Running with God: Faith, suffering and the long road to hope

It’s not uncommon to hear someone say that running a big race or completing a physical challenge changed their life – maybe it’s something you’ve expressed yourself. But Andy’s reasons for saying so, which he shares on Things I Wish I Knew, are different to most people’s. Whether you’re an athlete, an armchair fan, or anything in between, you’ll be stirred by his account of being thrown off course and finding his way back.

There is something elemental about running. The rhythm of breath and footfall, the solitude of the road, the quiet communion with one’s thought or with God. For many, running is more than a sport; it is a spiritual practice, a way of being present to the body, to creation and to the divine. But what happens when that practice is interrupted, even taken away? What does faith look like when the path ahead becomes obscured by pain, uncertainty or loss?

These questions lie at the heart of a recent conversation with Andy Southey, a runner from Nottingham whose story offers a profound reflection on the intersection of faith, suffering and resilience. His journey, shared on the Things I Wish I Knew podcast, is not just about running, but about learning to trust God in the midst of brokenness and discovering hope in the act of returning.

Andy’s love for running began at a young age. As a teenager, he found joy and freedom in the sport, and a sense of closeness to God in the movement itself. But at just fourteen, a sudden and severe chest pain during a race led to a diagnosis that forced him to stop running altogether. The emotional toll was immense. The loss of something so life-giving left a void, and it would take years before Andy could reclaim the joy he once found in running.

This experience echoes a familiar spiritual pattern: the loss of consolation. In Ignatian spirituality, consolation is the felt presence of God and the sense of peace and clarity that often accompanies prayer or discernment. But desolation is just as significant; God feels absent, the path is unclear, and suffering clouds our vision. Andy’s story reminds us that desolation is not a sign of abandonment, but an invitation to deeper trust.

In 2019, Andy signed up for the Robin Hood Half Marathon, feeling ready to rekindle his passion for running again. But during the race, he blacked out and suffered a concussion. He woke up in an ambulance, disoriented and afraid. The physical recovery was long and hard, but the spiritual recovery was just as profound. During the confusion and pain, Andy began to reflect on where God had been in that moment. His insight – that God was with him in the ambulance – became a turning point. It was a reminder that God does not always prevent suffering but is always present within it.

This experience echoes the Christian understanding of the incarnation: that God enters our human experience not to shield us from pain, but to accompany us through it. In Jesus, we see a God who suffers, who walks with us, who runs beside us even when we stumble. His story is a testament to this truth. His journey is not one of triumphalism, but of quiet perseverance, faith that endures through setbacks, and strength in vulnerability.

In 2023, Andy returned to the half-marathon. This time, the race was not about performance or achievement. It was about reclaiming his story, running not just with his body but with his spirit. Crossing the finish line became a symbol of hope, a reminder that healing is possible, and that faith can carry us through even the darkest valleys.

For those of us who have faced our own moments of desolation, whether through illness, grief or spiritual dryness, Andy’s story offers encouragement. It invites us to consider how God might be present in the places we least expect. It challenges us to see our lives not as linear progressions, but as unfolding narratives where each chapter, even the painful ones, can reveal grace.

Running, in this light, becomes a metaphor for the spiritual life. There are seasons of strength and seasons of struggle. There are moments when the path is clear and others when we feel lost. But through it all, we are invited to keep moving, to keep trusting, to keep running with God.

Andy shares his full story in Things I Wish I Knew About Life's Setbacks. It is a conversation that gently invites us to consider where God might be present in our own unfolding paths. His honesty, courage and faith offer a powerful witness to the God who walks – and runs – with us through every season of life.

Listen to 'Things I Wish I Knew About Life’s Setbacks’; and to get all of our new episodes and catch up on our first series, subscribe now >>