Become New with John Ortberg How to Find Meaning in Your Story
Jan 16, 2026
Everyone carries unseen burdens, yet healing often comes from recognizing the stories of others. John Ortberg explores how our connections reveal deeper meanings in life. Drawing on the Book of Job, he highlights how personal suffering intertwines with divine compassion. The idea of forgiveness reshaping futures illustrates the power of mercy. Ultimately, stepping into someone else’s life with empathy invites us into a larger narrative, where God’s love prevails.
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Everyone Carries An Unseen Story
- Every person you encounter carries an unseen story and burden that shapes their behavior and needs attention.
- Noticing and caring about others' stories paradoxically brings deeper healing and meaning to your own life.
Teaching Job Through Personal Suffering
- John Ortberg recounts John Goldingay teaching Job while carrying the burden of his wife's severe illness and how the class wept together.
- Shared stories and vulnerability in that classroom led to tears and a kind of communal healing that couldn't happen alone.
God Invites Even The Accuser Home
- The book of Job contains a framing story showing God engaging even with the estranged accuser, inviting return rather than simple punishment.
- This framing suggests God's posture toward all stories is relational, inviting reflection and restoration even for the alienated.
