Finding Joy in the Midst of Suffering | The Chris Stefanick Show

Your pain, your suffering is not a sign that God has abandoned you. That is a lie! Jesus Christ did not suffer so that you would not have to, He suffered so that you would know how to. God redeems every single experience that you can possibly have, including suffering. Even at death, at your final moment, you are there with Jesus who is there to carry us to eternal life.

In suffering we find STRENGTH, and in suffering we find JOY. In this episode, I sit down with two students at Ave Maria University who are showing me what this means. One student has a congenital joint disorder, and another who is paralyzed from the waist down from a tragic car accident. While this sounds like it could be a sad and depressing episode, Ella Rose and Adrian’s JOY and LOVE for the Lord is downright contagious! 🙌 🙌

I can’t wait for you to meet them, be blessed by their stories, and be inspired to unite your suffering to the Lord in your own life. Also, I share an update on my own daughter’s battle with MS and how she is #MSstong and strong in her faith. She also has some exciting news to share! 💙👶

And know that, whatever you’re going through, God loves YOU and desires to be with YOU in the midst of it all. 💜

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[leonafanning]

I feel that perhaps these young people have been sent to teach us all Gratitude. I suffer from a disability but I am so grateful for hot water, food, a bed and a roof over my head. Please God long may they😮😊 last. 🙏⚓

[timothyvanscoy]

AJ was my student in high school and I can see a total transformation of grace in his face and his soul. Praise God. He was always a great guy but now he is blessed. I have no doubt that God will work His will through AJ

[joolz]

God brings peace. They are close to God! God bless them!

[tsr]

I have a condition that prevents me from sleeping along with severe uncomfortableness. I sleep maybe 2 hours a night if I am lucky. I try so hard each night as everyone in my house is comfortably in bed to offer it up and not get bitter and mad. I am going to focus starting in this moment to search for joy.

[VickySunshine]

Great interview! What strength these two people have, and what love they have in Jesus. I have had a feeding tube for about ten years now, and recently was told that I must not eat by mouth anymore. I love God, but I must say, I've been having some anger and disappointment towards Jesus, which I am working through with Him.

[dorothyarensindependentcon]

I’m so grateful that these two loving souls shared their stories here! I’m a firm believer in intercessory prayer, so this was wonderful to see two young people grasp the truth of suffering with Christ and then offering it up! Thank you both. God bless.

[pilyslife]

AJ god bless you .ur an amazing man 💪🙏❤

[rebeccacurtin]

Wow, what beautiful and inspiring souls. Thank you for this. I also have POTS like Ella Rose and it has been a struggle. I have had moments of questioning why this could be God's plan for my life. But the thing is... through it all, I have been drawn closer and closer to Jesus. I spend more time in prayer, I go to Mass more, I spend more time with the Rosary and Sacred Scriptures. It is still not always easy and I occasionally still question why. But with God's grace I'm becoming more accepting of this cross. 🙏 God bless you AJ and Ella Rose, and Chris too.

[mommaprime]

Wow! So young with so much wisdom. God bless them both!!

[Gpacharlie]

So very encouraging to hear these two amazing young people, who both struggle with significant pain and disability, share their beautiful and happy spirits with us.

They live my favorite bible passage.

Rejoice always,
pray constantly,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 RSV-CE

It seems that being in pain and or disabled every day, and offering it up, is a continual prayer.

[lauralangley]

My mom has had dementia for over ten years and days get difficult. I am thankful I can care for her in my own home. Amid our suffering, we have had to pray and like Ella Rose said, "Find a purpose", and pray to the saints like Jacinta and Saint Gemma Galani who also suffered. Her story is so amazing. Thank you. I am taking notes on your teaching to help me to pray to find joy and, to grow in gratitude during suffering. Romans 8:15-19 tells us we will share in the glory of God and call out to our Father in our suffering as well. I fear death and this testimony caused me to ask the Lord not to be afraid to die. It is not easy to watch my mother be sick and thinking of death so often. So, I do truly thank you for this video. We must find joy and ask the Lord to be grateful for our pain. Thank And also that we do not become bitter and lose faith. Great

[jilldecourcy]

This was amazing. I will absolutely put this entire episode to use.

Have had ms for 30 years with no major flare ups since 2003. Amen!
This last year has been rough which seems like a domino effect. But staying positive and thanking God every day that I’m upright and walking even if it’s a little slower and less stable

I have a new outlook thanks to this interview. I was chosen!
Thank you!
Congratulations on your new grandchild Chris!

[divinemercyimage]

Jezu Ufam Tobie! Jesus I trust In You!

[GabrielaGonzalez-npsy]

AJ is my childhood best friend’s son. His dad is brothers with my cousins husband so he’s like a nephew to me. I’ve had the honor to know AJ since the day he was born. As a young child he would always give me the biggest hugs and always had a smile on his face. AJ has made my faith grow stronger, our talks while in the hospital were truly inspiring to me. Today I am closer to God because of him! I do believe in miracles! You’ve got this AJ! Love you always Gaby and family ❤

[ms.mariabalestrieri]

Blessings on both these incredible young adults.

[marydean]

I am 74 years old but learning from these young people.

[rosaliadnetto]

Wow these two young people have showed me how to see the face of Jesus amidst suffering. They are filled with Grace.

[naileennoa]

Amen!!!! Never give up, God is bigger than all ur problems. Pray! Pray! Pray!

[susanbendheim]

Wow. What a beautiful witness. There is hope for our world that young adults like these two beautiful children of God proclaim Jesus in their life. There is hope for our Catholic faith. Blessings

[SusanMiller-yh]

I too have MS and when I found out, I wrote the word JOY! In my journal. Much later I wondered why I wrote it and realized, from my MS, my husband was converted and it changed our life. Since then, I was blessed beyond blessings and in 2010 I was healed. My good friend and priest along with all my friends laid hands on me and I felt the power of God go through me. The next morning I ran down the stairs and asked myself, how did this happen. And I asked God, OK, what do you want from me? And it started my journey of caring for my mother which truly graced my husband and I. She passed and I am again saying, “What next Lord!” I’m praying for your daughter that she too will be graced and continue to have JOY in her heart. Congratulations to your family with this new little boy. Praise God!!!