Every January, our church sets aside the first few days of the year for a three-night series called “Prepare.” Other churches may call them revival nights—but the goal is the same: to start the year not with resolutions, but with revival. While the world sets goals, we seek God. We want His presence, His power, and His Word to shape the year ahead.
It was during one of these services that my wife Nancy and I heard this message in person.
Dr. Dharius Daniels shared a word from John 16:33 that pierced my heart. He spoke about storms, thorns, and crosses—not as obstacles to avoid, but as opportunities for growth and testimony. As he unpacked each truth, I felt the Holy Spirit stirring something deep in me.
This message wasn’t just powerful—it was personal.
It became one of the final prompts God used to confirm a calling I could no longer ignore. That night, I knew it was time to launch My Story His Glory. The vision God had been pressing on my heart for 15 years—to help believers remember, record, and recite their testimony—was no longer a concept. It was a command.
If you’re reading this, I believe He may be speaking to you too. Your story matters. Your storm, thorn, or cross may be the very thing God will use to glorify Jesus and build His Kingdom.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (ESV)
Jesus didn’t promise a trouble-free life. He promised peace—in Him. In a powerful message titled “Wired to Win,” Dr. Dharius Daniels challenges believers to see their suffering through the lens of Scripture, not emotion. He teaches that every hardship—whether a storm, a thorn, or a cross—has divine purpose. But to win, we must discern which one we’re facing.
You Are Wired to Win
God’s people aren’t defined by what happens to them, but by what God does through them. Scripture is filled with stories of men and women who faced impossible odds but emerged victorious—not because of their strength, but because of God’s hand. These weren’t just victories—they were divine exceptions. Here’s how:
Sarah had a baby at 90.
Most women in their nineties don’t give birth. But God made an exception with Sarah. Despite her laughter and doubt (Gen. 18:12–14, ESV), God fulfilled His promise. Paul later writes that Abraham “did not weaken in faith” but was “fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised” (Rom. 4:19–21, ESV). God’s promises aren’t limited by human timelines.
Daniel slept through the lions.
Thrown into the lion’s den for praying to God, Daniel should have been devoured. Instead, he spent the night unharmed because “God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths” (Dan. 6:22, ESV). Daniel’s obedience led to danger—but his deliverance proved that God honors faithfulness even in hostile places.
The Hebrew boys walked through fire.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to the king’s idol, knowing it could cost them their lives. They said, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us… But if not, be it known to you… we will not serve your gods” (Dan. 3:17–18, ESV). God didn’t just spare them—He walked with them through the fire (Dan. 3:25, ESV), leaving them unharmed and without even the smell of smoke.
David defeated Goliath.
A teenage shepherd armed with a slingshot should never have defeated a seasoned warrior. But David declared, “The battle is the Lord’s” (1 Sam. 17:47, ESV). He trusted not in weapons, but in the name of the Lord. God turned a young boy’s boldness into a national victory.
Jesus rose from the dead.
No one expected a crucified man to walk out of a tomb. But Jesus did exactly what He foretold (Matt. 16:21, ESV). His resurrection is the ultimate exception—defying death, fulfilling prophecy, and proving He has authority over sin and the grave (1 Cor. 15:20–22, ESV).
Each of these moments reveals a pattern: God interrupts natural outcomes with supernatural intervention. And if He did it for them, He can do it for you.
You are wired to win—not because you’re perfect, but because the Overcomer lives in you (John 16:33, ESV).
Understanding Trouble to Overcome It
Jesus warned in John 16:33 (ESV), “In this world you will have trouble.” Trouble is unavoidable, but Daniels insists it’s also identifiable—and knowing what kind of trouble we’re facing is key to victory.
Most of our battles fall into one of three categories:
1. A Storm
A temporary season of disruption meant to shake your peace and test your faith.
Storms often come suddenly, without warning, and create fear, confusion, and emotional turmoil. In Mark 4:35–41 (ESV), Jesus told His disciples, “Let us go across to the other side.” In obedience, they got into the boat—only to face a violent storm. Waves crashed, water filled the boat, and Jesus… slept.
This detail is critical.
Jesus didn’t keep them from the storm. He led them into it—then rested. Why? Because the storm wasn’t the problem. Their response to it was.
The disciples panicked and cried out, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (v. 38). Jesus calmed the storm with a word—but He also corrected their fear, saying, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (v. 40).
The message is clear:
If Jesus is in your boat, you’re not going under.
The storm may rage, but it cannot destroy you—unless you let it. Your response determines your outcome. In Christ, you are safer in the middle of a storm than you are out of His will in calm waters.
Storms are often seasonal. They come and go. But they also expose where our trust lies. God may not always stop the storm around you, but He will calm the storm in you—if you keep your eyes on Him.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” – Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
When you’re facing a storm:
- Don’t jump ship.
- Don’t doubt His care.
- Don’t act impulsively.
Stay anchored in Christ, because storms are not signs of abandonment. They are opportunities to grow in faith and prove the presence of Jesus in your life.
2. A Thorn
A persistent struggle that humbles, refines, and draws you closer to God.
Not all hardships are loud and disruptive like storms. Some are quiet, lingering, and deeply personal. These are thorns—long-term irritants that don’t go away, no matter how much you pray.
The Apostle Paul gives us a clear example in 2 Corinthians 12:7–9 (ESV):
“So to keep me from becoming conceited… a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.”
Paul begged God three times to take it away. Instead, God answered,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (v. 9).
Here’s the mystery:
The thorn came from Satan, but God allowed it. Why? Because He liked what it produced.
Thorns don’t typically injure us, but they aggravate us—constantly. They test our endurance, stretch our dependence, and mature our faith. You don’t get to choose your thorn. You don’t know when or if it will end. But it’s never wasted.
A thorn might look like:
- Chronic illness or physical limitation
- Ongoing relational tension
- Mental battles that wear you down
- Leadership weight that isolates and presses you
Thorns are not punishments—they are refinements. God uses them to keep us humble, prayerful, and Spirit-dependent. Paul didn’t just survive his thorn. He thrived in it:
“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
If you’re carrying a thorn, know this:
You are not being overlooked. You are being formed.
God often allows what we would remove—because He sees what it’s producing in us. And when He chooses not to take it away, He always gives you something better: grace to endure it.
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
Keep going. Your thorn is not the end—it’s the evidence that God is still working in you.
3. A Cross
A chosen sacrifice—willingly carried out of love for Christ and commitment to His calling.
Unlike storms that come upon you or thorns that remain with you, the cross is something you choose to carry. Jesus made this clear in Matthew 16:24 (ESV):
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Crosses are not random. They are voluntary acts of obedience that cost you comfort, control, or convenience—but they lead to something far greater: Christlikeness.
Jesus’ cross wasn’t just a place of suffering—it was the path to glory. Likewise, the crosses we carry stretch us. They challenge our flesh, expose our idols, and refine our motives.
A cross may include:
- Forgiving someone who doesn’t deserve it
- Serving where you feel unseen or unappreciated
- Choosing obedience when it hurts
- Enduring criticism for doing what’s right
- Sacrificing time, money, or reputation for the sake of the Gospel
The cross is a test of what you value most—God’s will or your comfort.
And every time you choose to carry it, you declare, “I value Christ’s cause more than my convenience.”
Dr. Dharius Daniels said it well:
“Crosses stretch you. The three-letter word yes is expensive.”
But here’s the promise:
Whatever you give up for Christ, God will never return something lesser. The cross leads to resurrection.
“For the joy that was set before him [Jesus] endured the cross…” – Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)
“Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” – Matthew 10:39 (ESV)
You may lose comfort, but you’ll gain character.
You may lose status, but you’ll gain spiritual authority.
You may lose the easy road, but you’ll gain the presence of God.
The cross you carry today is not the end of the story. It’s the seed of resurrection life.
And God always honors those who follow Him with a surrendered yes.
Why We Lose When We Could Win
Sometimes believers lose—not because they lack strength—but because they fight the right thing the wrong way.
- You try to rebuke a thorn.
- You try to endure a cross like it’s a storm.
- You try to pray away what you were meant to walk through.
Discernment matters. You must know what you’re dealing with to deal with it in faith. Daniels says:
“You cannot overcome what you don’t understand.”
Winning Doesn’t Always Look Like Avoiding
There’s victory in avoidance (Passover), but also in overcoming (Job, Daniel, Jesus). Either way—when God is with you—all you do is win.
Daniels declares:
“Sometimes I win because I avoid it. Other times I win because I overcome it. Either way, I win.”
This isn’t motivational fluff. It’s biblical truth rooted in a God who makes all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28, NASB).
Application: Ask Yourself
- Am I in a storm, thorn, or cross season?
- Am I responding in the Spirit or reacting in the flesh?
- Am I clinging to Christ or comfort?
- Am I managing trouble in the way that honors its purpose?
A Final Word
Jesus warned us that trouble is coming. But He also told us to “take heart.” You’ve been wired to win—not because of who you are—but because of who is in your boat.
If you’re weary from the winds, wounded by thorns, or wondering if the cross is worth it—remember this: Grace is sufficient. Resurrection is real. And Jesus is faithful.
“You’re not just going through something—you’re growing through something.”
Dr. Dharius Daniels is a visionary leader, communicator, and cultural architect shaping the modern church and generation. He is the founder and lead pastor of Change Church (formerly Kingdom Church), a multi-site, multi-regional ministry with campuses across New Jersey, Florida, and California, reaching thousands from diverse backgrounds.
Academically, Dr. Daniels holds a B.A. in Political Science from Millsaps College, an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary where he was featured as an alumnus helping others “become their best selves while doing their best work,” and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary.
He is also a certified personal coach, specializing in emotional intelligence, leading thousands through his Daniels Den Mentoring & Coaching Program. Dr. Daniels is a bestselling author (“Relational Intelligence”), podcast host (“The Dharius Daniels Podcast”), adjunct seminary professor, and frequent speaker at churches and seminaries nationwide.
Married to his college sweetheart, Shameka, they have two sons, Dharius Seth and Gabriel Micah. Together, they exemplify commitment to holistic ministry—across spiritual, relational, and cultural spheres.
