Katherine Wolf kicked off Season 4 with a conversation about suffering. After surviving a catastrophic stroke at age 26, which left her with profound disabilities, Katherine now works to break down the myth that joy can only be found in a pain-free life. Here, in Episode Two, Katherine digs deeper into the topic of suffering, and particularly, how to flourish within our limitations. 

We as believers have all been there: we make a request to God in prayer, then wait for him to give us what we want. When we don’t get the results or answer we hope for, we get frustrated, perplexed, or even angry with God. 

Katherine offers insight about how to trust God when he doesn’t answer prayers the way we hope he will. When it comes to suffering well, she highlights the importance of the narratives we believe and tell about our lives—past, present, and future. She shares how to reframe and redefine the hardest parts of life: tragedy, disability, loss, and grief, with God’s goodness and his good story as the ultimate hope-giving reality.

From a wheelchair to social isolation, to illness or disability, Katherine sheds fresh light on the concept of limitations. She shares how her disability has catalyzed a powerful reframe in her life: seeing limitations as opportunities rather than barriers. Because of Jesus, we can do hard things in the good story he is writing through each of our lives.

Key Questions:

• How can we trust God when he doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want him to?
• How can we cope with pain, grief, or disability?
• How can we find hope amid suffering?

Key Scripture:

• “Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame.” Romans 5:3-4

Additional Resources:

• Listen to A Deeper Healing with Joni Eareckson Tada
• Listen to  How God Meets Us in Suffering with Vaneetha Risner

Send Crystal a message with your comments and questions. 

Find more encouragement through Joni Eareckson Tada's radio podcast, daily devotional, or by following us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

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Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by international disability advocate Joni Eareckson Tada, the ministry provides Christ-centered care through  Joni's House, Wheels for the World, and Retreats and Getaways, as well as disability ministry training and higher education courses through the Christian Institute on Disability. 

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Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training.

Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast and her daily devotional.