We rarely experience pure, unfettered joy. More often, we live with a layered emotional experience—where opposite emotions overlap and muddle together.

Yet, even in these moments, God is with us and understands us.

In this season finale of The Digital Examen, Jay Y. Kim gently guides listeners to embrace the journey of faith as marked by paradox, longing, and the unexpected possibility of joy, even amid life’s greatest disappointments.

Drawing from the life of Teresa of Avila and the ancient story of Abraham and Sarah, Kim explores why our laughter amid disbelief, tears amid relief, and energy amid great love all mark the emotional complexities of being human—and how God is present in it all. This episode is an invitation to trust that one day your laughter of disbelief can be transformed into the laughter of joy.

Stay tuned this August for a special miniseries exploring the five movements of the Prayer of Examen—invitation, gratitude, reflection, confession, and looking forward—with guests like Ann Voskamp, Faith Eury Cho, Ken Shigematsu, and others.

This episode highlights the following themes:

• Why joy and grief often go hand-in-hand
• How paradox shapes authentic faith
• Permission to feel and express real emotions with God

Links from this episode:

• Read the transcript here

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Slowing down in a culture of speed isn’t easy. Noticing in an age of distraction might be even harder. But walking intentionally with God happens at the pace of peace, leading us to that which often feels elusive: joy and delight. In this season of The Digital Examen podcast, host Jay Y. Kim joins an array of writers, educators, artists, and theologians to explore the many gifts God offers just beneath the surface of our frenzied lives, often hidden in plain view. Together, we’ll discover that a life marked by joy and delight is available to any and all who would slow down and notice.

SPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPEXAMEN40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

Credits:

✅ Consulting Producer: Helen Lee

✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo and Travis Albritton

✅ Assistant Producer: Jack Reece

✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard and Elsbette San Blas

✅ Theme Song: "For They Will Inherit the Earth" by Stephen Keech

Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.