Brunch N’ Bible: “Enduring Hardships” feat. Wanga Oloyede – Detailed Summary
Release Date: April 29, 2025
Introduction
In the premiere episode of Brunch N’ Bible’s fourth season, host Heaven Kore welcomes listeners to a heartfelt and empowering discussion on enduring hardships. Joined by her dear friend and recurring guest, Wanga Oloyede, Heaven delves into the complexities of resilience, the indispensable role of community, and the profound ways God interacts with individuals during challenging times. This episode is crafted to offer raw honesty and encouragement for women navigating difficult seasons in their lives.
1. Opening Remarks and Episode Focus (00:00 - 02:32)
Heaven Kore sets the stage by expressing her excitement for the new season, highlighting that this episode will tackle the theme of enduring hardships. She underscores the importance of addressing this topic for Christian women who frequently encounter various seasons of life, referencing Ecclesiastes to illustrate that “there’s a season for everything.”
Notable Quote:
“Here at Brunch and Bible, women gather, grow spiritually, embrace the complexities of life through word-driven discussions, and find practical applications for their own journeys.” – Heaven Kore, 00:00
2. Scriptural Foundation: Job 13:15 (02:32 - 03:41)
Heaven introduces the episode with Job 13:15, emphasizing the profound statement, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” She invites Wanga to share her initial thoughts on enduring hardship as a Christian woman, setting a foundation for their spiritual exploration.
Notable Quote:
“Though he slay me, yet I will trust in Him.” – Heaven Kore, 02:32
3. Personal Testimony: Navigating Unemployment (03:41 - 23:01)
Wanga shares her deeply personal experience of being unemployed for 11 months in 2024—a period marked by emotional turmoil, financial strain, and a crisis of faith. She recounts her journey from losing her job at her home church to grappling with feelings of abandonment and questioning God's purpose. Wanga candidly describes the hardships she faced, including an identity crisis and the challenge of maintaining her faith amidst rejection and isolation.
Notable Quotes:
“Though he slay me, yet I trust him. It’s really difficult, it’s really hard, it’s really raw, but at the end of the day, there is a gain at the end.” – Wanga Oloyede, 04:17
“God, you don't hate me,” – Wanga Oloyede, 08:54
Heaven and Wanga discuss how God used this difficult season to teach Wanga about true dependency on Him. Despite persistent job rejections, Wanga experienced unexpected provisions, such as financial support from unexpected sources and the meeting of her future husband during this period of despair.
Notable Quote:
“God is an intentional God. He’s the master planner.” – Heaven Kore, 29:45
4. Lessons from Scripture: Ecclesiastes, Job, and James (03:41 - 18:09)
The conversation transitions to scriptural insights, where Wanga explains how God’s promises in His Word provided her with strength during her hardships. They reference James 1:2-4, discussing how trials produce patience and completeness in faith. Heaven brings up Genesis 16, highlighting Hagar’s story as a parallel to Wanga’s experience, illustrating how hardships can lead to deeper encounters with God.
Notable Quote:
“When you go through the waters, I will be with you.” – Heaven Kore, referencing Isaiah 42, 33:23
“Hardships actually push us because sometimes familiarity is the enemy of an encounter.” – Wanga Oloyede, 17:26
5. The Role of Community (33:49 - 36:36)
Heaven and Wanga emphasize the critical role of community support during times of hardship. Wanga shares how her church community, even those who previously laid her off, ultimately provided her with emotional and financial support. They discuss the importance of surrounding oneself with individuals who exemplify the Fruits of the Spirit, as this environment fosters resilience and prevents isolation.
Notable Quote:
“He used the community that hurt me to heal me.” – Wanga Oloyede, 34:30
“The enemy will try to isolate you, but when you have community, you have people reminding you of the goodness of God.” – Wanga Oloyede, 35:48
6. Differentiating God’s Trials from Demonic Oppression (36:36 - 41:29)
The hosts explore how to discern whether a hardship is a divine trial meant for growth or demonic oppression intended to hinder. Wanga acknowledges her ongoing struggle with this differentiation but shares that she has learned to exercise her authority in Christ by rebuking Satan instead of just enduring the hardship. They emphasize the importance of knowing God’s character and the necessity of taking proactive steps to assert one’s spiritual authority.
Notable Quotes:
“Rebuke Satan. God is not offended at you rebuking Satan.” – Wanga Oloyede, 37:57
“Take your authority in Christ. It’s your identity.” – Heaven Kore, 44:32
7. Transformative Coping Mechanisms (30:22 - 32:18)
Wanga discusses the negative coping mechanisms she struggled with during unemployment, particularly self-pity. She explains how God removed this habit, allowing her to shift from wallowing in sorrow to actively seeking solutions and trusting in God's provision. Heaven reinforces the importance of rejoicing and maintaining a thankful heart, regardless of circumstances, referencing 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
Notable Quote:
“God meets us in our feelings. He wants us to lament, but when we make it our identity, we play music of sadness.” – Wanga Oloyede, 31:40
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks.” – Heaven Kore, 32:18
8. Prayer and Encouragement (41:26 - 46:18)
As the conversation concludes, Wanga leads a heartfelt prayer, invoking God’s faithfulness, provision, and comfort for women experiencing hardships. She encourages listeners to embrace their trials as opportunities for growth and to rely on their faith and community for support. Heaven echoes these sentiments, urging women to remain steadfast and hopeful, trusting that their current struggles are part of God’s greater plan for their lives.
Notable Quote:
“God is your comforter, and he's going to lift you up.” – Wanga Oloyede, 45:24
“Trouble doesn't last forever. Understand what God is trying to produce in you.” – Heaven Kore, 42:43
Closing Thoughts
Heaven wraps up the episode by thanking Wanga for her powerful testimony and exhorting listeners to share, comment, and subscribe to Brunch N’ Bible for more uplifting content. She emphasizes the episode’s intention to impact women dealing with various hardships, whether in employment, health, family, or relationships, encouraging them to hold on to their faith and community.
Final Quote:
“Do not extend your season of hardship because you’re not learning what you’re supposed to learn.” – Heaven Kore, 41:12
Conclusion
This episode of Brunch N’ Bible offers a profound exploration of enduring hardships through the lens of faith, personal testimony, and scriptural wisdom. Heaven Kore and Wanga Oloyede provide listeners with practical insights and spiritual encouragement, affirming that God’s presence and purpose persist even in the most challenging seasons of life.