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“When pushed up against a dead-end wall, the only option is to trust God.”
In this special episode, best-selling author and disability advocate, Joni Eareckson Tada celebrates the 45th anniversary edition of her book- Joni: An Unforgettable journey. Joni shares beautiful and intimate details of her journey with God after breaking her neck in a diving accident and becoming completely paralyzed at age 17. Her determination to trust the faithfulness of God – even now, in the midst of chronic pain and a battle with cancer – has turned a tragedy into a powerful tool God continues to use in thousands – if not millions – of peoples’ lives.
If you’re struggling to find hope and meaning in your painful trial, don’t miss this episode. And be sure to share it with a friend!
Important Takeaways from Show
- We encounter the Lord from deep places – in the vulnerable and the unknown.
- When you’re pushed up against a dead-end wall, the only option is to trust God and cast your cares on Him.
- Melt yourself into the circumstance as if walking through a dead-end wall – enter your pain and find Jesus there.
- If you think God is asking too much, remember with His grace you can do it.
- Trials were intended to completely flatten our self-sufficiency. If we are still putting up a fight, there is a crust of pride that needs to be peeled away.
- God wants to be the first thing we think of when we wake up and the center of our universe.
- In the midst of the trials, talk to the pain and situation; give yourself a good talking to.
- “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
- Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, as we walk into the flames, Jesus will meet us there.
- Make the suffering useful as you come in agreement with the Lord; doing the hard thing with patient endurance.
- “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20
- Take the trial and use it as a platform of ministry to comfort others in their hurts.
- Don’t worry about the breadth of your ministry, worry about the depth of your life with Christ.
- Remember what it means that Christ died for you – sit with your justification and go deep.
- Fall in love with Jesus – He wants to build His Kingdom in us more than through us.
- As we think about God’s attributes, we are more aware of our sin – which makes us quicker to repent.
- Think magnificently about God and see Him in His majesty.
- Trust in the Lord at all times Psalm 62:8
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Psalm 42:5
Links from Show
Book: Joni: An Unforgettable Story: Joni Eareckson Tada
Book: Finding God in Hidden Places: His Presence in the Pieces of Our Lives
Book: A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God’s Sovereignty
Book: The Letters of Samuel Rutherford (Puritan Paperback)
[Disclosure: I make a small commission from affiliate links used in this post.]
Connect with Joni Eareckson Tada
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Connect with Joanna
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter
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You can get your free “2022 Thru the Word” Journal by signing up in the form below.
The Bible reading journal features:
- Instructions for using the journal – including tips for getting the most out of your Bible reading
- Daily assignment schedule keeping you on pace to read the entire Bible in one year
- Space to record your Bible reading highlights
- Bonus: “Pray Every Day” pages to help you focus on a different part of your life each day
I’d love to hear from you… What spoke most to you from Joni’s interview?
I remember seeing the movie of Joni many years ago. I know she has had an active ministry but I felt sorry for her but after listening today I have a new admiration and thankfulness for her. The whole of Romans chapter 8 could be applied to this podcast with Joni. Thank you for sharing her story and yours. Forwarding to me Bible study gals. Blessings , Phyllis
Thank you for sharing the interview, Phyllis! It really is a powerful perspective shift.
Thanks so much for this message from Joni. Love the idea of continuing to fall in love with Jesus. Thank God He has a purpose in allowing disability to come to our family – both my son and husband. One of the things I am thankful for is that I have been able to share about Jesus with so many carers who have come into my home. My home becomes a place of ministry. Just today able to share with a guy from Kenya. God is so good.
I love that, Christine! You are definitely a blessing to me, my friend.
Such a beautiful interview.
Thank you, Donna! It really blessed me 🙂
Thank you for sharing this interview. Suffering is never for nothing, as Eliz. Elliot has said. And thank you Joanna for your Bible studies. They helped me several years ago when our daughter was sentenced to 8 yrs in prison. And now as I am in my sunset years of life this interview has reminded me to ask Jesus to “be me” first and then “use me”.
Sweet Jan, I love this! Thank you for being available to God and allowing Him to love you.
Thank you both for such a wonderful interview. I have great admiration for Joni’s strength and humility, making her a great ambassador for the Lord. There were so many inspiring points throughout the interview, not least of which is the need to go deeper in our relationship with God and to strengthen our love for him.
It was inspiring on so many levels, wasn’t it, Mavis? Thanks for listening!
Such an amazing podcast!
This is one to listen to, listen again and share!
It really is! So glad it spoke to your heart, Lynn.
It was wonderful to listen to Johnny Cher her testimony. I pray that God will give her the courage to continue to endure the pain.
Yes! Grace grace to every place – for every one of us!
Interesting how we frequently love &memorize redeeming scriptures but seem to skip over ones like Philippians 1:29. So we miss the opportunities to suffer with HIM w purpose!! Psalm 119:71-77, 89-92 became special treasures to me when hubby was in life threatening accident. At only 32 – clinging to His Word – it became my call to go deep & see a glimpse HIS bigger picture. Joni impacted us even before the accident. It is good to pass on what God has taught us & brought us thru for His Kingdom sake.
So agree, Naomi! I so appreciate you sharing your story. We miss a gift when we limit God to only blessings. Worse, we create fertile ground for discouragement when we don’t understand that God uses EVERYTHING!
What a beautiful interview with so much to think about and process. I love the necessity of going deeper rather than wider, entering the fire of suffering and pain calmly and memorising hymns. What deep joy to bring to our Lord.
Bless you Joanna for all the work you do. Your wonderful Martha, Mary and Lazarus books have been transformational for me. And my home group have followed your reading the Bible in a year guide, a great resource.
May you continue to grow deep in His love.
That blesses my heart, Julia! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a note.