The so-called good life is a hollow promise. It’s empty of the things we desire most, like passion, purpose, and peace. It bores us. Makes us restless. We crave something else. We ultimately crave a redemptive life.
In Episode 49 of The Loveable Podcast, we shift our focus slightly to something that will clarify not what our passion is, but the direction we want to go with it. That something is our pain. This week’s episode revolves around a hard but simple formula: passion + pain = purpose. In other words, when we practice our passion in the service of redeeming our pain, a sense of purpose is almost guaranteed…
Here are just a few of the takeaways from this week’s episode:
- People don’t hold us back from following our passions; we allow them to hold us back. Instead, we need to set a boundary on their influence upon us.
- Getting healthy usually means developing a healthy sense of inner authority. When this inner authority comes into conflict with our authority figures, we must enter an intentional process of discernment.
- “Sometimes passion needs something to contain it, focus it, and to turn it in a direction that is good, holy, and meaningful. And sometimes that something is our pain.” –Loveable
- “Sometimes, redeeming our pain is about coming to value it so much, we let it lead us.” –Loveable
- “Where are our most vibrant passion meets our most visceral pain, we discover a sense of purpose.” –Loveable
- A sense of purpose arises within us when we face the pain of our story and realize the transformation of it will be the direction of our life.
- Transient happiness is a hallmark of the good life; enduring joy is a hallmark of the redemptive life.
- As we practice our passions, we gradually discover the pain they are intended to redeem.
- Build a life you love rather than living one you tolerate.
- When we embrace our pain, we release our suffering, which is for the most part simply resistance to our pain.
- The redemptive life makes us an active participate in redeeming our pain, rather than a passive participant in receiving our pain.
- You can’t force the redemption of your pain, you can only be faithful to it.
You can listen below or on iTunes!
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In his debut novel, Kelly weaves a page-turning, plot-twisting tale that explores the spiritual depths of identity and relationships, amidst themes of healing, grace, faith, forgiveness, and freedom.
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About Kelly
Dr. Kelly Flanagan is a psychologist, author, consultant, and speaker who enjoys walking with people through the three essentials of a truly satisfying life: worthiness, belonging, and purpose. His blog writings have been featured in Reader’s Digest, The Huffington Post, The 5 Love Languages, and the TODAY Show. Kelly is the author of Loveable and True Companions.
