Fighting For Joy

Latest Episodes:

Episode 44: FFJ Live Event - Jodi and Eric Blick Dec 14, 2021

Show notes

Today I am adding a bonus episode to go along with the FFJL (Fighting for Joy Live) episode that I released last week. Most podcast listening is done individually - but creating and hosting a live event this fall brought people together to listen to the conversation at the same time and connect with one another around the theme of fighting for joy! On this episode you’ll get to hear a little bit from another part of that evening - the conversation that I had with my husband, Eric. Again, we recorded this a few months ago when we were just preparing to kick off Season 4, so we were sharing our vision for this season and why we felt God was directing us to keep going with the podcast. I hope you enjoy hearing from the two of us as we anticipated and prepared for this current season!

*The Fighting for Joy Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling, an online Christian 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: faithfulcounseling.com/fightingforjoy. Quality counseling is a worthy investment and can be such a powerful tool in the fight for joy!

Episode 43: FFJ Live Event - Cathy DelSenno Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

Today I’m excited to bring you a really fun episode! A different kind of episode that stemmed from a dream that God has been planting in my heart for years…a vision of gathering women in our home to build relationships, connect friends with other friends, and be encouraged around the truths of God’s Word as we share about His faithful work in our lives. After our big move last year, everything came together in my mind and a couple of months ago, I hosted my first “Fighting for Joy Live Event” in our backyard. I actually recorded a podcast out on our patio with a live audience! It’s something that I had seen other podcasters do - and, after hosting my first one, I know why. It was so much fun and life-giving for me. On this episode, you’ll hear me have a live follow up interview with my friend, Cathy DelSenno. Cathy was my guest on Episode 32 and she quickly became a listener favorite. She is a busy single mom of teenagers & young adults, a nursing student, the Educational Coordinator for 2 hospitals, AND the Lactation Consultant on the mother/baby floor at our local women’s hospital. Her "Fighting for Joy As We Wait" episode is still being downloaded, replayed, and shared - so, as I was thinking about who I wanted to have a conversation with at this special gathering, I thought that having Cathy give a life update and share how she continues to wait on the Lord and continues to fight for joy (especially through loneliness, comparison, and feeling overwhelmed) would be perfect. And it really was. She left my guests that night so encouraged, inspired, and full of hope - and I know she will do the same for you as you listen today.

Episode 42: Can laughter return in grief? Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

I believed from the start of our grief journey that our faith would allow us to fight for joy in the midst of our sorrow. But happiness? Laughter? It sure didn't seem possible, or even appropriate, for a long time. But today we share a little bit about how laughter HAS returned, even though our grief continues. And, because of all of the tears and darker days, our laughter feels especially sweet now. Richer. More meaningful. More hope-filled.

If you are in the midst of difficult circumstances and feel like genuine laughter is unattainable, we understand - and we want this episode to bring you hope. We have a big God who restores, helps, heals, comforts, and redeems. Wait upon Him. In the meantime, let the tears flow. Keep pressing forward. Take one day at a time. Work to fight bitterness and despondency. And keep fighting for joy, asking God to eventually bring some laughter along with it.

Episode 41: Bonus Episode - Helping your friends who grieve Nov 04, 2021

Show notes

Today's episode is unique. It's something that I wanted to provide in response to the many questions we get about helping friends as they grieve. Our loss certainly hasn't made us experts in grief, but we have learned a lot through our experience. And now, as hard as it is, we have become a family that others often come to for advice and guidance when they hear of another tragedy or loss. People want to know what to do and say...and what not to do, and not to say. So, on this bonus episode, my husband Eric and I quickly run through some ideas and practical things to do when you hear about someone losing a loved one. We hope this is an easily accessible (and shareable) resource that better enables you to help a hurting friend.

Episode 40: Season 4 is Here! Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

I'm excited to be back for Season 4 of the podcast! Listen in today as I share a few thoughts about what is ahead. And, if you haven’t subscribed to the podcast yet, it’s a great time to do that. Subscribing (or "Following", depending on the app you use) allows episodes to automatically show up in your feed as soon as they are released. This way you don’t have to go searching for the podcast to see if there is anything new.

I'm so glad that you're joining me for another season. Let's keep fighting for joy together!

Episode 39: Fighting for Joy in Marriage - Q&A Aug 25, 2021

Show notes

Today my husband Eric and I finish up our series on marriage by answering some listener questions. Join us as we talk through topics like communciaton, conflict, grief, and parenting.

Episode 38: Fighting for Joy in Marriage: Part 2 Apr 07, 2021

Show notes

Today in Part 2 of our marriage series, my husband Eric and I continue talking through our "Top 10" list - practical and theological truths that have helped us, instructed us, and given us hope through the ups and downs of marriage in this broken world.

Fighting for joy in marriage can be really hard work, but it is important and meaningful work. We hope these conversations encourage and inspire you to keep going. The best news is that we have a big God who is always at work and He promises to help, sustain, comfort and provide for us every step of the way!

Episode 37: Fighting for Joy in Marriage: Part 1 Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

Today I am excited to release the first episode of a three-part series that I recorded with my husband Eric on the topic of marriage and ways that we can fight for joy IN marriage. Over the past 3 years I have asked numerous times about topic suggestions for the podcast - and over and over again, marriage is the #1 thing that you bring up. It’s a favorite topic for us, too, but its a huge topic! There is just so much to cover. Ultimately, we decided to narrow it down to 10 key things that we have learned through our 27 years of marriage (and 5 years of dating before that!). These are practical and theological truths that have helped us, instructed us, and given us hope through the ups and downs of marriage in this broken world.

If you are married, your relationship with your spouse is a huge part of your life…for better or worse. It has the potential to bless and bring great encouragement. It also has the potential to hurt and discourage your soul. This is why we need to talk about the challenges of marriage more, share the things we are learning, give each other hope, and encourage one another to keep fighting for joy within our marriages. Eric and I are far from experts and hope to keep learning and growing - but it has been really special thinking through these things and we loved preparing this series for you.

Episode 36: Fighting for Joy with Prayer Mar 09, 2021

Show notes

I’m so happy to introduce you to a special woman in our community who is known as “Mama Lu”. Her nickname points to the role that she plays in the lives of so many - mentoring, teaching, mothering, and encouraging. Her actual name is LuAnn Ruwe. She has been married to her husband Chris for 44 years. They have 7 children (plus 6 of them have brought spouses to the family) and 13 grandchildren. LuAnn is a retired nurse and is now in the catering business. So she brings a lot of experience, wisdom, and insight to the table and I was so grateful for the opportunity to sit and learn from her - and now I'm thrilled to share our conversation with you!

Even though LuAnn has experienced firsthand the brokenness of this world, she exudes an unbelievable amount of joy! LuAnn has one of the most beautiful and genuine smiles, her laugh is contagious, and she always seems to have a song in her heart. As we talk together on this episode today, you’ll quickly find out where her abundant joy comes from (spoiler alert: it comes from her deep love for Jesus!). God's work in her life has produced such beautiful fruit. Through many years of walking closely with Him, she has developed a sweet dependence on Him, she treasures His Word, trusts His promises, believes in the importance of staying in close community with other believers, and regarding our topic today, she has learned about the necessity, comfort, joy, and power of prayer. I hope as you listen you are spurred on in your own prayer life. Or maybe it will prompt you to start praying for the very first time. I love how practical LuAnn got and I think her insight will help and encourage you, as it did for me. And really, as we continue to talk through these many ways to fight for joy, I can’t think of many that top prayer!

Episode 35: Fighting for Joy against Perfectionism Feb 17, 2021

Show notes

Perfectionism. What comes to mind when you hear that word? For many people, trying to attain “perfection” here in this broken world leads to despair, extreme frustration, debilitating doubt, never feeling good enough, and constant comparison with others which leads to a deep discontentment that permeates the soul. It can feel almost maddening. Like carrying a weight around that is absolutely crushing. Yet, our culture can tend to glamorize it - think of the Lexus car commercial promoting the “pursuit of perfection”. Sometimes we wonder if our life would be better if we had MORE perfectionist tendencies. And to be honest, many perfectionists DO accomplish a lot…but at what cost?!? That’s the question that my guest today ended up asking herself after years of trying to accept nothing less than “perfection” in her life.

Today I’m joined by Sara Waddel, my cousin and dear friend. On this episode we talk about how harmful and damaging these tendencies can be when they take over. How quickly perfectionism can rob us of peace, freedom, contentment, and JOY. As Sara shares her story, you’ll be encouraged by her fight for joy in the struggle. God has been teaching her a lot and I’m grateful for her willingness to share so openly and honestly. I think you’ll especially be helped by some of the practical things that she implements into her daily life to fight against perfectionism.

There is so much joy to be found when we rest in Christ’s work, not our own…knowing that we are not accepted and loved by God because we do everything “perfectly” and never fail, but because as believers, Christ’s righteousness counts for us! And, we know that the Holy Spirit is producing good fruit in us that delights God. We don’t have to earn his love or our salvation. We don’t have to seek the love and approval of others - or find our value in doing things “better” than those around us. This is freeing and joy-producing!

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