#142: Advent: Joy

Joy is at the heart of Christ. And yet, joy is the noun I struggle with most.  Joy causes a hitch in my throat that says, "But wait; what about all the hurt and sadness and violence?" Joy feels irrelevant or off-key or out of step in a world where: Human trafficking and slavery exist Women in the workplace face a wage disparity Racism flourishes Without provocation, one country attacks another country, and the world condemns with words, sends money, but doesn't intervene. Joy feels like stand-up comedy at a funeral. And yet, despite all our hang-ups about joy, joy is inextricably tied to the birth of Jesus Christ. Key Quotes "We've all heard the phrase, 'God cares more about your character than your happiness,' as if an infinite God doesn't have the capacity to care about both simultaneously. - Jill E. McCormick "Perhaps joy is so hard for us to receive and understand because it is what Jesus wants for us, AND what our enemy works hardest to steal. " - Jill E. McCormick "Joy is defiant resistance." - Jill E. McCormick "Joy is the rebellious act of remembering that God is with us – even here – in the presence of pain and the desperation of suffering." - Jill E. McCormick "Joy is Jesus. And joy has come." - Jill E. McCormick As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! #125: Combatting shame with grace with Becky Leach #128: The grace of joy with Kimberly Davis Detoured by Jen Babakhan Mythical Me by Richella Parham What's Here Now? by Jeanne Stevens Grace In Real Life book giveaway #81: Get Unstuck: Your identity with Jen Babakhan #129: God, grace + emotions: Radical grace for your distracted, swirling brain with Jeanne Stevens #127: God, grace + emotions: Practical grace when you feel not enough with Richella Parham Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Facebook group  Facebook page Subscribe to Jill's weekly "the good + the grace" email