TPP #153 | Learning the Theology of Suffering with Ryan Guerra

The Parable Podcast with Danielle Zapchenk

Ever been blindsided and then tossed into a spiral of what is my identity? Joining me today is pastor, speaker, and cold plunge enthusiast Ryan Guerra. Ryan shares his experience of being fired from his position as a lead pastor and the challenges he faced in the aftermath. He emphasizes the importance of relying on God's grace and finding hope amid difficult circumstances. In this conversation, He discusses the intertwining of personal identity with the role of a pastor and the difficulty of separating the two when faced with a sudden loss. Ryan encourages listeners to remember that they are not alone in their struggles and that their calling is not defined by the opinions or actions of others.

Takeaways

• Witnessing others go through challenging situations can prepare us for our trials.
• Relying on God's grace and seeking hope can help navigate difficult circumstances.
• Questioning one's identity and purpose is a natural response to unexpected challenges.
• Developing a robust theology of suffering is crucial for navigating difficult seasons and finding joy and growth amid trials.
• Remember that you are not alone in your struggles, and your calling is not defined by the opinions or actions of others.

Sound Bites

• "Preparation in our life allows us to see God's providence."
• "God was so generous and gracious to us to let us see how this has played out in other people's lives."
• "Why was I so blind to all the ways I think God tries to prepare us for the trials?"
• "When one of those gets fiercely ejected from your life, it's really hard for the calling to not get destroyed with it."

Reflection Questions

1. Remember a time you were blindsided - what have you learned about yourself, your faith, and your identity since then?
2. In what ways can you create a robust theology of suffering for your own life? So that when a season comes you can pull from it.

Keywords: fired, lead pastor, challenges, preparation, pain, uncertainty, grace, hope, pastor, identity, firing, trust, suffering, calling

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