Life doesn’t always go the way we planned—and sometimes the weight of it all feels like too much. In this honest and hope-filled episode, Ash Couchman reflects on how God meets us in our hardest moments and reminds us of the eternal perspective we can cling to.

As James 1:12 puts it: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
This episode is all about what it means to persevere, not perfectly, but faithfully. Because God sees your struggle, and He promises a reward that far outweighs the pain.

Get Connected:
Follow us on Instagram
Join the Facebook Community
Got something to share? Email us at everydayjoy@positivemedia.com.au

Life doesn&rsquo;t always go the way we planned&mdash;and sometimes the weight of it all feels like too much. In this honest and hope-filled episode, Ash Couchman reflects on how God meets us in our hardest moments and reminds us of the eternal perspective we can cling to.
As James 1:12 puts it: &ldquo;Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.&rdquo; This episode is all about what it means to persevere, not perfectly, but faithfully. Because God sees your struggle, and He promises a reward that far outweighs the pain.
Get Connected: <a href="https://www.instagram.com">Follow us on Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com">Join the Facebook Community</a> Got something to share? <a>Email us at everydayjoy@positivemedia.com.au</a>

Everyday Joy

Holding On When It’s Hard | Finding Strength in the Middle of the Trial | James 1:12 with Mahala 

“We love because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19

In today’s episode, Ash is joined by Tiani to unpack one of the most foundational truths of the Christian faith — that our ability to love others flows directly from the love we’ve first received from God.

Together, they reflect on what it looks like to love generously, sacrificially, and sincerely, even when life, relationships, and past experiences have made love feel complicated or costly.

In this conversation, they explore:


How understanding God’s love reshapes the way we love people


Why love isn’t optional for Christians — even when it’s uncomfortable


The difference between loving from obligation and loving from revelation


How church and community are meant to look different because of love


What to do when past hurt makes loving others feel risky


Learning to receive love, not just give it

This episode is honest, tender, and deeply encouraging. If you’ve ever found it hard to love people well — or hard to believe that you yourself are truly loved — this conversation will help realign your heart with the truth that God loved you first, and that His love is enough to transform how you live, love, and show up for others.

&ldquo;We love because He first loved us.&rdquo; &mdash; 1 John 4:19
In today&rsquo;s episode, Ash is joined by Tiani to unpack one of the most foundational truths of the Christian faith &mdash; that our ability to love others flows directly from the love we&rsquo;ve first received from God.
Together, they reflect on what it looks like to love generously, sacrificially, and sincerely, even when life, relationships, and past experiences have made love feel complicated or costly.
In this conversation, they explore:
<ul data-start="1028" data-end="1424">
<li data-start="1028" data-end="1092">
How understanding God&rsquo;s love reshapes the way we love people
</li>
<li data-start="1093" data-end="1166">
Why love isn&rsquo;t optional for Christians &mdash; even when it&rsquo;s uncomfortable
</li>
<li data-start="1167" data-end="1243">
The difference between loving from obligation and loving from revelation
</li>
<li data-start="1244" data-end="1316">
How church and community are meant to look different because of love
</li>
<li data-start="1317" data-end="1377">
What to do when past hurt makes loving others feel risky
</li>
<li data-start="1378" data-end="1424">
Learning to receive love, not just give it
</li>
</ul>
This episode is honest, tender, and deeply encouraging. If you&rsquo;ve ever found it hard to love people well &mdash; or hard to believe that you yourself are truly loved &mdash; this conversation will help realign your heart with the truth that God loved you first, and that His love is enough to transform how you live, love, and show up for others.

Learning to Love Well | 1 John 4:19 with Tiani Welch Phillips

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” — Psalm 145:18

In this episode, Ash is joined by Tiani for a heartfelt conversation about what it truly means to seek God in truth — not just with words, but with an authentic heart and a willingness to be transformed.

Together they explore:


How to genuinely “call on God” rather than waiting for Him to act on our terms


Why nearness with God is a two-way relationship, not a one-way request line


The difference between approaching God with our own agenda versus surrender


How waiting on God cultivates trust, patience, and faith


Why truth requires letting go of our plans and trusting God’s goodness


The ultimate heart check: would God still be enough if He never answered another prayer?

This episode is for anyone wrestling with unanswered prayers, learning to wait, or seeking to deepen their trust and surrender. Be encouraged to draw near, call on Him in truth, and trust that He is closer than you think.

&ldquo;The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.&rdquo; &mdash; Psalm 145:18
In this episode, Ash is joined by Tiani for a heartfelt conversation about what it truly means to seek God in truth &mdash; not just with words, but with an authentic heart and a willingness to be transformed.
Together they explore:
<ul data-start="434" data-end="905">
<li data-start="434" data-end="516">
How to genuinely &ldquo;call on God&rdquo; rather than waiting for Him to act on our terms
</li>
<li data-start="517" data-end="596">
Why nearness with God is a two-way relationship, not a one-way request line
</li>
<li data-start="597" data-end="676">
The difference between approaching God with our own agenda versus surrender
</li>
<li data-start="677" data-end="737">
How waiting on God cultivates trust, patience, and faith
</li>
<li data-start="738" data-end="812">
Why truth requires letting go of our plans and trusting God&rsquo;s goodness
</li>
<li data-start="813" data-end="905">
The ultimate heart check: would God still be enough if He never answered another prayer?
</li>
</ul>
This episode is for anyone wrestling with unanswered prayers, learning to wait, or seeking to deepen their trust and surrender. Be encouraged to draw near, call on Him in truth, and trust that He is closer than you think.

If God Never Answered Again… Would He Still Be Enough? | Psalm 145:18 with Tiani Welch-Phillips 

Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Prayer doesn’t have to be polished.
It doesn’t have to be long.
And it definitely doesn’t have to wait until things fall apart.

This conversation is a reminder that prayer is meant to be woven into everyday life — the good moments, the stressful ones, the joyful celebrations, and the quiet wrestles no one else sees.

We talk about:


Why God invites us to pray about everything, not just the “serious” stuff


What it looks like to pray with the Spirit, not just from your own strength


Praying for people in the moment, not just saying “I’ll pray for you”


Interceding for others when you don’t know what to say


And learning to stay connected to God throughout the day, not just in quiet time

If prayer feels awkward, inconsistent, or hard — you’re not failing.
You’re learning relationship.

Sometimes prayer is powerful words.
Sometimes it’s silence.
Sometimes it’s stopping mid-day and saying,
“Holy Spirit, I need you right now.”

And that counts.

Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord&rsquo;s people.
Prayer doesn&rsquo;t have to be polished. It doesn&rsquo;t have to be long. And it definitely doesn&rsquo;t have to wait until things fall apart.
This conversation is a reminder that prayer is meant to be woven into everyday life &mdash; the good moments, the stressful ones, the joyful celebrations, and the quiet wrestles no one else sees.
We talk about:
<ul data-start="639" data-end="1020">
<li data-start="639" data-end="720">
Why God invites us to pray about everything, not just the &ldquo;serious&rdquo; stuff
</li>
<li data-start="721" data-end="802">
What it looks like to pray with the Spirit, not just from your own strength
</li>
<li data-start="803" data-end="876">
Praying for people in the moment, not just saying &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll pray for you&rdquo;
</li>
<li data-start="877" data-end="935">
Interceding for others when you don&rsquo;t know what to say
</li>
<li data-start="936" data-end="1020">
And learning to stay connected to God throughout the day, not just in quiet time
</li>
</ul>
If prayer feels awkward, inconsistent, or hard &mdash; you&rsquo;re not failing. You&rsquo;re learning relationship.
Sometimes prayer is powerful words. Sometimes it&rsquo;s silence. Sometimes it&rsquo;s stopping mid-day and saying, &ldquo;Holy Spirit, I need you right now.&rdquo;
And that counts.

Holding On When It’s Hard | Finding Strength in the Middle of the Trial | James 1:12 with Mahala

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