388: When Joy Feels Hard, This Changes Everything episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 29, 2026 · 35 MIN

388: When Joy Feels Hard, This Changes Everything

from Choose 2 Think: A Christian Podcast about the Bible, the Brain, and Renewing Your Mind · host Victoria D. Lydon, MA | Author and Certified Christian Life Coach

What do you do when you wake up and your heart feels heavy—but the day is still waiting for you?In this concluding episode of the 30 Thoughts Series, Victoria closes with an honest, hope-filled conversation about grief, health, aging, and the daily choice to rejoice. Drawing from Scripture, personal experience, and simple brain science, Victoria reminds you that rejoicing is not denial—it is a decision that reshapes your mind, strengthens your faith, and anchors your soul.You’ll hear reflections on loss, a candid health journey, and practical ways to interrupt toxic thought patterns and replace them with truth. Victoria also shares how intentional gratitude and praise can create real change in your thinking, your behavior, and your emotional well-being—no matter what season you’re in.Tune in to explore:Why rejoicing is a spiritual practice and a neurological advantagePractical ways to reframe your thoughts morning, noon, and nightWhy you are not powerless over your thinkingEncouragement for aging well with faith, strength, and purposeA reminder that partnering with God transforms how you live each day00:00 – Welcome & Why This Episode Matters03:36 – Grief, Loss, and Living Honestly with God08:17 – Health, Aging, and Reframing the Story14:32 – Writing the Sacred Thinking Devotional15:04 – Reflecting on the 30 Thoughts Series15:53 – Why Rejoicing Matters (Faith + Brain Science)27:10 – Practical Ways to Rejoice Every Day30:49 – Encouragement for Midlife and Beyond34:24 – Closing Reflection & Prayer🎁 Free RESOURCE to accompany this episode: ⁠⁠⁠30 Biblical Affirmations to Change Your Thought Life⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/67dd072cfb08/30-thoughts⁠🔹 MINISTRY FAVORITE FREEBIE: Ready to take your thought life to the next level? Download The 7 R’s for Living Your Best Thought Life—a simple, biblical framework to help you renew your mind, replace toxic thoughts, and walk in daily peace.👉🏽 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab your free 1-page 7 R's guide here or https//:lchi.p/b954-7/9623⁠👉🏽 Join the interest list for the upcoming SACRED THINKING DEVO here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK 365-DAY DEVOTIONAL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3Hcl7v1 Start your new year with the ⁠⁠Choose 2 Think 365-day devotional! ⁠⁠ https://amzn.to/49yNtxwCONNECT WITH VICTORIA:PODCAST WEBSITE: www.choose2thinkpodcast.comMINISTRY WEBSITE:⁠⁠ www.choose2think.coFACEBOOK:⁠⁠ www.facebook.com/groups/choose2think⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠: www.instagram.com/victoriadwalkerlydon/EMAIL: [email protected] ⁠⁠*BOOKS:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK 365-DAY DEVOTIONAL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3Hcl7v1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK JOURNAL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://amzn.to/3Hcl7v1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pickleball Passion A Marriage Devotional: 21 Days to a Stronger Connection on and off the Court⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://amzn.to/48wnvaV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠*When you click on these Amazon affiliate links, I may earn a teeny commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!DISCLAIMER: Choose 2 Think: A Christian Podcast on Neuroscience, Mindset, Thoughts, and Emotional Health is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult your physician or doctor for all medical advice and counsel.Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoria-d-lydon/message⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUPPORT CHOOSE 2 THINK MINISTRIES AND PODCAST HERE:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PATREON: Patreon.com/Choose2Think

What do you do when you wake up and your heart feels heavy—but the day is still waiting for you?In this concluding episode of the 30 Thoughts Series, Victoria closes with an honest, hope-filled conversation about grief, health, aging, and the daily choice to rejoice. Drawing from Scripture, personal experience, and simple brain science, Victoria reminds you that rejoicing is not denial—it is a decision that reshapes your mind, strengthens your faith, and anchors your soul.You’ll hear reflections on loss, a candid health journey, and practical ways to interrupt toxic thought patterns and replace them with truth. Victoria also shares how intentional gratitude and praise can create real change in your thinking, your behavior, and your emotional well-being—no matter what season you’re in.Tune in to explore:Why rejoicing is a spiritual practice and a neurological advantagePractical ways to reframe your thoughts morning, noon, and nightWhy you are not powerless over your thinkingEncouragement for aging well with faith, strength, and purposeA reminder that partnering with God transforms how you live each day00:00 – Welcome & Why This Episode Matters03:36 – Grief, Loss, and Living Honestly with God08:17 – Health, Aging, and Reframing the Story14:32 – Writing the Sacred Thinking Devotional15:04 – Reflecting on the 30 Thoughts Series15:53 – Why Rejoicing Matters (Faith + Brain Science)27:10 – Practical Ways to Rejoice Every Day30:49 – Encouragement for Midlife and Beyond34:24 – Closing Reflection & Prayer🎁 Free RESOURCE to accompany this episode: ⁠⁠⁠30 Biblical Affirmations to Change Your Thought Life⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/67dd072cfb08/30-thoughts⁠🔹 MINISTRY FAVORITE FREEBIE: Ready to take your thought life to the next level? Download The 7 R’s for Living Your Best Thought Life—a simple, biblical framework to help you renew your mind, replace toxic thoughts, and walk in daily peace.👉🏽 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab your free 1-page 7 R's guide here or https//:lchi.p/b954-7/9623⁠👉🏽 Join the interest list for the upcoming SACRED THINKING DEVO here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK 365-DAY DEVOTIONAL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3Hcl7v1 Start your new year with the ⁠⁠Choose 2 Think 365-day devotional! ⁠⁠ https://amzn.to/49yNtxwCONNECT WITH VICTORIA:PODCAST WEBSITE: www.choose2thinkpodcast.comMINISTRY WEBSITE:⁠⁠ www.choose2think.coFACEBOOK:⁠⁠ www.facebook.com/groups/choose2think⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠: www.instagram.com/victoriadwalkerlydon/EMAIL: [email protected] ⁠⁠*BOOKS:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK 365-DAY DEVOTIONAL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3Hcl7v1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK JOURNAL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://amzn.to/3Hcl7v1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pickleball Passion A Marriage Devotional: 21 Days to a Stronger Connection on and off the Court⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://amzn.to/48wnvaV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠*When you click on these Amazon affiliate links, I may earn a teeny commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!DISCLAIMER: Choose 2 Think: A Christian Podcast on Neuroscience, Mindset, Thoughts, and Emotional Health is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult your physician or doctor for all medical advice and counsel.Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoria-d-lydon/message⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUPPORT CHOOSE 2 THINK MINISTRIES AND PODCAST HERE:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PATREON: Patreon.com/Choose2Think

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388: When Joy Feels Hard, This Changes Everything

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This episode was published on January 29, 2026.

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What do you do when you wake up and your heart feels heavy—but the day is still waiting for you?In this concluding episode of the 30 Thoughts Series, Victoria closes with an honest, hope-filled conversation about grief, health, aging, and the daily...

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