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:

• Love Life Again: Finding Joy When Life is Hard by Tracie Miles https://amzn.to/2RlCxeS
• Unsinkable Faith: God-Filled Strategies for Transforming the Way You Think, Feel and Live by Tracie Miles https://amzn.to/33WBbtD
• Your Life Still Counts: How God Uses Your Past To Create A Beautiful Future by Tracie Miles https://amzn.to/2YjoHLL
• Stressed Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles https://amzn.to/38apQcZ
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/how-testimonies-in-bible-bolster-faith-during-hard-times/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/7-things-learned-from-hd-times/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/5-tips-to-cope-with-the-hard-times/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/never-alone-15-bible-verses-assure-you-when-you-feel-alone/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/scriptures-when-you-need-strength/

• 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:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p31traciemiles/
• Facebook Live Life Again Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/683895538615656/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traciemiles/
• Twitter: @traciesmiles https://twitter.com/traciewmiles
• Blog: www.traciemiles.com

For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:

• To order Hope Prevails: http://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/
• Website: http://www.DrMichelleBengtson.com
• Blog: http://drmichellebengtson.com/category/blog/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson
• Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/DrMBengtson (@DrMBengtson)
• LinkedIn: http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/DrMichelleBengtson
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/drmichellebengtson
• Pinterest:  http://www.Pinterest.com/Drbhopeprevails
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn92DHzGSZk8psDb2FKazOQ
• Radio Show Host: http://graceandtruthradio.world/shows/your-hope-filled-perspective/

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

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.