My guest for The Happy Hour #226 is Lysa TerKeurst. Lysa is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of over twenty books, international speaker, and the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries. Her passion is teaching the Bible in vulnerably realistic ways that help others personally engage with God by connecting His truth to their everyday lives. You can find her most days writing from her sticky farm table in Charlotte, NC and enjoying life with her husband Art and the families of her 5 grown children.

You guys, I cannot think of a better way to start off The Happy Hour in 2019 than this episode. Get your tissues and your pen and paper ready for this one. Lysa and I start off the show talking about how she began working with Proverbs 31 Ministries. Lysa tells us about writing her latest book in real-time as her world was turned upside down by a marital affair, and being diagnosed with significant medical issues. We talk about being in the “messy middle” place of life, and the importance of creating safe spaces and community to discuss disappointment in our lives.

Lysa speaks about how God helped her hear His truth so she could face her fears, leaning on friends' faith when we feel so shaken, and the struggle of when our feelings and faith come in conflict. Lysa tells us how it wasn't clear to her how this story would end, but she realized redemption is available now, whether there's reconciliation or not. She speaks such encouragement to us when she says, “Redemption is based on my choices – I can choose to have redemption with God today.”

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