EP. 70: Awkward Joy (with Mary Jo Clark)

We often talk about the topic of joy with an emphasis that we “choose joy” or “find joy.” But what does that actually mean? Are those phrases true? Or do phrases like “choose joy” put pressure on people to somehow become happy in the midst of rather unjoyful circumstances? On this episode of God Hears Her, Elisa and Eryn talk with Mary Jo Clark about what life looks like when “choosing joy” feels impossible.

About Our Guest:

After years of working in bakeries, coffee shops, and food trucks, Mary Jo Clark returned to her love of audio production and sharing stories. She is now a podcast producer and engineer for Our Daily Bread Ministries. Outside of her passion for creating podcasts to encourage women, she is a talented baker. Her cookies and cupcakes are described by many as “legendary.” She and her husband, Russ, are expecting their first child.

Notes and Quotes:

• “As someone that struggles with depression and anxiety, I am not someone who is an innately happy person.”
• “What if I struggle with depression . . . am I supposed to suppress those feelings down and pretend I am happy?”
• “It wasn’t a pity party. You were grieving very real things.”
• “I couldn’t find a way out of it until I was broken enough to find the point of being done. It’s time to be okay.”
• “Our job or status are not our identity.”
• “I can’t feel it [joy] because it’s down in my heart and I’ve buried it because I’m not content and I’m not focusing on the gifts I know God has given me, but I know it’s there.”
• “I was discovering this feeling of joy while I was crying.”
• “Through every single one of those trials, God grew me and He developed the joy that was growing already.”

Links/Books/Resources Mentioned in Show: 

• God Hears Her website: https://www.godhearsher.org/
• Subscribe on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-hears-her-podcast/id1511046507?utm_source=applemusic&utm_medium=godhearsher&utm_campaign=podcast
• Order God Sees Her: 365 Devotions for Women by Women on Amazon. 
• Get your copy of God Hears Her: A Joyful Christmas: https://www.godhearsher.org/joyfulchristmas
• Mary Jo’s Instagram: @sugarcoated.bymj
• Elisa’s Instagram: @elisamorganauthor
• Eryn’s Instagram: @eryneddy