Can any catastrophe be good?

Benjamin Windle thinks so.

He stumbled upon the term "good catastrophe" in the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien used this term to describe moments when all hope seemed lost, but then a sudden turn towards joy would occur. Windle was inspired by this redemptive message and borrowed Tolkien's words to express the truth that hope can help us discover good, even in catastrophe.  

Benjamin Windle is an empathic author and speaker. As a pastor for over 20 years, he’s walked with many people through the dark shadows and valleys of the human experience. He has dedicated his life to helping people overcome life’s challenges by growing deeper in their faith.

Here’s a few timestamped highlights from our conversation:

00:01:59 The book's title, "Good Catastrophe," captures the idea that growth comes from pain. Benjamin Windle borrowed the word from JRR Tolkien. The concept of a "eucatastrophe" is a sudden turn towards joy in the midst of despair.

00:05:46 Benjamin and Jodie discuss the concept of "good catastrophe" and how life's challenges can ultimately lead to personal growth and a redemptive purpose. The author shares his own experience with loss and emphasizes the importance of embracing both the hardships and joys of life.

00:11:54 We discuss the concept of hope and the importance of friendship in difficult times. Benjamin draws from biblical examples to help us see that Hope is a communal experience, and having friends to rely on is crucial.

00:18:20 Benjamin issues a call for rediscovering hope in a complex world, emphasizing the teachings of Paul and the significance of the cross of Jesus.

00:21:49 In the book of Romans, Paul acknowledges the struggles he faced but maintained hope that he would not be crushed by them. His experience of hardship serves as a reminder that even when we feel overwhelmed, we can find strength in Jesus.

00:25:19 Benjamin encourages us that hope is a vantage point to see challenges.

00:26:56 Benjamin discusses the experience of enduring a recent season of loss, with a focus on finding hope and faith in the midst of his own difficulty.

Here’s how you can connect with Benjamin:

For more about the author or to get his new book, go to benjaminwindle.com.

Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjaminwindle

Follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benjaminwindlepage

Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/benwindle

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram @creatingspaceforgod

Facebook @JodieGNiznik

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