How good of a storyteller are you?

I’m not talking about the stories you tell others. I’m talking about the stories you’re telling yourself. We tell ourselves a lot of stories throughout the day, but how many of them are life-giving? 

On today’s episode of the Coming Up Clutch with J.R.™ show, I sit down with former pro baseball player turned bestselling author, Bob Wheatley. We got into the power of story and how it impacts your life.

In this latest episode, Bob and I talk about… 

• What Bob wished he would’ve done differently as a professional athlete
• The narrative we’re telling ourselves over and over and what it reveals to us
• What is catharsis, why you should want it, and how to get it 

…and so much more.

If you want more insight into what your stories are revealing about you, then lock in to today’s episode.

[00:01 – 19:01] Introducing Bob to the show

• Bob’s most embarrassing moment
• Bob’s background, story, and professional journey
• Bob’s clutch moment as a college and pro baseball player

[19:02 – 28:19] What Bob wished he would’ve done differently as a professional athlete

• He would’ve lived better as a Christian 
• You can be a Hall of Famer, but that does nothing to solve your sin problem
• God is the author of your story
• Pain may be the best thing for you, especially spiritual pain (God knows what’s best for you)

[28:20 – 41:52] The narrative we’re telling ourselves over and over and what it reveals to us

• Most stories have six main parts: hero, villain, love interest, paradise, paradise lost, paradise restored
• These elements of a story are written on every human heart – God created us to long for that storyline. It’s an expression of the deepest longing of our heart (which is to know God)
• We are supporting characters in God’s story
• The stories we tell ourselves reveal what we really want
• If you don’t like the story you’re telling yourself: tap into the whispers you’re hearing from yourself. Then, make that thought obedience to Jesus Christ and identify what that thought is telling you about your longing for God

[41:53 – 56:42] What is catharsis, why you should want it, and how to get it 

• Catharsis: the “Ahhhh” feeling after a great movie and the ending you were hoping for
• Three steps to catharsis:
  • 1.) Desire
  • 2.) Delay (waiting for the desire you want)
  • 3.) Delivery (when the desire actually comes)
• The reason we feel tension is we want the cathartic moments to last forever
• When you’re in the delay phase of catharsis and it’s starting to get frustrating:
  • Realize you’re NOT alone – surround yourself with others to support
  • ZOOM OUT – look at the entire story that God has written
  • Realize that anything that’s challenging is all the result of man’s rebellion
  • Note there will be an end to the story where God delivers us…there’s purpose in your suffering

[56:43 – 01:01:44] Wrapping Up

• Bob’s BIG domino
• How to connect with Bob

KEY QUOTES

“You can be a Hall of Famer, but that does nothing to solve your sin problem.” – Bob Wheatley

“Pain may be the best thing for you.” – Bob Wheatley

“Waiting for the gift amplifies the gift itself.” – Bob Wheatley

“There’s purpose in your suffering.” – Bob Wheatley

CONNECT WITH BOB

• Instagram: @bob_wheatley
• TikTok: @bob_wheatley
• Website: https://bobwheatley.com/
• Book: Our Hearts’ Desire: How Our Stories Reveal The Thing We Want Most

CONNECT WITH J.R.

• Facebook: @jamesJRreid
• Instagram: @jamesjrreid
• LinkedIn: in/jamesjrreid/
• Twitter: @jamesJRreid
• Website: jamesreid.com
• Check out The Clutch Club™️: jamesreid.com/club (For Men Only)

RATE & REVIEW this episode on Apple: https://jamesreid.com/review

SHARE this episode with someone who wants to be challenged, pushed, and positioned to come up clutch more often.

SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any new episodes and Special Guests!

LISTEN to previous episodes on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google or whatever podcast platform you prefer!