Episode Summary

What do you do when life throat-punches you for the 50th time and you feel like staying down? In this episode of The Unshakeable Life, Jim Burgoon gets brutally honest about exhaustion, burnout, and failure—and the one thing that keeps us standing when everything else crumbles.

Drawing from personal stories of ministry wounds, entrepreneurial failures, and even the grief of losing his mom, Jim shares why falling doesn’t disqualify you from God’s calling. Instead, Scripture reminds us we may be struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:9). With raw honesty and practical tools, Jim helps you reframe resilience, stop pretending you’re fine, and discover the courage to take your next small step with God.

If you’ve been wrestling with the question, “What’s the point of getting back up again?”—this episode was made for you.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn

• Why failure and falling don’t remove you from God’s plan.
• The danger of “I’m fine” platitudes and how to be real before God.
• How to anchor yourself in God’s presence when you feel abandoned.
• Why resilience isn’t instant—it’s small, courageous steps forward.
• How silence, prayer, and Scripture renew your strength in dark times.

Scripture Anchors

• 2 Corinthians 4:9 — “Persecuted, not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
• Isaiah 40:31 — “Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.”
• Psalm 46:10 — “Be still, and know that I am God.”
• Ephesians 6 — “After you’ve done everything, stand.”

Faith Connection

God has never expected perfection—He has always promised presence. The Bible doesn’t say we won’t be knocked down; it says we won’t be destroyed. The difference between despair and hope is whether we believe that truth in the middle of the struggle. Jesus Himself fell under the weight of the cross, yet He got back up to finish the work set before Him. That same Spirit now strengthens us to rise when life feels unbearable.

Reflection & Connection

• What’s one area in your life where you’ve been pretending you’re “fine”?
• What’s a small, courageous step you could take this week to move forward?
• Who in your circle needs to hear your honesty so you don’t walk alone?

Key Takeaway

You may be knocked down, but you are never abandoned. Stop pretending you’re fine, anchor yourself in God’s presence, and take one courageous step at a time. God doesn’t need you to sprint—He just calls you to keep standing.

Resilience Corner

Breath Prayer: “Lord, I am weak, but You are strong. Help me rise again.”

Resources Mentioned

• Join the Newsletter: www.leadwithjim.com/nl
• Full Episode Show Notes & Transcript: www.leadwithjim.com/podcast
• Using GPT for deeper Bible Study: https://youtu.be/VflG29Hx_Xw
• Youtube Video of Jason Upton Singing: In The Silence

Connect with Jim

• 🌐 Website: www.leadwithjim.com
• 🎙️ Ask a Question: leadwithjim.com/ask
• 📱 Instagram: @leadwithjim
• ▶️ YouTube: Lead with Jim
• Facebook: @leadwithjim

Support & Engage with the Show

• Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio
• Leave a Review: If this episode encouraged you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts—it helps more Christian creators find the show.
• Share: Send this episode to a friend who struggles with distraction.

Thanks for listening!

Never miss an episode of The Unshakable Life. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app—and if this resonated, share it with a friend who needs have the tools to develop an unshakable Life!