Pain doesn’t disqualify your calling—it amplifies it.
God can still use your life, even when doctors say otherwise.
Discover how to pursue your God-given purpose—even when life feels broken. In this episode of The Pursuit of Calling, Thomas Carney explores the timeless wisdom of Aristotle’s idea of telos (inherent purpose) and how Scripture confirms that your calling follows you everywhere you go.
Too often, we mistake our struggles for our calling—chronic pain, job loss, relationship struggles—but these are circumstances, not your true purpose. Using vivid analogies like the “chipped bowl,” Thomas shows how imperfections don’t disqualify us; they can actually sharpen and amplify our calling.
With raw honesty about his own journey through chronic pain and muscular dystonia, Thomas reveals how asking for help, relying on God, and reframing struggles as tools in God’s workshop can transform both your perspective and your path.
Whether you’re a Christian wrestling with purpose or simply seeking meaning in tough times, this episode helps you separate identity from circumstances, rediscover your divine design, and see how your struggles may be the very thing God uses to equip you to help others.
Chapters / Key Moments for Easy Navigation:
- 00:00 – Introduction: Pain Doesn’t Cancel Your Calling
- 03:10 – Identity vs. Circumstance
- 07:40 – Finding Purpose in Pain
- 11:20 – Takeaway: God Uses Weakness as Strength
👉 Sign up in the show notes for 3 free coaching sessions + a free You Were Made for More t-shirt.
✨ Key Takeaway
Your calling isn’t defined by your circumstances — it’s woven into your very design. Even pain, setbacks, and imperfections can become tools God uses to clarify and strengthen your purpose.
❓ Quick Q/A
Q: How do I discover my calling when life feels hard?
A: Look beyond circumstances — your calling stays the same even in struggle.
Q: Can chronic pain be part of God’s purpose?
A: Yes — struggles often become the platform for your testimony.
Q: What does “You Were Made for More” mean?
A: You were created with a God-given design that goes wherever you go.
Q: Can limitations help me live out my calling?
A: Absolutely — imperfections make your purpose more authentic and powerful.
👉 At the end, Thomas shares how you can book a free 30-minute coaching session to keep building momentum. Don’t just think about your goals—start pursuing them today.
🎧 Listen in, share with a friend who needs encouragement, and remember: your calling is bigger than your struggles.
📸 Follow PoC on Instagram: @pursuit.of.calling
📧 Let me know your thoughts: thomas.carney@pursuitofcalling.com