Podcast Summary
Podcast: Life.Church with Craig Groeschel
Episode: When You’re Hurting and Need Guidance | He Will Be Called: Part 1
Date: December 7, 2025
Host/Speaker: Pastor Craig Groeschel
Overview of Episode Theme
This episode kicks off the “He Will Be Called” series, focusing on the prophetic titles of Jesus from Isaiah 9:6. Pastor Craig Groeschel addresses those who are facing difficulties, confusion, pain, or uncertainty, highlighting how Jesus as the “Wonderful Counselor” offers supernatural guidance, comfort, and healing. Groeschel emphasizes practical and biblical steps for seeking authentic wisdom and hope in seasons of hurt and decision-making.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Problem with Worldly Advice (00:26 - 02:41)
- Observation: When facing difficulties, everyone—from friends to social media influencers—offers advice, often shallow or self-serving.
- Quote:
- “You even mention that you have a problem...your best friend is a life coach, right?...But yet they're gonna give you very good advice.” (00:51, Craig Groeschel)
- Contrast: The cultural default is “follow your heart” or “do whatever makes you happy,” which often leads to more confusion.
2. The Prophecy of the Wonderful Counselor (03:54 - 06:25)
- Biblical Foundation: Isaiah 9:6, written 700 years before Jesus’ birth, prophesied that God would send a Savior called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
- Quote:
- “They had religion but no real relationship with God...Does it sound familiar at all? A different century, but in many ways the same story.” (04:29, Craig Groeschel)
- Word Study:
- “Pele” = wonderful, miraculous, beyond understanding.
- “Yaats” = counselor, advisor, one who gives guidance.
3. What the Wonderful Counselor Does (06:25 - 09:34)
- Three Core Roles:
- Guides Your Steps
- Comforts Your Soul
- Heals Your Heart
A. Guiding Your Steps (06:25 - 16:08)
- Holy Spirit:
- Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the “Counselor” (Greek: parakletos – one who comes alongside to help).
- Roles: advocate, helper, defender, comforter, counselor.
- How to Hear God’s Voice:
- The best way is through Scripture; God never contradicts His Word.
- Filter experience through God’s Word, not vice versa.
- Quote:
- “We don't filter God's Word through our experience. We filter our experience through the truth of God's word.” (10:01, Craig Groeschel)
- Recognizing His Voice:
- Time in the Word and in God’s presence helps discern His leading.
- Parable of learning to recognize your call sign as a pilot parallels learning to recognize God’s voice.
- Quote:
- “The more time you spend in His Word, the more time you spend in his presence, the better you get at recognizing the voice of God.” (14:22, Craig Groeschel)
- “The sheep recognize the shepherd's voice and come to Him.” (14:52, John 10 referenced)
- Practical Insights:
- God may speak through His Word, your spirit, friends, worship, prayer, open/closed doors, and inner peace.
- Key Question: “Are you listening?” (16:08)
B. Comforting Your Soul (16:08 - 21:46)
- God as Comforter:
- Parakletos also means Comforter; Isaiah compares God to a mother’s comfort.
- Quote:
- “As a mother comforts her child, God says, so I will comfort you.” (17:24, referencing Isaiah 66:13)
- Personal Story:
- Groeschel shares a story of visiting a grieving family as a young pastor—realizes the power of presence over words.
- Quote:
- “Presence is powerful...the presence of the wonderful counselor through another person can bring the comfort of God.” (20:13, Craig Groeschel)
- Practical Examples of Divine Comfort:
- Scriptures, worship, timely messages from friends, hugs from children, prayer in community.
- Insight: Pain feels different when you’re not alone—God’s presence means you never are.
C. Healing Your Heart (21:46 - 26:45)
- Everyone Carries Hidden Pain:
- Despite church attire or smiles, wounds are often concealed.
- Quote:
- “The wonderful counselor doesn’t just see your pain, but he heals your hurts.” (23:07, Craig Groeschel referencing Psalm 147:3)
- God Sees and Heals All Wounds:
- Unlike earthly counselors, Jesus knows every hidden hurt and the root causes.
- Can heal from abuse, betrayal, insecurities, addiction.
- Personal Testimony:
- Groeschel shares his struggle with family addiction, drinking, anger, unforgiveness, and broken relationships, and how the Wonderful Counselor healed him.
- Quote:
- “He healed me and he changed me and gave me a life and a wife and kids that I never ever deserved.” (25:14)
- “He’s healing me in the present...anger and not understanding...he’s healing my hurt and my disappointment and building my faith...” (26:15)
4. Responding to the Wonderful Counselor (26:49 - 28:25)
- Invitation:
- Groeschel encourages listeners to bring their heavy hearts, pain, and decisions to Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor.
- Quote:
- “When you draw near to him, he draws near to you. Call on him. He’s a wonderful counselor that loves you...” (27:48)
- Live Differently:
- Don’t follow your feelings or what seems right; follow the Word and the Counselor.
5. Prayer and Call to Salvation (28:59 - End)
- Pastoral Prayer:
- Praying for those with heavy hearts, for guidance, comfort, and healing.
- Invitation to Faith:
- For those who believe in God but don’t know Him personally, Groeschel explains the gospel and extends an invitation to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.
- Prayer of Commitment:
- “Heavenly Father, forgive all of my sins. Restore me and make me new. Fill me with your Holy Spirit...” (34:04)
Memorable Quotes
- “We don’t need more broken advice from a broken world, but we need true advice from a God who loves us.” (01:46, Craig Groeschel)
- “Just because a desire feels natural does not mean it’s biblical.” (10:49)
- “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.” (17:24, quoting God)
- “Presence is powerful...the presence of the wonderful counselor through another person can bring the comfort of God when someone needs it.” (20:13)
- “The wonderful counselor doesn’t just see your pain, but he heals your hurts.” (23:07)
- “Whatever hurt you have, his love can heal.” (26:45)
- “Call on him. Because when you draw near to him, he draws near to you.” (27:48)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:26 – 02:41 — Problem with worldly advice, need for real truth.
- 03:54 – 06:25 — Prophecy of the Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6).
- 06:25 – 16:08 — How the Wonderful Counselor guides your steps; hearing God’s voice.
- 16:08 – 21:46 — The Wonderful Counselor comforts your soul.
- 21:46 – 26:45 — The Wonderful Counselor heals your heart; personal testimony.
- 26:49 – 28:25 — Application: Responding and drawing near.
- 28:59 – End — Pastoral prayer, call to salvation, and commitment prayer.
Episode Tone & Language
- Warm, inviting, conversational, and deeply personal.
- Mix of humor (e.g., the pastor’s pilot story), honest admission of struggle, and direct biblical teaching.
- Frequent encouragement to the audience to reflect, respond, and seek God personally.
Summary Takeaways
- Jesus as the Wonderful Counselor is not just a distant title but a present source of real, supernatural guidance, comfort, and healing.
- True wisdom and direction for life's challenges are found by turning from shallow, cultural advice to the living Word and Spirit of God.
- God’s comfort and healing reach into the deepest hurts—nothing is too hidden or beyond his care.
- Building a relationship with God and listening for His voice requires consistent engagement with Scripture, prayer, and Christian community.
- Salvation is available for everyone—come honestly, as you are, and Jesus will do the healing and transformation.
For anyone hurting or confused, this episode offers not just insight but practical steps to encounter Jesus as the Wonderful Counselor who loves, guides, comforts, and heals.