Obedience, Suffering & Reward with Neil Broere: 7 Faith Lessons for Hard Seasons

Author, pastor, and filmmaker Neil Broere joins Ivelisse to unpack themes from his book Obedience, Suffering & Reward. From 40-day fasts to years on the mission field in Iraq, Neil explains why Jesus sometimes leads us into the fire—not to destroy us, but to refine us. If you or someone you love is walking through cancer or another long trial, this conversation reframes suffering with hope, purpose, and a fierce confidence in God’s presence.

1) Obedience often starts without the “why.”

• God speaks the language of faith—like Abram leaving without a map and Peter “walking on the word ‘Come’,” not the water.
• Application: act on the last clear thing God said; clarity often follows movement.

2) Beware the “gospel of the American Dream.”

• Comfort isn’t the promise; Christ is. Removing the cross from our expectations sets us up for disillusionment when trials come.
• Application: expect difficulty and God’s nearness (John 16:33; Luke 9:23).

3) Fasting forms both spirit and body.

• Neil’s rhythm: start the year with a 40-day fast (10–14 days water, then liquids as needed for family/pastoral duties).
• Reported benefits: reduced inflammation, sharper cognition, healthier metabolism.
• Tip: begin with shorter fasts; consider medical guidance if you have health conditions.

4) When you can’t “do,” your heart can still obey.

• God receives the posture of your heart as worship.
• Bed-bound prayer and daily “yeses” can be as weighty as public ministry.

5) Suffer with God, not apart from Him.

• Jesus is present in pain and sometimes says, “My grace is sufficient” (2 Cor. 12:9).
• Like Job’s friends should have done, sometimes the holiest ministry is to sit and stay.

6) Scars can become testimonies.

• Our resurrected Savior still bears scars—so do we.
• Reframe physical/emotional scars as witnesses of God’s faithfulness and victory.

7) Live for the age to come.

• Trials can perfect and complete us (James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 4:12–13).
• Sometimes heaven breaks in as healing; sometimes as unrelenting hope and endurance.

Key Scriptures Mentioned
Genesis 12; Matthew 14:22–33; Luke 9:23; John 16:33; Philippians 1:20–21; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10; James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 4:12–13; Romans 8:28 (pastorally applied with care).

If this episode encouraged you, partner with Believe Big to bring practical hope to more patients on a healing journey. Your gift fuels patient grants, resources, and faith-filled support. Donate here → www.believebig.org/eoy

Links, books & resources mentioned

• Book: Obedience, Suffering & Reward — Neil Broere
• Neil Broere: Teaching Pastor, Radiant Church (California Central Coast) https://www.neilbroere.com
• Becoming Love Ministries: Global director — Neil Broere
• Topics/Practices: Fasting (water fast, liquids/Daniel-style); prayer; testimonies; missionary work in Iraq (2016–2021)
• Scriptures: Gen 12; Matt 14; Luke 9:23; John 16:33; Phil 1:20–21; 2 Cor 12:7–10; James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 4:12–13; Rom 8:28