We’ve all heard the phrase "be strong," but what happens when strength becomes a mask we use to hide our weariness, pain, and grief? In this episode of The NEXT Podcast, host Jay Cookingham dives deep into the heavy, unspoken burden of carrying a "tough face”.

Drawing from his own visceral experience standing in a receiving line for over two hours at his late wife Christine's memorial service, where he found himself comforting others instead of being comforted.

If you've ever felt the pressure to hold it all together while breaking inside, this episode offers grace-filled permission to drop the badge of honor of false strength. Jay shares practical, pastoral steps for evaluating your responsibilities, setting healthy boundaries, and transferring the weight off your shoulders onto Jesus. Because true strength isn't about pretending to be unbreakable, it’s about relying on His power in our weakness.

Find out more about me here: www.jaycookingham.com

I’m on @buymeacoffee. If you like, even maybe love my podcast, you can buy me a coffee and support me. It’s a simple way of showing your support and helping me grow the podcast. Thank you!

Here’s the link: buymeacoffee.com/jcdude56t

Music by Paul Grimsland

You can buy my grief devotional, NEXT: Lamentations and Devotions, here: https://a.co/d/07sA61P5

After deep loss, grief doesn't just teach us how to let go—it often teaches us to hold back.

We become cautious with joy. We hesitate to dream. We struggle to receive kindness, hope, or even moments of peace because our hearts have learned what it feels like to lose someone we love.

In this episode, Jay reflects on a surprising lesson from his own grief journey: learning to receive again.

Through the tender story of holding his newborn grandson for the very first time, Jay shares how joy and sorrow can exist together without competing. While grieving the absence of his wife, Christine, he discovered that God's goodness often arrives quietly—not by removing our grief, but by placing new gifts beside it.

If you've ever wondered whether it's okay to laugh again, hope again, or embrace the life God is still giving you, this conversation is for you.

Receiving isn't forgetting.

Receiving isn't replacing.

Receiving is trusting.

Find out more about me here: www.jaycookingham.com

I’m on @buymeacoffee. If you like, even maybe love my podcast,you can buy me a coffee and support me. It’s a simple way of showing yoursupport and helping me grow the podcast. Thank you!

Here’s the link: buymeacoffee.com/jcdude56t

Music by Paul Grimsland

Grief doesn't just take the person you love—it can also take the one person who knew you most deeply.

In this deeply personal episode, Jay reflects on one of the hidden losses of widowhood: losing the person who witnessed your heart, spoke life into your calling, and reminded you of who you were becoming.

After sharing updates from a season filled with transition—including preparing to step away from pastoring, writing new books, and welcoming a new grandson—Jay explores how grief quietly attacks identity, purpose, and belonging.

If you've ever wondered...

• Who am I now?

• Does my life still matter?

• Who really knows me anymore?

...this conversation is for you.

Discover why grief often disguises itself as doubt, why remembering how your loved one saw you can become a healing practice, and why God's voice remains the truest foundation for your identity.

Scripture Reflection: While this episode centers on personal reflection, its heartbeat reminds us that we are fully known by God, even when we deeply miss being known by someone we loved.

As always, Jay reminds us:

God is good. He is always good. And He always answers out of His goodness.

Find out more about me here: www.jaycookingham.com

I’m on @buymeacoffee. If you like, even maybe love my podcast, you can buy me a coffee and support me. It’s a simple way of showing your support and helping me grow the podcast. Thank you!

Here’s the link: buymeacoffee.com/jcdude56t

Music by Paul Grimsland