We’re exploring some deep questions on the podcast this week and I would love to hear how you’re processing them.
How do we navigate painful circumstances in life?
How do we walk with others who are experiencing something deeply challenging?
How do we respond when life doesn’t turn out the way we expected it to?
I was so deeply touched during my conversation with my guest today, Katherine Wolf. She is my beautiful sister in Christ who is also a stroke survivor, disability advocate, and author. She and her husband, Jay, have authored two best-selling books Hope Heals and Suffer Strong.
In our conversation, you’ll hear Katherine reveal treasures found in dark times, share practical insights on how to encourage and support those who are struggling, and more!
Listen in!
TAKEAWAYS FROM TODAY’S CONVERSATION:
1. There can be growth through painful experiences.
We never want to ignore the hardship of an experience or our circumstances, for ourselves or others. It can be difficult to see at the moment, but suffering can cause us to grow in positive ways. We might become more aware of others who struggle in the same way, our thinking might be challenged or expanded, or it may expose areas of our hearts that need to change for the better.
“I don’t pretend I got there the day after my stroke. I wasn’t popping out of the hospital bed saying, ‘Look this is awesome! These sacrifices have been made!’ No, it was years of marinating in the darkness to come to recognize the treasure in the darkness if we have eyes to see it.”
2. Cultivate a ministry of tears and presence.
For those of us looking for ways to encourage others who are walking through suffering, we need to love on people through our intentional presence. They don’t just need us to tell them general platitudes; they need to know you will stick with them through the hard.
“What they need is a shoulder to cry on and someone looking them in the eye to say, ‘I can’t believe this has happened to you. I’m so sorry.’”
3. Embrace your story.
We can easily get tethered to an idea of how we expect our story to unfold. When things start to go wrong or deviate from our expectation, it can feel like all we face is sorrow and sadness. It’s important to break free from our preconceived notions and love what is in our stories. We can still have joy even when we face hardships.
“You can live with joy even when you are in a wheelchair or even when things are clearly outwardly not okay.”
- Connect with Katherine on her website, Instagram, or Facebook
- Join Team 3:10
- [BOOK] Suffer Strong
- [BOOK] Hope Heals
- [BOOK] Life Together
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you.
Meet Our Guest
Katherine Wolf is a stroke survivor, disability advocate, an author who leverages her redemptive story to encourage those with broken bodies, brains, and hearts. Katherine works along with her husband, Jay, to resource people who experience disabilities through Hope Heals Camp and Mend Coffee. They have co-authored several books including their best-selling titles Hope Heals and Suffer Strong. Katherine and Jay live in Atlanta, GA with their children.
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