# Episode 16: Don't Be Mean To Your Donkey

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/walking-close-living-changed-7686529/episode-16-don-t-be-mean-to-your-donkey
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/walking-close-living-changed-7686529/episode-16-don-t-be-mean-to-your-donkey.md
Podcast: [Walking Close, Living Changed](https://stenobird.com/podcast/walking-close-living-changed-7686529)
Published: 2026-05-19T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://3f646272-fc00-405a-a19a-b31d9b58720d.libsyn.com/episode-16-dont-be-mean-to-your-donkey
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/3f646272-fc00-405a-a19a-b31d9b58720d/Episode_16_-_Dont_Be_Mean_To_Your_Donkey.mp3?dest-id=5247770
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/walking-close-living-changed-7686529/episodes/episode-16-don-t-be-mean-to-your-donkey
Duration seconds: 2169

## Resource

In this episode of Walking Close, Living Changed, Brian explores the story of Balaam and the talking donkey from Numbers 22 to teach a powerful lesson about interruptions, frustration, and spiritual awareness. He explains that the "donkeys" in our lives—unexpected problems, delays, people, or setbacks—may not actually be obstacles, but warnings, lessons, or even protection from something worse. The episode encourages listeners to stop reacting in anger to interruptions and instead ask what God may be trying to reveal through them. Key Topics Discussed The story of Balaam and the talking donkey Interruptions as spiritual lessons or warnings How frustration can reveal heart issues like anger and pride Why "the donkey" may not actually be the problem Recognizing red flags and unusual disruptions in life Learning to pause and evaluate setbacks instead of reacting emotionally Paul's "thorn in the flesh" and the purpose of hardship How God may use interruptions to protect or redirect us The idea that some interruptions may become our "saving grace" Relevant Scriptures Numbers 22:21–33 — Balaam and the talking donkey 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 — Paul's thorn in the flesh and God's grace in weakness Romans 8:28 — God works all things together for good Proverbs 3:5–6 — Trusting God's direction instead of our own understanding James 1:2–4 — Trials producing perseverance and maturity Psalm 119:71 — Learning through affliction and hardship Isaiah 55:8–9 — God's ways being higher than our ways Hebrews 12:11 — Discipline producing righteousness and peace Acts 9:1–6 — Paul's interruption on the road to Damascus Psalm 32:8 — God guiding and instructing us in the way we should go

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## Transcript

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