The Power of Choosing Joy in Life’s Valleys | with Elle Cardel

Stephanie Rousselle welcomes Elle Cardel, author of “She Delights”, a book about experiencing delight in God, even during seasons of suffering. Elle offers insight into cultivating deep faith, biblical joy, and intimacy with God. True delight in God is cultivated through deep engagement with Scripture, honest and continuous prayer, and a perspective of gratitude. The spiritual strength to endure hardship flows from knowing God delights in us, not for what we do, but because of Christ. The legacy the believer leaves is a testimony that “nothing satisfies like Jesus”—a lesson to pass on in both word and life.

Elle Cardel emphasizes that shallow faith—one reliant on mere Sunday attendance, occasional Bible verses, or inspirational talks—cannot sustain us through life’s inevitable hardships. True resilience in faith comes from immersing ourselves in God’s Word, not just secondhand knowledge from others. Elle describes this as becoming “Bible geeks”—students eager to soak up the living and active Word of God so that, when suffering comes, our roots are deep, and we know God is with us. This depth equips us to see suffering as an environment where God delights to meet and transform us.

Elle distinguishes joy from happiness. Happiness fluctuates with circumstances, whereas joy is a fruit of the Spirit and accessible to us at all times, especially when we choose it. Elle shares a deeply personal story about her daughter Selah’s medical crisis, during which Elle discovered that grief and joy can coexist. Through vulnerability and seeking God in her private pain, Elle experienced God’s palpable presence—realizing that delighting in God amid suffering is an act of worship, not the result of easy circumstances.

Stephanie and Elle discuss the importance of savoring life—choosing to rejoice in what is, rather than fixating on what is not. They encourage us to approach life with the mindset of “savoring,” which, in French, connects closely to both delight and deliciousness. This means joy is something to be tasted and experienced, even in dark valleys, by recognizing God’s blessings and presence in small, everyday moments.

Spiritual disciplines such as regular Bible reading and prayer should be established before crisis hits. These practices are like the roots of the tree in Psalm 1, deep and sustaining even in seasons of drought. Elle acknowledges that motivation may wane, but real change comes from choosing to meet God in His Word, pushing past feelings of laziness or intimidation, and allowing scripture to transform us over time—just as food nourishes the body slowly.

Elle describes prayer as both lifeblood and lifeline—a means of connecting honestly with God. Prayer need not be formal or perfect; it’s about bringing every emotion and mundane task before God and seeking His presence in all aspects of life. She recommends practical habits like breath prayers and attaching prayer to daily activities, making prayer natural and constant.

Elle stresses that all intimacy and delight with God are rooted not in performance, but in grace— through “imputed righteousness:” We are loved and delighted in by God because of what Jesus accomplished. Our spiritual effort doesn’t earn His acceptance; instead, we respond in joyful obedience out of gratitude for His love. Our identity as beloved children of God is secure in Christ.

Delighting in God is not a shallow cliché. It is a sustaining, daily posture, rooted in His delight in us and nourished by intentional habits, steadfast faith, and the overwhelming grace found in Jesus.

MORE ABOUT ELLE CARDEL

Hi! I’m Elle Cardel (yep, it rhymes!), a sinner saved by God’s great redeeming love and grace, wife to my college sweetheart, Michael, and mother to our two little loves, Selah and Aidan! I was born and raised in the south and live in the heart of middle Tennessee with my family. (Although, some may find that hard to believe since I cannot stand the taste of sweet tea.) 

I’m a full-time coffee-sipper, word-writer, friend-hugger, book-reader, shower-singer, and DIY-dreamer. Most importantly, I delight in encouraging women of faith to be proactive in their pursuit of knowing God and delighting in the truths of His Word. I do not take this responsibility God has entrusted to me lightly. Needless to say, I’m so glad you are here and hope you will choose to stick around!

https://www.daughterofdelight.com/who-we-are 

MORE ABOUT SHE DELIGHTS

In a world that tempts us to chase after temporary joys and fleeting pleasures, the call to delight in the Lord remains firm and true. But what does it actually mean to delight in Him? And how can we cultivate a life that reflects that joy—even in the hardest seasons?

She Delights: Cultivating a Heart That Reigns & Sustains is an invitation to experience the joy and strength found in abiding in Christ. Through biblical wisdom, personal reflections, and thought-provoking insights, this book will guide you toward a deeper understanding of what it means to live a life anchored in God's goodness.

We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with.

Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog

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