John Thurman's Resilient Faith Shortcast

Holiday plans look perfect on paper—until the calendar crowds out connection. We unpack a simple, human blueprint for navigating December without sacrificing your marriage: turn toward each other in small, daily ways, share the load with clarity, offer real encouragement, and build margin so you can breathe. Along the way, John shares a lighthearted story about Christmas lights, unspoken expectations, and how a quick conversation c...

The holidays can feel like a pressure cooker—more expectations, more memories, and more chances for old wounds to resurface. We open up about four common pitfalls that quietly steal joy this time of year: bitterness, perfectionism, shame, and anxiety. Through relatable stories and faith-rooted wisdom, we unpack how each trap shows up, why it lingers, and how to move forward with gratitude and grace.

We start with bitternes...

The holidays move fast, but our souls don’t have to. We open Advent with a quiet, steady invitation: slow down, notice God’s presence, and trade frantic for faithful. Drawing on Isaiah 9:6 and the historic meaning of Advent, we explore how waiting with intention can transform December from a blur of tasks into a season of hope, anticipation, and deep peace.

We start by reframing Advent as more than a countdown. It’s a twof...

If the headlines feel loud and your heart feels thin, consider this your invitation to build a gratitude mindset that actually sticks. We take a clear, practical walk through the habits that make thankfulness more than a seasonal feeling—so it becomes a steady way of seeing your life, your relationships, and God’s provision.

We start by bridging science and Scripture: how positive psychology’s findings on gratitude align w...

Feeling stuck in prayer, purpose, or your daily walk with God? Let's change the script. We talk about the trap of a fixed mindset and map a clear path toward a growth mindset that is honest about weakness and bold about progress. You'll hear how humility and persistence fuel fundamental transformation, and why the words "not yet" can reshape your inner world.

We connect the dots between Scripture and sc...

What does real forgiveness look like when the wound is still fresh? We open with the powerful moment at Charlie Kirk’s memorial and the courageous grace Erica Kirk offered to the person responsible for his death. Her choice isn’t framed as perfection or passivity—it’s a living example of how faith, scripture, and daily practice can turn a crushing burden into resilient strength. That moment becomes our springboard to examine how bi...

When tragedy strikes, where do we turn? The brutal murder of a young Ukrainian refugee and the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk have left many questioning how hope can survive in such troubled times. These events shake us to our core, yet they also highlight something vital – darkness and hatred may be relentless, but so is the light of faith.

Hope isn't merely wishful thinking or passive optimism. It's a d...

Have you ever felt completely paralyzed by indecision? That moment when options swirl around you, but taking any step forward seems impossible? You're not alone. The weight of indecisiveness is something we all carry at times – it creates anxiety, frustration, and can even contribute to depression as opportunities slip through our fingers.

God doesn't want us trapped in this cycle of doubt and hesitation. Drawing...

Feeling stuck at life's crossroads? You're not alone. In this empowering episode, we tackle that all-too-familiar feeling when following God's plan feels like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions—confusing and frustrating.

Decisiveness isn't just for naturally confident people; it's a skill you can develop through faith. I share how understanding faith as confidence in God's sovereig...

What if the transformation you've been waiting for is simply one decision away? This eye-opening episode challenges the paralysis of indecision that keeps so many of us stuck in patterns of unfulfillment and missed potential.

We dive deep into why managing life—not curing it—requires making deliberate choices that align with our purpose. Too many people drift through their days, avoiding decisions about relationships,...

The aftermath of devastating floods in Texas and New Mexico brings a somber reflection on how we comfort those facing sudden, unexpected loss. Drawing from both personal experience and professional expertise as a minister and crisis response specialist, this episode offers ten practical approaches to supporting grieving friends and family members.

When tragedy strikes, many of us freeze, unsure of what to say or do despite...

Ah, summer break—that magical time when parental fantasies of peaceful days collide with the chaotic reality of kids declaring "I'm bored" every fifteen minutes. If you're already feeling the summer strain, this episode delivers the perfect blend of practical wisdom and reassuring humor to help you navigate these sun-soaked months without losing your sanity.

We dive into seven refreshingly honest strate...

Depression silently shadows millions of lives, with over 21 million Americans experiencing major depression annually. Even more revealing is that approximately 7.6 million Christians battle this condition while often facing an additional burden of shame and spiritual confusion. These statistics aren't just numbers—they represent real people struggling to reconcile their faith with their mental health challenges.

Depre...

Have you ever noticed how your thoughts can dramatically affect your emotions and actions? There's profound truth in the biblical wisdom "For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7) – a principle now validated by modern psychological research.

When negative thought patterns take hold, they create what therapists call "cognitive distortions" or what I like to call "stinking th...

Depression doesn't discriminate—even among the faithful. Exploring the often-taboo intersection of Christianity and depression, this episode tackles the persistent question many believers struggle with: Can a Christian experience depression?

The answer is a resounding yes. Drawing from scripture, professional experience, and personal struggle, I unpack how approximately 7.6 million Christians in America silently battl...

What colors paint your mental landscape? Are they vibrant and life-giving, or dull and limiting? In this thought-provoking exploration of mindset, John Thurman weaves ancient wisdom and modern psychological research to offer a uniquely Christian perspective on personal growth and transformation.

Drawing from the profound words of Marcus Aurelius that "your soul takes on the color of your thoughts," alongside bibl...

Discover powerful tools that combine enduring faith, post-traumatic growth, and neuroplasticity to transform trauma and trials into triumph through rewiring your brain.

• Faith serves as a powerful tool guiding us through difficult times, illuminating hope when facing challenges
• Post-traumatic growth allows individuals to not just recover from trauma but experience meaningful life changes
• Neuroplasticity repres...

We explore how understanding brain function can unlock a growth mindset and enhance spiritual resilience, beginning with five brain basics that affect our thinking patterns.

• Our brains are naturally negative with a "negativity bias" that makes us Velcro for bad experiences and Teflon for good ones
• The brain constantly scans for danger, which helps survival but can create unnecessary anxiety
• Worry be...