Have you ever wondered how some believers manage to worship God authentically through unimaginable suffering? This powerful episode explores the extraordinary testimony of Joni Erikson Tada, who became a quadriplegic after a diving accident at age 17, yet found purpose and meaning through her paralysis.

The journey begins with a captivating glimpse of Joni quietly worshipping alone in an empty convention center ballroom—a perfect picture of genuine faith that persists even when no one is watching. We then trace her story from confusion and despair to a transformative ministry that has touched hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide.

Drawing fascinating parallels between Joni's experience and the biblical account of Job, we uncover crucial spiritual truths about suffering. The episode pulls back the curtain on the spiritual realm, examining Satan's accusations against both God and believers, while providing five essential insights about God's sovereignty during our most painful seasons.

Perhaps the most moving moment comes when we hear about Joni's pivotal prayer: "Oh God, if I cannot die, show me how to live." This turning point led her to develop remarkable abilities despite her limitations—learning to paint with her teeth, founding a global ministry, and providing over 250,000 wheelchairs to impoverished people around the world.

The message culminates with a powerful story of how Joni reached out to a fellow quadriplegic who had given up on life, challenging him with the profound choice we all face in suffering: will we "get busy living" or "get busy dying"? Whatever biography of suffering you carry today, this episode will help you recognize that your pain isn't random chaos but rather a divine assignment, and inspire you to trust God even through your tears.

What decision will you make today? Will you surrender to God's sovereign plan for your life and worship Him even in your suffering?

Discover more wisdom from God's Word: https://www.wisdomonline.org

What happens when your greatest hopes don’t come true?

In this episode, Stephen Davey opens Romans 15:22–28 and explores the heart of the apostle Paul, who longed to preach in Spain but never arrived. Even though Paul planned carefully and prayed faithfully, God had a different path. Instead of reaching Spain as a missionary, Paul arrived in Rome as a prisoner. Yet he never lost hope or surrendered his faith.

Stephen connects Paul’s story with the inspiring life of Dr. Charles McKoy—a 72-year-old pastor who, upon forced retirement, booked a one-way ticket to India and spent the last 16 years of his life preaching the gospel across Asia. From Bombay to Calcutta, Dr. McKoy’s faith led him to open doors he never dreamed of walking through.

This episode challenges you to surrender your own plans and expectations to God. Whether you’re young and dreaming or older and discouraged, the question isn’t where you’ll go—but whether you’ll go with God.

Stephen reminds you that disappointment doesn’t mean defeat. You may never reach your “Spain”—but you can still leave behind a legacy of faith.

Discover more wisdom from God's Word: https://www.wisdomonline.org

What separates wishful thinking from genuine hope? While the world taps out a desperate message—"Is there any hope?"—believers possess something extraordinary: confident expectation founded on God's unshakable promises.

Biblical hope isn't crossing your fingers or wishing upon a star. It's the settled assurance that God has forgiven your past, sovereignly guides your present, and guarantees your future through Christ's return. This hope becomes visible to others, especially during life's darkest moments, prompting the questions Peter tells us to be ready for: "What gives you such confidence? How can you remain so hopeful?"

The remarkable story of Johann Sebastian Bach demonstrates how hope's influence transcends time and borders. Though dying penniless and quickly forgotten after 50 years of composing "music where God's gracious presence is at hand," Bach's gospel-infused compositions are now bringing thousands to Christ in Japan—a nation where "hope is a foreign idea" and traditional religion has lost relevance.

Bach began each manuscript with "Jesu Juva" (Jesus, help me) and ended with "SDG" (Soli Deo Gloria—to God alone be glory). He never signed his greatest works with his name, instead pointing to the true source of his hope. Though his impact took centuries to fully bloom, God's timing was perfect.

What legacy of hope are you creating with your talents, work, and daily conversations? You may never see the full harvest of your faithfulness in this lifetime, but God's purpose reaches far beyond our limited vision. Your hopeful perspective today might be the seed that bears fruit generations later.

When someone asks about the reason for your hope, be ready with this simple truth: Christianity has cornered the market on genuine, lasting hope—not wishful thinking, but confident expectation grounded in the unchanging promises of God.

Discover more wisdom from God's Word: https://www.wisdomonline.org