June 15, 2026

He Kept Kicking Open Doors God Was Trying To Close | Jason Ward

He Kept Kicking Open Doors God Was Trying To Close | Jason Ward

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the path you're pursuing isn't the path God intended for you? In this episode of The Valiant Forge, Mark sits down with author, photographer, entrepreneur, and speaker Jason Ward to discuss purpose, calling, God's providence, and the surprising ways He guides our lives—even when we're fighting against His direction. Raised in the Appalachian mountains of eastern Kentucky, Jason grew up in a family with generations of coal miners behind him. But God had a dif...

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Send us Fan Mail

What happens when the path you're pursuing isn't the path God intended for you?

In this episode of The Valiant Forge, Mark sits down with author, photographer, entrepreneur, and speaker Jason Ward to discuss purpose, calling, God's providence, and the surprising ways He guides our lives—even when we're fighting against His direction.

Raised in the Appalachian mountains of eastern Kentucky, Jason grew up in a family with generations of coal miners behind him. But God had a different plan.

Jason shares powerful stories about pursuing success on his own terms, walking through a prodigal season, forcing doors open that God was trying to close, meeting his future wife in an unexpected way, and eventually discovering the calling God had been preparing him for all along.

If you've ever wondered whether you're walking in God's purpose, felt stuck in life, questioned your calling, or struggled to trust God's direction, this conversation is for you.

In this episode:

• Growing up in a coal mining family in eastern Kentucky
• The art contest that changed the course of Jason's life
• Walking through a prodigal season
• Chasing success instead of God's calling
• Forcing open doors God was trying to close
• The ice cream shop encounter that changed everything
• Getting fired and starting over
• Discovering photography through God's providence
• The thoroughbred racehorse analogy
• Finding your "gold thread" and recognizing God's hand throughout your life

Scripture Discussed:

Proverbs 16:9
"A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps."

Proverbs 19:21
"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

Connect with Jason Ward:

Welcome | Jason Ward

Jason Ward Author | Facebook

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