30 Introducing Beholding Christ Links Mentioned Nancy's Bible Studies PRE ORDER Beholding Christ by Nancy Guthrie

Today's episode of Gospel Spice, centered on the launch of "Awaken Delight," is a timely exploration of the Christian experience of suffering. Stephanie combines personal vulnerability—sharing excerpts from her new book about living with chronic pain and deep questions—with biblical wisdom on how hardship fits into our walk with God.In suffering, God does not abandon; he lovingly prunes and allows thorns for our growth. The path to deeper faith, humility, and delight in God runs directly through honest wrestling with pain—and leads to true spiritual fruitfulness.Christians often wonder: If I am serving God, why do I suffer? Is suffering a sign of God's displeasure or my failure? Stephanie shares that Christians who suffer yet trust God often appear as if they're not suffering—because they refuse let suffering have the final word.Our FREE gift to you today! An exclusive, in-depth 10-day FREE recovery plan to rekindle your delight in God when you are going through seasons of deep pruning from God's hand: go to https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelightthepodcast and find the form for Episode 454. Give us your email, and you will receive the full plan in your inbox immediately!Just as fig trees need hard soil to bear fruit, Christians grow most deeply in spiritually tough conditions. Comfort produces "leaves without fruit," but hardship develops true character and delight in God.In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul's incredible spiritual experiences led God to allow him a "thorn"—not as punishment, but to keep him humble and dependent on God. Paul's journey shows that deep suffering is not proof of failure or sin, but God's purposeful investment in our transformation.In John 15, Jesus says that healthy, fruitful branches are the ones pruned by the Gardener (God), so they'll bear even more fruit. Pruning feels like loss or reduction but is God re-focusing our lives on what truly matters.Pruning is when God removes something from our lives. It is the elimination of even good things for us to be more fruitful and focused. By contrast, thorns are when God allows painful weaknesses or situations to remain. These serve a specific, humbling, and formative purpose. Both types invite deeper dependence on God.We misunderstand suffering when we see it as divine punishment. Biblical teaching says it's part of God's commitment to us—not against us, but for us. The goal is not mere improvement, but transformation—making us more like Christ."Faith" is not something we muster by willpower, but a posture rooted in humility: recognizing our need for God and opening ourselves to His work. Humility is both the soil in which faith grows and the fruit that results from faith.Christ was not merely "pruned"—he was "cut off" entirely for our sake, taking on the ultimate suffering so we would never face it alone. Now, even our suffering is transformed by his presence and purpose.Practical ApplicationWhen hardship comes, instead of merely asking "Why me?" or "How can I escape this?", ask "What is God showing me?" and "How can I delight in Him through this?"Choose to see suffering not as a sign of God's absence, but as the attentive hand of the Gardener who loves and invests in us.Remain in Christ—even weak connection is connection, and transformation is always worth the pain.Reflective action: Next time you face loss or pain, remember the lessons of pruning and thorns. Ask God to help you trust His restorative, purposeful hand, and seek delight in Him above all.We are in the middle of our “Awaken Delight” series, based on Stephanie's new book. Each week, we explore a different facet of what makes delight in God difficult and challenging. How can we live the reality of Psalm 37:4 when life is hard? "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." This is God's promise to you in Psalm 37:4. But many believers quietly assume it's just a poetic suggestion, or it doesn't really work here on earth.What you will (re)discover as you journey with God through Awaken Delight:Delight in God is identity-shaping, not emotion-driven. Delight in God is not fleeting emotion but resilient identity.Delight in God is altogether trust, satisfaction in God, relational intimacy with Him.Delight in God is often expressed and grown through resilient joy under suffering.Delight in God is the missing engine behind resilience. It's the antidote to burnout. It's even the foundation for sustainable ministry.God's delight in you is secure, not performance-dependent. God's delight in you frees you from striving! That's the beginning of delight.Jesus is the center of every endeavor to delight in God.You can build a delight-centered spiritual life.Awaken Delight invites you to follow Scriptural truths and spiritual practices that cultivate daily joy in God.DISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn't really work, or it's not really possible here on earth.In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is.Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive.Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable.Delighting in God isn't sentimental optimism. It's deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus.It's the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart.Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4.More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5JKind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith: “Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God's delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you'll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content: "I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie's joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call:  "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky: "Stephanie's love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways."More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5JSupport us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera look back over the readings from the last several weeks to provide a framework for the readings we will hear on the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.This episode of Sunday School is brought to you by SDS Accent Services, supporting priests and seminarians with accent services and vocal improvement, to help them convey the deposit of faith and administer the sacraments to those entrusted to their spiritual care. To learn more, visit sdsaccent.com.Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:00.Reading 1 - Isaiah 55: 1-3Psalm 145: 8-9, 15-16, 17-18Reading 2 - Romans 8: 35, 37-39Gospel - Matthew 14: 13-21 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

This week the pugs discuss the theologically profound and philosophically astute nineteenth century fiction writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Interacting with key aspects of this Russian Christians challenging life and intense suffering, they place his writings and their profound engagement with the human condition, looking at the idolatrous and soul destroying paths on many modernist ideologies, and highlighting the riches of Christian wisdom and grace for truly transfiguring that broken human condition from despair and enslavement to genuine freedom in God's life through Christ.Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Order Manmade: Saint Anthony's Guide to Surviving the AI Apocalypse: https://a.co/d/0brd2TR7Learn more about First Pres. Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Follow Glenn Sunshine on Substack: https://substack.com/@glennsunshineConnect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

When you have nowhere to turn, you're not alone because the very presence of God stands with you there and will bring you through it. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org.   Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Marriage often brings moments of deep joy, but it can also bring disappointment when our spouse falls short of meeting our expectations or fulfilling their responsibilities. In 1 Peter 2:18–24, Peter teaches that God is honored when we continue to do what is right, even while suffering unjustly. Applying this principle to marriage, we see that our faithfulness to the marriage covenant is not determined by our spouse's behavior but by our obedience to God. Believers are required to remain committed to loving, serving, and honoring their spouse despite disappointment, following the example of Christ, who suffered without retaliation and entrusted Himself to the Father. As we suffer faithfully in marriage, we reflect the character of Christ and demonstrate that our ultimate hope is found in God, not in the perfect performance of our spouse. __________ Matthew 19:11-12 MSG, 1 Peter 2:18-24 NLT __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com __________    

Part 1 Kelly Sutliff is a Licensed Professional Counselor, advocate, speaker, and the Founder and Executive Director of Kelly's K9s, Tails of Courage, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing highly trained personal protection dogs to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault at no cost. With over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, Kelly has dedicated her career to helping others heal, rebuild, and rediscover their strength. Her work as a psychotherapist, combined with her own lived experience as a survivor, gives her a unique and powerful perspective on trauma, resilience, and empowerment. After surviving a life changing domestic violence incident in 2019, Kelly transformed her pain into purpose. Her own protection dog, Stella, became a crucial part of reclaiming her safety, independence, and confidence. That bond inspired the creation of Kelly's K9s, where she now helps other survivors experience that same sense of security and freedom. Her journey has been featured nationally on the television series Toxic: Sleeping With a Stranger on Investigation Discovery and streaming platforms, where she shared her story to raise awareness about domestic violence, survivor safety, and the gaps that still exist within the system. Today, Kelly continues to turn survival into action through advocacy, education, and her work with both people and dogs. She speaks openly about domestic violence, healing after trauma, and the importance of empowering survivors beyond simply surviving. Through Kelly's K9s, her clinical work, and her public advocacy, Kelly's mission is to change the conversation around survivor support and prove that even from the darkest chapters, strength, purpose, and courage can rise.   Links: www.kellysk9s.org  IG- @real_talk_with_kelly IG- @kellys_k9s_tailsofcourage    Find The Suffering Podcast The Suffering Podcast Website  The Suffering Podcast Instagram  Kevin Donaldson Instagram  Apple Podcast  Spotify Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

"He who loves his life will lose it, he who loses his life for my sake will find it."  Finding our true life, and our true selves, means handing ourselves over to Christ.  Losing our lives for the sake of Christ is a transformative union with him.  This takes work and an acceptance of suffering.  There is no resurrection of ourselves in Christ without the cross.https://comeawaybyyourselves.com 

Watch every episode ad-free & uncensored on Patreon: https://patreon.com/dannyjones Ido Portal is the world's foremost expert on human movement. Ido has spent a lifetime studying, combining and evolving elements from an enormous range of martial arts, dance genres, athletic endeavors and science to develop a unified theory and practice of movement called “The Ido Portal Method.” https://www.idoportal.com SPONSORS https://whiterabbitenergy.com/?ref=DJP - Use code DJP for 20% off. EPISODE LINKS https://www.instagram.com/portal.ido https://www.idoportal.com FOLLOW DANNY JONES https://www.instagram.com/dannyjones https://twitter.com/jonesdanny OUTLINE 00:00 - The millionaire athlete approach to wellness 04:47 - Freshness & removing the mask of athletes 08:29 - Downside of "flow state" 17:43 - "World champions are robots" 22:06 - Become a practitioner 28:17 - You need to de-ambition yourself 30:41 - Why Ido makes Christian McCaffrey read & do math 38:36 - The spiritual journey of pro athletes 41:43 - Daily strength & conditioning practices 47:17 - Peripheral vision training 55:58 - Genetic ability vs. trained ability 01:04:22 - Doing what you suck at 01:13:27 - The state of mind of a practitioner 01:17:01 - Breathwork is oversimplified 01:25:57 - Movement design for Bollywood movies 01:28:34 - Indonesian "trance states" without drugs 01:35:44 - Psychological effects of desert training 01:38:02 - The Yoga lie 01:40:40 - Surfing vs. skateboarding vs. sports 01:45:59 - Why you shouldn't stretch 01:53:05 - The power of self-observation 02:01:34 - The active hanging challenge 02:06:31 - PEDs & the Enhanced Games 02:13:25 - Ido's view on supplements 02:16:31 - Suffering consciously 02:21:11 - Meditation has been distorted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Watch this wonderful video of the amazing Katherine Wolf here. --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

See a snapshot of Elisabeth Elliot's gift to Joni. --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Because God is sovereign, there is a purpose for your pain. Today, R.C. Sproul considers how Christians should understand suffering and how to respond to it faithfully. Get R.C. Sproul's video teaching series Dealing with Difficult Problems when you donate today. You'll receive the DVD, digital access to all 6 messages, and the digital study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the digital teaching series and study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

You've been lied to about menopause. Hot flashes, brain fog, weight gain, low libido, mood swings, and exhaustion are not symptoms you simply have to accept. Dr. Anna Cabeca is here to bust the biggest myths about women's hormones, reveal what may really be driving your symptoms, and explain why healing is possible. Your body is not broken, and suffering is not inevitable. The triple-board-certified OB-GYN, bestselling author, hormone expert, and woman known as The Girlfriend Doctor has lived this transformation herself. After being diagnosed with early menopause and infertility at 39, she traveled the world searching for answers. At 41, after more than two years without a period, she naturally conceived the child she had been told she could never have. Dr. Anna shares why menopause may be natural and mandatory, but suffering through it does not have to be. She explains how stress, cortisol, insulin resistance, nutrition, sleep, trauma, and emotional health can all influence the way women experience perimenopause and menopause. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why oxytocin-building practices like laughter, gratitude, pleasure, connection, and playing with your pets may help counter chronic stress• The two hormones Dr. Anna says women need to pay special attention to in midlife• Why women may need to approach intermittent fasting differently than men• How morning sunlight, sleep hygiene, hydration, greens, healthy fats, and adaptogens can support the body• The connection between trauma, functional freeze, the nervous system, and hormonal health• Why emotional healing may be an important part of physical healing• How EMDR, tapping, somatic movement, and community support may help women process trauma• What women should know about vaginal dryness, painful sex, bladder health, incontinence, and pelvic pain• Why you are the CEO of your health and how to build a supportive healthcare team Dr. Anna's message is one every woman needs to hear: Menopause is mandatory. Suffering is optional. Explore Dr. Anna Cabeca's hormone-support, wellness, and intimate-care products at DrAnnaCabeca.com and use code FOODHEALS to save 20%.

We were made by a Maker to be makers. Bruce Herman joins Evan Rosa to diagnose the quiet illness of a passive consumer culture that trains us to sit in front of screens and scroll and take, rather than make. “When we're not making something, we're not whole. We're not healthy.“ His cure is stubbornly ordinary: go make a loaf of bread, grab a stick and start carving, make a good meal or a good cocktail for the person visiting you—anything is resistance to this hypnotic, passive culture. From episode 216 of the podcast, in this segment, Herman traces what it means to receive art not as a consumer but through submission—not master and slave, but subject to subject, that vulnerable openness that lets a poem or a painting change your life. He reflects on making as human wholeness, the difference between art and info-tainment, why suffering can rip us open to beauty (from Walker Percy's writing to Christian Wiman's poetry), Rilke's charge that “you must change your life,“ hospitality as the ultimate act of art, and Herman's closing counsel to make out of love, not fear. Episode Highlights We are in relationship, and we were made by a Maker to be makers. If we let that go somehow and we become mere consumers, I think we begin to enter into some kind of illness of one sort or another. When we're not making something, we're not whole. We're not healthy. And I don't want to make an idol out of health either, but I do think our culture is unhealthy right now. We think of it as, we're discerning buyers. But the fact is we're being turned into very passive creatures. One of the best things you can do is go make a loaf of bread. Go out and grab a stick and start carving it. Anything is resistance to this sort of hypnotic passive culture. If you want to really receive what a poem is communicating, you have to submit to it. You have to let yourself go and enter into what might feel like a bad risk of being changed. Not submit in a sense that I'm a master and you're my slave. It's more like you're a subject and I'm a subject. Mutual submission. We're so guarded so much of the time that it takes something catastrophic to open us up again. Do away with the nonsense that you're not an artist. You can't help it. You were made by a Maker to be a maker. End of story. The ultimate act of art is hospitality, where you're welcoming someone in, to make something beautiful for them. Challenge the bad news with a recognition that daily kindnesses are being poured out everywhere, on every street. Don't give in to fear, because it's not a basis for anything good. About Bruce Herman Bruce Herman is a painter, writer, and educator whose work has been shown in more than 150 exhibitions across the United States and internationally, and held in collections including the Vatican Museums in Rome, the Cincinnati Museum of Fine Arts, and the Grunewald Print Collection of the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. He taught at Gordon College for nearly four decades, where he founded the art department and held the Lothlórien Distinguished Chair in Fine Arts. His books include “Through Your Eyes“ and “Ordinary Saints,“ and he was a collaborator on the touring “QU4RTETS“ project with Makoto Fujimura, Christopher Theofanidis, and Jeremy Begbie. His most recent book, “Makers by Nature: Letters from a Master Painter on Faith, Hope, and Art,“ was published by IVP Academic in 2025. Helpful Links and Resources Makers by Nature, Bruce Herman's 2025 book from IVP Academic: https://www.ivpress.com/makers-by-nature Bruce Herman's website and painting archive: https://www.bruceherman.com Bruce Herman, artist bio and background: https://www.bruceherman.com/about Archaic Torso of Apollo by Rainer Maria Rilke (“You must change your life“), trans. Stephen Mitchell: https://poets.org/poem/archaic-torso-apollo Real Presences by George Steiner, on courtesy and hospitality in art: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/R/bo3684420.html Christian Wiman: https://poetryfoundation.org/poets/christian-wiman QU4RTETS, the collaborative project on T. S. Eliot's Four Quartets: https://www.bruceherman.com/series Show Notes Made to make We are in relationship; identity begins there, not in isolation Makers by nature—letting the maker-impulse go tips us toward illness, moral, mental, and emotional Wholeness and health—the claim that not-making leaves us unwell, without idolizing health Consumer culture—the commercial aim to sell, and to keep us passive in front of screens Discerning buyers, or passive creatures? The illusion of control while being trained to take Screens and scrolling Political theater and infotainment—very little real journalism left, mostly consumer entertainment Neil Postman and amusing ourselves to death as the frame for the diagnosis Making as resistance—bake bread, carve a stick, do anything against the hypnotic pull Reception as submission—a word out of fashion, reclaimed away from enslavement Mutual submission—the erotic analogy, and desire's corruption in the sexual sins To receive a poem you must risk being changed Rilke's Grecian torso and the charge, you must change your life Subject to subject, not master and slave Walker Percy's museum story—a painting that blazed into life, then went quiet Bringing a friend to re-enter the original encounter vicariously The workman through the skylight—catastrophe reopens what habit had closed Guardedness—why it can take suffering to break us open Christian Wiman—cancer, poetry, and being ripped open toward receptivity You might be changed, and it might not be what you wanted; the risk of real encounter Make from love, not fear Do away with the nonsense that you're not an artist Everyday making—a loaf, a meal, a good cocktail, hospitality Hospitality as the ultimate art; George Steiner's Real Presences and courtesia Beauty can be complex, not merely pretty Fear-mongers left and right—and why not to listen Daily kindnesses—the neighbor, the shoveled driveway, the half-decent casserole Welcome to the festival; let the festival begin #BruceHerman #MakersByNature #ForTheLifeOfTheWorld #FaithAndArt #TheologyOfMaking #ArtAndFaith #Creativity #Hospitality #MakeNotConsume #YaleFaithAndCulture

When you're a planner and life throws you a big, rusty wrench, how do you live in the aftermath? If you're anything like us, you desire control. A perfect, beautiful calendar with everything already on it – no surprises! Maggie Smith was one of those people, too. Being ruled by predictability worked for a lot of her life – through school, marriage, children, her career – but then everything imploded when Maggie found herself divorced and there was nothing predictable about her future anymore. This episode is for those of us who live to draw the empty boxes and check them off, waking up in a cold sweat thinking about your future plans might being thrown off. Let this be your sign to let go. You'll find yourself once you get rid of the box you're living in. Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey's album on Spotify and Apple! You can buy Nora's books on Bookshop or Amazon, or wherever you buy books. Nora is on IG, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Take a look at Joni's newest book: "Keeping Faith When Life Hurts." Order it here. --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It's a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God' goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It's a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you're interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at contact@gospelspice.com **Together, let's encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Stephanie Rousselle welcomes returning guests Andi Ashworth and Charlie Peacock for a reflective and practical exploration of what it means to delight in God—especially in the ordinary and difficult seasons of life.Delighting in God is a daily discipline rooted in noticing, gratitude, humility, and relational engagement. Andi Ashworth and Charlie Peacock illustrate that wonder and joy can be found at “the molecular level” of life, as we learn to see reality with the eyes of heaven.Cultivating delight in God starts with intentional attention—slowing down to observe and appreciate even the small gifts in daily life. Andi Ashworth describes how, after a busy season promoting their book, she cultivated a new practice: sitting quietly in her small perennial garden, reading Scripture, praying, and simply noticing the details of creation—birdsong, blooming flowers, the work of bees. Over time, this intentional noticing awakened deeper gratitude and joy in the presence of God, even as life's hardships persisted.Delight is a daily practice, a choice to “step into reality” and seek God's presence even in suffering. This deliberate practice transforms pain into moments of worship and gratitude. Charlie Peacock shares that delight in God is not dependent on favorable circumstances or feelings of happiness. Suffering—including his chronic headache of nearly ten years—taught him to seek and experience God's presence regardless of pain. He emphasizes that true delight must be able to exist within difficulty, or it is not truly delight.Intimacy and delight with God are relational and participatory. God invites us to pursue Him, and as we do, He meets us. Sometimes we wait passively for God to manifest delight, and other times we strive to create it in our own strength. In reality, pursuing delight is a “dance”—God initiates and leads, but we must actively respond and show up, especially when delight seems elusive.Hardships, while unwelcome, often become ministers of grace, rooting us in humility and expanding our capacity for love and presence. Through chronic pain and other challenges, both Andi Ashworth and Charlie Peacock have experienced God's grace and a deepening humility. Charlie Peacock notes how his “thorn” limits self-reliance and ambition, drawing him toward greater dependence on Christ and shaping him into Christ's likeness. Andi Ashworth observes that their limitations have expanded their hearts and increased their compassion for others.Never outgrow asking your good Father for small joys. Delight in God blossoms in those who cultivate grateful, attentive hearts. Both guests encourage maintaining childlike wonder and gratitude—even for small blessings like a hot shower, a well-timed parking space, or serendipitous tickets to an event. These moments, prayed for and received as gifts, reinforce God's goodness and nearness.Practices to Foster DelightStart each day with gratitude for basic abilities and provisions.Notice small joys—in nature, family, daily routines—and thank God specifically.Pray about “matters of mutual concern”: what matters to God, matters to us.Accept and embrace limitations as invitations to deeper dependence and presence.Reflection question: What small gift might God be inviting you to notice—and delight in—today? MORE ABOUT "AWAKEN DELIGHT" BY STEPHANIE ROUSSELLE"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." This is God's promise to you in Psalm 37:4. But many believers quietly assume it's just a poetic suggestion, or it doesn't really work here on earth.In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight in God. It's not emotional hype or religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is.Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how delighting in Godreshapes sufferingquiets restless strivinganchors your identity in God's unshakable delight of youLearning to delight in God is the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own hearts.Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4.More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelightDISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn't really work, or it's not really possible here on earth.In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is.Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive.Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable.Delighting in God isn't sentimental optimism. It's deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus.It's the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart.Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4.More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5JKind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith: “Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God's delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you'll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content: "I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie's joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call:  "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky: "Stephanie's love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways."More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5JSupport us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses suicidal ideation. With The Perrys is taking some time this summer to revisit popular episodes from years past. Brenna Blain is a wife, mom, and theologian who talks honestly about faith, suffering, and mental health. Brenna shares her story of running from God, eventually finding herself in YWAM, and later navigating a bipolar diagnosis, psych ward stays, and some of the darkest days of her life. Brenna, Jackie, and Preston talk about depression, suffering, and what it looks like to love people well when there aren't easy answers. Connect with Brenna: https://www.instagram.com/bunonmyhead/ https://brenna-blain.vercel.app/ Order Brenna's book, Can I Say That?: How Unsafe Questions Lead Us to the Real God – https://www.amazon.com/Can-Say-That-Unsafe-Questions/dp/1400339944 Listen to Brenna's podcast, Can I Say That? https://pod.link/1469288735 This Episode is Sponsored By: https://gominno.com/ — Sign up online with code PERRY to get your first month FREE! The best businesses aren't built in boardrooms. They're built by people who just started. Free trial at http://shopify.com/perry - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joni's newest book "Keeping Faith When Life Hurts" is out now! Order it here --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

In this second episode on the Sorrowful Mysteries, Kimberly Hahn will unpack the biblical background of the first Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging of Our Lord at The Pillar. Guiding us through the trials before the Jewish Sanhedrin, Pontius Pilate, and Herod Antipas, and ultimately to Jesus's being scourged, Kimberly reveals why the fruit of this mystery is modesty. In this episode you'll discover how Jesus reveals Himself to be the true “King of the Jews,” What the Shroud of Turin reveals about Jesus's scourging, and how John was permitted into the courtyard of the high priest. Rich with Old Testament background, this episode will deepen your meditations on the Second Sorrowful Mystery and help you better grasp the biblical texts of Jesus's trials and scourging.

Mathew Fraser is the 5X Fittest Man on Earth: the most successful and dominant CrossFit athlete in history, a 5-time CrossFit Games Champion (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020) and the only 6 time individual podium finisher. Prior to his CrossFit career, Fraser was also the 2009 Junior National Champion Weightlifter and son of Olympic athletes. Mat's journey to success is characterized by adversity, including fighting his way back to fitness after breaking his back in a training accident aged 19. Mat now shares his fitness secrets and insights across social media to a following of 2.4 million avid fans and Instagram followers. Today's episode is part of the 'best of' podcast series and first aired 21ST March 2022 Shownotes: Brian's Business Mentorship: https://briankeanefitness.com/mentorship-and-business-coaching Brian's Mastermind The Circle: https://briankeanefitness.com/online-mastermind

Here is Elder Erick Kroeger's sermon on 7/19/26 titled, "Sovereign Suffering: Purpose In Persecution" from Acts 8:1-8. Freedom Bible Church is a nondenominational church located at 5550 S. Sumter Blvd in North Port, Florida. The name “Freedom” comes from 2 Corinthians 3:17, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Our desire is to be a God-centered church, not man-centeredFreedom Bible Church is a Bible based church located at 5550 S. Sumter Blvd in North Port, Florida. The name “Freedom” comes from 2 Corinthians 3:17, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Our desire is to be a God-centered church, not man-centered.Website: https://freedombiblechurch.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freedombiblepcInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedombiblechurchOur church members come from North Port, Wellen Park, West Port, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Venice, and Englewood.

Photographers point out a common dilemma called “focus hunting.”  It's likely you've experienced when you pulled out your camera or held up your smartphone to take a picture. However, it's not just a problem for shutterbugs.  Here in Romans, Paul brings out attention to a spiritual difficulty that's very similar.  It surrounds the issue of suffering. However, what he says next will help to clear things up and keep the big picture before us.

In the faith of Moses, we see a servant of God who chose to identify with His people rather than pursue the fleeting pleasures of sin, looking ahead to the reward promised by God. This passage reminds us that faith enables us to endure present suffering by fixing our eyes on the greater glory that is to come in Christ.Time:EveningMinister:Rev. Daniel VenturaTexts:Hebrews 11:23–29Series:Hebrews 11: The Bible's Hall of Faith

What happens when the career that defined your identity suddenly disappears? This week on The Suffering Podcast, we sit down with Erik Malmstrom, whose life journey is one of loyalty, loss, resilience, and rediscovering purpose after unimaginable change. Raised in the tight-knit neighborhood of Crum Lynne in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Erik grew up surrounded by generations of family, lifelong friendships, and a home filled with both love and chaos. As a child, he often found himself in the middle of his parents' conflicts while fiercely protecting the person he cared about most—his younger sister. Sports became his outlet, and ice hockey became his passion. A captain on his high school team, Erik learned early lessons in leadership, brotherhood, and perseverance that would shape the rest of his life. After college, Erik unexpectedly discovered his calling working with court-adjudicated youth. For 15 years, he served in a role that demanded equal parts law enforcement officer, teacher, counselor, and father figure. He found purpose in helping young people navigate difficult circumstances while building deep bonds with coworkers who became family. But everything changed. After years of dedication—including more than a decade of being on call 24/7—the program that had become his home was shut down. At just 39 years old, Erik lost not only his career, but also his identity, community, and sense of purpose. Faced with unemployment, financial uncertainty, and the responsibility of supporting a wife and three children, Erik took whatever work he could find—including loading trucks at UPS at 3 a.m. for $10 an hour. The financial loss was painful, but the emotional loss was even greater. He describes it as feeling like "a body without a soul." Like so many people who dedicate themselves to service professions, Erik struggled with trauma, toxic family dynamics, alcohol use, and the difficult question many ask after major life changes: Who am I when the job is gone? Through self-reflection, recovery, family, and eventually rediscovering his purpose working with adult offenders, Erik began rebuilding his life from the ground up. Today, Erik is the founder of EM Personal Development, where he uses over two decades of professional experience and personal adversity to help others navigate change, leadership, mental health, relationships, and personal growth. This episode is about much more than career loss. It's about identity. It's about brotherhood. It's about trauma. And ultimately, it's about finding purpose again when life forces you to start over. In This Episode: Growing up in Delco and navigating family chaos Protecting loved ones while carrying adult burdens as a child Brotherhood, hockey, and lifelong friendships Finding purpose working with court-adjudicated youth Leadership in high-stress environments Losing a career and identity overnight The hidden grief of losing camaraderie and mission Alcohol as a coping mechanism Fatherhood, marriage, and rebuilding after loss Mental health and middle-aged reinvention Creating EM Personal Development Helping others navigate change and adversity Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Visit http://trademark.church to learn more about Trademark and how you can get involved.  LOVE ∙ SERVE ∙ LEAD 

July 19th, 2026:  St Vincent de Paul - Charity & Prayer;  Bl Peter Cresci;  St Vincent de Paul - Patron of All Charitable Associations;  They That Work By Me, Shall Not Sin;  St Vincent de Paul - Accept the Suffering

Pastor John Miller teaches an expository message through 1 Peter 4:12-19 titled, “Suffering As A Christian."

Life has a way of reminding us that this world isn't the way it's supposed to be. Yet even in seasons of pain, disappointment, and uncertainty, God invites us to lift our eyes beyond what we can see and anchor our hope in what He has promised. Discover how present struggles can become places where hope grows deeper, faith becomes stronger, and God's Spirit faithfully carries us forward.

2 Corinthians 2:14-17 The post Suffering Well in Ministry appeared first on Pillar Baptist Church.

07-19-26 | You Asked For It: Why Does God Allow Suffering? by Plainfield Christian Church

This week we begin our journey through the book of Ruth—a story that starts with heartbreak, loss, and uncertainty but reveals the steady, unseen hand of God's providence. As we meet Naomi and Ruth, we'll discover that even when life doesn't make sense, God is still at work, inviting us to trust Him, run to Him, and find hope in His faithfulness.

The importance of letting God prune your life so that you may produce more fruit! We believe God has an incredible vision for our community and a specific plan for your life. Whether you're looking for deep, biblically sound teaching or a church family that truly loves you, you’ll find it here. From discipleship and personal growth to a fun, faith-filled environment for your kids, Passion Church is where lives are transformed. We’re a joyful, Spirit-led family committed to sincere worship and global missions. Join us this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.! Come meet Pastor Guy Sheffield and the rest of the family at 983 Goodman Rd W, Horn Lake. All we’re missing is you—let’s grow together! Don’t forget to subscribe and stay connected with Passion Church Desoto. Like us on Facebook & Subscribe to our YouTube page @ ‘Passion Church Desoto’. #Jesus #PassionChurch #GodsPresence #Worship #Discipleship #ChurchFamily #HornLakeMS #GuySheffield #SundayService #Preaching #Bible #encouragmentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover how self-judgment creates emotional suffering and keeps you trapped in shame, fear, and unworthiness. In this powerful spiritual talk, learn how to silence the inner critic, practice self-compassion, release limiting beliefs, and reclaim your inner freedom. Liberation begins when you stop fighting yourself and remember the truth of who you are.   Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://agapetx.infellowship.com/OnlineGiving/GiveNow/NoAccount/

Share this program with a friend or family member at www.joniradio.org!  --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Reading Lamentations 3:1-21 where the punished laments that he is wasting away because of his sin, and yet even as low as he can get, he still clings to hope. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

On this episode, David Wollen begins a study through Job, discovering how God's sovereignty and compassion give lasting hope when life hurts.

In this episode of Pray the Word on 1 Samuel 22:1, David Platt reminds us that God hears our cries and is our refuge in times of trouble.Explore more content from Radical.

Responsible for you. "Infallible" Bible? East St. Louis family. July hat!

We would love to hear from you! Please send us your comments here. --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

How do you find strength when life feels overwhelming? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on James 4:6 and discover God's promise to give more grace to the humble. Whether you're facing illness, grief, uncertainty, or a season of suffering, God's sustaining grace is always greater than the burden you carry. Suffering has a way of exposing our weakness, but it also reminds us where our true strength comes from. Instead of relying on ourselves or becoming consumed by our circumstances, God invites us to come to Him with humble hearts, trusting that His grace is sufficient for every challenge. As we lean on Christ, He strengthens us, deepens our faith, and draws us closer to Him—even in life's hardest seasons. Highlights: Discover what James 4:6 teaches about God's abundant grace for the humble. Learn why humility positions us to receive God's strength during suffering. Be encouraged that God's grace is greater than any trial, hardship, or uncertainty. Understand how suffering can deepen your faith and draw you closer to Jesus. Find hope in knowing God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. Remember that you never have to carry life's burdens alone—God's sustaining grace is always available. Join the Conversation Where do you need God's grace the most right now? How have you experienced His strength carrying you through a difficult season? We'd love to hear your story in the comments. Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Grace in Abundance Is Available By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “But he gives more grace. Therefore, it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6, ESV). One of my closest friends has been walking through a very heavy time regarding her husband’s diagnosis of MS. There are times when she opens up to me about her struggles with how it has impacted her marriage, and all I want to do is encourage her and help her carry the burden. The other day, I listened as she sobbed, and I tried my best to acknowledge the difficulty and pain, even if I couldn’t fully relate to this particular situation. To encourage her, I told her that in her repentance of complaining and repentance of discontentment in the midst of her suffering, I see so much beautiful humility and a greater trust is being formed in her. Because of that humility, we can rejoice in knowing that God has promised to give grace to the humble. “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6, ESV). Intersecting Faith & Life: Some of us have been called to a greater measure of suffering than others, and instead of allowing the trial to embitter us or cause us to be anxious, we can be thankful that we will be recipients of God’s great sustaining grace in a greater measure than others. Yet, to receive that sustaining grace, we must remember to come to God humbly as we learn to lean upon Him for strength and trust that He is using suffering for a purpose. Pain and suffering are not something any of us look forward to, but while we live here in this fallen and broken world, it is inevitable. It is so easy to get caught up in the storms of our lives and lose sight of the hope that is available to us through Jesus Christ, and allow them to overtake us. Our trials are what the Lord is using to bring us closer to Him and conform us into His image. The Apostle Paul calls this “the fellowship of His suffering” (Philippians 3:10). Not only do our trials bring us closer to Christ, but they remind us that heaven is our true home and one day, our suffering will cease. The suffering may not disappear in this life, but the good news is that Jesus is right there with us to walk through it together, and He has promised to empower us with His grace. In the midst of the pain, the temptation is to give all of our focus to the battle we may be facing and figure out ways on either how to escape it or fix it, but the Lord is calling us to run to Him in our weakness as we realize we cannot walk through any of it on our own. Let us run to Him and fall at His feet in humility, knowing that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. God’s grace is sufficient, and He is our ever-present help in times of need, but sometimes our actions do not reflect these truths. It’s much easier for us to either complain about our stressful, painful, and difficult circumstances or try to take matters into our own hands to try to fix or change what seems to be causing us to feel so overwhelmed. What are you walking through right now that seems to be overwhelming or stressful? Grace in abundance is available to those who ask! We must learn how to ask for grace when we have reached our limit, or when we feel like we are being crushed under the weight of our suffering. God is so faithful to provide all things that we need because He is a gracious Father who cares deeply for His children. Come to Him as His child today, boldly and humbly asking for His sustaining and powerful grace to carry you through each challenging moment. Even if this season of suffering doesn’t have an expiration date on this side of eternity, we can run to our Father and ask for His sustaining grace that is more than enough. Further Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Hebrews 4:16 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

On May 31, 2026, Dr. Peter Kreeft's beautiful wife of 63 years, Maria Antoinette Kreeft, went home to her Heavenly reward. In his own words, Dr. Kreeft told us before coming, “There is much to say about that: a story of struggle and grace.” The following conversation is just that. Ep. 587 Theotokos Rosaries: https://dwplus.shop/TheotokosRosaries - - -