S11.16 | The Joy of the Lord Is My Strength: How to Find Joy in Hard Seasons
In this episode, Carla shares how she has been navigating a challenging season while many have asked how she continues to smile and show up with hope. Her answer is simple: it isn’t her strength - it’s the joy of the Lord.
Together, we explore what Scripture truly means by “the joy of the Lord,” why biblical joy is different from positivity or denial, and how joy strengthens us on a spiritual and neurological level. You’ll also learn practical, faith-rooted tools to cultivate the joy of the Lord in your daily life, especially in seasons of uncertainty or emotional heaviness.
If you’re carrying more than you know how to hold, this episode will help you discover that joy is not something you strive for - it’s something God imparts.
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3 Key Takeaways from This Episode
Joy isn’t the absence of hard things — it’s the presence of Christ in the hard things.
The joy of the Lord strengthens your mind, body, and spirit by rooting you in safety and hope.
You can cultivate joy through presence, remembrance, worship, community, and renewing your thoughts in God’s truth.
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Resources:
5 Steps to Building Resiliency
Affirming Truths Facebook Community
5 Tips for Overcoming a Negative Body Image
Who You Say I Am Biblical Affirmation Cards
Quick recap
Carla shared personal updates about her family's health challenges and received listener support while emphasizing that true joy comes from God's presence rather than personal circumstances. She explored the difference between biblical joy and forced positivity, explaining that genuine joy is a deep confidence in God's character and can coexist with sorrow while providing emotional stability. Carla shared practical ways to cultivate joy through daily connection with God and offered her coaching services to help others experience this transformative peace.
Summary
Finding Strength in Family Challenges
Carla shared updates about her family's challenges, including her father's dementia, her own health concerns, and Caleb's medical issues. She received supportive messages from listeners but emphasized that her joy is not personal but comes from the Lord, who provides strength and peace during difficult times.
Biblical Joy vs Forced Positivity
Carla discussed the difference between biblical joy and forced positivity, explaining that true joy is a deep confidence in God's presence and His character, not an artificial suppression of emotions. She emphasized that joy is not pretending everything is fine, but rather recognizing one's weaknesses while remaining rooted in Christ. According to Carla, biblical joy is a fruit of the Spirit that provides a sense of safety and hope in God, which cannot be shaken by external circumstances.
Biblical Joy and Nervous System Regulation
Carla discussed the concept of biblical joy, explaining that it can coexist with sorrow and provide strength, as illustrated in Nehemiah. She emphasized that true joy, distinct from fleeting happiness, is an overarching hope rooted in Christ and can help regulate the nervous system, a concept supported by neuroscience. Carla shared her work on nervous system regulation through her courses and coaching programs, highlighting its importance in her group coaching program, Rooted in Resilience.
Cultivating Joy Through Faith
Carla shared her personal experience of maintaining joy and emotional stability through difficult circumstances by focusing on her faith and God's presence, which helps regulate her nervous system and produces peace. She explained how joy shifts attention from anxiety to a posture of trust, even in challenging situations, and anchors individuals in truth rather than fleeting emotions. Carla concluded by offering seven practical ways to cultivate joy and invited listeners to schedule a discovery call to explore her coaching services, mentioning her new Rooted and Resilient cohort.
Practical Ways to Cultivate Joy
Carla discussed seven practical ways to cultivate joy, emphasizing the importance of daily connection with God, remembrance of past faithfulness, worship, community, and replacing negative thoughts with truth. She encouraged creating small joy moments and being honest with God, stating that joy is not the absence of sorrow but the presence of God within it.
Finding Joy in God's Presence
Carla shared a message about finding strength and joy through God's presence, emphasizing that joy is a gift from the Holy Spirit rather than something earned. She encouraged listeners to allow God's strength to sustain them in difficult times, even if their circumstances feel challenging. Carla concluded by sharing an affirming truth and an anchoring verse from Psalm 16:11, highlighting that joy, like peace, is found in Christ's presence.