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What happens after Jesus asks, “Would you like to get well?” The story at Bethesda does not end when the man stands up. Bible teacher Stephanie Rousselle follows him beyond the miracle and discovers a deeper question beneath physical healing: what does grace actually do to a life once it has been received? Returning to John 5, Stephanie explores the Sabbath controversy surrounding the healed man. For thirty-eight years, he had known the exhausting restlessness of trying and failing. Then Jesus gives him something entirely different: rest rooted in grace. The healing is received rather than achieved. That distinction opens a larger conversation about obedience, gratitude, trust, and the subtle ways we can turn the Christian life into another system of performance. From Bethesda, the episode moves to another man undone by Jesus: Simon Peter in Luke 5. After the miraculous catch of fish, Peter falls before Christ and says, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” His response sounds strange until we recognize what happens when holiness comes close. Peter sees Jesus more clearly, and in that light he sees himself more truthfully. Yet Jesus does not leave him in shame. He calls him forward. Stephanie draws these two encounters together around a beautiful movement of grace. Jesus makes the helpless man well; Jesus reveals himself to the self-confident fisherman. Both men discover that life with God begins where self-sufficiency ends. Repentance is not groveling before a reluctant God. It is the honest response of a heart that has glimpsed who Jesus really is. The episode invites listeners to ask whether gratitude is becoming obedience, whether grace is producing worship, and whether our awareness of sin is driving us away from Christ or bringing us nearer. Peter’s confession becomes a prayer we can borrow: Lord, I am a sinner—and still, astonishingly, you call me. A word of caution: don’t come to Scripture with the agenda of finding yourself there. Right now we are going to take Scripture in. Like breathing, like eating, like smelling a flower. Don’t come to Scripture with the agenda of finding yourself there. Come with the firm intention of discovering God instead. And then Scripture will never disappoint. God promises to be found in the places where He dwells – His Word especially. And in the process, you will undoubtedly find yourself as you find Him. So as we enter the hallowed pages of Scripture together, through a humble doorway and a very simple story, ask yourself: what is this telling me about Jesus? NEW! REFLECTION QUESTIONS. Several of you have reached out and expressed an interest in reflection questions to help you dive deeper into the content of each session. Here they are! 1. What happens in you when you say plainly to Jesus, “I am a sinner”? 2. How does acknowledging our sin relate to the healing and wholeness Jesus offers? 3. Where are you tempted to defend, explain, or minimize what needs to be confessed? 4. What does the episode suggest about repentance as a response to God’s initiative rather than an achievement of our own? 5. How do you distinguish genuine repentance from shame or a determination to fix yourself? 6. What might repentance, rest, and trust look like in one relationship or habit this week? 7. What would you like to bring into Christ’s presence without hiding or self-justification? Stay tuned for next week's episode, a new question from Jesus. Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

What if Jesus’ question to the man at Bethesda is far less obvious than it sounds? “Would you like to get well?” feels almost unnecessary when addressed to a man who has been disabled for thirty-eight years. Yet Bible teacher Stephanie Rousselle invites us to linger there, because Jesus is never careless with a question. He is reaching beneath the man’s circumstances to the deeper places where disappointment, identity, self-reliance, and hope have become tangled together. Stephanie brings listeners into the sensory world of John 5 and the Pool of Bethesda, a place crowded with sickness, longing, superstition, and the exhausting hope that perhaps this time the water might finally deliver. The man has spent decades looking toward the pool. Jesus arrives and redirects his gaze toward a Person. The contrast is striking: dead water cannot give life, yet Jesus speaks a command that carries within it the power to obey. “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.” The episode explores the strange ways we can become attached to the identities formed by our wounds. Healing may require receiving a new story about who we are, admitting that our own strategies cannot save us, and allowing Jesus to define what wholeness looks like. Stephanie also notices the man’s response: instead of a clean declaration of desire, he offers an explanation of why healing has remained impossible. How often do we do the same? This is an invitation to bring our well-worn impossibilities to Christ and hear his question personally. Where have we kept staring at the water, waiting for circumstances to change, while Jesus himself stands before us? The passage becomes a doorway into grace: the One who asks the question is also the One with authority to make us whole. NEW! REFLECTION QUESTIONS. Several of you have reached out and expressed an interest in reflection questions to help you dive deeper into the content of each session. Here they are! 1. Where in your life have you been waiting so long that disappointment has begun to shape your identity? 2. What do you notice about the man’s answer to Jesus at Bethesda? Where do you recognize a similar response in yourself? 3. What “pool” or familiar strategy do you keep looking to for the change you long for? 4. How might Jesus be inviting you to look toward him rather than toward the solution you have imagined? 5. What would it mean to receive a new identity from Christ instead of defining yourself by an old wound? 6. Is there a command of Jesus that feels impossible to obey in your own strength? How does his authority change the way you hear it? 7. If Jesus asked you today, “Would you like to get well?” what would your most candid answer be? Stay tuned for next week's episode, a response from the disciples. Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

What happens when we’ve prayed, parented, sought counsel, tried to do everything faithfully—and our child still walks away? In this deeply personal conversation, Stephanie welcomes Bible teacher and author Erica Wiggenhorn to talk about Loving Your Wayward Child, a book born from Erica’s own painful experience of loving a son through seasons of turmoil and even complete separation. Together, Stephanie and Erica explore a particularly painful kind of grief: mourning someone who is still very much alive, while never knowing what tomorrow may bring. Erica describes how fear can quietly move us toward isolation, fixation, manipulation, or simply trying to escape the pain. She also challenges the “formulaic Christianity” many of us absorbed—the assumption that if we parent faithfully enough, our children will inevitably make the choices we hoped they would. But Scripture offers something far deeper than a formula. From the prodigal son to Cain, Erica traces the presence of a God who remains at work beyond what a parent can see or control. Our children may move beyond our reach, but they never move beyond his. This conversation makes room for grief without surrendering hope, and for honest questions without abandoning faith. Ultimately, it invites us to entrust both our children and our own wounded hearts to the God who knows the end of the story—and who is tenderly present while we wait. MORE ABOUT “LOVING YOUR WAYWARD CHILD” https://ericawiggenhorn.com/lovingyourwaywardchild  For the Mom Who's Been Up Since 3 a.m. You’ve read the books. You’ve listened to the podcasts. You’ve prayed until you ran out of words. And your child is still walking away. You’re terrified of saying the wrong thing—so you say nothing. You feel like a failure, but you can’t admit that to anyone. Other Christians assume you must have done something wrong. You haven’t. And you’re not alone. Most books about wayward children are written after the happy ending. This one isn’t. Erica Wiggenhorn wrote Loving Your Wayward Child while still in the trenches—not knowing how her own story would turn out. This is not a parenting advice book. You’ve already poured out every last drop of your parenting heart. This is a lifeline for your heart—biblical perspective, emotional tools, and practical strategies to help you stay spiritually grounded, emotionally healthy, and relationally connected to your child when both connections feel impossible. This book will help you: ·         Stay anchored in faith when hope feels foolish ·         Recognize the four default reactions that keep you stuck ·         Receive courage to make bids for connection– even if you’re afraid your child won’t respond ·         Process grief, fear, and shame without drowning in them ·         Build practical daily habits that sustain you for the long haul MORE ABOUT ‘MOMENTUM” https://ericawiggenhorn.com/momentum/  Your child is going their own way, in a direction you would never choose, leading to disruption and separation in your relationship. But what if you found a new pathway for connection, where you could both move forward, together? The Momentum Conference provides a safe place to rest, remember you’re not alone and receive tools and perspective empowering you to stand strong in faith and pursue healthy connection with your child. God is for you, for your family — and together we can cling to His promises and find hope. What is the Momentum Conference? Momentum is a Friday night through Sunday morning getaway with a balance of biblical teaching, practical help, group connection and time to pursue individual rest. The weekend schedule has been designed to lavish love, impart resources and provide hope to moms who are walking a hard road with their teens, young adult, or adult children. Freedom to pursue preferential activities provided by the resort promises a time of rejuvenation as well as a mental, emotional and spiritual reset. MORE ABOUT ERICA WIGGENHORN Erica Wiggenhorn is a Bible teacher, author, and Proverbs 31 Ministries writer who has spent years helping women encounter God through Scripture. Her Unexplainable Jesus & An Unexplainable Life Bible Studies have been read by thousands of women all over the world in churches, small groups and military installations. But this book isn’t about her expertise. It’s about her experience. Erica is a mom whose son’s choices have taken her to places she never imagined—emergency rooms at midnight, months of silence, and the kind of grief that doesn’t have a casserole ministry. She wrote Loving Your Wayward Child not from the other side of a victory lap, but from the middle of the story—because she believes the moms who are in it right now can’t wait for a happy ending to find hope. When she isn’t traveling the country connecting with women at retreats, conferences or church groups, Erica makes her home in Arizona with her husband Jonathan. Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Some truths can be taught. Others must be lived. Today, Stephanie welcomes Kirby Kelly to discuss the path to confident hope when life is just too much to handle. When Kirby Kelly was fourteen years old, Jesus stepped into her life, which was marked by addiction, loss, grief, and instability. Her father died from alcoholism. Her mother struggled with addiction for years. Pain was not an abstract theological category; it was the landscape of her childhood. Yet what emerges from Kirby's story is not a testimony about suffering. It’s a testimony about God. In this deeply personal conversation, Kirby shares how the Lord has spent years revealing himself as Father, Comforter, Redeemer, and Hope. Drawing from her new book, The Fabric of Hope, she reflects on the surprising ways God weaves redemption through even the most painful chapters of life. Kirby describes becoming a mother herself. In the exhaustion of postpartum depression, grief over her mother's death, sleepless nights, and overwhelming uncertainty, she found herself returning to the very truths she had written about. What had once been theology became experience. What had once been doctrine became comfort. Can God really redeem suffering? Kirby's answer is not theoretical. It is rooted in a lifetime of watching God transform wounds into testimonies, grief into compassion, and brokenness into ministry. She shares how her mother's addiction eventually became the doorway through which she repeatedly shared the gospel, ultimately witnessing her mother's surrender to Christ. This conversation is an invitation to remember. To remember the God who has been faithful before. To remember the God who comforts like a mother and protects like a father. To remember that even when we cannot see what he is doing, he is never absent. Our story is not ultimately about pain. It is about the God who redeems it. MORE ABOUT KIRBY KELLY Kirby Kelly is a speaker, author, podcast host, and content creator based in Dallas, Texas, who has spent over a decade using digital platforms to equip, empower, and engage a global audience with the truth of the Gospel. With a B.A. in Communication and Biblical Studies from Dallas Baptist University and an M.A. in Theology, Kirby has built a ministry that blends theological depth with cultural relevance. Her online presence spans Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and her podcast Bought + Beloved, where she helps listeners and viewers deepen their love for God and knowledge of the Word. Kirby has authored two books with W Publishing: You Can Be Free and The Fabric of Hope. From everyday evangelism to her online uploads, Kirby hopes to see this generation live saved, set free, and sent forth in their unique God-given calling. MORE ABOUT “THE FABRIC OF HOPE” Could God be interrupting your life with hope in the middle of your hardest seasons, stitching meaning into every square inch of the fabric of your story? Kirby Kelly wants to help you find the worth in what seemed like a waste, sweetness to what was once a bitter taste, purpose to your pain, glory to your shame, and relief from the strain of your burdens. Life has not dealt anyone an easy hand, no matter what we see on social media. We all have our scars and stories, our lemons and our laments. But something delightful, refreshing, and sweet can come out of the hardest seasons when viewed through the lens of God's redemptive plan that is woven throughout the biblical narrative and your individual story. He is the thread that stitches torn things back together making beauty that is worth trusting even when you're still in the thick of the process. In The Fabric of Hope, Kirby Kelly walks you through her own patchwork life with its unexpected love story, the sudden loss of her mom in the shadow of her graduation and Mother's Day, battling doubt, a family legacy of addiction, and betrayal to finding calling and purpose and synchronicity in God's design to show you the greater story God was stitching together. By showing you how God pieced together the bitter and the sweet she wants to help you: ·         reflect on the stories you've lived through and recognize the goodness, kindness, and purpose of God in each chapter ·         learn how to cope in the sable clouds and hope in the silver linings of God's great plan for your unique life ·         embrace life's beautiful dichotomies of sadness and joy, pain and purpose, ache and wholeness often in a single season ·         have permission to exist in both planes of suffering and rejoicing with God ·         identify where God was, what He was up to, and how He used each interruption in your life for divine intervention. ·         When you take the time to reflect on every place you've been, the seasons you’ve gone through, and each victory and celebration along the way, you might start to notice an interesting pairing. Some of the most joyful, peaceful, hopeful, and beautiful seasons with the Lord actually occur during some of your times of greatest hardship, suffering, change, and inconvenience. Kirby Kelly wants to help you recognize those moments so you can savor what God is up to in the middle of all your seasons. DISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn’t really work, or it's not really possible here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable. Delighting in God isn’t sentimental optimism. It’s deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus. It’s the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart. Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4. More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Kind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith: “Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God’s delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you’ll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content: "I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie’s joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call:  "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky: "Stephanie’s love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways."More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

We’re all living inside stories. The strange thing is, most of the time we don’t know they’re stories. “You do you.” “Follow your heart.” “Live free.” “Truth is relative.” They can feel less like cultural assumptions and more like oxygen—simply the way things are. In this conversation, Stephanie sits down with Michael Keller, senior pastor of Redeemer Lincoln Square in New York City and son of the late Tim Keller, to ask what happens when we begin noticing the water we’re swimming in. They discuss the book Tim Keller co-authored with Michael before passing. Michael and his father began working together on a book exploring these cultural narratives before Tim’s death in 2023. What emerged became something more personal for Michael than he expected. They talk about identity that is received rather than achieved, why our culture’s vision of freedom may leave us lonelier rather than freer, and what happens when love slowly becomes synonymous with affirmation. And then the conversation gets tender. Michael shares what it meant to work among his father’s words after losing the man himself, and what he discovered about grief, fatherhood, and finding in Christ what death seems to have taken away. Stephanie and Michael come at that question from very different experiences with their earthly fathers, yet somehow arrive in the same place: Jesus. They also explore Tim Keller’s much-discussed approach to culture, which some have labeled as "third way-ism." Michael explains why “affirm, critique, redirect” isn’t an attempt to find a comfortable middle between opposing sides. The gospel stands somewhere else altogether, exposing what is broken while recognizing echoes of goodness and redirecting our longings toward Christ. So perhaps the question isn’t simply whether we believe the gospel. What stories are we actually living as though they were true? MORE ABOUT DR. TIM KELLER Timothy J. Keller (1950–2023) was the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, cofounder of Redeemer City to City, and the author of numerous books, including The Reason for God, The Prodigal God, and The Meaning of Marriage. His thirty-one books have sold over six million copies and have been translated into twenty-nine languages. MORE ABOUT DR. MICHAEL KELLER Dr. Michael Keller is the senior pastor of Redeemer Lincoln Square in New York City, a church he planted with his wife, Sara, in 2017. He grew up in New York as the son of the late pastor, author, and apologist Tim Keller, watching his parents plant Redeemer Presbyterian Church beginning in 1989. Michael earned his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and later received an M.Div. and a Th.M. in Apologetics, magna cum laude, from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He also holds a Ph.D. from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, where his work brought computational linguistics into conversation with historical theology. Before planting Redeemer Lincoln Square, Michael served in ministry in London, Queens, and Boston and helped establish an urban Reformed University Fellowship ministry in New York City. MORE ABOUT “THE STORIES WE LIVE BY” by TIM KELLER AND MICHAEL KELLER We are the stories we believe. But what if our culture's stories are failing us? The Stories We Live By reveals the hidden cultural narratives that shape us and points the way to the life we've been looking for. "Do what makes you happy." "Be true to yourself." "Live free." If these slogans promise the good life, why do they so often leave us feeling hollow and empty? Could the very stories our modern world tells us about happiness, freedom, and identity be the source of our growing anxiety and disillusionment? The culmination of a journey Michael Keller began with his father, beloved pastor and bestselling author Timothy Keller, before his passing, The Stories We Live By unmasks the hidden cultural narratives that shape our lives, often without our knowledge. Examining seven dominant narratives of modern culture--concerning identity, power, freedom, morality, truth, happiness, and progress--the authors show how these stories contain elements of truth yet are built on flawed assumptions and internal contradictions that leave us fragile, divided, and unable to cope with the realities of life. The Stories We Live By helps us: Recognize where these stories appear throughout cultureUnderstand why they leave us feeling hollow and unfulfilledDecode the specific ways these stories hijack our decision-making--and learn how to critically evaluate them going forwardUnderstand why the Christian story offers a more satisfying answer to our deepest longingsMake sense of both the beauty and the brokenness of the worldFind a hope that can sustain us through suffering, grounded in a story that is bigger than death itselfFor the skeptic, this book offers a challenge to examine the unproven beliefs that drive our lives. For the Christian, it is an essential tool for recognizing where we have unknowingly absorbed cultural narratives that conflict with our faith. And for everyone, it is an invitation to discover a story that is big enough to make sense of both the beauty and the brokenness of the world--a story of grace that has the power to carry us through life's deepest joys and sorrows. Born from a conversation between a father and son, The Stories We Live By is more than a cultural analysis. It is a guide to finding a truer, more beautiful, and far more satisfying story to live by. Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

To awaken our delight in God means not striving harder, but returning—again and again—to the garden of God’s presence. There, rooted in His unwavering delight for us, we cultivate practices that transform both us and those around us for His glory. In this closing episode of our Awaken Delight series, Stephanie explores explore the core themes of awakening delight in God—what it looks like, why it matters, and how we can cultivate it as our spiritual reality. You are invited to purchase Stephanie’s book on this topic, Awaken Delight, here: https://a.co/d/0625K1AZ  Stephanie Rousselle opens by reflecting on her early Christian days at a Parisian church, noticing how fellow believers exuded a love and delight in the Lord that initially felt foreign yet deeply compelling. This spiritual delight, she observes, stems not from duty, but from truly tasting and seeing God’s goodness (Psalm 37:4). She encourages us to pursue not just knowledge of God, but a transformative, experiential joy in His presence. Throughout the series, Stephanie introduced ten common spiritual struggles. Which ones do you relate to? Are you… Spiritually exhausted, faith dulled by life’s demands, longing for rest deeper than sleep?Intellectually driven, disconnected from the living presence of Jesus?Facing chronic physical pain, learning to believe through suffering?Battling mental oppression, struggling to feel God’s presence despite knowing His promises?Enduring spiritual dryness, persisting out of stubborn faith?Grappling with profound grief, finding grace in the midst of loss?Seeking reconciliation after conflict with loved ones?An achiever whose identity is tangled in performance, avoiding vulnerability?Losing the centrality of Jesus amidst your Christian routines?Trapped in spiritual habits that have become legalistic, losing wonder and enjoyment?Each of us may relate to one or more of these journeys. Which character sounds most like your current season? Many of us embody more than one. Our FREE gift to you today! An exclusive prayer as we wrap up our series, to rekindle your delight in God: go to https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelightthepodcast and find the form for Episode 464. Give us your email, and you will receive the full prayer in your inbox immediately! We’ve all experienced the universal hunger for spiritual delight, which can be found in Christ alone. Towards that end, Stephanie introduces the metaphor of the garden—a symbol of paradise in biblical tradition. The garden has various areas, all representing a particular spiritual discipline rooted in Jesus: Hidden benches and ponds: Silence, solitude, meditation—habits growing our identity in God. We are created as “imago Dei” dust: both gloriously made in God's image and profoundly humble in our origins. Embracing this paradox breeds humility—knowing our worth and brokenness—and freedom—living authentically in Christ. When we remember whose delight defines us, we are freed from chasing identity in performance, approval, or escapism.Pergolas and open spaces: Service, fellowship, missions—habits shaping our purpose alongside others. Hospitality, service, discipleship—rooted in purpose and love for others. Delight begets delight. As we root our lives in God’s delight over us, we are empowered to reflect that joy to others—making space for them to experience God and closing the loop of love and worship.Flowers and fruit trees: Gratitude, creativity, lament, and stewardship—blending personal and communal practices. Gratitude, simplicity, lament, suffering, fasting—individual and communal practices. Your core identity is this: God delights in you. Awaken to his love, and let your life become a fruitful, joyful garden of intimacy with Jesus—bearing delight for yourself and for others.Anchors: Bible study as a meadow, prayer as a greenhouse, worship as fountains. God invites us to co-cultivate this garden, discovering new spiritual “flavors” over a lifetime.Brook of Living Water: Jesus himself, sustaining every corner of the garden. God is both gardener and host, inviting us to co-cultivate habits that lead to ever-deepening delight.As we leave this series: Remember: God’s delight defines our core identity.Practice: Lean into personal disciplines, both alone and with others, to cultivate awareness of God’s goodness.Reflect: Trade escapism or performance for honest worship and humble belonging.Share: Help others encounter the intoxicating joy of Christ.You are invited to purchase Stephanie’s book on this topic, Awaken Delight, here: https://a.co/d/0625K1AZ MORE ABOUT “AWAKEN DELIGHT” BY STEPHANIE ROUSSELLE "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." This is God's promise to you in Psalm 37:4. But many believers quietly assume it's just a poetic suggestion, or it doesn't really work here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight in God. It's not emotional hype or religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how delighting in God reshapes sufferingquiets restless strivinganchors your identity in God's unshakable delight of youLearning to delight in God is the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own hearts. Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4. Purchase here: https://a.co/d/0625K1AZ More details at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight What you will (re)discover as you journey with God through Awaken Delight: Delight in God is identity-shaping, not emotion-driven. Delight in God is not fleeting emotion but resilient identity.Delight in God is altogether trust, satisfaction in God, relational intimacy with Him.Delight in God is often expressed and grown through resilient joy under suffering.Delight in God is the missing engine behind resilience. It’s the antidote to burnout. It’s even the foundation for sustainable ministry.God’s delight in you is secure, not performance-dependent. God’s delight in you frees you from striving! That’s the beginning of delight.Jesus is the center of every endeavor to delight in God.You can build a delight-centered spiritual life.Awaken Delight invites you to follow Scriptural truths and spiritual practices that cultivate daily joy in God. Let’s be completely honest. Are you… Exhausted by trying to “feel” spiritual?Performing faith without real joy?Feeling unworthy despite consistent effort?Wondering if Psalm 37:4 really works?What if the problem isn’t your faith, but the way you’ve been pursuing God? Delight isn’t about effort; it's about learning how to receive God as your deepest joy. This isn’t extra joy on Sundays. It’s the foundation for deep delight in God which will strengthen your prayer lifeprovide you with resilient peace,reframe your pain and suffering,transform your obedience into soul-satisfying joy.Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded, Scripture-centered spiritual formation book that helps believers recover a resilient, Christ-centered spiritual life. In short, it's practice for heaven. Purchase here: https://a.co/d/0625K1AZ More details at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."―Psalm 37:4. But, what if you've lost your delight in God? Or you've never really experienced it in the first place? What if a season of suffering has snuffed out your joy, leaving you spiritually discouraged and emotionally numb? Delighting in God changes everything: how you experience your faith, relationships, and circumstances―and even how you see yourself. You can experience Psalm 37:4 as your daily reality. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle connects scriptural and theological truth to your everyday life so you can experience what delighting in God really means. It's not about checking boxes on a spiritual to-do list or mustering a constant state of positive feelings. Rather, delight is about satisfying your soul's deepest longing through a vibrant relationship with the living God. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle shows how delighting in God is crucial for spiritual growth,provides spiritual habits that help you live in delight, andincludes discussion questions and Bible engagement great for book clubs or small groups.By looking to Christ as your model of divine delight, you can discover that no matter what you're experiencing―whether weariness, sorrow, hope, or happiness―you truly can "taste and see that the Lord is good." If you are longing for a revived faith filled with hope, delight, worth, and grace, Awaken Delight invites you to cultivate a worshipful, life-giving delight in God that's rooted in God's delight in you. Purchase here: https://a.co/d/0625K1AZ More details at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight DISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn’t really work, or it's not really possible here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable. Delighting in God isn’t sentimental optimism. It’s de

To make a home is to practice the love and delight of God in tangible ways, to welcome others into the comfort we have received, and to see God’s presence in the beauty and mess of both everyday and exceptional moments. The spiritual discipline of hospitality can powerfully awaken our delight in God. Stephanie Rousselle welcomes her friend Christie Purifoy, author of a stunning new book “A house to call home.” Christie has generously endorsed Stephanie’s new book, “Awaken Delight.” Together they unpack how making a home—whether grand or simple—is an overflow of God’s love and presence in us. True hospitality starts with receiving. The desire and ability to make others feel seen and cherished comes from first experiencing the love of God. Before hospitality can overflow onto others, we must learn to be at home with God, rooted in His delight in us. Christie says, “it starts with the home that we’re cultivating with God, in your own place, whatever that looks like for you. Start there and then let it be this fountain that flows.” Hospitality is not about impressing people with perfection, but about making space for Christ to be present to ourselves and our guests. In that way, hosting is imitating Jesus, who makes His home in us and invites us to abide in Him. God’s beauty and comfort are received in tangible ways—through a cozy chair, a beautiful garden, or a shared meal for example. Home is not made in isolation. Truly memorable gatherings are communal efforts. The most “heaven-on-earth” experiences in hospitality come not from doing everything alone, but by allowing others to contribute their unique gifts. Community is the body of Christ, where everyone offers and receives comfort, blessing, and meaning. While it’s tempting to focus on making things look beautiful, genuine hospitality puts people, presence, and meaning above appearances. Christie says, “A pretty picture does not a home make...it’s got to be a place for life.” Prayer, listening, and time spent together matter more than an immaculate home. Hosting is about making the table a safe and restful space. Hospitality thrives in daily routines. Baking pizza, sharing breakfast, or simply inviting someone to sit with us become sacred when it flows from a well-ordered life with God. As in the life of Jesus—who shared picnics and quiet moments—holiness is found in the ordinary when we are present to others. Home is a place of comfort, even amidst hardship. Christie shares how a personal dream—a home library—became a deep source of God’s comfort during a family crisis. This illustrates the way God meets us in practical, physical spaces to remind us of His presence. Just as parents rejoice when children enjoy their gifts, God delights in blessing us. Our ability to delight in homemaking, beauty, and hospitality is an earthly practice for the joy of heaven, mirroring God’s own hospitality. Creating "home" is a spiritual practice deeply rooted in Christian hospitality, personal delight in God, and the beauty of ordinary life. Some thoughts worth pondering 1. Hospitality Flows from the Home We Receive 2. Jesus as the Center of Hospitality 3. The Power of Community 4. Beauty and Meaning Over Perfection 5. Ordinary Moments as Sacred 6. Making Home in Suffering 7. God’s Delight in Us A Question to Ponder: How might you cultivate a deeper sense of “home” in your life with God—and let that overflow onto others? MORE ABOUT "AWAKEN DELIGHT" BY STEPHANIE ROUSSELLE "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." This is God's promise to you in Psalm 37:4. But many believers quietly assume it's just a poetic suggestion, or it doesn't really work here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight in God. It's not emotional hype or religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how delighting in God reshapes sufferingquiets restless strivinganchors your identity in God's unshakable delight of youLearning to delight in God is the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own hearts. Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4. More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight MORE ABOUT “A HOUSE TO CALL HOME” There’s a curious alchemy that transforms a house into a home over time. As we tend to our dwellings with love and intention, something unexpected happens: we discover that the homes we’ve been caring for now have the capacity to care for us. Inspired by the life of the particular house she knows best, Christie Purifoy offers reflections and practical suggestions for anyone who longs to create a place for rest and healing, for wonder and welcome. Amid insights on the true meaning of comfort, you’ll find decor inspiration, thrifting tips, and homemaking traditions. Your house can be a haven. It can grow into a sacred place. Care for it well, and year after year it will say, “Welcome home. Always.” More at https://www.christiepurifoy.com/a-house-to-call-home/   Christie Purifoy is a writer, an avid gardener, and a grateful, self-proclaimed placemaker. Her books include A Home in Bloom, Garden Maker, and Seedtime and Harvest. Christie cultivates beauty for herself and for others at a Victorian farmhouse called Maplehurst in southeastern Pennsylvania. More at https://www.christiepurifoy.com/  DISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn’t really work, or it's not really possible here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable. Delighting in God isn’t sentimental optimism. It’s deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus. It’s the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart. Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4. More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Kind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith: “Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God’s delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you’ll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content: "I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie’s joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call:  "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky: "Stephanie’s love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways."More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Delight in God is not about trying harder, but awakening to what the Spirit is already doing within you. Spiritual disciplines, when fueled by delight rather than duty, become joyful pathways to God's presence. With this in mind, today, Stephanie explores how spiritual routines, while helpful, can drift from vibrant relationship into rote performance if not animated by delight and the Spirit’s leading. Ready to awaken your delight in God through "Awaken Delight" the book? Purchase it here: https://a.co/d/0625K1AZ    Based on Stephanie’s book, Awaken Delight, together today we will Understand the difference between spiritual discipline and delightIdentify the pitfalls of performative spiritualityCultivate habits that foster genuine intimacy with GodEmbrace the Holy Spirit’s role in awakening spiritual delightOur FREE gift to you today! An exclusive, in-depth 30-day FREE recovery plan to rekindle your delight in God through simple spiritual disciplines: go to https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelightthepodcast and find the form for Episode 460. Give us your email, and you will receive the full plan in your inbox immediately! Using the French word habit (meaning both “habit” and “clothing”), Stephanie illustrates how habits are like the outfits we choose—some visible, some hidden. Just as we select clothes for comfort or occasion, we "wear" attitudes like praise or cynicism, gratitude or resentment. Good spiritual habits must be intentionally chosen and “worn” daily, but the aim is not outward perfection. Stephanie suggests that delight is not a discipline itself, but the mindset that enlivens every spiritual discipline. Like a long-lasting marriage, delight requires both initial joy and persistent, intentional commitment. Awakening delight is the Spirit’s initiative—it is not about finding God as a hidden treasure, but becoming aware of the glory already present. We don’t manufacture spiritual joy by effort; the Spirit awakens what He already plants within us. Spiritual disciplines are windows that open us to God’s light, not machines that generate it. Ask the Holy Spirit to awaken delight within you as you practice spiritual disciplines. Reflect: Have you ever found that spiritual practices became more about “doing” than connecting with God?Evaluate your spiritual “wardrobe.” What are your default attitudes, and do they help you delight in God?Engage in prayer, scripture, or worship not to mark a checkbox, but to encounter and enjoy God’s presence.Examine your spiritual routines: Are they animated by delight or weighed down by duty?Invite the Holy Spirit daily to nurture within you a “Jesus habit”—habits that make space for God’s joy.Key Questions: Are your spiritual habits shaped by a desire to appear godly, or are they rooted in genuine pursuit of God?Where do you experience delight vs. maintenance in your faith?MORE ABOUT THE BOOK “AWAKEN DELIGHT” BY STEPHANIE ROUSSELLE "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."―Psalm 37:4 What if you've lost your delight in God? Or you've never really experienced it in the first place? What if a season of suffering has snuffed out your joy, leaving you spiritually discouraged and emotionally numb? Delighting in God changes everything: how you experience your faith, relationships, and circumstances―and even how you see yourself. You can experience Psalm 37:4 as your daily reality. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle connects scriptural and theological truth to your everyday life so you can experience what delighting in God really means. It's not about checking boxes on a spiritual to-do list or mustering a constant state of positive feelings. Rather, delight is about satisfying your soul's deepest longing through a vibrant relationship with the living God. What you will (re)discover as you journey with God through Awaken Delight: Delight in God is identity-shaping, not emotion-driven. Delight in God is not fleeting emotion but resilient identity.Delight in God is altogether trust, satisfaction in God, relational intimacy with Him.Delight in God is often expressed and grown through resilient joy under suffering.Delight in God is the missing engine behind resilience. It’s the antidote to burnout. It’s even the foundation for sustainable ministry.God’s delight in you is secure, not performance-dependent. God’s delight in you frees you from striving! That’s the beginning of delight.Jesus is the center of every endeavor to delight in God.You can build a delight-centered spiritual life.Awaken Delight invites you to follow Scriptural truths and spiritual practices that cultivate daily joy in God. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle shows how delighting in God is crucial for spiritual growth,provides spiritual habits that help you live in delight, andincludes discussion questions and Bible engagement great for book clubs or small groups.By looking to Christ as your model of divine delight, you can discover that no matter what you're experiencing―whether weariness, sorrow, hope, or happiness―you truly can "taste and see that the Lord is good." If you are longing for a revived faith filled with hope, delight, worth, and grace, Awaken Delight invites you to cultivate a worshipful, life-giving delight in God that's rooted in God's delight in you. Purchase here: https://a.co/d/0625K1AZ More details at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight DISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn’t really work, or it's not really possible here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable. Delighting in God isn’t sentimental optimism. It’s deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus. It’s the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart. Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4. More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Kind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith: “Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God’s delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you’ll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content: "I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie’s joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call:  "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky: "Stephanie’s love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways."More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

What does it actually mean to delight in God? In this rich and deeply Christ-centered conversation, Stephanie sits down with Geof Morin to explore why delight isn't merely one aspect of the Christian life—it is its very heartbeat. Geof Morin, who has endorsed Stephanie’s book, Awaken Delight, is the President and CEO of Biblica, a global Bible ministry helping people engage with God’s Word for more than 200 years. Biblica creates and shares life-changing Bible resources that power hundreds of global Gospel ministries. Beginning with Jesus' parable of the treasure hidden in a field, Geof reminds us that our lives are ultimately an invitation to dig where Christ himself points, discovering a treasure worth joyfully giving everything to possess. Together Stephanie and Geof explore why delight can never be separated from Jesus, reflecting on Scripture from Exodus to the Gospels, and tracing how the banner lifted by Moses ultimately points to Christ lifted on the cross. Delight, they argue, is not simply an emotion but the fruit of knowing the living God through his Son. The conversation becomes wonderfully practical as Geof shares how "Bible absorption" has become his primary pathway into delight—not reading for information, but allowing Scripture to reshape the heart. Stephanie adds reflections from Awaken Delight, weaving together the biblical language of delight, deliciousness, thirst, and satisfaction through both English and French imagery. They also wrestle honestly with suffering, exploring how drought deepens roots, why beauty truly can emerge from ashes, and how God often reveals his glory most clearly in places where hope appears exhausted. Finally, Geof shares remarkable stories from his work with Biblica, witnessing people encounter Scripture for the very first time in some of the world's hardest places. These moving accounts remind us that the gospel continues to transform lives today with the same power we read about in the book of Acts. Whether we're standing on a Colorado mountain trail, or sitting quietly with an open Bible, this conversation invites us to taste and see again that the Lord is good—and to discover that delight in God truly is everything. MORE ABOUT "AWAKEN DELIGHT" BY STEPHANIE ROUSSELLE "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." This is God's promise to you in Psalm 37:4. But many believers quietly assume it's just a poetic suggestion, or it doesn't really work here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight in God. It's not emotional hype or religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how delighting in God reshapes sufferingquiets restless strivinganchors your identity in God's unshakable delight of youLearning to delight in God is the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own hearts. Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4. More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight MORE ABOUT BIBLICA https://www.biblica.com/  DISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn’t really work, or it's not really possible here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable. Delighting in God isn’t sentimental optimism. It’s deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus. It’s the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart. Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4. More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Kind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith: “Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God’s delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you’ll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content: "I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie’s joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call:  "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky: "Stephanie’s love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways."More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Many mature Christians experience seasons when Jesus feels distant—not through dramatic sin or faith crisis, but a slow, subtle drift into spiritual dryness. Today, Stephanie explores how to recognize, understand, and rekindle true delight in God when faith feels flat. As she has with every episode in our “Awaken Delight” series, Stephanie has invented a fictional character – who might feel eerily familiar! In today’s episode, we’re introduced to “Claire”—a faithful, seasoned believer admired by others, with a life marked by steady commitment to Christ, church, and family. Yet, despite external faithfulness, she privately mourns the loss of intimacy and vividness in her spiritual life. Claire’s story demonstrates how even longstanding believers can slide into a functional, uninspired relationship with Jesus—doing all the “right things,” but missing the joy and depth once present. Our FREE gift to you today! An exclusive, in-depth 30-day FREE recovery plan to rekindle your delight in God when you are going through seasons of flavorless faith: go to https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelightthepodcast and find the form for Episode 458. Give us your email, and you will receive the full plan in your inbox immediately! Key Symptoms of a “flavorless faith”: Bible reading and prayer become duty-bound, not joy-filled.Worship songs and sermons feel routine, not stirring.Service continues, but the heart feels unengaged and tired.Delight is more than an emotion—it’s the warm, relational savoring of God Himself, not just His gifts or outcomes. Distinctions: Happiness: Circumstantial, fleetingContentment: Sufficient, sometimes passiveDelight: Active, relational enjoyment—the “flavor” and “fragrance” of life with GodDelight in God is like savoring real vanilla versus imitation—the fake might have the form, but lacks the richness and depth. When we lose delight, all becomes bland. Distance from Jesus is often gradual. Common causes include: Over-familiarity: The truths of gospel become like a painting you stop noticing.Busyness & Burnout: Life’s cares crowd out time to “linger” with Jesus.Duty Replacing Delight: We obey and serve, but lose relational warmth.When delight cools, our spiritual life becomes transactional, our joy fades, and other things gain center stage in our hearts. Psalm 34:8 invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good”—not just agree intellectually, but experience Him proportionally. Delight in God requires attention; it calls for slowing down, “beholding,” and returning to the gospel as if it’s fresh.It’s not manufactured by willpower, but reawakened by honesty and pursuit.Prayerfully confess where delight has dimmed and ask Jesus for renewed appetite.Ultimately, delight is about communion—living in God’s presence, savoring Him as the ultimate gift.Our delight fuels resilience, combats burnout, and makes our faith not merely correct, but alive and fragrant to those around us. Practical Steps to Awaken Delight Slow Down & Linger: Don’t skim Scripture or prayer; bring your full heart, even your boredom and disappointment.See God as Beautiful: Move beyond doctrine; gaze at Jesus’ beauty, not just His utility.Cultivate Stillness: Create time to notice God’s presence and gifts; fight cultural hurriedness.Receive, Don’t Achieve: Delight is a relationship to receive by the Spirit, often through the ordinary or through suffering.Honest Prayer: Admit to God when delight feels absent; let Him rekindle it.If you, like Claire, feel distant from Jesus, don’t despair. He hasn’t moved; beauty can be rediscovered. Ask God to awaken your delight, to move you beyond belief into joy in His presence. Let your soul savor Him again. “Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” – Psalm 51:12 MORE ABOUT THE BOOK “AWAKEN DELIGHT” BY STEPHANIE ROUSSELLE "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."―Psalm 37:4 What if you've lost your delight in God? Or you've never really experienced it in the first place? What if a season of suffering has snuffed out your joy, leaving you spiritually discouraged and emotionally numb? Delighting in God changes everything: how you experience your faith, relationships, and circumstances―and even how you see yourself. You can experience Psalm 37:4 as your daily reality. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle connects scriptural and theological truth to your everyday life so you can experience what delighting in God really means. It's not about checking boxes on a spiritual to-do list or mustering a constant state of positive feelings. Rather, delight is about satisfying your soul's deepest longing through a vibrant relationship with the living God. What you will (re)discover as you journey with God through Awaken Delight: Delight in God is identity-shaping, not emotion-driven. Delight in God is not fleeting emotion but resilient identity.Delight in God is altogether trust, satisfaction in God, relational intimacy with Him.Delight in God is often expressed and grown through resilient joy under suffering.Delight in God is the missing engine behind resilience. It’s the antidote to burnout. It’s even the foundation for sustainable ministry.God’s delight in you is secure, not performance-dependent. God’s delight in you frees you from striving! That’s the beginning of delight.Jesus is the center of every endeavor to delight in God.You can build a delight-centered spiritual life.Awaken Delight invites you to follow Scriptural truths and spiritual practices that cultivate daily joy in God. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle shows how delighting in God is crucial for spiritual growth,provides spiritual habits that help you live in delight, andincludes discussion questions and Bible engagement great for book clubs or small groups.By looking to Christ as your model of divine delight, you can discover that no matter what you're experiencing―whether weariness, sorrow, hope, or happiness―you truly can "taste and see that the Lord is good." If you are longing for a revived faith filled with hope, delight, worth, and grace, Awaken Delight invites you to cultivate a worshipful, life-giving delight in God that's rooted in God's delight in you. Purchase here: https://a.co/d/0625K1AZ More details at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight DISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn’t really work, or it's not really possible here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable. Delighting in God isn’t sentimental optimism. It’s deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus. It’s the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart. Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4. More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Kind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith: “Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God’s delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you’ll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content: "I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie’s joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call:  "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky: "Stephanie’s love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways."More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Carol Kent joins Stephanie again to explore the themes of delight, lament, and defiance as we walk with God during life’s hardest seasons. Drawing from personal tragedy and grief, Carol models a Christian posture of joy and hope rooted in God’s character and presence rather than in circumstances. Holding on to God’s presence in both sorrow and joy allows lament, defiant delight, and community to become pathways to deeper intimacy with Him—trusting always that “He is close to the brokenhearted.” Carol Kent begins by recounting profound personal loss: her son’s incarceration for life after a tragic shooting, her sister’s recent passing from cancer, and the death of a beloved mother-in-law. As Carol says, “If I were the author of my own life, I would not have written all of these chapters into it.” Deep sorrow, grief, and questions are inevitable in this life and unavoidable for the Christian as well. But delight in God can still exist, and even thrive, in the midst of this. Psalm 37:4 promises, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." It's the foundation for Stephanie's book, Awaken Delight, which Carol generously endorsed.  Carol clarifies that delight, unlike happiness, is not circumstantial or fleeting. Instead, it is the ongoing choice to “be at home” in God’s presence, trusting that He is still good even when life falls apart. The Hebrew root of “delight” includes ideas of softness and pliability “being shaped by something”. This allows the believer to rest in God’s love, even wordlessly, when strength or words run out. Lament is communal as well as personal. She describes the beauty of grieving with her siblings—sharing scripture, encouragement, and family memories during her sister Paula's dying days. Lament is rarely a single event, but a process that comes in waves. Honest lament involves asking hard questions of God and laying out our pain before Him, just as the Psalmists do. Stephanie, in her book and through this conversation, speaks of defiant delight: a courageous, deliberate act of standing in God’s love and goodness even while fully acknowledging pain. It does not deny reality but declares that God’s love, His delight in us, and His purposes are the final word. Practices for Cultivating Delight Daily Immersion in God’s Word: Carol emphasizes reading Scripture before anything else. Breathing in God’s truth enables us to breathe out hope to others.Community in Grief and Joy: Reaching out to others, sharing both joys and sorrows, strengthens communal faith.Hands-on Ministry: Serving others, especially “the least of these”—as when Carol brings hope to women inmates—multiplies joy, even in places of loss or pain.Prayer and Intercession: Praying for and with others, and inviting others to partner in God’s work, turns both lament and delight into a shared experience.Delight and lament are communal, just as worship in heaven will be—our delight in God amplified through the delight of others. We experience this now, in part, as we partner together in prayer, service, and celebration, looking forward to perfect joy in God’s presence. Application: Delighting in God is a daily, sometimes moment-by-moment discipline.It means allowing God’s presence—not our circumstances—to define our identity and our peace.Defiant delight is chosen daily, sometimes breath by breath.It is strengthened by God’s Word, community, and serving others.DISCOVER “AWAKEN DELIGHT” BY STEPHANIE ROUSSELLE What you will (re)discover as you journey with God through Awaken Delight: Delight in God is identity-shaping, not emotion-driven. Delight in God is not fleeting emotion but resilient identity.Delight in God is altogether trust, satisfaction in God, relational intimacy with Him.Delight in God is often expressed and grown through resilient joy under suffering.Delight in God is the missing engine behind resilience. It’s the antidote to burnout. It’s even the foundation for sustainable ministry.God’s delight in you is secure, not performance-dependent. God’s delight in you frees you from striving! That’s the beginning of delight.Jesus is the center of every endeavor to delight in God.You can build a delight-centered spiritual life. Awaken Delight invites you to follow Scriptural truths and spiritual practices that cultivate daily joy in God. Purchase here: https://a.co/d/04Nyzr93  Discover more about the book at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight  MORE ABOUT “HE HOLDS MY HAND” BY CAROL KENTHe Holds My Hand is a page-per-day 365-day devotional. Based on Scripture, this devotional is written as if God the Father is speaking His words of comfort and protection directly over you, based on the Scripture for the day..When Carol Kent’s son was sentenced to life in prison without parole, Carol was consumed with grief, sadness, and despair. She was distraught wondering why God permitted this to happen. She had prayed for her son since he was a small child. He had been raised with biblical principles and daily prayer. As Carol tried to make sense of everything, she couldn’t help asking, Where’s God when it hurts so much?In the middle of her sorrow, Carol turned to the place where she had always gone for comfort―the Bible. She was desperate to hear God’s voice. She soon discovered that the best way for her to “listen” to His voice was to meditate on Scripture and then write out what she believed He was saying. She wrote it as if it was His prayer over her life, and it comforted her. It was as if He took her by the hand, as a father would guide a child, and He gently led her in the direction of unconditional love, renewed hope, and fresh faith.Know without a doubt that God is with you and stands ready to protect and guide you. He holds your hand, and He won’t let go. Listen to God’s voice and put your hand in His. He is your Comforter, your Healer, your Teacher, and your Joy. Remember He holds your hand, and He won’t let go. More at https://carolkent.org/books-by-carol-kent/  DISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn’t really work, or it's not really possible here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable. Delighting in God isn’t sentimental optimism. It’s deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus. It’s the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart. Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4. More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Kind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith: “Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God’s delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you’ll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content: "I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie’s joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call:  "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky: "Stephanie’s love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways."More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

There are moments when delight in God arrives quietly. No plan. No formula. No spiritual checklist. Just a family gathered in a living room, singing old hymns and remembering the faithfulness of God across generations. In this conversation, Ros Evans and Stephanie Rousselle explore the surprising ways delight awakens in everyday life. Beginning with a spontaneous evening of singing hymns with her parents, Ros reflects on how delight often emerges when truth has taken root deep within us. The conversation moves from cherished memories to a rich discussion about theology, worship, and why knowing God matters so profoundly. Drawing from John 15, they unpack Jesus’ invitation to abide. Delight is not something we manufacture through effort. It grows naturally from relationship. As we spend time with Christ, we discover that abiding is both a gift and an invitation. Along the way, Roz shares a vivid story about an unforgettable fragrance—a scent so beautiful it inspired an intentional search. The image becomes a powerful picture of the gospel: once you have truly encountered its beauty, everything else is measured against it. The conversation also explores the painful reality of pruning. A loving Gardener removes dead branches, but he also trims living ones so that greater fruit can come. Seasons of loss, confusion, and change may feel painful, yet they often reveal the attentive care of God shaping us for eternity. Through stories of hymns, gardens, horses, friendship, and faith, one message rises above all the others: delight in God is not another burden to carry. It is an invitation to receive. As our eyes remain fixed on Jesus, delight becomes less of a destination and more of a natural response to the goodness of the One who loves us. MORE ABOUT "AWAKEN DELIGHT" BY STEPHANIE ROUSSELLE "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." This is God's promise to you in Psalm 37:4. But many believers quietly assume it's just a poetic suggestion, or it doesn't really work here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight in God. It's not emotional hype or religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how delighting in God reshapes sufferingquiets restless strivinganchors your identity in God's unshakable delight of youLearning to delight in God is the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own hearts. Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4. More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight DISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn’t really work, or it's not really possible here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable. Delighting in God isn’t sentimental optimism. It’s deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus. It’s the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart. Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4. More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Kind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith: “Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God’s delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you’ll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content: "I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie’s joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call:  "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky: "Stephanie’s love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways."More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Chris Hall joins Stephanie Rousselle to reflect on the practice of delighting in God, especially during life’s later chapters or grief-laden season. The conversation weaves through wisdom gained in the “winter of life,” the significance of gratitude, and the centrality of God’s relational nature. Chris Hall begins by honestly discussing aging, recognizing the “gift of years,” and learning acceptance—particularly of life’s inherent limitations and future partings. Acceptance, he says, is not resignation, but a posture of gratitude and detachment from what’s fleeting, allowing deeper attachment to what matters most: God’s loving presence and the relationships He’s given us. Daily, Chris Hall and his wife pray, focusing on thankfulness. Even in uncertainty or suffering—as exemplified by their grandson with Down syndrome—gratitude centers their hearts on God’s mercy. “Lord, have mercy” becomes a foundational prayer, acknowledging deep dependence and God’s persistent goodness. The journey hasn’t always been simple. Chris Hall shares that, particularly through experiences as a deputy coroner and witnessing immense suffering in places like Los Angeles, Calcutta, and Rwanda, he’s grappled with whether God is truly good. Encountering pain and tragedy forced honest questions: “Are you good or not?” But with time and spiritual wrestling, he’s emerged with a hard-won conviction of God’s steadfastness. In today’s culture, delight is often confused with self-focus—“you have to love yourself first.” Chris Hall counters this, insisting that genuine delight is secondary, a “byproduct” of being drawn out of ourselves by something beautiful (the character of God, deep friendships, acts of love). This self-forgetfulness mirrors the Trinity—God’s relational essence—and is central to spiritual formation. Using friendship as an example, Chris Hall speaks of the deep grief that attends the loss of his best friend—grief is the “tax we pay for loving.” Yet, grief and joy are intertwined. The richness of a 50-year friendship is the soil from which delight blooms; our relationships (rooted in God’s relational nature) are the stage for both love and loss. For anyone struggling to delight in God, Chris Hall gently advises: “Lead with beauty.” Recognize the goodness around you—even in small ways. Beauty draws us out of our self-absorption into a posture of wonder, gratitude, and worship. He encourages practices like meditating on the Psalms and savoring passages from John’s, Romans, and Hebrews to nourish this vision. Delight in God is neither sentimental nor shallow—it’s a mature joy forged in gratitude, beauty, courage, and faithfulness through all seasons. It invites us to accept limitations, let go of self-preoccupation, and savor God’s goodness, even amidst suffering. As Chris Hall and Stephanie Rousselle remind us, delight is tasted, seen, and deeply known—not chased for its own sake, but discovered in God Himself. MORE ABOUT "AWAKEN DELIGHT" BY STEPHANIE ROUSSELLE "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." This is God's promise to you in Psalm 37:4. But many believers quietly assume it's just a poetic suggestion, or it doesn't really work here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight in God. It's not emotional hype or religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how delighting in God reshapes sufferingquiets restless strivinganchors your identity in God's unshakable delight of youLearning to delight in God is the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own hearts. Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4. More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight DISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn’t really work, or it's not really possible here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable. Delighting in God isn’t sentimental optimism. It’s deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus. It’s the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart. Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4. More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Kind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith: “Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God’s delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you’ll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content: "I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie’s joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call:  "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky: "Stephanie’s love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways."More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Today’s episode of Gospel Spice, centered on the launch of "Awaken Delight," is a timely exploration of the Christian experience of suffering. Stephanie combines personal vulnerability—sharing excerpts from her new book about living with chronic pain and deep questions—with biblical wisdom on how hardship fits into our walk with God. In suffering, God does not abandon; he lovingly prunes and allows thorns for our growth. The path to deeper faith, humility, and delight in God runs directly through honest wrestling with pain—and leads to true spiritual fruitfulness. Christians often wonder: If I am serving God, why do I suffer? Is suffering a sign of God’s displeasure or my failure? Stephanie shares that Christians who suffer yet trust God often appear as if they’re not suffering—because they refuse let suffering have the final word. Our FREE gift to you today! An exclusive, in-depth 10-day FREE recovery plan to rekindle your delight in God when you are going through seasons of deep pruning from God's hand: go to https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelightthepodcast and find the form for Episode 454. Give us your email, and you will receive the full plan in your inbox immediately! Just as fig trees need hard soil to bear fruit, Christians grow most deeply in spiritually tough conditions. Comfort produces "leaves without fruit," but hardship develops true character and delight in God. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul’s incredible spiritual experiences led God to allow him a "thorn"—not as punishment, but to keep him humble and dependent on God. Paul’s journey shows that deep suffering is not proof of failure or sin, but God’s purposeful investment in our transformation. In John 15, Jesus says that healthy, fruitful branches are the ones pruned by the Gardener (God), so they’ll bear even more fruit. Pruning feels like loss or reduction but is God re-focusing our lives on what truly matters. Pruning is when God removes something from our lives. It is the elimination of even good things for us to be more fruitful and focused. By contrast, thorns are when God allows painful weaknesses or situations to remain. These serve a specific, humbling, and formative purpose. Both types invite deeper dependence on God. We misunderstand suffering when we see it as divine punishment. Biblical teaching says it’s part of God’s commitment to us—not against us, but for us. The goal is not mere improvement, but transformation—making us more like Christ. "Faith" is not something we muster by willpower, but a posture rooted in humility: recognizing our need for God and opening ourselves to His work. Humility is both the soil in which faith grows and the fruit that results from faith. Christ was not merely "pruned"—he was "cut off" entirely for our sake, taking on the ultimate suffering so we would never face it alone. Now, even our suffering is transformed by his presence and purpose. Practical Application When hardship comes, instead of merely asking "Why me?" or "How can I escape this?", ask "What is God showing me?" and "How can I delight in Him through this?"Choose to see suffering not as a sign of God’s absence, but as the attentive hand of the Gardener who loves and invests in us.Remain in Christ—even weak connection is connection, and transformation is always worth the pain.Reflective action: Next time you face loss or pain, remember the lessons of pruning and thorns. Ask God to help you trust His restorative, purposeful hand, and seek delight in Him above all. We are in the middle of our “Awaken Delight” series, based on Stephanie’s new book. Each week, we explore a different facet of what makes delight in God difficult and challenging. How can we live the reality of Psalm 37:4 when life is hard? "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." This is God's promise to you in Psalm 37:4. But many believers quietly assume it's just a poetic suggestion, or it doesn't really work here on earth. What you will (re)discover as you journey with God through Awaken Delight: Delight in God is identity-shaping, not emotion-driven. Delight in God is not fleeting emotion but resilient identity.Delight in God is altogether trust, satisfaction in God, relational intimacy with Him.Delight in God is often expressed and grown through resilient joy under suffering.Delight in God is the missing engine behind resilience. It’s the antidote to burnout. It’s even the foundation for sustainable ministry.God’s delight in you is secure, not performance-dependent. God’s delight in you frees you from striving! That’s the beginning of delight.Jesus is the center of every endeavor to delight in God.You can build a delight-centered spiritual life.Awaken Delight invites you to follow Scriptural truths and spiritual practices that cultivate daily joy in God. DISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn’t really work, or it's not really possible here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable. Delighting in God isn’t sentimental optimism. It’s deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus. It’s the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart. Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4. More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Kind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith: “Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God’s delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you’ll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content: "I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie’s joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call:  "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky: "Stephanie’s love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways."More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Stephanie Rousselle welcomes returning guests Andi Ashworth and Charlie Peacock for a reflective and practical exploration of what it means to delight in God—especially in the ordinary and difficult seasons of life. Delighting in God is a daily discipline rooted in noticing, gratitude, humility, and relational engagement. Andi Ashworth and Charlie Peacock illustrate that wonder and joy can be found at “the molecular level” of life, as we learn to see reality with the eyes of heaven. Cultivating delight in God starts with intentional attention—slowing down to observe and appreciate even the small gifts in daily life. Andi Ashworth describes how, after a busy season promoting their book, she cultivated a new practice: sitting quietly in her small perennial garden, reading Scripture, praying, and simply noticing the details of creation—birdsong, blooming flowers, the work of bees. Over time, this intentional noticing awakened deeper gratitude and joy in the presence of God, even as life’s hardships persisted. Delight is a daily practice, a choice to “step into reality” and seek God’s presence even in suffering. This deliberate practice transforms pain into moments of worship and gratitude. Charlie Peacock shares that delight in God is not dependent on favorable circumstances or feelings of happiness. Suffering—including his chronic headache of nearly ten years—taught him to seek and experience God’s presence regardless of pain. He emphasizes that true delight must be able to exist within difficulty, or it is not truly delight. Intimacy and delight with God are relational and participatory. God invites us to pursue Him, and as we do, He meets us. Sometimes we wait passively for God to manifest delight, and other times we strive to create it in our own strength. In reality, pursuing delight is a “dance”—God initiates and leads, but we must actively respond and show up, especially when delight seems elusive. Hardships, while unwelcome, often become ministers of grace, rooting us in humility and expanding our capacity for love and presence. Through chronic pain and other challenges, both Andi Ashworth and Charlie Peacock have experienced God’s grace and a deepening humility. Charlie Peacock notes how his “thorn” limits self-reliance and ambition, drawing him toward greater dependence on Christ and shaping him into Christ’s likeness. Andi Ashworth observes that their limitations have expanded their hearts and increased their compassion for others. Never outgrow asking your good Father for small joys. Delight in God blossoms in those who cultivate grateful, attentive hearts. Both guests encourage maintaining childlike wonder and gratitude—even for small blessings like a hot shower, a well-timed parking space, or serendipitous tickets to an event. These moments, prayed for and received as gifts, reinforce God’s goodness and nearness. Practices to Foster Delight Start each day with gratitude for basic abilities and provisions.Notice small joys—in nature, family, daily routines—and thank God specifically.Pray about “matters of mutual concern”: what matters to God, matters to us.Accept and embrace limitations as invitations to deeper dependence and presence.Reflection question: What small gift might God be inviting you to notice—and delight in—today?   MORE ABOUT "AWAKEN DELIGHT" BY STEPHANIE ROUSSELLE "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." This is God's promise to you in Psalm 37:4. But many believers quietly assume it's just a poetic suggestion, or it doesn't really work here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight in God. It's not emotional hype or religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how delighting in God reshapes sufferingquiets restless strivinganchors your identity in God's unshakable delight of youLearning to delight in God is the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own hearts. Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4. More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight DISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn’t really work, or it's not really possible here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable. Delighting in God isn’t sentimental optimism. It’s deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus. It’s the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart. Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4. More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Kind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith: “Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God’s delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you’ll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content: "I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie’s joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call:  "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky: "Stephanie’s love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways."More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5J Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!