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Empowering educators to joyfully fulfill their God-given calling
Life is Hard, God is Good: Experiencing Real Joy in a World Gone Mad
with Brant Hansen
Have you lost your joy in the classroom? Has the current educational landscape left you feeling anxious and even angry at times? In this session, nationally syndicated radio host and best-selling author Brant Hansen will challenge you to reframe the way you think about joy and consider the positive impact joy can have on your life. He will share heartwarming and hilarious stories and insights from the pages of his latest book, Life is Hard. God is Good. Let's Dance: Experiencing Real Joy in a World Gone Mad, leaving you laughing, crying, and learning how to dance through each day with contagious faith and joy, trusting in the character and promises of God.
The session was recorded live at 8:00pm EST on Thursday, October 16. Please click the button below to jump in the WebinarJam room and watch the replay:
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About Brant Hansen
Brant Hansen is a nationally syndicated radio host and a bestselling author. His show airs on more than 200 stations in the U.S. and Canada, and his podcast, "The Brant and Sherri Oddcast," has been downloaded more than 20 million times.
He has appeared multiple times on Good Morning America, as well as being a regular guest on Focus on the Family and Family Life Today.
His books include Unoffendable, The Men We Need, and Life is Hard, God is Good, Let's Dance. He speaks to conferences, companies, and churches about varied topics like faith, forgiveness, masculinity, and being on the Autism Spectrum.
He's been married 35 years to Carolyn, and they have two grown children.
Connect with Brant:
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This was amazing! I need to focus on not getting captured by my thoughts and know that God has it under control.
Loved this! I’m praying specifically for some of my students, and casting my cares about them onto Jesus. I need to see them as He does.
This session opened up my eyes in so many levels, but mainly when Brant talked about anger.
Reflecting on the question “how long do I think I have to stay agree about X or Y?” is a powerful tool not to dwel on anger to the point of becoming bitter, abandoning hope and joy, and ultimately doing nothing.
Thank you so much for this lesson!
God has given me control of ME! I can choose to not let hypocrites, anxiety, & unknowns to dictate my thoughts, actions, or relationship with God. With God’s help, I take control of my thoughts, attentions, worry, and outsourcing.
I like the attitude to not let things bother us because in the big picture it’s not that important. We have the Lord and that’s most important. I liked remembering something really good and thinking on this to start giving Glory to the Lord. Casting your cares on Him is great! We don’t have to carry anything – He does.
What a splendid way to remember it is crucial we continue to pray for our students and their families!
OH Wow! remind myself how this ends—- Victory.
Kingdom is at hand, now, and now, and now again.
I enjoyed Brant’s session last evening. My biggest takeaway was to just be faithful in serving where God has me, and to leave the results up to Him. I also needed the reminder to pray for the students and/or parents who bring challenges to the classroom. We serve a great God, and He will use us where He has planted us.
Brant has a great sense of humor and humble way of looking at facing life’s challenges. He clearly has walked the walk through adversity and had some really great views and strategies for dealing with today’s world.
This was wonderful. I loved the practical ways to implement right now in my life. I will be sharing this with my teammates . Thank you !!!!!
This was a great session. I really enjoyed the idea about engaging your right brain as well when you are being grateful, like making a list is left brain, but closing your eyes and think back to a time that you are grateful for and sit in it for a while, describe what happened go back to that day/experience. This is next level thinking. Great stuff! Thanks!
This is my first time attending this summit and it is truly life changing! I love all of the practicle advice that we just ‘forget about.’ God is good and he knows us and our future!
Wonderful session! Great take-aways. Yes! We know the ending. Praise God for that!
Wow! So much to take away from here! Taking thoughts and worries captive to God is so important.
I always say that my challenging students are actually the ones that force me to become the best teacher. Even though it’s so frustrating every day they are the ones that make me up my game daily. Thank you for the encouragement because it can really wear on you. I needed to hear that we need to understand that we do not control the outcome. We need to let go of trying to do that. That’s up to God. Thanks and the Lord bless you! 🙏
It was such an encouragement to to be reminded what Jesus said about having trouble in the world but everything will be all right in the end. He has placed me here at Bucharest Christian Academy, and He has placed even the challenging students in my classroom for a reason.😊
It was such an encouragement to to be reminded what Jesus said about having trouble in the world but everything will be all right in the end. He has placed me here at Bucharest Christian Academy, and He has placed even the challenging students in my classroom for a reason.😊
I wrote this comment, but I mistyped my name. Can someone please delete this comment for me? It will only let me copy the url for the comment. Thank you!
I loved so many points of this. I need to remind myself…we know how it ends. God is in control! Thank you for this seminar.
I needed this session today. In the midst of the crazy push to Thanksgiving break chaos, I needed to hear that I should remind myself how it ends. Jesus has already won and that is greater than anything I am facing. Therefore I can have joy in the chaos!
Hello Brandt,
Your comment about forgiving people beforehand resonated with me on so many levels. Though difficult, what a good habit to practice and make it a part of life. Like you said, Jesus did it for us.
Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom.
Blessings to you and your wife.
Thank you!!
Great discussion of giving up the idea that you can control outcomes and push anxiety out to hold on to the joy. Just downloaded the audiobook and love that he narrates the book and I can continue hearing about joy. Loved that Brant pointed out that the Kingdom of God was Jesus’ favorite topic. Focusing on the Kingdom and His will, not my will or striving to control the outcomes. Teacher burn out is real, but getting my joy back this weekend!
The definition of joy truly resonated with me. I need to make a plaque of it for home and school.
I also didn’t realize that Brandt is a PK. I, too, an a PK and am socially awkward, only for me it was that I was an MK for my fist 5 years of life. People in the church were very hard on me and my dad wasn’t in an emotional place to sheild me from it. It’s hard to continue to trust in God’s love and protection when things like this happen. Church hurt is real, but none of us are perfect. Jesus said He came for the sick. That’s all of us. We are in desperate need of Him. It’s God who is our protection, our peace. These are just some thoughts I had while processing the session. Thanks, Brandt, for the reminder.
Great reminders:
– Capture your thoughts
– Be aware of your intentions & where your attention is
– Ultimately you are safe if you TRUST JESUS!
– Outsource your worry in the Lord
– Turn to gratitude when you are anxious!
– Remind yourself how all of this ends!
Pray for your enemies.
List all the things you are thankful for and read the list when you are struggling.
The Lord has put me where I am to love and touch those around me!
This was a great reminder of why certain students are in my care. I need to remember to pray without ceasing for them and their families.
Thank you so much! After over 20 years in the classroom, my most recent assignment (just this past couple months) has utterly broken and burned me . . . and I have been wondering if I can brave stepping back into the classroom – but tonight’s session has been really helpful. I am looking forward to both reading your book(s) and attending other sessions this weekend!
Brant,
Thank you for a wonderful session. This has truly blessed me. It has been a hard start to the school year but your wisdom and encouragement has refreshed me.
Thank you for your time and dedication. God Bless You!
Thank you, great session. I had never thought of it as outsourcing your worry; thinking of it this way really helps me. As someone who has had a really rough couple of years, I thank you for the reminder to turn towards gratitude when anxious. During the worst of the times, I made myself write 3 things I was grateful for each day, sometimes it was coffee and my cats, but sometimes writing the little things I was grateful for helped me see more of what I had to be grateful for.
So many great takeaways. Outsource my worry, Gratitude, Pray for my enemies. I know how this all ends. Focus on this.
With God I am safe and have a good hand to play. You will have trouble in this world, it is a given, but take heart and be of good cheer. And, my favorite, I don’t control outcomes. Be faithful to the work God sets before me and trust HIM with the results. Great stuff! Thank you. I loved listening to Brant.
I really like how you said to remind ourselves of how this end. I think sometimes we can get in our heads with worldly worries. Jesus wins in the end. I also loved what you said about the continual gratitude note taking. I was keeping a journal, and the goal was to write 3 things each day I was thankful for. I quit after a while. I think the continual notes of gratitude is so much better. Thank you!
Sometimes I wonder how online workshops or conference would go. This first LIVE session has been encouraging. Thank you for the nuggets of wisdom and encouragement in our walk of faith in Christ.
Thank you for the reminder that Jesus calls us to pray for our enemies. Your words reminded me that Jesus is good, and that He does want me to give Him my worries. I also needed the reminder that I don’t control the outcome, He does. My job is to go to Him, and trust Him, and walk in His ways.
I liked how you mentioned the word for God is relaxing. He’s got this, give over our concerns to HIM. I also liked to focus on gratitude because anxiety and gratitude can’t be in the same thought pattern.
I just downloaded an excerpt from your book (love the Disco Ball) – comfortable read and F.U.N.N.Y. !!
I just purchased a copy for myself with the discount code listed above. I can’t wait to read it!
Brant, thank you for your heart for Jesus and educators. I can’t wait to read your books!
I just purchased 2 for myself! I can’t wait for them to arrive!
Wow! There are so many things I got from this session. I like the part about refocusing your mind on good thoughts to take attention away from the anxiety you are feeling. As someone who struggles with anxiety I can definitely see how redirecting your thoughts to good memories would have a positive affect on refocusing from anxiety to a calmness. Lately, I have been reminding myself “God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” How can we worry when we know God is working for our good!
My biggest take away was to remind myself how all of this ends. God is in control and is on His Throne! Amen!
He is the author and the finisher!
That was a terrific session – a good reminder that God can be trusted in ALL things – very well stated.
“You don’t see the seeds you’re planting, and you turn around and start over with other kids.” I’ve thought a LOT as a middle school teacher that this is the most difficult part, not feeling like there is much obvious growth. So the anecdote about a youth group student who felt highly impacted by him, but who he didn’t like–that was powerful and convicting. My attitude should be expectant, because God gives the increase.
This entire talk was excellent. I want to see if a friend who struggles with resentment because of broken relationships in her past wants to have a book study of *Life Is Hard. God Is Good. Let’s Dance.*.
Brant always has great insights on how to live like Jesus follower; whether it is offendable or with great joy. I always always need more reminders of this. Thank you!
Wow! That was filled with so many good reminders. It is easy to get stuck in the mire of anxiety with everything going on in the world around us. Praise God, He is fully in control.
10/16/25 – Brant Hansen: Life is Hard, God is Good: Experiencing Real Joy in a World Gone Mad
Such a powerful reminder tonight:
Teachers, your words matter. They stick with kids—both the uplifting and the hurtful ones.
Joy is a pervasive sense of well-being regardless of our circumstances.
Jesus isn’t turned away by hypocrisy—He still engages hearts (Luke 5:30–32; Matthew 23:27–28).
Capture your thoughts (Lamentations 3:21–23; 2 Corinthians 10:5).
Be mindful of your attention. What you focus on today shapes who you become tomorrow (Philippians 4:8; Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 6:22–23).
You are safe when you trust Jesus (Psalm 91:1–2; John 10:27–28; Isaiah 26:3).
Outsource your worries—cast your cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 6:25–27; Philippians 4:6–7).
Gratitude and anxiety can’t coexist. Practice thankfulness (1 Thess. 5:16–18; Col. 3:15–17; Phil. 4:6–7).
Remember how it all ends. Jesus wins, and we’re safe in that truth (Rev. 21:3–5; Rom. 8:18; John 16:33; 2 Cor. 4:17–18).
Pray for your enemies.
Jesus’ favorite topic: the Kingdom of God.
Our job is faithfulness; God’s job is the fruit.
“Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”
— Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Aurora Leigh
A beautiful reminder that God’s presence fills the ordinary—we just have to notice.
Thank you so much for this session! As a public school special education teacher to students with intensive support needs it was a great reminder that those students are in my class for a reason. I am reminded too, of the incredible opportunity and responsibility I have to pray for my students and their families daily.
You can have an eternal impact in your classroom!
I really enjoy Mr. Hanson’s love session.
Pray for our enemies, focus on gratitude, pray without ceasing, capture our thoughts, and cast all your cares on him! Thank you for the friendly reminders through scripture! I am looking forward to reading his most recent book!
I own Unoffendable, which is excellent!
I really appreciated Brant’s message. The Lord has given me opportunities to hear and experience the message of trusting Him and how trustworthy He is. He has shown me that all the worrying I have done in the past did nothing to solve the problem or situation much like the game Grant talked about. No matter how it turned out, worrying or being anxious did not help. Great session!
As a public school special education teacher for 12+ years, this year has been exceptionally rough. My assistants and I have been on the verge of burnout since the end of September (only 1 month in). The expectations and requirements from administration are exhausting, and really not in the best interest of the students. The constant negativity has beat us all down pretty bad. After listening to this session and taking Brant’s words to heart, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel for the first time in weeks. I am remembering that God put me in this place, with these students, for a reason. That I need to shift my full focus back to Him, to trust that He is in control and there is nothing to fear. No need for anxiety, stress, or ill feelings. I can now begin to shift my mindset and get my second wind to finish this year on a up, and full commitment to my students.
This was great. Good reminders: give it to God-capture my thoughts and we know the ending!!
What great practical ways to speak joy into your own life! Sometimes it feels like we are drowning in self-pity, but having this “pervasive sense of well-being, regardless of circumstances” can take the sting out of the pity party.
Two things stuck out to me: Remind yourself how this ends; Jesus exemplifies “relaxed” because he knew how it ends. He knew about his death AND resurrection. Yet, He was had joy without worrying about it…until the Garden. Even then, He trusted God’s plan. Aren’t we thankful in that!
Great session, Brant and David. Thank you.
It is a great reminder that students are placed in my class for a reason. It reminds me to pray for them. I am so grateful for this session.
You can have an eternal impact in your classroom!
This live session was a great official start to the conference! There were so many great truths and nuggets of wisdom to take away. I appreciate the six practical steps to experiencing joy (capture your thoughts, be aware of your attention, you’re safe with Jesus, outsource your worry to God, turn to gratitude, and remind yourself of how this ends). Each one overflowed with such deep thoughts and genuine emotion from the two presenters! Thank you for a great session <3
I was so discouraged after school today. I needed those 6 reminders of how to relax and have joy. Esp. remembering I’m safe with Jesus, outsource my worry, and remind yourself of how this ends.
Give up the idea that I can control the outcome! As a teacher, I have been put through the wringer because I could be let go if my students don’t show improvement. I can only do so much, but with the data not improving I have to work even harder. This will be beneficial in the future!
Reminding myself how this ends helps keep things in perspective.
He is the author and finisher!
Outsourcing worries and turning to gratitude are such good take aways from Brant’s session. So much good information. Thanks for sharing with us.
Something that resounded with me so powerfully was this: Give up on the idea that you control the outcomes. I struggle with this, but it is a simple yet profound truth. We are not called to control the outcome, the Lord is. We just do our part by walking in faith.
Wow! This was a great session! I was inspired to continue to give up the idea that I can control the outcome – I have to give it to God and let Him be in charge of the results – I can only do what He is asking me to do!
Listening to Brant was so encouraging!
Thank you, Brant, for giving us practical ways to apply this. I feel like this is often lacking in the Church.
Beware of your attention! This is so true for teachers who have so many places we have to focus our attention each day.
I really enjoyed the suggestion to close my eyes and think of something important. This was a fantastic session.
Yes! Don’t forget to make notes about it! :). Keep that list. I love how he mentioned to use it for those nights we are struggling to sleep!
Great presentation! I felt like Brant knew exactly what I needed to hear. It’s been a rough couple of weeks, I know I need to capture my thoughts and turn to an attitude of gratitude.
Our attitude has such power over us! Are you planning on attending Jill Lillard’s session “How Your Thoughts Impact Your Outlook (And What You Can Do About It)?”
Great Kick-Off Session! Everything was so relevant; it reminds me that other Christian teachers are experiencing the same struggles and desires as I am.
You are so not alone!
Such an amazing session! There were so many wonderful tidbits of information as we walk through life as educators in the Lord’s kingdom.
That is such an important reminder. Everything we do is for the Lord!
No matter what they throw at me, I am for them.