The Wounded Christian: Recent Episodes
John Piper
Have you been wounded in ministry, or hurt in Church? Has your journey with God turned out in a way you did not expect, and left you wondering "What went wrong"? Are you looking for ways to Heal and be Restored to the person God wants you to be? Then John has a message for you.
John spent his life following God's leading, only to find that the dream and calling were very different to what he envisioned. After a decade of healing John is on a mission to share Healing and Restoration with fellow Wounded Christians.
Todays episode is the first in a four part series entitled “Who Am I?”. In this series John looks at who we are, and why knowing who we are is important.
Trigger warning: In this episode John talks about suicidal thought and depression. If that is something you are not ready to listen to it's OK, but please listen to the other episodes that follow.
This episode is for you if:
- You've struggled with mental health
- Believed that you are weak
- Believed that you are not Worthy of God's love
- Know that you are broken, but believe that is a bad thing
- Struggle with voices that tell you that your weakness is a sign of failure
Have you been a "somebody" and you've lost your identity? Maybe you've been a Pastor, a Worship Leader, a Sunday School Teacher.....or even an airplane mechanic. And now that you aren't that...who are you?
In this episode John shares with you something he has taken 14 years to figure out, who he is. Your identity is so much more than just a job title, and knowing that is key to regaining who you are after losing your identity.
Have you believed the lie that being fearful is a sin? That being afraid is a sign that you do not trust God?
Have scriptures like Psalm 56vs4 been weaponized against you because you have been overwhelmed by fear?
Join John today as he exposes the lie that we've been taught about fear.
In this episode I share with you the importance of "Baby Steps" and "Getting your toes wet" in your Healing Journey.
I also share a major milestone that we are just about to hit, and an update on how YOU can be a part of the NEXT that God has for our ministry.
An update from the last episode of God CAUSING bad things to happen and a look at anther lie we believe.
I share with you a song by For King and Country that I used to HATE, explain the accounting principle of "Sunk Costs" and, if that wasn't interesting enough, tell you that sometimes you have to cut the ties holding you back.
This may be my most controversial episode yet!
A Mini Series that exposes the lies you've believed that hinder your healing.
Todays episode looks at the two more lies: That "My yoke is easy and my burden is light" means a Christian life is easy AND that "God can only do good things in our lives.
In todays episode I look at the Old Testament and New Testament and show that we've been lied to about the character of God. By believing those lies we have been hurt and our healing has been hindered. Join me as I examine the truth about God's role in pain and suffering, and how knowing the truth can aid in our healing.
In this episode I reference a poll (now closed) on Twitter. If you don't already follow me on Twitter...why not? I am @notTHEjohnpiper. Sometimes I have deep and meaningful things to say, or share from others who are deeper and more meaningful than I am.
"Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that if you have mildew it is because God caused it. What I am saying is that God does sometimes cause bad things to happen". - John Piper, c. Yesterday.
A Mini Series that exposes the lies you've believed that hinder your healing.
Todays episode looks at the first lie: "Fear God". It uncovers the lie and then delves into the truth about God's character.
In todays episode I look at the accounts in the Old Testament that, at first glance, seem to show God as angry. I address the truth that God never changes. And show how a God who some see as being fearful is the same God that I can say this about:
"Every time you turn your back on God He looks at His son, and remembers His mercy." - John Piper, c. Yesterday.
We've set an UNACHEIVABLE goal for 2023. With your help we can achieve a small part of that goal.
We have found a Church that is a "Safe Place" for people who are hurt as they move along their healing journey. In 2023 we want to put a "Book in Every Church" as a may to educate Church leadership on the need for their Church to be a "Safe Place" as well.
We need your help, and its a simple as sending us a Facebook Message, and email, or filling out a form on the website.
The website is www.woundedchristian.com and our email is woundedchristianproject@gmail.com
Listen to todays episode to hear how our healing has sped up in the last 6 months, how that ties into our goal for 2023, and how you can help us achieve that goal for your Church.
Do you ever look back on your life and ask “What If”?
I want to look at two instances in the Bible where people looked back and asked “What If” and how it led to them not achieving the “Next” that God had for them. These are cautionary tales and my aim is to encourage you to look ahead with anticipation, rather than back with resentment, so that your suffering will be turned to joy, rather than death and destruction.
It is time to stop looking back, and start looking forward to the "Next" that God has for you.
In today's episode I talk about The Positive Power of Negative Comments, and The Positive Power of Negative Thinking. I take you on a journey back to a time before the internet and show you how you can take the negative things that have been spoken to you, about you, and over you and turn them into a positive. I will show you how you can be intentional with the negative words that are spoken over you, and how you can make a conscious decision about what you are going to do with them
"You are God’s child. He loved you at your worst. He is proud of the person you are becoming. He already knows the person you will be. And He has no time for the negative lies that you have believed about yourself".
"God has not brought you this far to make you beg him to take you the rest of the way!".
Welcome to Day 40 of 40 days of healing.
Whatever you have been through the pain, and even the shame, will be temporary. God has a “next” for you and He to complete together. The season of grief and of weeping is over. It is time to stand up straight, dry your eyes, and move forward with God into the next part of your life.
www.woundedchristian.com
Welcome to Day 39 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Genesis 16 verse 13.
Has your pain made you feel worthless? Do you feel unseen?
Are you hiding in the desert waiting to die? Take heart...God sees you!
www.woundedchristian.com
Welcome to Day 38 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Matthew 18 verses 12 to 14 AND Ezekiel 34 verse 11.
If you are running from God right now, know this…He is pursuing you. He is running just as fast as you are. You cannot and will not out run Him. It’s time to admit that, stop running, turn round and feel His embrace.
Welcome to Day 37 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Psalm 62 verses 1 to 5.
Is your need to be “doing” hindering your healing?
Welcome to Day 36 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Esther 4 verse 14.
Do you feel that your voice doesn’t matter? Has God brought you through something that you want to share, but you think “Now is not the right time” or that you are not the right person to share it? Do you want to speak out about your hurt and healing so that others do not get hurt, or so that others can benefit in their healing?
Welcome to Day 35 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Lamentations 3 verses 31 to 33.
Do you feel like God has abandoned you? Do you feel like God is punishing you?
Welcome to Day 34 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Zephaniah 3 verse 17.
Do you feel that God is disappointed with you?
Welcome to Day 33 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Psalm 6 verses 4 to 10.
Has your hurt made you weep? Has your bed become drenched with your tears? Are you struggling to see because of it?
Welcome to Day 32 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Psalm 4.
Have people spoken badly of you? Have they accused you of things you haven’t done? Have they tried to turn others against you?
Welcome to Day 31 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Psalm 3.
Do you feel like you have a lot of enemies? Are there people who rejoice when they see you in pain? Are there people waiting to see you fail?
Welcome to Day 30 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Mark 5 verse 34 with Matthew 17 verse 20.
Have you been told that you haven’t been healed because of a lack of faith?
Welcome to Day 29 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Ecclesiastes 3 verses 1 to 8.
Is your healing being held back because you can’t let go? Are you holding on to the people or place that was a part of your hurt when you should be moving on?
Welcome to Day 28 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is 1 Peter verses 5 to 7.
Being hurt can be incredibly humbling.
Welcome to Day 27 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Romans 8 verses 38 to 39.
Do you feel distant from God? In your suffering have you turned your back on God? Maybe you feel like God has turned His back on you?
Welcome to Day 26 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Isaiah 40verse 31.
Have you grown weary?
Welcome to Day 25 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Isaiah 35 verse 4.
Do you have a fearful heart?
Welcome to Day 24 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is 1 Peter 3 verse 14.
Have you been hurt even though you’ve been doing the “right thing”? Did God call you to do something and you still got hurt?
Welcome to Day 23 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Psalm 62 verse 8.
Have you ever been told that you shouldn’t tell God your troubles? Have you ever been told that you should thank God, even in your pain?
Welcome to Day 22 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is John 16 verses 29 to 33.
Have you believed the lie that you are suffering because you did something wrong? Have you been told that “God’s children do not suffer”? Do you feel that your suffering has scattered you far from God?
Welcome to Day 21 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Psalm 73 vesre 26.
Has your health failed? Has your Spirit grown weak? Are you running out of faith?
Welcome to Day 20 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Proverbs 14 verse 13.
Have you been hiding your pain? Have you been concealing a heavy heart? When people ask “How are you?” have you been responding with a laugh and saying “I’m fine”?
Welcome to Day 19 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Psalm 30 vesre 5.
Do you ever feel like God is mad at you? Do you think that He is punishing you, and that's why you are hurting?
Welcome to Day 18 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Isaiah 43 verses 17 to 19.
Do you feel like you are in the desert? Do you feel like you are in the wilderness and getting dryer by the minute?
Welcome to Day 17 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Romans 8 verse 28.
Do you cringe when you hear this verse? I know I do.
Welcome to Day 16 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Psalm 71 verse 20.
Have you ever asked God “Why me?”...or even just “Why?”
Welcome to Day 15 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Psalm 46 verses 1 and 2.
Are you worried by the troubles in your life? Has the “earthquake” that hurt you left you worrying that the aftershock is going to open your wounds back up?
Welcome to Day 14 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is 2 Corinthians 4 verses 8 to 10.
Do you feel pressed on every side by trouble? Maybe you feel like you are crushed. Maybe you have been driven to despair.
Welcome to Day 13 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Romans 8 verse 26.
Has your hurt and pain made you weak? Do you struggle with what to pray? Are you struggling to even talk to God? Have you believed the lie that what you pray affects God's response?
Welcome to Day 12 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Psalm 91 verses 5 and 6 AND 14 and 15. Read from The New Living Translation.
Is the fear of what will happen holding you back in your healing?
Welcome to Day 11 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Hebrews 12 verses 5 to 8.
Have you ever thought about what God's discipline is? It is not about punishment!
Welcome to Day 10 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is John 16 verses 16 to 22.
Are you waiting on God in your healing? Has He promised you it's coming in "A little while"? Do you understand what "A little while" is?
Welcome to Day 9 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is 1 Peter 4 verses 12 and 13.
Have you been told that your hurt and suffering are your fault?
Welcome to Day 8 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is 2 Corinthians 1 verses 8 to 10.
Are you crushed? Are you overwhelmed? Is your suffering more than you can endure?
Welcome to Day 7 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is 2 Corinthians 1 verses 3 to 4.
Are you wondering why God is allowing you to suffer?
Welcome to Day 6 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Psalm 23 verse 5.
Do you have enemies?
Welcome to Day 5 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Psalm 23 verse 4.
Have you been walking through a dark valley, unable to see the sky above or the light at the end?
Welcome to Day 3 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Revelation 21 verses 3 and 4.
Are you sorrowful? Are you in pain? Have you been crying?
Welcome to Day 2 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Psalm 147 verses 3 and 5.
Are you brokenhearted? Are you wounded?
Welcome to Day 1 of 40 days of healing. Today's verse is Psalm 34 verses 17 and 20.
Are you brokenhearted? Has your Spirit been crushed?
In today's episode I talk about the need to follow your own advice, what happens when God is silent, and how your healing can be accelerated when you finally let go.
I ask the following question: Are you holding on to the driftwood of a sunk ship, because you had so much invested in that boat?
And, after taking my own advice, I make the following statement: "We met in the Church, we were married in the Church…and we nearly died in the Church".
Don't believe the lie that only some people are called to "Big" things. What God has for you "Next" is "Big".
You are too valuable to settle for an ordinary life.
You have invested to make tears in the process of growing into who you are today to settle for "living an ordinary life and loving people when they need it".
Think the phrase "Let Go and Let God" is helpful in Healing and Restoration? - well think again.
In this episode John tries something he hasn't tried before: recounting a two sided conversation in which God calls Little Jimmy an idiot. You will either find this episode really deep...or you'll be completely lost by John's simple mumblings. But you won't know which until after you've listened to it!
Have you been Hurt in Church? Maybe not, but you know someone who has been.
This is the prerecording of a "sermon" John shared with his Church. For those who haven't seen the video, or for those who want to listen again this is a great place to get an overview of the message of Healing and Restoration that God has given John to share.
Its time to come back home. Not to the place or people that hurt you, but to the God who loves you. He still has a plan for you, and it starts with Healing and Restoration.
In this episode I show how misunderstanding scripture, or a verse from a song, can HINDER our healing. I also show how understanding the TRUTH can aid in the Healing and Restoration Process.
This Easter what pains are you struggling from? Maybe you feel abandoned. Maybe your calling feels like it is not going where you thought it would. Remember this. What Mary thought was the end of God’s favor was actually just the beginning.
Its time to move out of the desert into the promised land. If you are ready for the "next" that God has for you but you don't have the love and support of friends around you...it may be time to make some changes and go in search of the support that you need.
In this Episode I talk about the need to "Move On" when God tells you to and how "Returning to Egypt" when God has rescued you from it hinders your healing and restoration.
*No, this is not a Travel Guide.
What lies have you been told that make forgiving a four letter word? In this episode I talk about just how hard it is to forgive, but why forgiving is important to your healing, and how dispelling the lies makes forgiving a little easier.
For those of you just finding this podcast, welcome, you are amongst friends.
For those who have been listening from the beginning, welcome, this is my story - and the reason that gives me the authority to speak in the way I do about being wounded, being hurt, and the Healing and Restoration process.
In todays episode: I am insincere in an apology about the sound of my voice. And I challenge you, yes you, to start a revolution in your Church to help others who are wounded. I ask 5 questions and ask you to be brutally honest in your answers...the answers are easy, but what we do with those answers could be the start to you helping others to heal.
In todays episode we look at Isiah 53 and the prophesy about Christ. We look at 2 teachings from the verses that have been taught incorrectly, and how that hinders healing. You will be encouraged that you DO have enough faith to be healed, and that you SHOULD speak out about your hurt in a way that will help your healing.
Christmas time is a time of celebration. But when you are wounded celebrating can be hard. Here is my Christmas gift to you - a word of encouragement for those waiting for their healing, or for their "what's next". Even though this is a Christmas episode you can still listen after Christmas...and while I may have tried to rewrite a Christmas Carol I promise I won't be signing it to you!
Are you waiting on the "next" that God has for you? What does your dream, or your miracle, look like? Is it Sparkly?
In this episode I look at the calling that God had on Paul's life, and how "un-sparkly" it was. Don't miss the dram, or miracle, that is happening right now because you are looking for something covered in "Glitz and Glamor".
Do you find that when you are at your worst you hurt those around you and they run from you? Listen to how God reacts to you when you are at your worst!
This week I had a relapse in my physical healing. Listen to how my anger and frustration led to me yelling and cussing at God - and His response to me. If you are struggling with your physical, emotional, mental or spiritual healing this may help you. Find out why its OK to cry, to yell, and even to cuss at God. And how He can turn anger and frustration into peace and renewed confidence in Him.
In this episode I discuss fields, hedges, and gates.
I look at the song "Next to Me" by Jordan Feliz, and combine it with some words of wisdom from my wife, to give some encouragement to those who feel like the hedge between them and God has gotten so big, wide and impenetrable that getting "back to God's field" is more than they can do.
Sharing our Truths, in a honest, way about being wounded can inadvertently offend people. This episode looks at when it's worth offending people, and when it isn't.
It also eposes the misguided way the phrase "The Truth Shall Set You Free" is used.
Todays episode looks at some lyrics from the song Chosen, by Sidewalk Prophets, and asks the question: Do your scars define you? If anything in this episode has helped you, even if only a small way, let me know by emailing woundedchristianproject@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/thewoundedchristian/
Scripture tells us that a mustard sized seed of faith can do mighty things....but the enemy can use a pea sized amount of doubt to make us stumble. Listen as I recount a recent set back in my health and how God overcame what the enemy was trying to do. If anything in this episode has helped you, even if only a small way, let me know by emailing woundedchristianproject@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/thewoundedchristian/
Are you an eagle who has been injured and can now no longer fly? You were meant to fly. This episode draws from the Song Made to Fly by Colton Dixon, and the 4 steps to healing in the book The Wounded Christian. If anything in this episode has helped you, even if only a small way, let me know by emailing woundedchristianproject@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/thewoundedchristian/
This episode continues the theme of "Music Therapy" from the book and looks at Truth I'm Standing On by Leanna Crawford. As we look at the song I will give you some Truths that will help you with your pain and help you take a small step forward in the healing process. If anything in this episode has helped you, even if only a small way, let me know by emailing woundedchristianproject@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/thewoundedchristian/
Welcome episode of the upcoming Wounded Christian series which go "Beyond the Book" to dive further into the Healing and Restoration process for those Christians who have been wounded by their perceived "Failure" in ministry. This series accompanies the book: "The Wounded Christian - a Love Letter to a Broken Child of God" - by John Piper. If anything in this episode has helped you, even if only a small way, let me know by emailing woundedchristianproject@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/thewoundedchristian/