Over the last few years, the world has seen and experienced plenty of turmoil and distress, and for many, it can feel like there is no hope. 

Benjamin Windle has been a pastor for over 20 years and recently authored a book, Good Catastrophe: The Tide-Turning Power of Hope, reminding readers that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

“We need to rebrand hope. The era of everything in our lives fitting neatly in a box is done. That world is over,” Windle states. “We need hope—but we need a hope that is robust enough to speak to real life. And cancer. And trauma. And loneliness. I discovered something remarkable. Not only should we have room for hardship—but hope can take our hardest moments and turn them into our greatest growth.”

Windle has experienced his own pain. In the last 12 months, he has his brother to cancer, both grandparents and went through a major life transformation.

"One of the important messages that this book contains is that good catastrophes are kind of like these dual events," Windle explained. "At the time, it feels terrible, but ten years later, you can look back and realize that if you didn't go through that, maybe you wouldn't have achieved what you've achieved, but more importantly, you wouldn't be the person you are today."

Today on Connections, Benjamin shares how good can come from catastrophe.