Trusting God Through Hardship – Peter Coleman

Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast

When Peter Coleman set out to follow God’s call to serve as a missionary in Nicaragua, he couldn’t imagine the journey ahead. But as he faced danger, uncertainty, and life-threatening illness, Peter learned to lean on the Lord in new ways. Tune in for this episode of the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast to hear Peter Coleman talk about living out God’s call and trusting Jesus through hardship.

About Peter...

Peter Coleman studied Sustainable International Development at Brandeis University and went on to serve as a missionary deep in the jungles of Nicaragua where he and his team faced danger and hardship every day. After contracting a severe virus similar to Dengue fever in addition to malaria, Peter spent many weeks in the hospital. The illness took a brutal toll on Peter; he lost 40 pounds, 30% of his skin, and most of his memory.

Peter eventually made a full recovery and continued his thriving ministry work in Nicaragua until he sensed a clear call from God to return to the U.S. and began a new season of ministry work. Then in 2021 an unexpected stroke left a legion on Peter’s brain stem and sent him into a frightening medical decline, including the development of multiple large brain and brain stem tumors.

After six months in the hospital, Peter emerged unable to read or write, challenged to swallow food or respond to stimulation. But by God’s grace, Peter has made a slow recovery, surrendering to God every day. Despite the unknown ahead and the benign tumors in his brain, Peter looks to Christ—just as Jesus’s disciple Peter did in Matthew 14 as he stepped out of the boat to walk across the water.

KEY QUESTIONS:

• When have you experienced God’s presence in the midst of a past hardship?
• What life struggle can you entrust to God today?
  

KEY SCRIPTURE:

Matthew 14:25–33: “Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’

‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’

‘Come,’ he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”

RESOURCES:

• Beyond Suffering Bible
• A Place of Healing by Joni Eareckson Tada

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Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training.

Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast and her daily devotional.