When Life Gets Hard: Finding Hope in Suffering with Clay Jones

January 07, 2026

00:00 34:06

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If you’re in a challenging season—or walking alongside someone who is—this conversation will meet you right where you are.

In this hopeful and honest episode, I sit down with Dr. Clay Jones and Jeannie Jones to talk about their new book, How Does God Use Suffering for Our Good? Living With Hope While Making Sense of Life. Together, they share the real-life pain that shaped this message (cancer, miscarriages, foster care, and ongoing health challenges), and the seven anchoring truths they repeat to each other when suffering feels overwhelming.

This episode is full of steady, biblical comfort—without clichés—and it will help you reframe suffering through the lens of eternity, hope, and God’s character.

If you're hurting, this episode is your lifeline.. Don't miss it!

And remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

Xo,

Donna

Listen in to learn more :

[0:04:22] Personal suffering story
[0:07:35] The 7 truths they repeat during suffering:
[0:11:42] Truth journals (remembering God’s redemption):
[0:16:32] “You don’t know what tomorrow will bring”:
[0:17:22] Fix your focus (looking at Jesus):
[0:23:36]Why suffering produces endurance → character → hope (Romans 5):
[0:26:43] Eternity changes the scale of everything

Donna’s Resources:

Order a copy of my latest book -

Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret.

It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon.

If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.

It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their confidence in their faith.

Connect with Clay and Jeannie

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWymIngKlc1CtKBZ4aMLCHQ

Website - https://clayjones.net/

Purchase the book -https://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/books/how-does-god-use-suffering-for-our-good-9780736992237/?srsltid=AfmBOoqAUBs3q3Pf-0zQ_Xc3Y0z8NYWvM2TFRFPGxOQtrfUZaxtIrxIT

Connect with Donna

Instagram: @donnaajones

Website: www.donnajones.org

Donna’s speaking schedule:

https://donnajones.org/events/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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Meet Your Host

As a pastor’s wife with decades ministering to women, Donna Jones brings a wellspring of real-life wisdom, a lifetime of Biblical knowledge, and a dose of wit to propel listeners forward in their journey with God. She’s been described as “practical, biblical, engaging, and real, with the warmth you’d expect from a friend.”

Donna is the author of three books, including Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God and Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life. She’s written six Bible studies, four that deal with topics near to a woman’s heart: family, friendship, confidence, and contentment. Her works have been featured on Proverbs 31 Ministries, Focus on the Family, and Crosswalk. A national and international speaker, Donna has spoken to audiences in 28 states and on four continents and has been a guest on numerous podcasts and television shows.

Connect with Donna at www.donnajones.org, on Instagram @donnaajones or Facebook at Donna Jones, Speaker & Author.