Dec 5, 2019
Episode Summary:
We only get one life to live, and we don’t want to take it for
granted. In this episode, we sit down and talk with author and
speaker, Tracie Miles, about trusting God in Difficult Times, and
how to find joy in the hard times.
Today’s guest is my friend, Tracie Miles. Tracie is an author,
speaker, and Director of COMPEL training for Proverbs 31
ministries. Tracie has walked through several difficult valleys in
recent years and took the time to share not only the journey she
has been on, but how she learned to cope and find joy again.
Tracie shared that a key to loving life again and finding joy
when life is hard, recording those times in our history when God
was faithful to encourage our hearts when life gets difficult
again. Tracie also suggested finding a support system, which may or
may not be in the church. She further shared the importance of
getting enough rest, sleep, eating well, and perhaps even seeking
out a Christian counselor.
Tracie pointed out that frequently a stumbling block to our joy
is our attitude and perspective. She talked about the difference
between complaining to God and lamenting as we share our sorrows
with God. Tracie pointed out that if we truly want God’s joy, that
it’s crucial we recognize our value and know that God truly loves
us.
Tracie talked about the importance of having God’s perspective:
When Jesus looks at us, He sees us through the lens of mercy, and
grace.
Quotables from the episode:
- If you’ve been going through a hard time trusting God in
difficult times, then this is the show for you to listen
to!
- During those really difficult, painful experiences in life, it
helps to look back and remember all those other times before when
God was faithful and brought me through, and trusting that He will
bring us through the current situation as well
- Make sure you find a strong support system. Friends, family,
people in your church who can also give you spiritual support, to
help keep you grounded in your faith so you are strong enough
mentally and physically to be able to do the hard things.
- Make sure that you are taking care of yourself: physically,
emotionally, and spiritually. Especially if others (like children)
are depending on you, you’ve got to take care of yourself in order
to be able to attend to the needs of others. Eat well, exercise,
and do what it takes to sleep.
- We have to choose not to let our circumstances dictate our
joy.
- It’s so important that we let God renew our thoughts and renew
our mind, because only then can the real healing begin.
- Besides our circumstances (which are often largely outside of
our control), another stumbling block to keeping our joy is out
attitude and perspective; the thoughts we entertain. We have to be
intentional about the thoughts we have. If we keep having the same
negative thoughts we had yesterday and the day before, we’ll end up
having the same negative outcome.
- If we truly want to experience joy, it’s crucial that we not
only recognize our value, but that we also love ourselves.
- When Jesus looks at us, He sees us through the lens of mercy,
and grace. He doesn’t look at what we’ve done or haven’t done, or
all our mistakes or regrets, or sins or failures. We can’t have joy
and love other people, and love on other people, really until we
love ourselves.
- There’s no way we can experience joy and happiness when we
complain frequently.
- Complaining is really against God but lamenting is sharing our
sorrow with Him.
- We need to keep in mind that divorce results in grief, just
like after losing someone to death. The difference is that you
mourn the loss of someone who is still living. You mourn the loss
of the relationship, and the dreams you had.
- People going through a separation or divorce need to be treated
with tenderness or sympathy rather than judgement or condemnation,
or even rather than offering advice or taking sides.
- Being content in all situations doesn’t mean that we
necessarily like or approve the situation, but that we trust that
God has us right where we are supposed to be and He will provide
for my needs.
Scripture References:
- Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to
help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
- Isaiah 41:10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be
discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Recommended Resources:
- Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God
Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson https://amzn.to/2ZSTP4N
- Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey
Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the
Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award https://amzn.to/2zB0e7J
- Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson,
winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award
https://amzn.to/2yMdN46
Social Media Links for Host and Guest:
For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:
Guest: Tracie Miles
Tracie Miles is a national Speaker and Author with Proverbs 31
Ministries. She is the author of four best-selling books,
Unsinkable Faith: God-Filled Strategies for Transforming the
Way You Think, Feel and Live. (2017), Your Life Still Counts: How
God Uses Your Past To Create A Beautiful Future (2014) and
Stressed Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World
(2012). Her latest book released in 2018 called Love Life
Again: Finding Joy When Life is Hard. Tracie is a contributing
author to the popular Zondervan NIV Women’s Devotional Bible, and
the Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today Daily Devotional Book, in
addition to being a monthly contributing writer for the Proverbs 31
Ministries Encouragement for Today daily devotions which reach over
one million people per day around the globe. In addition to her
speaking and writing, Tracie is the Director of COMPEL Training at
Proverbs 31 Ministries, has 3 adult children and lives in
Charlotte, North Carolina.
Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson