How to Find the Hidden Themes, Patterns & Plot Twists in Your Story (and the Bible’s).

Let’s start with the truth: Your story isn’t boring. Your childhood probably wasn’t “fine.” If it was just ignore that sentence...And your personality quirks? Honey, those are called patterns.

Therapist and author Dan Allender would tell you that your life is a text that deserves to be read. Therapist and author Adam Young would tell you that the younger parts of you want to be heard, not ignored. And I’m here (I'm a doctor too lol) to tell you that your story is full of mystery, drama, plot twists, character development, and—yes—Divine foreshadowing.

And biblical stories? Same. They’re rich, spicy, messy, holy narratives bursting with themes and divine invitations.

Let’s play detective and uncover the hidden gems in both.

1. Find Hidden Themes When you Notice the Stories You Keep Remembering (They’re Sticky for a Reason)

Some memories hang around like glitter after a craft project. No matter how much you sweep, there they are.

• That weird moment in third grade

• A random dinner conversation

• The time your parent forgot to pick you up

• The day a teacher said something strangely kind or painfully sharp

These aren’t random. Allender says your clearest memories are the ones that shaped you.

Ask Yourself:

• Why in the world do I still remember that moment?

• What emotion rises up with it?

• What did little-me think this meant about life?

  
  

In Scripture:

Why do we know the Samaritan woman came to the well at noon? Because it’s a clue. It tells us about shame, isolation, and… the perfect setup for redemption.

Biblical stories are full of hidden themes, they are sticky for a reason. Pay attention.

2. Spot the Patterns (aka: Your Brain Loves a Re-Run)

Adam Young would say the younger parts of you learned strategies to stay safe, and you’re still using them—even if they don’t fit anymore.

Some fan-favorite patterns include:

• Always helping… never asking for help

• Nodding instead of disagreeing

• Overworking like it’s an Olympic sport

• Choosing emotionally unavailable people

• Pretending you’re “fine” when you’re basically on emotional fire

These aren’t flaws. These are story-informed adaptations.

In Scripture:

Our Bible friends had patterns too:

• Abraham: “She’s my sister. Totally my sister.” (x2)

• Peter: “I will die for you!” → “Who? Me? Know Jesus? Absolutely not.”

• Jacob: If trickery were an Olympic sport… gold medal.

Patterns = clues to themes. Themes = clues to the heart.

3. Discover Your Story’s Themes

In spiritual direction we are trained to listen for certain words and phrases to find hidden themes in your story. You can do this by thinking of your life like a playlist with repeating vibes:

Abandonment — “Please don’t leave me.”

Invisibility — “Am I even here?”

Desire — “I want something more.”

Calling — “I was made for something.”

Restoration — “This needs healing.”

Exile — “Where the heck do I belong?

Initiation — “Ready or not… courage time.”

In Scripture:

The stories of biblical women and men pulse with the same themes:

• Hannah → longing + tears + answered prayer

• Esther → fear → purpose → QUEEN

• Ruth → loyal heart → redemption → legacy

• Hagar → abandonment → “You are the God who sees me”

When the themes in their stories echo yours, pay attention. You’re not alone in the narrative.

4. Identify Your Initiations (The “Level-Up” Moments)

An initiatory moment is when God looks at your story and says: “Okay. It’s time.”

Sometimes these look like drama:

• Facing a fear

• Telling the truth

• Setting a boundary

• Leaving something familiar

• Owning your voice

• Giving up coping mechanisms that once saved you

• Saying yes to something wildly outside your comfort zone

  
  

Sometimes initiations feel like spiritual CrossFit. But afterwards? You’re stronger, braver, more you.

In Scripture:

Every major story has a “level-up moment”:

• Moses at the burning bush

• Esther before the king

• Ruth choosing Naomi

• Mary saying “let it be unto me”

• The Samaritan woman running back to her town

Same God. Same kind of invitations.

5. Change Your Perspective: God Is Your Author, Not the Editor Who’s Constantly Annoyed

Transformation begins, when you hand God the pen! Jesus doesn’t yank the pen from your hand. He sits beside you and says,“Let’s look at this together.”

Ask Him:

• What are You showing me here?

• Where were You in this story?

• What lies did I believe?

• What do You want me to know now?

He won’t rewrite your past. But He will rewrite its meaning.

6. Connect Your Story to Scripture (This Is Where Things Get Magical)

When you understand your own story…

• the Bible comes alive

• the characters feel like friends

• the narratives feel relatable

• and Scripture stops being a textbook and starts being a mirror

Your themes show up in their stories. Their initiations help you see your own.Your patterns find compassion. Your wounds find company.Your desires find a home.

Final Thought: Your Story Is a Sacred, Spicy, Beautiful Text — Read It

Your life is not random.Your memories aren’t meaningless.Your patterns aren’t failures.Your themes aren’t accidents.Your initiations aren’t punishments.

Your story is alive. God is speaking. And you—yes, you—are in a divine narrative full of meaning, mystery, healing, and glory.

And that? Is anything but boring.