Purpose Through Pain

By Katrina Richardson

Have you ever wanted to ask God why? Why did this happen? Why me? Just, why? Well, I'm here to tell you you're not alone. Life can be painful and things happen that can have us questioning God's goodn... more

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FAQs about Purpose Through Pain:

How many episodes does Purpose Through Pain have?

The podcast currently has 30 episodes available.

Purpose Through Pain episodes:

October 06, 2022Ep. 20 - Biblical Affirmations
Have you ever read a passage of scripture 64 times and then time number 65 you get something you've never gotten from it before? Today I'm talking about the most recent time that happened to me with something I did not expect - a genealogy!
When we find our worth and value in Christ instead of searching for it from others, we begin to uncover all kinds of misconceptions and false beliefs. We start to see ourselves as God sees us, which still isn’t perfect but it is inherently loved, accepted and worth dying for.
Scripture referenced:
Genesis 29:31-35

Galatians 3:26-27

Romans 8:17

1 Peter 2:9

Isaiah 54:10

2 Corinthians 5:17

Ephesians 1:7

1 John 1:9

Ephesians 2:10

Psalm 139:13-14

1 John 4:4

Audio by Woodward, Josh. "Josie Has The Upper Hand." Only Whispering, Josh Woodward, 2015-02-21, Free Music Archive, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/Only_Whispering/JoshWoodward-NQC-10-JosieHasTheUpperHand_1237
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17min
September 28, 2022Ep. 19 - Feeling Inadequate
Have you ever felt inadequate? Specifically when you feel like God is calling you to do something? Like maybe someone else would be better suited for this calling? Maybe anyone BUT you? Moses did. So did Job. And so have I. It's not uncommon or unheard of to feel like you're not up for whatever task God has called you to but as we'll talk about in today's episode, the most important factor is not in our human ability to accomplish whatever task is at hand but in the fact of whether or not we are willing to accept the call God has placed on us - no matter if it's fighting 135,000 soldiers or asking 1 man, one question.
Scripture referenced:
Exodus 3:1-14; 4:1-5, 10-15

Job 38:2, 4-5, 12, 17-18

Job 42:2-5

Proverbs 3:5-6

Judges 6-8
Audio by Woodward, Josh. "Josie Has The Upper Hand." Only Whispering, Josh Woodward, 2015-02-21, Free Music Archive, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/Only_Whispering/JoshWoodward-NQC-10-JosieHasTheUpperHand_1237
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16min
September 07, 2022 Ep. 18 - Look What God Did With Paul Adams
For our second episode in this series, get ready to smile a lot. I sat down with Paul Adams who says the thing God has done best and most often for him comes in the form of not letting him get his way.
From turning down a scholarship to the prestigious Vanderbilt University to go to Northwestern State in Louisiana, to turning down an acceptance to Yale and moving to New York to become a professional musician to teaching high school orchestra in a small east Texas town, and even infertility issues turning into a foster kid type scenario placement with a son that mirrors him and his wife.
Paul's story reminds us that God's redirection is often way better than anything we could have mapped out for ourselves on our own.

Audio by Woodward, Josh. "Josie Has The Upper Hand." Only Whispering, Josh Woodward, 2015-02-21, Free Music Archive, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/Only_Whispering/JoshWoodward-NQC-10-JosieHasTheUpperHand_1237
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23min
August 31, 2022Ep. 17 - When Trauma Resurfaces
We've all dealt with trauma of some kind in our lives - it's a part of life. And while we may think we've done everything to deal with and handle past trauma, unexpectedly they can rear their ugly head and resurface - making us feel as though we're living through it again. In today's episode I talk about what we, as followers of Christ, should do when trauma resurfaces in our lives and to remind you that Jesus destroyed the power that trauma holds on the cross.
I hope you find this episode encouraging and please share it with your friends and family, and don't forget to leave a review!

Song referenced: Scars by Jonny Diaz : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhVDhUlUX88
Scripture referenced:
John 16:33

Ephesians 1:3

Philippians 2:17

Isaiah 53:5

Psalm 34:18
Sources used :
https://millcreekchristiancounseling.com/trauma-treatment-and-recovery-from-a-christian-perspective/
https://www.christianhealingmin.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=771:trauma-to-transformation&catid=225&Itemid=757
https://www.joydigitalmag.com/everyday-life/how-christians-should-deal-with-trauma/#:~:text=How%20Christians%20Should%20Deal%20With%20Trauma%20%E2%80%93%20by,get%20over%20it%E2%80%9D%3B%20or%20%E2%80%9CJust%20get%20over%20it%E2%80%9D.

Audio by Woodward, Josh. "Josie Has The Upper Hand." Only Whispering, Josh Woodward, 2015-02-21, Free Music Archive, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/Only_Whispering/JoshWoodward-NQC-10-JosieHasTheUpperHand_1237
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16min
August 24, 2022 Ep. 16 - Chronic Pain : Interview with Dr. Chuck McInturf
I am SO excited about this episode for a few reasons! One, this topic of chronic pain is near and dear to my heart after suffering with it myself. Two, this is take THREE of this episode! Not just scheduled the interview 3 times but recorded the episodes 3 times! My guest, Dr. Chuck McInturf's episode was supposed to be episode number 3 which came out on May 4, 2022. So here we are almost 4 months later finally getting this episode to you! I hope you enjoy it because Chuck's over a decade long journey through chronic pain is an inspiring one of faith.
Scripture Referenced:
John 9:3
Various Psalms in general, no specific ones named
Quotes from today's episode:
"I don't believe that any time I struggle, or anyone struggles, with pain or difficult times that it is a lack of faith."
"I see these trials and tribulations as our opportunities to grow and be more like Christ."
"I wanted my brain to work, but I also didn't want pain and it was riding a very thin line trying to find the balance - but you have to sacrifice one or the other."
"In the deepest despair of pain, I know what it feels like to not be suicidal - but I don't wanna be in this body anymore."
"Suddenly I could empathize with you. I could empathize with church members who had gone through chronic pain."
"Faith is like a rollercoaster."
"My pain has helped me understand that sometimes prayers are not answered the way I want them to be answered. They are answered just not the way I want them to be."
"To everyone who's dealing with chronic pain, don't turn inward."
"I may be a pastor, but I don't have all the answers. I don't have all the wisdom I'm still learning."
"In those times when God seems distant in your deepest pain, I do believe he sends the right people that you need to come along and say, 'come on, we can do this. And the Lord is here.' And a little while later, you'll realize that God sent those people and He never left you. He was always there."
"It takes a lot of faith to begin what God has called you to do. It takes just as much faith to stop."
Audio by Woodward, Josh. "Josie Has The Upper Hand." Only Whispering, Josh Woodward, 2015-02-21, Free Music Archive, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/Only_Whispering/JoshWoodward-NQC-10-JosieHasTheUpperHand_1237
...more
38min
August 20, 2022Ep. 15 - Look What God Did With Lexi Cross
Starting today, twice a month you can look forward to hearing the testimonies of what God has done in people's lives with all kinds of different backgrounds. My favorite thing about testimonies is that they are reminders of what God can do through us - not of what we can do by ourselves or what we do for ourselves, but what only God can do. That's why this series is called Look What God Did instead of Testimony Saturday - to remind us.
For our first episode in this series, I sat down with Lexi Cross who says the biggest part of her testimony has come from spiritual warfare - dealing with things from eating disorders to occult practices to self harm, Lexi talks about the questions she's started asking and how God has been speaking to her and giving her the confidence to escape her comfort zone if only to make him known.
You can follow Lexi on Instagram @positivelylexi
Scriptures Referenced:
Ephesians 2:8-10

Galatians 5:16-26

John 4:39-44 (You can find an episode from the series The Chosen that gives a visual representation of this story from scripture.)

Ephesians 6:11

Jeremiah 17

Revelation 1

1 Corinthians 13

Proverbs 18:21

Ephesians 6:12-20

1 Peter 3:15-17

John 15:18

2 Corinthians 10:15

Romans 10:9

Mark 8:35

1 John 4:1
Links mentioned:
Why you can believe in God sermon : https://youtu.be/G1XJ7DeR5fc

3 Types of Sanctification podcast episode from For The Gospel Podcast : https://open.spotify.com/episode/02ZL86hkfE7YJxYfq8U8UW?si=t6SnXfrvTASK3dB_Uci8xA&utm_source=copy-link
Quotes from today's episode:
I grew up with a false idea of the true gospel and had no idea I was being deceived.

People need to know Him and the whole point of us sharing our testimony is so that people can grow closer in their relationship with Christ.

It's the position of our hearts. It's nothing anyone can do for us. It is a relationship with Jesus himself. He is real.

Christianity is offensive to anyone who does not claim Jesus is God.

We can act outside of His will but that does not mean that He does not have a hand in everything that goes on. He will always make it according to His will and God can only do good.

Demons know how to twist the Word of God and they know how to twist you.

I lost a lot of friends. I lost a lot. But I gained a relationship with Jesus Christ and I would do it all over again.

We live our lives trying to fix things ourselves and we can't do that. We can only rely on Christ.

What matters is Jesus and my relationship with Him and I've never had any kind of love like this before.

Audio by Woodward, Josh. "Josie Has The Upper Hand." Only Whispering, Josh Woodward, 2015-02-21, Free Music Archive, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/Only_Whispering/JoshWoodward-NQC-10-JosieHasTheUpperHand_1237
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37min
August 17, 2022Ep. 14 - Trials Into Testimonies
Do you ever wish you could go back and change the outcome of something? Do you ever wish you could do things a little bit differently than how you did?
In today's episode, I share some of my personal testimony of the most challenging time in my life and answer those very questions.
Scriptures Referenced:
Romans 8:28

James 1:2-3

Exodus 14
Quotes from today's episode:
"The deepest level of worship is when you’re praising God through the pain, thanking God through the trials, trusting God when you’re tempted to lose hope, and drawing near to God even if He feels distant.”

"He made absolute beauty out of my pain."

"Remember that God uses the trials. He turns trials into testimonies."

"Don't allow what you go through to hold you back from seeing the plans God has for you."

"Your trial is temporary, not eternal."

Audio by Woodward, Josh. "Josie Has The Upper Hand." Only Whispering, Josh Woodward, 2015-02-21, Free Music Archive, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/Only_Whispering/JoshWoodward-NQC-10-JosieHasTheUpperHand_1237
...more
13min
August 03, 2022Ep.13 - Parenting A Prodigal - Interview with Debbie Stuart
Do you ever have a preconceived idea of what should happen? How deliverance from your difficulties should look? Debbie Stuart did when she found herself parenting a prodigal child, and the way the Lord delivered him was not one she would have chosen herself. I think a lot of us can relate.
In today's episode, I talk to Debbie Stuart, Women's Minister at Green Acers Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas about when she found herself parenting a wayward child and how God worked through that difficult time in her life. Even today, years after deliverance from this difficult time in her life, a purpose from this pain is still being revealed through prison ministry.
Scriptures Referenced:
Acts 27

Luke 15:11-32

Ezekiel 14:23

Isaiah 58:11

Psalm 65:11

Hosea 2:15

Acts 2:26

Psalm 119:114

Psalm 1:2
Debbie Stuart and her son's book : Redeemed Rebel : 20 Perspectives From A Prodigal And His Mom
Quotes from today's episode:
"The Lord has given me the assignment to parent a prodigal."

"Make room for the Lord to move in this in your life. Don't run from it. Don't hide from it. Don't forfeit it. Don't hide about it. Don't be ashamed about it. Speak about it. Speaking about it gets you out of that place of shame and regret. You can talk about it. It's a part of your life and a part of your journey."

"Make room in your life for whatever the Lord is going to do in the process."

"Prioritize your study of God's Word so you can put your hope in His Word. You can't put your hope in something you don't know anything about."

Audio by Woodward, Josh. "Josie Has The Upper Hand." Only Whispering, Josh Woodward, 2015-02-21, Free Music Archive, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/Only_Whispering/JoshWoodward-NQC-10-JosieHasTheUpperHand_1237
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26min
July 27, 2022 Ep. 12 - This Wasn't The Plan
Has something in your life ever not gone according to your plan? Has it ever taken an unexpected, and maybe unappreciated turn?
Today we are going to talk about how even though God's plan is different than ours and can throw us some surprises that weren't on our perfectly detailed "This Is How My Life Happens" checklist, we can still trust him and lean into him. We're gonna talk about what to do when we start thinking "This isn't what was supposed to happen." or "I thought I'd be somewhere else by this point in life."
As always, I hope this encourages you and draws you closer to the Lord!
Scriptures referenced: 2 Corinthians 10:5, Psalm 130:5, and Numbers 23:19

Audio by Woodward, Josh. "Josie Has The Upper Hand." Only Whispering, Josh Woodward, 2015-02-21, Free Music Archive, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/Only_Whispering/JoshWoodward-NQC-10-JosieHasTheUpperHand_1237
...more
16min
July 20, 2022 Ep. 11 - Exhaustion
Have you ever been exhausted in more than just a physical sense? Ever wanted to just throw in the towel and tell God you've had enough? Today we look at the story of Elijah and a time where he told God that he had enough and how God gave him the strength he needed in his season of exhaustion and how he can do the same thing for us.

Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 19:1-13 and Psalm 121:1-2

Audio by Woodward, Josh. "Josie Has The Upper Hand." Only Whispering, Josh Woodward, 2015-02-21, Free Music Archive, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/Only_Whispering/JoshWoodward-NQC-10-JosieHasTheUpperHand_1237
...more
18min

FAQs about Purpose Through Pain:

How many episodes does Purpose Through Pain have?

The podcast currently has 30 episodes available.