“Choosing Joy in the Midst of Suffering: An Advent Conversation” With Wendy Blight, Ellen Adkins, and Kaley Olson

Joy sounds simple at Christmastime … until life brings loss, disappointment, or unanswered prayers. In this Advent episode, Wendy Blight joins Kaley Olson and Ellen Adkins to share how Jesus brings joy — not to replace suffering but right in the middle of it. Through Wendy’s honest personal story and a biblical look at joy throughout Scripture, you’ll discover how true joy isn’t rooted in circumstances — it's rooted in the presence of Jesus who meets us, sustains us, and carries us through things we never asked for.

A powerful message for anyone who’s wondering how joy is possible in a season that feels anything but joyful.

You’ll learn:

• Why biblical joy is more than a feeling — it’s something God gifts us through His Spirit.
• How joy grows in seasons of pain, unanswered prayer, or physical and emotional suffering.
• Why lament isn’t the opposite of joy — it's often the doorway to it.
• Practical ways to shift your gaze from your circumstances to Christ.
• What Scripture teaches about a future joy that no loss or sorrow can take away.

Resources From This Episode:

• Join us for Advent in the First 5 app!
  Download the free app, and spend five minutes each day studying God’s Word with women around the world.
• Go deeper with our brand-new Advent study guide, More Than a Manger.
  Experience the Christmas story with fresh eyes through rich biblical teaching and meaningful daily reflections.
• Help more women access biblical Truth this season.
  Your generosity fuels everything we do — from free podcasts to devotions to study resources.
  [Give to Proverbs 31 Ministries today.]
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode

Want More on This Topic? 

• Listen to this Therapy & Theology episode titled “How Can I Trust God When I Don’t Understand What He Allows?”