Experiencing Joy through God's Presence

Feeling caught between longing for deep joy and living in circumstances that don’t feel joyful at all? This episode walks right into that tension with Psalm 16:11 and the lived wisdom of bestselling author and speaker Carol Kent.   Description   Angela and Carol unpack Psalm 16:11 and explore how to experience God’s joy when life is painful, uncertain, or very ordinary. Through stories of calling, long obedience, and walking with her sister through stage‑four cancer, Carol shares how God reveals His path, how His presence brings real (not pretend) joy, and how eternity reshapes the way we see today.   Episode Highlights Why Psalm 16:11 became a life verse for Carol when she was desperate to know God’s will and not “waste her life.” How God makes His “path of life” known in everyday faithfulness instead of a tiny moving “dot” you’re afraid to miss. Practicing God’s presence: unhurried morning coffee with Jesus, praying with “eyes wide open,” and turning ordinary encounters (even in prison visitation rooms) into moments of worship. Joy in sorrow: walking with her sister through terminal cancer while anticipating the “welcome committee” in heaven and clinging to the promise of “pleasures forevermore.” The “already and not yet” of joy—tasting God’s pleasure now as you use your gifts for Him, and knowing that joy will “explode” in eternity when you see Jesus face to face. Quotes “True joy is found in God’s presence, not in our circumstances.” “God is not trying to hide His will under a rock somewhere—He actively reveals the path of life as we seek Him.” “Look in the rearview mirror of your life and notice the marker moments where God led you—you’ll see He’s been faithful all along.” “When we find our niche and use it for kingdom glory, everything else just doesn’t compare.” Scriptures Mentioned Psalm 16:11  Psalm 16:1 Resources & Ways to Connect Carol’s Website & Books: carolkent.org – including When I Lay My Isaac Down, He Holds My Hand, Staying Power, Tame Your Fears. Speak Up Conference: Training for Christian speakers, writers, and leaders. Speak Up for Hope: Nonprofit serving inmates and their families. Free Devotional & Newsletter If this conversation stirred a hunger to rethink your thinking and live all of life as worship, you can get a free devotional and regular encouragement from Angela by subscribing to the Life as Worship newsletter here.