Everyday Joy

What do you do when you're hurting so much that you don't even know how to pray? In this Best Moments episode, Ash and Jen unpack the powerful promise of Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." Together, they explore the reality of grief, disappointment, anger, and heartbreak—and why God never asks us to hide those emotions from Him. Instead of pretending we're okay, this conversation encourages us to bring our pain honestly before God, trusting that He is closest to us in the moments we feel weakest. From parenting and emotional health to surrender and spiritual growth, Ash and Ben discuss why acknowledging our emotions is often the first step toward healing, and how God meets us with compassion in the middle of our mess. God isn't waiting for you to have it all together. He's inviting you to bring your brokenness, your questions, and your pain to Him—and discover that He's already there.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you love God, go to church, sing the songs... and still be living in disobedience? In this Best Moments episode, Ash and Toby unpack a challenging passage from Amos 5:24 and explore the difference between simply going through the motions and genuinely living a life that reflects God's heart. Drawing from the prophet Amos' message to Israel, they discuss how easy it is to maintain the appearance of faith while neglecting the deeper call to justice, righteousness, and obedience. Together, they wrestle with what it means to have a relationship with God that goes beyond ritual and becomes an everyday pursuit of His ways. If you've ever felt stuck in routine, disconnected from your faith, or challenged by the gap between what you believe and how you live, this conversation is a powerful reminder that God isn't looking for perfection—He's looking for hearts that are willing to follow Him. Support the podcast and help keep these conversations going:https://donate.thelight.com.au/ Get Connected: Follow Ash & Everyday Joy on Instagram!  Subscribe to Everyday Joy Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Join the conversation on Facebook: Everyday Joy Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support the podcast and help keep these conversations going:https://donate.thelight.com.au/ Are you relying on God's wisdom—or just pushing through in your own strength? In this episode, Ash and Shay unpack Proverbs 24:5 and wrestle with a challenging question: how often do we make life harder by trying to handle everything ourselves? Reflecting on Israel's journey through the wilderness, they explore the striking reality that a trip that should have taken just eleven days ended up lasting forty years. Not because God abandoned His people, but because they struggled to trust Him fully. Together, they discuss the tension between knowing the right thing to do and actually living it out, the dangers of relying solely on our own abilities, and why true wisdom begins with seeking God before we reach the end of ourselves. If you've ever felt stuck, weary, or like you're taking the long road through a difficult season, this conversation is a reminder that God's wisdom is always available—and His way is better than our own.  Proverbs 24:5"The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength." (or GNT: "It's better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day.")  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you do with anger when it shows up? In this episode of Everyday Joy, Ash and Shay dive into honest conversation about anger, self-control, and what it really looks like to process emotions in a healthy way. From everyday frustrations (like the great “Stanley cup debate”) to deeper wounds we tend to brush past, they explore why ignoring anger doesn’t make it disappear—it just lets it build. Anchored in John 15:13 and Proverbs 25:28, this conversation unpacks the idea that anger itself isn’t the enemy—but what we do with it matters. They talk about calling things out instead of burying them, bringing emotions honestly before God, and learning that self-control isn’t suppression, but wisdom in action. If you’ve ever struggled to process what you feel without shutting down or blowing up, this episode will help you find a healthier way forward—one rooted in honesty, healing, and grace.Donate here: https://donate.thelight.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Together, we can keep sharing faith, hope, and joy. Donate here: https://donate.thelight.com.au  John 15:13"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."What does real love actually look like? In this episode, Ash and Shay unpack Jesus' powerful words in John 15:13 and explore the kind of love that goes far beyond feelings or good intentions. Together, they reflect on the sacrificial love of Christ, the challenge of laying down our own wants and comforts for others, and why true love will always cost us something. From friendships and marriage to everyday acts of service, this conversation is a reminder that love isn't just something we say—it's something we live. As they discuss what it means to love like Jesus, Ash and Shae encourage us to embrace a love that is selfless, intentional, and rooted in the joy that comes from putting others before ourselves.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Together, we can keep sharing faith, hope, and joy. Donate here: https://donate.thelight.com.au  How do you know when God is speaking? And what does it look like to hear His voice in everyday life? "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." In this episode, Ash and Kate explore James 1:5 and the incredible promise that God gives wisdom generously to those who ask. Together, they share personal stories of learning to trust God's guidance, navigating seasons of confusion, and discovering the freedom that comes from recognising His voice. Whether you're seeking direction, facing a difficult decision, or simply longing for a deeper relationship with God, this conversation is an encouragement that God is still speaking—and He delights in guiding His children.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Together, we can keep sharing faith, hope, and joy. Donate here: https://donate.thelight.com.au  In this episode, we explore Matthew 5:10 and what it really means to be “blessed” when we are misunderstood, criticised, or left out because of our faith. In a world that often avoids discomfort and hard conversations, Jesus calls us to a different kind of strength—one that stays rooted in righteousness even when it costs us something. We talk about what persecution actually looks like in everyday life, why following Jesus won’t always be popular, and how we can hold onto faith when others don’t understand our choices. This conversation encourages us to shift our perspective: rejection for righteousness is not the end of the story, but a reminder that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who stay faithful.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If someone asked whether your closeness to God is based on what you do, most of us would quickly say “no.” On paper, we believe grace covers us and our righteousness isn’t earned. But sometimes our lives tell a different story. In this conversation, Ash and Shae unpack Matthew 5:6 — “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” — and wrestle with the tension between believing in grace, yet living under pressure, performance, and constant “doing.” Ash opens up about a conversation with her psychologist that revealed something deeper: her sense of dissatisfaction wasn’t just burnout, but a pattern of striving — of trying to earn security, approval, and even closeness to God through effort. Together they explore what it actually means to hunger for God, not just function for Him. Because real faith isn’t about performing well enough to be close to God — it’s about learning to come back to Him as the source of fullness, rest, and satisfaction. The invitation isn’t more striving. It’s deeper hunger.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode includes conversation around pregnancy loss—please listen with care and discretion. What do you do when life feels painfully lonely, especially in the moments you never expected to walk through? In this episode, Ash and Shaylee unpack Matthew 5:4 and talk honestly about grief, mourning, and the comfort that God promises in the middle of it. From the reality of walking through miscarriage and hospital visits alone, to the quiet ways God brings unexpected support through people and moments of compassion, this conversation explores what it means to feel seen when everything feels isolating. They reflect on the truth that mourning is a part of life on this side of eternity, but it is never meaningless and never unseen by God. Even when there are no easy answers or instant healing, God is still present, still comforting, and still working in ways we may not immediately recognise. This episode is a reminder that pain is real, grief is valid, and you are never as alone as it feels. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you do when life feels heavy, your emotions feel all over the place, and you don’t even know how to pray? In this episode, Ash and Shaylee unpack Psalm 42:11 and have an honest conversation about what it looks like to wrestle with your own thoughts while still choosing to hope in God. From the pressure to appear like everything is fine, to the reality of feeling downcast or overwhelmed, they explore the tension many people feel between honesty and faith. They talk about the power of speaking truth over yourself, why our words matter more than we realise, and how important it is to bring what we’re really feeling into the light instead of hiding it behind a mask. This conversation also highlights the importance of asking God questions, getting to the root of what we’re feeling, and allowing Him to bring clarity and healing in the process. Ultimately, this episode is a reminder that faith doesn’t ignore our emotions — it brings them to God, and then chooses to hope anyway. “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him.” — Psalm 42:11See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Psalm 145:18 — “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” In today’s episode, Ash digs into a verse we often skim but rarely unpack. God promises nearness — but He also gives a condition: call on Him in truth. So what does truth actually mean when life feels confusing, subjective, or overwhelming? Ash explores why closeness with God doesn’t start with perfection — it starts with honesty. Real, humble, bring-your-whole-self honesty. In this episode, Ash shares: Why truth can feel subjective if we’re not anchored in Scripture The danger of relying on feelings instead of God’s Word How calling on God “in truth” requires honesty, humility, and repentance How to come to God when you feel lost, tired, or spiritually flat Why spending time in the Word helps you recognise God’s voice The lie that God is distant — and what Psalm 145:18 reveals instead Why God often feels closest when we finally stop pretending If you’ve ever wondered why God feels far or how to hear Him clearly, this conversation will help you recenter your heart, rediscover truth, and draw near to the God who is already near to you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“We are all called to ministry.” Not just the pastor.Not just the person on the platform.Not just the podcaster. Every believer has been called to share the hope of Jesus. In this episode with Lydia, we unpack Romans 10:14 and wrestle with a challenging question:How can people believe in Jesus if no one is willing to tell them about Him? So often we wait for a “big calling” while overlooking the people God has already placed in front of us. Your ministry might look like encouraging a friend, loving your neighbour well, being bold in your workplace, or simply being willing to speak honestly about what God has done in your life. We also talk about fear, insecurity, sacrifice, and how easy it is to disqualify ourselves before God has even asked us to be perfect. The truth is: your faith was never meant to stay hidden. You don’t need a stage to make an impact.You just need obedience. Because when ordinary people boldly live for Jesus, the world changes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So many of us think freedom means doing whatever we want. But what if true freedom is actually found in walking closely with God? In this episode, Ash and Lydia unpack Galatians 5:16 and the tension between living for the flesh and living by the Spirit. They talk honestly about temptation, discipline, conviction, and the wrestle we all face as believers trying to follow Jesus in a distracting world. This conversation is a reminder that you were never meant to fight sin, shame, or struggle on your own. God gave us the Holy Spirit — our helper, guide, and strength — to lead us through the hard moments and help us grow in wisdom, discernment, and freedom. If you’ve been feeling stuck in cycles you can’t break, battling guilt, or wondering why following Jesus still feels hard sometimes… this episode will encourage you to keep pressing into God, not away from Him. The more we walk with the Holy Spirit, the louder His voice becomes. And where the Spirit of God is, there is freedom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.