When a diving accident left Joni Eareckson Tada with quadriplegia at 17, she felt like her life was over. She couldn’t fathom what good her life could be without legs that walked or hands that worked. She couldn’t imagine that God had good purposes in store for her. She certainly didn’t expect her suffering to sow the seeds of an international disability ministry. Looking back on 55 years in a wheelchair, Joni reflects on the Lord’s faithfulness amid her adversity. She shares how trusting God through hardship has given her strength to not only persevere but live with hope and joy!

• Joni’s personal mission statement: “I want to be God's best audio-visual aid of how his power is displayed in weakness, so that others can experience his power in their weakness.”
• Joni’s exhortation to you: “Let your weakness and need be the beautiful platform on which God displays his power through you.”

Key Questions:

• What is your personal mission statement? (Try writing one down).
• Where in your life do you need to trust God’s strength?
• How have you experienced God’s power in your weakness?

Key Scriptures:

• “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.” Philippians 1:12
• “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

View Joni's "Face of Anguish" drawing.

Find more encouragement through Joni Eareckson Tada's radio podcast  and daily devotional.
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Your support  makes this podcast possible!

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, we provide Christ-centered care through  Joni's House, Wheels for the World, and Retreats and Getaways, and offer disability ministry training and higher education through the Christian Institute on Disability. 

You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.

Find all podcast resources and message our team.

Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

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.

Lamar Hardwick (DMin, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary) is the lead pastor at Tri-Cities Church in East Point, Georgia. He and his wife, Isabelle have three daughters. 

Dr. Hardwick’s blogs and articles can be found on his website. 

Get your copies Dr. Hardwick’s books:

• I am Strong: The Life and Journey of an Autistic Pastor
• Disability in the Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion

Key Questions:

• What is my purpose?
• How can my community become more inclusive?
• How can my church better include people with disabilities?

Key Scripture:

• “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 13:3–9

Joni and Friends provides church training resources to help you start or grow your disability ministry!

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

Your support  makes this podcast possible!

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, we provide Christ-centered care through  Joni's House, Wheels for the World, and Retreats and Getaways, and offer disability ministry training and higher education through the Christian Institute on Disability. 

You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.

Find all podcast resources and message our team.

Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

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.

Lamar Hardwick (DMin, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary) is the lead pastor at Tri-Cities Church in East Point, Georgia. He and his wife, Isabella have three daughters. 

Dr. Hardwick’s blogs and articles can be found on his website.

Get your copies Dr. Hardwick’s books:

• I am Strong: The Life and Journey of an Autistic Pastor
• Disability in the Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion

Key Questions:

• What is it like to grow up with undiagnosed autism?
• What is it like to live with autism as an adult?
• How can churches and communities support people with autism?
• What do people (especially people with disabilities) experience when they encounter the church?

Key Scriptures:

• “Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.” Jonah 1:3–4
• “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

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

Your support  makes this podcast possible!

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, we provide Christ-centered care through  Joni's House, Wheels for the World, and Retreats and Getaways, and offer disability ministry training and higher education through the Christian Institute on Disability. 

You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.

Find all podcast resources and message our team.

Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

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.

For more than two decades Leisa Williams has cared for a son with a disability. She knows firsthand the grief, hopelessness, family divisions, and weariness that often plague families living with disability. (Listen to part 1 of this conversation.)

Leisa joins the podcast again to talk about the power of HOPE: Having Other People Engaged when the challenges of life seem too heavy to bear. She shares about her journey from resistance to radical acceptance of the role Christian community can play in life, especially with the difficulties of disability in the picture.

Leisa also casts a vision for the power of faithful community and reliance on God, sharing how Justin, now 20 years old, has found his place in the body of Christ.

Get your copy of Leisa’s book: Hope Wins: Overcoming Feelings of Hopelessness in Special Needs Families

Learn more about Leisa

Key Questions:

• How can I practice “HOPE: Have Other People Engaged”?
• Who can you support and walk with through life’s ups and downs?

Key Scripture:

• “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:3

Find more encouragement through Joni Eareckson Tada's radio podcast  and daily devotional.
Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.Your support  makes this podcast possible!

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, we provide Christ-centered care through  Joni's House, Wheels for the World, and Retreats and Getaways, and offer disability ministry training and higher education through the Christian Institute on Disability. 

You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.

Find all podcast resources and message our team.

Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

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.

For more than two decades Leisa Williams has cared for a son with a disability. She knows firsthand the grief, hopelessness, family divisions, and weariness that often plague families living with disability. That’s why she wrote her book, Hope Wins: Overcoming Feelings of Hopelessness in Special Needs Families.

Leisa joins the podcast to talk about the challenges that come with disability and the importance of turning to God and Christian community, even when it’s tempting to withdraw. Her insights shed light on many pain points that can come with disability and offer strategies for families and communities to find connection and hope in the midst of difficulties.

Learn more about Leisa

Get your copy of Leisa’s book: Hope Wins: Overcoming Feelings of Hopelessness in Special Needs Families

Key Questions:

• How can I deal with self-pity?
• Do I need to simplify my life?
• What does it mean to serve from a place of rest?

Key Scripture:

• “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19

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

Your support  makes this podcast possible!

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, we provide Christ-centered care through  Joni's House, Wheels for the World, and Retreats and Getaways, and offer disability ministry training and higher education through the Christian Institute on Disability. 

You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.

Find all podcast resources and message our team.

Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

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.

After decades of living with the ups and downs of chronic pain caused by CRPS, author and Nutritionist Darci J. Steiner wants to give a message of hope to people facing disability and chronic suffering. Her book, Beauty Beyond the Thorns, and its companion study guide, include personal stories of suffering and biblical stories to demonstrate how God can turn unexpected curveballs into victorious home runs. 

Key Questions:

• What is it like to live with chronic pain?
• How does God help you when your pain feels like too much to bear?
• Where have you seen God bring good or beauty out of your suffering?

Key Scripture:

• “She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” Genesis 16:13
   

Resources:

• Learn more about Darci
• Get your copy of Beauty Beyond the Thorns

Send Crystal a message. 

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

Your support  makes this podcast possible!

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, we provide Christ-centered care through  Joni's House, Wheels for the World, and Retreats and Getaways, and offer disability ministry training and higher education through the Christian Institute on Disability. 

You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.

Find all podcast resources and message our team.

Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

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.

Every person needs to find a place of acceptance and belonging. For people with disabilities, too often, inclusion can be hard to come by, even within the body of Christ. 

As a pastor, Scott Sauls knows how important it is for the church to embrace marginalized people, like those with disabilities. He has seen firsthand how a robust ministry to people with disabilities—not only welcoming them but evoking their gifts—catalyzes the life of a church.

Scott also knows that pastors and ministry leaders can feel overwhelmed by the idea of starting or growing a disability ministry. He exhorts leaders to trust in God’s abundant provision (no matter the size of the budget or congregation) while stepping forward in faith to serve people with disabilities well.

Key Questions:

• How can your church embrace people who are marginalized?
• What barriers do you face when it comes to serving or connecting with people with disabilities?
• How can you trust God’s abundance and step out in faith today?

Key Scripture:

• “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
   

Resources:

• Find resources to start or grow a disability ministry
• Read Beautiful People Don't Just Happen

Send Crystal a message. 

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

Your support  makes this podcast possible!

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, we provide Christ-centered care through  Joni's House, Wheels for the World, and Retreats and Getaways, and offer disability ministry training and higher education through the Christian Institute on Disability. 

You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.

Find all podcast resources and message our team.

Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

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.

Everyone carries regret, hurt, and fear. These burdens can weigh you down and make you feel trapped. In his book, Beautiful People Don't Just Happen: How God Redeems Regret, Hurt, and Fear in the Making of Better Humans, Scott Sauls explores how Christ provides hope and healing amid the most trying emotions and circumstances.

Pastor Scott hopes to reach people who sin and suffer—people who feel tired or afraid. He shares the message that because of Christ’s love, presence, and promises, the best is always yet to come, even when life feels hopeless.

When it comes to redeeming regret, hurt, and fear, Pastor Scott also explains how God can make people better through difficulties. Using historical examples—Dietrich Bonhoeffer, C.S. Lewis, and Tim Keller—and biblical examples—King David, the Apostle Paul, and even Jesus—Scott points out a hopeful pattern of God’s redemptive work that applies to everyone who trusts in him.

Key Questions:

• Do you ever feel burdened with regret, hurt, or fear?
• Who can you encourage today by sharing an aspect of your story?
• Do you know the secret to being content in every circumstance? (Hint: ask the Apostle Paul)

Key Scripture:

• “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Send Crystal a message with your comments and questions. 

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

Your support  helps make this podcast possible!

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, we provide Christ-centered care through  Joni's House, Wheels for the World, and Retreats and Getaways, and offer disability ministry training and higher education through the Christian Institute on Disability. 

You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.

Find all podcast resources and message our team.

Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

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.

Danika Deva knows isolation. Living with multiple chemical sensitivities, which can cause life-threatening allergic reactions to everyday things, she must be intentional about her relationships. Through seasons of severe sickness and physical isolation, she has found strategies for connection and invites others to walk the trails she has blazed.

With God’s help, Danika has learned to serve and minister to others, even from a place of suffering. She urges everyone facing difficulty to seek ways to bless others, pointing to the fact that human beings were not made for isolated, independent lives, but for interdependence and mutual service. She urges Christians to encourage and remind one another of the great hope we have in Christ—whatever our circumstances.

Key Questions:

• Do your health struggles impact your relationships?
• How is God shaping your character through your hardships?
• How can you offer hope to someone today, even if you’re suffering?
   

Key Scripture:

• “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:4-6

Additional Resources:

• Read more from Danika
• Listen as Kimberli West talks about vulnerability and community when you live with chronic illness

Send Crystal a message with your comments and questions. 

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

Your support  helps make this podcast possible!

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, we provide Christ-centered care through  Joni's House, Wheels for the World, and Retreats and Getaways, and offer disability ministry training and higher education through the Christian Institute on Disability. 

You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.

Find all podcast resources and message our team.

Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

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.

In 2016, Danika Deva’s life was turned upside-down by the sudden onset of severe environmental illness. Desperate, isolated, hopeless, and hurting, she begged God for healing. 

To this day, Danika lives what she calls “a bubble life,” to manage life-threatening allergic reactions to an ever-shifting range of environmental and dietary triggers. She will tell you, “It’s hard to live like this.” But amid her suffering, she has found hope and closeness to God.

Danika’s God-given Ph.D. in "Hard Knocks" and "God Rocks" has equipped her to inspire others to be intentional, and to choose joy and hope in hardship so they can not only heal, but flourish. 

Key Questions:

• Where in your “hard knocks” do you see God working?
• What opportunity do you have to choose joy today?
   

Key Scripture:

• “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Additional Resources:

• Read more from Danika

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.

Support Joni and Friends to help make this podcast possible.

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 through the Christian Institute on Disability. 

You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.

Find all podcast resources and message our team.

Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

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.