Podcast Summary:

Crazy Love Podcast — "Faith that Endures" | Francis Chan & Joni Eareckson Tada
Release Date: January 19, 2026

Episode Overview

In this deeply moving and honest episode, Francis Chan sits down with Joni Eareckson Tada to explore the theme of "faith that endures"—especially in the midst of prolonged suffering. Joni, a renowned advocate and author who’s spent nearly 60 years as a quadriplegic, shares her lived wisdom about perseverance, fighting for joy, and finding strength in Christ each day. Drawing on scripture, lived experience, and candid anecdotes, Francis and Joni discuss practical faith, suffering, perseverance, and hope in Christ. The episode is rooted in themes from Francis’s latest book, Beloved, with an emphasis on learning to trust—and enjoy—God’s love even in the hardest seasons.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Importance of Perseverance and Enduring Faith

[00:35–04:20]

• Francis shares his gratitude for Joni's example, describing how her joy and worship inspire him during his own struggles.

  • "Whenever there are struggles, difficulties, I picture you. Your face, your joy, really, your worship." — Francis Chan [00:35]

• Joni emphasizes fighting for joy and sees perseverance not as an easy road, but a vital, daily fight.

  • "I have to fight for my joy...It's a fight, but it's a good fight. But it's hard." — Joni Eareckson Tada [04:20]

• Both highlight the scriptural basis for enduring:

  • "He who endures to the end will be saved." — Joni citing Matthew 24:13 [03:12]

Joni’s Story: Suffering, Dependence, and Spiritual Partnership

[06:03–08:48]

• Joni recounts her accident: As a reckless 17-year-old, a dive left her paralyzed. She describes God's sovereign mercy in her sister's rescue and the early stages of grappling with her disability.

• Daily dependence on Christ:

  • "Every morning, I can't do it. I have to confess, I'm that weak. And I say, Jesus, I can't do quadriplegia today, but I can do all things through you as you strengthen me." — Joni [07:47]
  • "I borrow his smile every morning and he gives it. It's amazing." — Joni [08:20]

Suffering, Faith, and the Fellowship of Christ’s Sufferings

[09:10–14:46]

• Joni addresses Christians struggling with suffering, despair, and even suicidal thoughts:

  • "First I would say, I understand. Because I wanted to give up." — Joni [09:36]

• Knowing Christ through suffering:

  • Referencing Philippians 3:10, Joni underscores that to truly know Jesus, Christians must understand they are called to the "fellowship of sharing in his sufferings."
  • Francis and Joni agree that trials are not exceptions for Christians, but integral to deep faith.
  • Joni advises: “Start building a repository of God’s word in your heart...” — [14:12]
  • She models speaking truth to herself in dark moments:
    • "Jesus, I am a child of God...You will never leave me nor forsake me..." — Joni [14:12-14:45]

The Joy of the Lord in Deep Suffering

[15:10–17:33]

• Francis notes Joni's consistent joy, asking how she sustains it.

  • "What would you say to the person that...feels like that's for someone else? What would you say to that person?" — Francis [16:30]

• Joni’s response: The path to joy runs through trials. She encourages looking to Jesus, especially meditating on His suffering (Hebrews 12:3):

  • "Consider him who faced such opposition...so that you will not become weary or fainthearted...You look to Jesus." — Joni [17:33]
  • Joni asks the Holy Spirit for new insight: "Peel back a few more layers on what the Lord Jesus did on the cross for me." [19:47]
  • Joy isn’t circumstantial but is found "in Christ" [19:57]

Unpacking the Ecstasy of Finding Christ in Suffering

[20:22–24:45]

• Francis cites a striking Joni quote:

  • "To find Jesus in your hell is ecstasy beyond compare. And I wouldn't trade it for any amount of walking in this world." [20:26]

• Joni tells stories of finding Christ’s presence in deep pain:

  • During chemo and severe pain: "There was the Lord Jesus...He stood by me through that." [20:45]
  • She describes “splashovers of hell” (pain) and “splashovers of heaven” (the presence of Christ in suffering):
    • "A splash of heaven is finding Jesus in your hell." — Joni [22:00]
  • Her pain rarely leaves, but Jesus’ presence becomes the miracle:
    • "He gave me miraculously this increased ability to endure it and to abide in him in the midst of it." — Joni [24:09]

Discouragement and the Weapon of God’s Word

[24:45–28:23]

• Joni names discouragement as the enemy’s main weapon.

  • She shares a story of losing the use of her right arm:
    • "I can't feed myself like I used to...that was really discouraging for about seven hours." [25:01]
  • Her response: turning to scripture (Psalm 57, Romans 8:28), trusting God's plan, and inviting others to serve—creating new avenues for community and blessing [25:01–27:28].

• Francis reflects on the honor of serving Joni, showing how mutual service builds joy.

  • "I remember feeding you one time...it's like this joy, this honor..." — Francis [27:04]

The Body of Christ & True Community Around Weakness

[28:23–31:15]

• Joni describes how true community forms around weakness—not programming.
  • "Community occurs organically around weakness...the weaker members are indispensable." [29:01]
  • She urges the church to intentionally include the suffering, marginalized, and disabled, echoing 1 Corinthians 12 and Luke 14.

The Hope of Heaven and Living for Eternity

[31:15–36:07]

• Heaven as motivation:

  • Joni challenges listeners to see every act of service as "increasing our eternal capacity for joy, worship, and service."
  • She paints a vivid, personal picture of her anticipated arrival in heaven:
    • "I'll collapse on my back on the sand, eyes shut, arms spread...and it's Jesus. And he'll pick me up and...say, 'There, there, sweetheart. It's over. It's over. You're home now. Everything's okay.'" [34:50]

• Living for eternal joy, not just for this moment:

  • "Our lives are so short on this earth, and yet everything we do down here...has a direct bearing on our capacity for joy and worship and service in heaven." — Joni [31:46]

Closing Prayer and Encouragement

[36:07–39:24]

• Joni prays for listeners—for renewed faith, repentance, and the courage to serve others even when weak.
  • "Help us to see the cross, Jesus, to see what you did there. That it provides everything. Not only grace to save, but grace to sustain." — Joni [36:41]
  • "Tomorrow morning...I pray that when they open their eyes, they will confess, I can't do this. But, Jesus, I can do all things, even this day, through you as you strengthen me." — Joni [38:23]

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "Whenever there are struggles, difficulties, I picture you. Your face, your joy, really, your worship." — Francis Chan [00:35]
• "I have to fight for my joy...It's a good fight. But it's hard." — Joni Eareckson Tada [04:20]
• "Jesus, I can't do quadriplegia today, but I can do all things through you as you strengthen me." — Joni [07:47]
• "Start building a repository of God's word in your heart." — Joni [14:12]
• "A splash of heaven is finding Jesus in your hell." — Joni [22:00]
• "Community occurs organically around weakness...the weaker members are indispensable." — Joni [29:01]
• "I'll collapse on my back on the sand...and it's Jesus. And he'll pick me up and...say, 'There, there, sweetheart. It's over. It's over. You're home now.'" — Joni [34:50]
• "Tomorrow morning...when they open their eyes, they will confess, I can't do this. But, Jesus, I can do all things, even this day, through you as you strengthen me." — Joni [38:23]

Structuring Faith that Endures: Key Takeaways

• Persevering faith takes daily choices, honest confession of weakness, and a willingness to fight for joy.
• Suffering is not only expected for Christians, but is an opportunity to know Christ more deeply (Phil 3:10, Hebrews 12:3).
• The biggest weapon against discouragement is a well-stocked heart—memorized scripture and practiced truth.
• True Christian community grows around weakness and shared service—not organization or programs.
• Heaven is real, compelling, and makes present sacrifices and perseverance worth it.
• Every act of service and obedience grows our capacity for joy and worship—now and in eternity.

For Listeners

If you or someone you love is struggling, Joni’s example is a powerful reminder: suffering is not wasted when brought to Jesus, and there is untold joy—even ecstasy—in finding Christ in the darkest places. Be encouraged to memorize scripture, ask for the Spirit’s help daily, serve others out of your weakness, and fix your eyes on the hope of heaven.

Recommended listening for anyone struggling in faith, seeking encouragement amidst suffering, or desiring to anchor their hope in Christ’s love and promise.