March 14, 2025

Day 74 Trouble and Joy | James 1:2-4

Day 74 Trouble and Joy | James 1:2-4
Apple Podcasts podcast player badge
Castro podcast player badge
RSS Feed podcast player badge
Spotify podcast player badge
Goodpods podcast player badge
Apple Podcasts podcast player icon Castro podcast player icon RSS Feed podcast player icon Spotify podcast player icon Goodpods podcast player icon
Season 2

Send us a text

Have you ever had one of those weeks where everything seems to collapse at once? The car breaks down, work becomes unbearable, relationships get messy, and you're just completely done with it all. In this heartfelt episode, Lauren tackles the challenging concept of choosing joy even when life feels impossibly difficult.

Drawing from James 1:2-4, Lauren unpacks what genuine joy looks like during trials. This isn't about plastering on a fake smile or denying your struggles. Rather, it's about discovering a deeper kind of joy that exists alongside your pain—one rooted in the understanding that God uses even our most difficult seasons for growth and transformation. Through personal stories and practical wisdom, Lauren illustrates how our spiritual journeys mirror physical exercise: the discomfort builds endurance, and the struggle produces strength.

The episode offers a refreshing perspective on gratitude as a pathway to joy. Lauren challenges listeners to find one thing each day to be thankful for, even in the midst of challenging circumstances. Whether it's appreciating a kind message from a friend, savoring a beautiful sunset, or simply recognizing God's new mercies each morning, these small moments of gratitude can transform our outlook. This spiritual practice doesn't dismiss our legitimate struggles, but it does provide an anchor when life's storms threaten to overwhelm us. Join Lauren for this encouraging reminder that choosing joy is possible, even when taking the hard way through life's messes.

www.godslovingsacrifice.com

Support the show

Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org

Support the show and Community Membership

I Love You!

See Ya!

 

Visit the website at

https://www.wisdomfortheday.org

 

 

Chapters

00:31 - Welcome to Wisdom for the Day

01:17 - Introducing Day 74 with Lauren

01:20 - Joy in the Midst of Trials

02:08 - Challenge: Finding Gratitude Daily

02:46 - Closing and Where to Find Us

Transcript
WEBVTT

00:00:01.421 --> 00:00:06.253
Welcome to Wisdom for the Day, your daily source for spiritual refreshment and guidance.

00:00:06.253 --> 00:00:07.602
I'm Rick.

00:00:07.602 --> 00:00:12.512
Join me as I dive into God's Word to find clarity and strength for life's challenges.

00:00:12.512 --> 00:00:18.324
Let me help you embrace each day with faith and wisdom, Ready to feel inspired.

00:00:18.324 --> 00:00:19.929
Let's get started.

00:00:19.929 --> 00:00:21.783
And now.

00:00:21.783 --> 00:00:23.388
Weekends with Lauren.

00:00:46.960 --> 00:00:47.923
Welcome to Day 74, trends with Lauren.

00:00:47.923 --> 00:00:48.988
The hard way Choosing joy even when life feels messy.

00:00:48.988 --> 00:00:52.543
You know those weeks when everything seems to go wrong the car breaks down, work is stressful, relationships feel complicated and you're just done.

00:00:52.543 --> 00:00:56.881
It's so easy in those moments to let frustration and negativity take over.

00:00:56.881 --> 00:01:00.829
I've been there, trust me, more times than I'd like to admit, actually.

00:01:01.851 --> 00:01:06.885
But I came across this verse in James, chapter 1, verses 2 through 4, and it honestly stopped me in my tracks.

00:01:06.885 --> 00:01:30.096
It says what Joy in the middle of trials that feels so backward, right.

00:01:30.096 --> 00:01:37.171
But here's the thing James isn't telling us to fake happiness or pretend like everything's fine when it's clearly not.

00:01:37.171 --> 00:01:40.811
He's reminding us that joy is deeper than happiness.

00:01:40.811 --> 00:01:46.049
It's rooted in knowing that even in the hard, messy seasons, god is working.

00:01:46.049 --> 00:01:50.567
He's shaping us, stretching us and growing something beautiful in us.

00:01:50.567 --> 00:01:56.165
It's kind of like working out and, trust me, I'm not always a fan of the gym at all.

00:01:56.165 --> 00:02:01.486
It's uncomfortable, it burns, but over time that discomfort builds strength.

00:02:01.486 --> 00:02:03.093
It's the same with our faith.

00:02:03.093 --> 00:02:05.542
The messy moments, they're building endurance.

00:02:05.542 --> 00:02:09.913
But choosing joy doesn't always look like smiling through the pain.

00:02:09.913 --> 00:02:18.444
Sometimes it looks like pausing to breathe, whispering a prayer or simply trusting that God's still good, even when life is not so.

00:02:18.444 --> 00:02:23.361
Here's a little challenge for you today Find one thing to be grateful for, even in the mess.

00:02:23.361 --> 00:02:31.370
Maybe it's a kind text from a friend, a beautiful sunset which are my favorite or just the fact that God's mercies are new every morning.

00:02:31.370 --> 00:02:34.706
Gratitude has this amazing way of unlocking joy.

00:02:34.706 --> 00:02:38.121
Let's pray, lord.

00:02:38.121 --> 00:02:40.489
Help us to choose joy even when life feels hard.

00:02:40.489 --> 00:02:44.390
Remind us that you're with us in the mess, using it to grow something beautiful.

00:02:44.390 --> 00:02:48.628
Teach us to trust you more deeply and to find gratitude in the small moments.

00:02:48.628 --> 00:02:50.341
In Jesus' name, amen.

00:02:50.341 --> 00:02:54.967
That's all for now.

00:02:55.770 --> 00:02:58.814
Thanks for listening to Wisdom for the Day Weekends with Lauren.

00:02:58.814 --> 00:03:00.763
I'm here every weekend.

00:03:00.763 --> 00:03:02.004
You should be too.

00:03:02.004 --> 00:03:04.389
To listen to past episodes.

00:03:04.389 --> 00:03:09.544
Go to wisdomforthedayorg For free Wisdom of the Day merch.

00:03:09.544 --> 00:03:10.808
Go to buymeacoffeecom.

00:03:10.808 --> 00:03:14.890
Slash renewed mindsets and consider becoming a community member.

00:03:14.890 --> 00:03:20.491
The executive producer for Wisdom for the Day is Kimmy Shirley.

00:03:20.491 --> 00:03:24.710
Quality control engineer is Yelena McClellan.

00:03:24.710 --> 00:03:40.969
Intro and outro music by Weston McCurry Catch me next week.

00:03:40.969 --> 00:03:41.633
I'm Lauren and I love all of you.

00:03:41.633 --> 00:03:41.712
Bye.