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In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson celebrate 40 episodes of On Solid Ground and have an honest conversation about trials, perseverance, leadership, prayer, and what God can do through the difficult seasons of our lives.
Kenny records the episode sick and still on tour, which leads into one of his favorite passages in Scripture: James 1. James tells believers to consider it pure joy when they face trials because the testing of faith produces perseverance, maturity, and wisdom. Kenny and Shannon talk about what that looks like in real life when the trial does not actually feel joyful.
Kenny shares a powerful encounter from the day before. Before leaving his hotel in Los Angeles, he felt prompted to stop, pray, and ask God to use him and give him an opportunity to be a light to someone. Minutes later, he met a homeless man named Kent who immediately asked him, “Are you a Christian?”
What started as a request for help became a conversation, a prayer, a hug, and a reminder that every person we pass is someone God deeply loves. The encounter also gave Kenny perspective on the challenges he has been facing personally and professionally and reminded him how quickly God can answer a prayer when we slow down enough to listen.
The conversation also turns toward leadership. Kenny talks about navigating difficult situations with members of his touring crew and trying to figure out how to lead as both a Christian and the production manager responsible for a major tour. How do you show grace without avoiding accountability? How do you remain kind without allowing people to walk over you? And how do you make wise decisions when emotions are high?
Kenny and Shannon talk about slowing down, praying for wisdom, leading by example, and recognizing that sometimes the very situations we wish would disappear are the situations God is using to mature us.
The Christian walk was never promised to be easy. But our trials do not have to be meaningless. They can strengthen our faith, produce perseverance, develop wisdom, and teach us to become more like Christ.
Questions like:
- Why does James tell us to consider trials “pure joy”?
- How do difficult seasons strengthen our faith?
- What does perseverance actually produce in us?
- How do we ask God for wisdom when we do not know what to do?
- How do we recognize when the Holy Spirit is prompting us to stop and act?
- Can a simple prayer lead to a divine encounter?
- How do Christians balance grace, kindness, accountability, and leadership?
- How can we change the way we see the struggles we are going through?
And more...
We do not pretend to have all the answers. This is a real conversation between two Christians learning how to trust God through difficult seasons, ask Him for wisdom, and recognize that even the hard things can be used for something bigger.
This episode is a reminder that the trial may not feel joyful while you are walking through it.
The stairs are hard while you are climbing them.
The pressure is uncomfortable while you are under it.
But God can use the struggle to strengthen you.
So keep showing up.
Keep praying.
Keep asking for wisdom.
Keep walking in faith.
And when the trials come, remember what James tells us:
Consider it pure joy.
Scriptures Referenced
As Mentioned in the Episode...
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THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe
