Let's talk about Hulk Hogan, Russell Brand, and Shia LaBeouf

I know, I know. Who would have ever thought I’d be posting about Hulk Hogan, Russel Brand, and Shia LaBeouf? Not me. But, I hope you’ll appreciate these stories.

As my wife and I continue to ride the emotional rollercoaster of setbacks and improvement and hospice and hope, we’ve become more and more aware every day that we aren’t alone. Partly, we don’t feel alone because we are fortunate to be surrounded by the greatest support system in the world. Partly though, we don’t feel alone because it seems no one on this planet is far removed from pain and suffering. Everyone is dealing with something. When you’re suffering, I think you develop a heightened sense of the fact that everyone is dealing with something. Sometimes, I’ll watch an interview with someone; or, I’ll personally speak with someone about some mundane topic and walk away thinking, “I don’t know what it is; and, they clearly don’t want to talk about it; but that person is going through something awful.” Perhaps it’s because I know all the tricks I personally use to pretend I’m ok and to avoid talking about stuff…so I see through the facade. Perhaps everyone knows and none of us are as good at pretending as we think we are. I don’t know. In any case, I’m always encouraged when I subsequently discover that suffering people have found hope, peace, joy, and/or comfort in the midst of the mess.

This week, I thought I would pass along three such stories…three stories of people who, at some point in the past, I’ve had the thought: “I don’t know what it is; but that guy is going through something awful.”

Let’s start with Russell Brand. I don’t know the guy. But, I know he was lost and is starting to feel “found.”

@russellbrandI’m interested in what you think! Let me know 👇🏼

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Next up, Hulk Hogan. Growing up, I had an awesome toy wrestling ring that hosted many epic battles between my Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, Rowdy Roddy Piper, and Macho Man Randy Savage action figures. Hulk usually won. How old is he anyway? But, I digress. That age-defying blonde giant found Jesus. Seeing the joy and peace on Hulk Hogan’s face as he emerged from the baptismal waters was a reminder that all suffering isn’t like my personal suffering. Sometimes, deep pain comes from having everything…all the fame, all the popularity, all the fortune, all the height, all the physique, all the personality, etc. and realizing none of that is enough. None of it satisfies. But, there’s hope to be found in Jesus.

Check out his X (formerly Twitter) post here: https://twitter.com/HulkHogan/status/1737549921052405910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Lastly, here’s Shia LaBeouf. Aside from his role in the movies Holes and Transformers and some tabloid-ish rumors of him going crazy in various ways, I didn’t know a lot about him. But, I know this: this guy has suffered, tried many different paths, and found hope in exactly one place: Jesus Christ. I doubt he even realized how well he summarized the gospel in this short interview.

@mightypursuitOne of the popular depictions of God in the last half-century is a deity who is angry, ready to smite us from the sky and in Shia LaBeouf’s words, a God who only helps those who help themselves. Zero compassion. Zero love. The greatest irony is that this depiction stands at direct odds with the truth. Love is actually the most predominant theme throughout the scriptures, and God’s love for humans is explicitly referenced 310 times. Through the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus clearly lays out a clear picture of who God is, and what his disposition is to us. Even if we’ve run far off — and even if we have committed horrific acts — he still waits with arms of unconditional love. In his darkest moments, Shia LaBeouf was met with this realization. Even when his own mother refused to talk to him out of horror and disgust for what he had done, the unconditional love of God gave Shia hope. This doesn’t mean horrific actions are excused. Shia’s behavior was serious. But it does mean that God never gives up on us, even in our worst moments. #shialabeouf

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I hope these stories encourage you as they have me. Whether suffering from the pain of loss and grief…or the pain of finding money and fame and fortune empty…there’s hope and peace and joy and salvation out there. God bless.

If you’re interested, here’s the full Shia LaBeouf interview: