Fighting For Joy

On this episode I get caught up with a previous guest, Beth Ottun. Beth came on a few years ago to share about her sobriety journey and how she was fighting for joy through addiction. Her struggle with alcohol had led her to some dark places. At the time of our previous conversation, Beth was about 2 1/2 years sober and was experiencing joy and hope! It was a powerful episode and many of you reached out after listening to share how encouraging it was…either because of your own struggles with addiction - or recognizing the problem and patterns in someone you love. I personally know of a couple of amazing stories of God using Beth’s story to help someone take that first step of getting help and beginning the fight for joy in sobriety as well. If you want to go back and re-listen to that episode, it was Episode Number 80. But, the struggle with addiction can often include set backs. And this summer, sweet Beth reached out to me to share that she had suffered a pretty major one. As we messaged back and forth, she asked if she could come back on the podcast to share an update…so that is what you’ll get to hear today. I am so inspired by Beth’s courage to open up again about her struggles - and can’t wait for you to hear about all that has transpired. Really hard things…and really beautiful things! We are ALL going to have set backs in life. One step forward, two steps back, right?! That is often how it works. The key is to keep pressing forward in hope, leaning into God’s strength and help, and finding ways to fight for joy in the process! And this episode will hopefully encourage you in that.

Does life feel heavy? Are you weary? Are there too many burdens weighing you down? Do you feel like you are carrying more than you can handle? We all have hard things in life. Burdens that feel massive and overwhelming - and rob us of joy. But it's helpful to remember that the fight for joy isn't about learning to carry these burdens better. It's about finally admitting that they're too heavy for us to carry on our own. I Peter 5:7 says, "Cast all your anxieties on God, because he cares for you." On this episode I share some practical ways to experience more joy by leaning into our dependence and giving our burdens to God - the One who IS strong enough to carry them. The One who promises to sustain us and guard us with His peace. The One who tenderly says, "Come to me for rest!" What a beautiful invitation, and such a freeing and peaceful way to fight for joy! Life may still be hard and your painful things will probably still be there, but there will be joy in the release of no longer living like the weight of the world needs to be on your shoulders!

Today I get to introduce you to Katie Bamberg and give you a glimpse into her brave fight for joy as she has faced her husband Pete's terminal brain cancer diagnosis. When a diagnosis like this comes, it doesn’t just affect the person who receives the horrible news…it affects the whole family. And that is certainly the case for this special family. Listen in as Katie shares a little bit about how they have learned to fight for joy as a family in the midst of Pete fighting for his life. How they have leaned into community for support and help, and have learned to keep fully living, even in a constant state of anticipatory grief with his scans, and even when Pete faced a second diagnosis of colon cancer. Even if you are walking through something completely different, I think you’ll be encouraged by what Katie has to share about finding joy as a support person for her amazing husband, but also as a family unit during difficult times. And, with each miraculous year that God gives Pete, leaning into hope - and finding things to be grateful for.

In Pastor Tim Keller’s book, "Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?", he says: “Forgiveness won’t necessarily come naturally for us, but instead, our hearts will want to concentrate only on how bad the wrongdoer is and how much he deserves to suffer…some think that by remaining angry they are giving the wrongdoers what they really deserve. But in reality you are enabling their actions to continue to hurt you. Instead, bit by bit by bit, work towards forgiveness by taking in what Jesus has done. Put your story about what people have done to you into the big story of what He did for you, and you’ll have all the power you need to grant forgiveness.” On today's episode, my husband Eric and I talk through some of the main elements of forgiveness. Unforgiveness is one of the biggest "joy stealers", while living a lifestyle of forgiveness is one of the key ways to fight for joy! This has been a frequent topic over the past 8 seasons and I am committed to keep touching on it as I know that so many people aren't living in the freedom and joy that it can bring. It's certainly not easy...but its worth the work. *The Fighting for Joy Podcast is sponsored by Better Help, an online counseling service that pairs you with a professional licensed therapist who will combine Biblical wisdom with their clinical expertise in mental health to help you address your unique situation. As a Fighting for Joy listener, you can receive 10% off at: betterhelp.com/fightingforjoy. Christian counseling is a worthy investment and can be such a powerful tool in the fight for joy!

Season 9 is here! I'm so grateful to bring you a new episode today and I look forward to another season of fighting for joy together. "May the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in HOPE.” Life in this broken world is hard, but there is JOY and HOPE to be found!