Episode 69: The Sacred Side of Sadness with Scott Erickson

Good Hard Story Podcast

“I’m a Christian because of the shortest verse in the Bible: Jesus wept.”

Something I didn’t wake up to until after my stroke is the fact that joy and sadness can co-exist. In fact, they can do it pretty beautifully if we allow them to.

My friend Scott knows how to be sad. That may sound like a backhanded compliment, but hear me out. I think learning to fully engage our sorrow is one of the healthiest rhythms we can find, especially as followers of Jesus. He was, after all, called the “man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.” So how do we befriend our sadness in the way of Christ?

That’s what I’m covering on this week’s episode of The GoodHard Story Podcast, with the help of Scott Erickson. An artist, writer, and one of the most intriguing thinkers I’ve ever known, Scott has found deep camaraderie with Jesus through his sadness. And he’s inviting you and me to do the same.

If you join me on this episode of the GoodHard Story Podcast, here’s what you’ll take away:

• Releasing yourself from being a constant sales pitch for Jesus

• Making the shift from getting God’s attention to awakening to where God is at work

• What we mean when we talk about hope

• A peek into Katherine’s new SOS group

• Scott’s hack for facing his fears

Want to invite God into your sadness, but don’t know where to start? This episode is for you.

Show Notes:

@scottthepainter on Instagram

Scott’s Substack Image Pilgrimage

Scott’s story of meeting Sadness at Disneyland

Inside Out

Hope Heals Camp

Justin McRoberts

Honest Advent

Art Against Despair

The GoodHard Story Podcast Episode 76 with Andy Squyres

Backwards Kingdom

Treasures in the Dark Entry 65: A Library of Living Survival Guides

Telling Secrets by Frederick Buechner

Dan Allender

Curt Thompson

Say Yes

Future Dead Artist mug

Scriptures referenced in this episode:

• John 11:35
• Isaiah 53:3
• Romans 5:3
• 1 Peter 5:10
• Psalm 139:7-10

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