What does it mean to be marked by joy? In this episode, Josh Olds talks with Jared Mitzelfelt, author of Marked by Joy: Discovering the Joy That Defined the First Believers. Jared shares how a Bible study in 1 Peter sparked a personal journey to reclaim joy—not as a fleeting feeling, but as a defining mark of Christian identity. Together, they explore why joy has gone missing in much of today’s church, how we can get it back, and what it looks like to live with resilient, gospel-rooted joy.
In This Episode, You’ll Hear:
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What sparked Jared Mitzelfelt’s journey to rediscover joy through 1 Peter
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Why joy was the defining trait of the early church—and why it often isn’t today
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How Jared realized joy wasn’t marking his own life and what he did about it
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Practical ways churches can foster a culture of resilient, gospel-rooted joy
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The difference between joy and toxic positivity
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How suffering and joy can coexist in the Christian life
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Why reclaiming joy is essential for spiritual health and mission
About the Book
Do you long for a life filled with joy? You’re not alone-joy is a desire shared by everyone. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be people of joy, even in the midst of trials and suffering. When we look at the early church in the New Testament, we see a community marked by overflowing joy, despite facing intense persecution and societal pressures. They were a people marked by joy.
But what about today? Does joy still mark Christians in the twenty-first century? Too often, we find ourselves weighed down by anxiety, depression, anger, and discontentment-far from the joy that should define us. What has happened to the joy that once set believers apart?
What about you? Does joy mark your life, or have other struggles taken its place?
In this book, we’ll dive into Scripture to uncover the root of our joy deficit and seek practical ways to restore joy to our lives, even during challenging times. My prayer is that, after reading this, you will be equipped to cultivate lasting joy and live the joy-filled life God has always intended for you.
Helpful Links
- Learn more about Jared Mitzelfelt
- Buy the book
- Listen on Apple Podcasts
- Listen on Spotify
- Listen on Amazon Music
- RSS Feed
- More episodes at Life is Story
Favorite Quotes
“If joy is what marked the first century Christians does joy still mark the 21st century Christian?”
“Joy isn’t just a superficial emotion. It’s a supernatural one—and it comes from the Lord.”
“We don’t just have a joy problem, we have a connection problem. Joy is fundamentally about connection.”
“Complete joy is found in community and fellowship and mission—being on a mission together.”
“If we deal with our pain and suffering with the Lord, we come out with a deeper connection to Him—and deeper connection leads to deeper joy.”
“Even in a season of sorrow, joy is not absent. It may not be the loudest emotion, but it’s still there because we have hope.”
“The New Testament commands us to rejoice—not because it’s easy, but because it points us to lean into the Lord.”
“The number one way people remain joy-filled is through secure relationships across multiple spheres of life. The church is meant to be one of those spheres.”
“We’ve lost the art of hanging out. We need to re-learn how to invite people in and invest in relationships.”
“Joy is deeper than happiness. And that depth—what people are trying to describe—comes from connection.”
