{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast","title":"“Choosing Joy in the Midst of Suffering: An Advent Conversation” With Wendy Blight, Ellen Adkins, and Kaley Olson","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1886,"description":"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.\nA powerful message for anyone who’s wondering how joy is possible in a season that feels anything but joyful.\n\nYou’ll learn:\nWhy biblical joy is more than a feeling — it’s something God gifts us through His Spirit.\nHow joy grows in seasons of pain, unanswered prayer, or physical and emotional suffering.\nWhy lament isn’t the opposite of joy — it's often the doorway to it.\nPractical ways to shift your gaze from your circumstances to Christ.\nWhat Scripture teaches about a future joy that no loss or sorrow can take away.\nResources From This Episode:\nJoin us for Advent in the First 5 app!\nDownload the free app, and spend five minutes each day studying God’s Word with women around the world.\nGo deeper with our brand-new Advent study guide, More Than a Manger.\nExperience the Christmas story with fresh eyes through rich biblical teaching and meaningful daily reflections.\nHelp more women access biblical Truth this season.\nYour generosity fuels everything we do — from free podcasts to devotions to study resources.\n[Give to Proverbs 31 Ministries today.]\nClick here to download a transcript of this episode\nWant More on This Topic? \nListen to this Therapy & Theology episode titled “How Can I Trust God When I Don’t Understand What He Allows?”","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/KsXODJxmxdHuhuyCD36mzdcQpiXGWuOitdiDbMYQyM4/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS83Mzhl/MDJlYzI0MzIxY2U2/OGJhNGY3YTFiMGI5/M2VmNi5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}