S09EP03 "Why We Settle for Less Than Joy"

Episode 6 - Go First: Be the Friend You're Waiting ForWhat if the connection you’re longing for starts with you? In this final episode of The Inspired Podcast, Sam, Janice, and Chloe bring the season full circle by exploring what it looks like to stop waiting for friendship to happen and start taking courageous steps toward others.We’ll talk about what holds us back from reaching out, how to handle the risk of rejection, and what it means to become the kind of friend we hope to find.As we look at Jesus’ example and Scripture’s call to genuine love and hospitality, we’ll discover that building community isn’t just about finding our people, it’s about becoming people who help others feel seen, noticed and loved.Registration for the Inspired Conference 2027 is now open! Get your Early Bird ticket plus an additional 10% off when you use the code PODCAST10:https://bit.ly/4zciIsNThe Companion Guide for Episode 6 can be found here:https://bit.ly/4sIA3HoSubscribe to get the latest videos and live worship:https://www.youtube.com/xchurch Connect with X Church Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/theXchurch.ohInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/theX_church/ Helping people get on the path to God. This is the vision of X Church, led by Pastor Tim Moore and based in South East Columbus, OH _ Stay Connected Website: www.thex.church#theXchurch

Episode 5 - Learning to trust when you've been hurtFriendship can be a beautiful source of connection, but it can also be a source of hurt. In this episode of The Inspired Podcast, Sam, Janice, and Chloe get honest about how past experiences can shape the way we approach relationships today.We’ll explore the tension between protecting our hearts and opening ourselves up to connection, how to recognize the difference between healthy boundaries and walls, and what it looks like to forgive without rushing trust or ignoring red flags.As we look to Scripture for wisdom, we’ll be reminded that we don’t have to choose between being wise about relationships and being open to connection. We can learn from the hurt we’ve experienced without letting it determine the friendships we’re willing to pursue in the future.Registration for the Inspired Conference 2027 is now open! Get your Early Bird ticket plus an additional 10% off when you use the code PODCAST10:https://bit.ly/4zciIsNThe Companion Guide for Episode 5 can be found here:https://bit.ly/3W48VX2Other resources:Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are by Lysa TerKeurst:https://amzn.to/4e4DnGxSubscribe to get the latest videos and live worship:https://www.youtube.com/xchurchConnect with X ChurchFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/theXchurch.ohInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/theX_church/Helping people get on the path to God. This is the vision of X Church, led byPastor Tim Moore and based in South East Columbus, OH_Stay ConnectedWebsite:www.thex.church#theXchurch

Episode 4 - “Making Room: The barrier of busyness”Welcome to a new season of the Inspired Podcast, where we’re gathering around the table and tackling the topic of friendship!One big reason that we fail to develop lasting relationships is time. How can we fight back against the barrier of busyness and cultivate the practice of presence, learning to prioritize the people who we are trying to develop relationships with? In this episode, Sam, Janice and Maria discuss the difference between having time and making time, and highlight some ways we can fight for connection even amidst our packed schedules.We also officially launch the 2027 Inspired Conference! Early Bird registrations are now live and for you can use code PODCAST10 for an extra discount. Register here:https://bit.ly/4zIPIsuThe Companion Guide for Episode 4 can be found here:https://bit.ly/4zNcOybSubscribe to get the latest videos and live worship:https://www.youtube.com/xchurch Connect with X Church Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/theXchurch.ohInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/theX_church/ Helping people get on the path to God.  This is the vision of X Church, led by Pastor Tim Moore and based in South East Columbus, OH _ Stay Connected Website: www.thex.church#theXchurch

Episode 3 — “Releasing Expectations: When friendship doesn't look the way we thought it would”Welcome to a new season of the Inspired Podcast, where we’re gathering around the table and tackling the topic of friendship!In this episode, Sam, Janice, and Chloe discuss another common carrier that keeps us from connecting with others - expectations. Together we explore the expectations we place on others, those we carry of ourselves, and how they can burden the friendships we want to develop. And we ponder what it would look like to allow God's perfect faithfulness change the expectations we carry into our human relationships.This season, the conversation doesn’t have to end when the episode does. Each episode comes with a companion guide featuring Scripture readings and reflection questions to help you take what you’re hearing beyond the podcast and into your everyday life and relationships.The Companion Guide for Episode 3 can be found here:https://bit.ly/4hXVpLWSubscribe to get the latest videos and live worship:https://www.youtube.com/xchurch Connect with X Church Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/theXchurch.ohInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/theX_church/ Helping people get on the path to God.  This is the vision of X Church, led by Pastor Tim Moore and based in South East Columbus, OH _ Stay Connected Website: www.thex.church#theXchurch

Welcome to a new season of the Inspired Podcast, where we’re gathering around the table and tackling the topic of friendship!In this episode, Sam, Janice, and Chloe discuss a big barrier to connection - vulnerability. Why is it so hard to let people in when we crave being fully known? How can we show up honestly in friendships without fear of rejection preventing us from going deeper? And how does our relationship with God overflow into our ability to be authentic and true with those around us?This season, the conversation doesn’t have to end when the episode does. Each episode comes with a companion guide featuring Scripture readings and reflection questions to help you take what you’re hearing beyond the podcast and into your everyday life and relationships.The Companion Guide for Episode 2 can be found here:https://bit.ly/4e33P3hAnother helpful resource:How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks:https://www.amazon.com/How-Know-Person-Seeing-Others/dp/0593230078/Subscribe to get the latest videos and live worship:https://www.youtube.com/xchurch Connect with X Church Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/theXchurch.ohInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/theX_church/ Helping people get on the path to God.  This is the vision of X Church, led by Pastor Tim Moore and based in South East Columbus, OH _ Stay Connected Website: www.thex.church#theXchurch

Welcome to a brand new season of the Inspired Podcast, where we’re gathering around the table and tackling the topic of friendship!In the episodes ahead, we’re getting honest about the barriers that can keep us from the relationships we crave. From vulnerability and trust to busyness, expectations, and the fear of going first, we’ll explore what Scripture says about God’s design for community and discover what it looks like to overcome these obstacles and courageously move toward one another.And this season, the conversation doesn’t have to end when the episode does. Each episode comes with a companion guide featuring Scripture readings and reflection questions to help you take what you’re hearing beyond the podcast and into your everyday life and relationships.In this opening episode, Sam, Janice, and Chloe talk about the universal desire to be known, to have deep and meaningful relationships, and to feel connected to others. We’ll look at God’s design for community and begin exploring what might prevent us from experiencing the kind of connection we were created for.The Companion Guide for Episode 1 can be found here:https://bit.ly/4z8fPc4

What if the joy God is growing in your life was never meant to stop with you?As we wrap up our summer series, we're turning our attention outward to discover how joy becomes one of the greatest gifts we can offer the people around us. Throughout this season, we've explored what it means to notice joy, receive it as a gift, choose what truly restores us, practice presence, and rediscover the unique ways God has designed us to delight in life. Now it's time to ask: What happens when that joy begins to overflow?In this episode, Sam, Jess and Janice reflect on the fruit of joy - not as forced positivity or pretending life is perfect, but as the quiet, steady work of the Holy Spirit that changes the atmosphere wherever we go. We'll talk about how joyful people create create spaces where people are truly seen and where people are pointed back to the goodness of God.Because joy isn't meant to be hidden or hoarded. It's meant to be shared.Our prayer is that this conversation inspires you to become someone who notices opportunities to bring joy into everyday moments—through your words, your presence, your generosity, and the way you love others.This week's practice: Pass It OnThis week, spend a few quiet moments asking God to fill you with His love, His peace, and His joy. Notice what He might be inviting you to receive before asking what He wants you to give.For some of you, this practice will be inward. Maybe God is inviting you to slow down, spend time in His presence, and rediscover the joy that comes from simply being with Him.For others, your joy may naturally overflow into the lives of those around you. Look for one opportunity each day to encourage someone, celebrate with them, offer kindness, or simply be fully present.Wherever you begin, remember this: we can't pour out what we haven't first received.Subscribe to get the latest videos and live worship:https://www.youtube.com/xchurch Connect with X Church Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/theXchurch.ohInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/theX_church/ Helping people get on the path to God.  This is the vision of X Church, led by Pastor Tim Moore and based in South East Columbus, OH _ Stay Connected Website: www.thex.church#theXchurch

What if joy isn't hiding from you... what if you've simply forgotten what brings you delight?Somewhere along the way, many of us stop making space for the things that make us come alive. We become so focused on what needs to get done, who needs us, and what's expected of us that we lose sight of the unique ways God created us to experience joy.In this episode, Sam, Jessica and Janice talk about what it looks like to reconnect with the things that genuinely refresh your soul - and why giving yourself permission to enjoy them isn't selfish, but part of living fully as the person God created you to be.We explore how our personalities, gifts, and interests reflect the creativity of our Creator, and why joy looks different for each of us. Because delight isn't one-size-fits-all. The God who made wildflowers, mountains, oceans, and sunsets also made you uniquely, and He delights in seeing you come alive.Our hope is that this conversation gives you permission to stop measuring every moment by its productivity and start embracing the simple, ordinary things that fill your heart with joy.This week's practice:  The Joy ListMake a list of 25 things that bring you joy. Not accomplishments. Not goals. Just joys. They can be big and small. Then… Choose one. Schedule space to enjoy it this week. Make a note of how it feels.And then ... Repeat.Subscribe to get the latest videos and live worship:https://www.youtube.com/xchurch Connect with X Church Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/theXchurch.ohInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/theX_church/ Helping people get on the path to God.  This is the vision of X Church, led by Pastor Tim Moore and based in South East Columbus, OH _ Stay Connected Website: www.thex.church#theXchurch

So much of our lives are lived either rushing ahead or replaying what’s already happened, and in the process, we miss the very moments that could hold joy.In this episode, Sam, Alana and Anna slow down together and talk about presence. What it means to be truly available - not as a perfect practice, but as a simple shift. And how we can experience the kind of presence that helps us notice what’s already good instead of constantly chasing what’s next.This week's practice: The Five-Minute pause.Choose one moment every day and refuse to rush through it. Instead be where your feet are and ask God to reveal where he is moving and what he has for you when you make yourself available in these ordinary moments.Subscribe to get the latest videos and live worship:https://www.youtube.com/xchurch Connect with X Church Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/theXchurch.ohInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/theX_church/ Helping people get on the path to God.  This is the vision of X Church, led by Pastor Tim Moore and based in South East Columbus, OH _ Stay Connected Website: www.thex.church#theXchurch

Not everything that feels good actually restores you.In a world full of easy distractions, it’s never been simpler to escape—but much harder to truly feel refreshed. In this episode, Sam, Raina and Ellie explore the difference between numbing out and finding real rest.Why do we reach for things that help us check out, instead of things that actually bring us back to life? And how can we recognize and lean into those things in every season of our life.If you’ve ever ended the day feeling drained, even after doing things that were supposed to be “fun,” this conversation will help you recognize what’s actually restoring, and what’s just helping you escape.This week's practice: Replace One Escape.Choose one moment this week when you'd normally reach for an easy distraction or escape. Instead of automatically going to that one habit, pause and ask yourself "what do I actually need right now?" Be intentional in the ways you seek real restoration and notice how God refills you in new and life-giving ways.Subscribe to get the latest videos and live worship:https://www.youtube.com/xchurch Connect with X Church Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/theXchurch.ohInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/theX_church/ Helping people get on the path to God.  This is the vision of X Church, led by Pastor Tim Moore and based in South East Columbus, OH _ Stay Connected Website: www.thex.church#theXchurch