Live Big with Derek Grier – Letting Go Of The Past
Episode Date: February 9, 2026
Host: Dr. Derek Grier
Theme: Letting Go of the Past and Embracing God’s Transformative Power
Overview
In this transformative episode, Dr. Derek Grier uses John 20 and the resurrection account of Mary Magdalene encountering the empty tomb to explore how believers can let go of painful histories and move forward with hope, healing, and faith in God’s power. Dr. Grier weaves together biblical truths, personal anecdotes, and practical encouragement, guiding listeners to see beyond trauma and disappointment and to embrace a future defined not by wounds but by God’s redemptive love.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
Setting the Scene and Main Scriptural Focus
- Opening Narrative (00:01–04:15):
- Dr. Grier paints a vivid picture of the emptiness and stillness following Christ’s crucifixion—a world in mourning and shock.
- He introduces Mary Magdalene, detailing her background: a woman of notable means and past troubles (having had seven demons cast out of her), yet committed to Jesus.
The Power of Showing Up in Darkness
- Mary arrives at the tomb “while it was still dark” (John 20:1), embodying perseverance in the face of pain and unanswered questions.
- Dr. Grier shares personal setbacks (“What you do while it’s still dark… will determine what happens next in your story.” – 06:11).
- Emphasizes resilience: “Get out of bed, keep showing up, and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.” (08:09)
- Memorable MLK Jr. quote: “If you can’t fly, run…whatever you do, keep moving forward.” (08:33)
God’s Intervention: Shifting Perspective
- The Angel Moves the Stone (11:10):
- The stone wasn’t rolled away for Jesus to leave, but for Mary to enter—God alters circumstances to help us gain perspective.
Community, Healthy Competition, and Inspired Bravery
- Mary Runs to Peter and John (12:22):
- Importance of community — Mary seeks help from others in faith.
- “God doesn’t bring us together so we can hide from our problems; He brings us together so we can grow and heal from our problems.” (13:07)
- Healthy rivalry: John and Peter’s race to the tomb illustrates how God uses competition to spur growth.
- “If you’re an athlete, competition doesn’t stop you—it only makes you grind harder.” (17:52)
- Courage is contagious—Peter’s boldness inspires John.
Faith Beyond Logic
- Mary’s Logical Reaction (13:47):
- Her first response isn’t blind faith but a logical assessment: “To add insult to injury… now they stole his body.”
- “Faith is higher than logic—theologic. Our faith is built on a single theological premise: Whatever God promises, He can bring it to pass. So when it doesn’t seem logical, get theological…” (14:48)
Details Reveal God’s Character
- The Linen Cloths and the Folded Napkin (20:11):
- Evidence of resurrection—order, not chaos.
- “If you’ve ever been burglarized, robbers don’t neatly just move your stuff around… Jesus was not in a rush.” (21:36)
- “He just knew God was going to do what He did.” (22:13)
Strong People Weep
- Mary’s Tears and Stooping (28:47):
- Even the strong weep; tears don’t mean weakness—sometimes, “strong people cry because they’ve been strong too long.”
- “A strong person may work to keep their body in shape, but a person of strength knows how to bow to keep their soul in shape.” (30:09)
Encountering the Mercy Seat, Not the Judgment Seat
- Two Angels at the Tomb (33:10):
- Visual parallel to the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant; Jesus’ blood speaks mercy, not judgment.
- “This is not the judgment seat, it’s the mercy seat. Christ came that you might receive mercy, not judgment.” (35:42)
Trauma, Perspective, and God’s Compassion
- Mary’s Trauma (37:30):
- “Trauma is not what happens to us, it’s what happens in us.”
- Dr. Grier underscores the real pain and confusion Mary faced.
- Staying with God in the Midst of Confusion (40:06):
- “With God, things do not immediately always make sense, but…if I just stick around…God’s going to stretch that question mark into an exclamation point…”
Seeing Beyond Past Pain
- Mary Encounters the Risen Jesus (42:41):
- Despite her trauma, she does not recognize Jesus at first—her pain clouds perception.
- “You don’t have to look like what you’ve been through. Your future doesn’t have to look like your past if God is in your life.” (44:00)
- Jesus’ gentle, familiar call (“Mary…”) breaks through her pain.
Recognizing God’s Voice
- The Power of Being Known (49:44):
- “Nobody said Mary’s name like Jesus.”
- Dr. Grier passionately encourages listeners: “God has a miracle with your name on it…because you came while it was still dark, because you stayed when you didn’t have answers, because you were willing to take another look…”
The Role of Teacher and Redemption
- Mary Calls Jesus “Teacher” (52:10):
- Despite all the titles she could have used, “teacher” is most meaningful—He took time others would not and taught her she could be better.
- “Your future doesn’t have to look like your past…you can turn the chapter on the worst day of your life and turn it into the best chapter…” (54:20)
Scars as Proof of Survival
- The Significance of Scars (55:13):
- “Mary, every scar in your life is just proof you fought, you struggled, and you survived. Just like I got up, you can get up—and we can do this thing together.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “What you do while it’s still dark…will determine what happens next in your story.” – Dr. Greer (06:11)
- “Get out of bed, keep showing up, and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.” (08:09)
- “If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, keep moving forward.” (MLK Jr. qtd. by Dr. Grier, 08:33)
- “Never have mercy on the devil because he will never have mercy on you.” (04:12)
- “God doesn’t bring us together so we can hide from our problems. He brings us together so we can grow and heal from our problems.” (13:07)
- “If you’ve ever been burglarized, robbers don’t neatly just move your stuff around… Jesus was not in a rush.” (21:36)
- “Strong people don’t cry because they’re weak. They cry because they’ve been strong too long.” (29:41)
- “Every scar in your life is just proof you fought, you struggled, and you survived.” (55:13)
- “Your future doesn’t have to look like your past. You don’t have to look like what you’ve been through.” (44:00)
- “God has a miracle with your name on it—not James, not Peter, not John—but because you came while it was still dark…” (50:22)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:01–04:15: Setting the scene – aftermath of crucifixion, Mary Magdalene’s story
- 06:11–08:33: Lessons from perseverance in darkness—personal testimony, MLK Jr. quote
- 11:10: The purpose of the angel moving the stone
- 13:07–17:52: Role of healthy community and spiritual competition
- 20:11–22:13: Evidence of resurrection—linen cloths folded, God of order
- 28:47–30:30: Strong people weep, importance of bowing for the soul
- 33:10–35:42: The tomb as mercy seat, meaning of Jesus’ blood
- 37:30–40:06: Trauma’s impact and the need to hold onto God
- 42:41–44:00: Encountering the risen Jesus—new perspective
- 49:44–50:22: The power of calling by name, personalized miracles
- 52:10–54:20: Why Mary calls Jesus “teacher”—redemptive instruction
- 55:13: Scars as testimony of survival
Conclusion
Dr. Derek Grier’s heartfelt teaching calls listeners, like Mary Magdalene, to revisit painful areas with faith in God’s ultimate plan. Just as Jesus’ resurrection transforms despair into hope, so can past defeats become launchpads for purpose. Whether the wounds are deep or the night seems long, God specializes in rewriting stories—if we’ll take another look, listen for His voice, and trust that Sunday is on the way.