What if one of the greatest keys to lasting joy is not found in pursuing happiness for ourselves, but in learning to see others—and ourselves—with deeper compassion?

In this inspiring installment of the Joy series, we explore compassion as one of the essential pillars of joy, drawing wisdom from The Book of Joy, the teachings of Jesus, and the lives of remarkable spiritual leaders including the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and others who discovered joy even amid suffering and hardship.

This teaching reveals how compassion begins with empathy—the ability to recognize our shared human experience. Through stories, scripture, poetry, scientific research, and practical reflection, we discover that every person we encounter carries struggles, fears, losses, and hopes much like our own. When we learn to see beyond labels, divisions, and judgments, compassion becomes less of an obligation and more of a natural response.

You'll also explore the often-overlooked practice of self-compassion. Many of us struggle to extend grace to ourselves, believing we are never enough or have never done enough. Yet learning to treat ourselves with the same kindness we offer others can remove barriers that prevent us from living with greater joy.

Along the way, you'll encounter powerful insights from Jesus' parables, the early church's radical inclusivity, moving works of art and poetry, and the remarkable story of Anthony Ray Hinton, whose choice to embrace compassion transformed decades of unjust imprisonment into a life marked by hope and joy.

Whether you're seeking greater happiness, deeper spiritual growth, or practical ways to navigate an increasingly divided world, this teaching offers a compelling invitation: recognize our shared humanity, practice compassion, and discover the joy that follows.

Watch the video, listen to the podcast, or read the full teaching to experience the stories, reflections, exercises, and wisdom that can help cultivate a more compassionate heart and a deeper, more resilient joy.

What if the conversation about LGBTQ inclusion isn't really about winning an argument, but about discovering a deeper understanding of God, Scripture, and one another?

In Pride and Joy, Pastor Pete Shaw shares his personal journey from a traditional Baptist upbringing to becoming an advocate for LGBTQ affirmation. Along the way, he invites readers to examine the beliefs they inherited, the assumptions that shaped them, and the ways faith continues to evolve through study, experience, and compassion.

Drawing on biblical scholarship, the rabbinic traditions that influenced Jesus and Paul, contemporary understandings of gender and sexuality, and a vision of God rooted in love and shalom, this reflection challenges readers to think beyond simplistic answers. It explores the Bible's so-called "clobber verses," the role of interpretation, the dangers of "othering," and the call to see every person as a beloved bearer of the divine image.

Whether you agree, disagree, or find yourself somewhere in between, Pride and Joy offers a thoughtful, gracious, and deeply personal invitation to wrestle with difficult questions, expand your perspective, and consider what it means to love your neighbor well.

If you've ever wondered how a person of faith can embrace both Scripture and LGBTQ affirmation, this reflection is a compelling place to begin. Read it with an open heart, and be prepared to encounter new questions, fresh insights, and perhaps a broader vision of God's love.

As you will learn from the examples of Joseph in Genesis, the Apostle Paul, and former inmate Anthony Ray Hinton, gratitude may play an outsized role in our pursuit of joy. Gratitude does not erase suffering, excuse injustice, or remove disappointment. What it does is help us recognize that pain is not the whole story. It reminds us that even in difficult seasons, goodness remains present and available to us. Gratitude widens our vision enough to see it.

Forgiveness is one of the most challenging aspects of being human. Most of us carry a list of people we struggle to forgive—whether they are public figures, distant acquaintances, close family members, former friends, or even ourselves. Yet forgiveness stands at the center of Jesus’ teaching, not as an optional spiritual practice but as an essential part of following him.

The story of Joseph in Genesis illustrates the complexity of forgiveness. Betrayed by his brothers, falsely accused, imprisoned, and forgotten, Joseph had every reason to remain bitter. Instead, the story culminates in reconciliation, with Joseph embracing his brothers and recognizing that healing is possible even after profound harm. While the story never explicitly focuses on forgiveness, it demonstrates how remorse, compassion, and restored relationship can communicate forgiveness in powerful ways.

Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, excusing wrongdoing, avoiding accountability, or allowing continued harm. As both the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu emphasize, forgiveness can coexist with justice, healthy boundaries, and a clear acknowledgment of the wrong that was done. Forgiveness is not about denying the past; it is about refusing to let the past continue to control the present.

One reason forgiveness matters is that unforgiveness keeps us tethered to our wounds. Resentment can become its own prison, allowing those who hurt us to continue shaping our emotions and choices long after the original injury occurred. Forgiveness becomes a pathway to freedom, enabling us to reclaim our own lives and futures.

A relational understanding of forgiveness also invites us to see the humanity of those who have harmed us. This does not excuse their actions, but it recognizes that people are shaped by countless causes and conditions, often acting out of their own wounds, fears, ignorance, or lack of awareness. Forgiveness helps us resist the temptation to dehumanize others, even while opposing harmful behavior.

Forgiveness requires courage, humility, and strength. It is not weakness but one of the hardest forms of spiritual work. By choosing forgiveness, we break cycles of revenge and resentment and open ourselves to healing, renewal, and release.

Ultimately, forgiveness is a practice of shalom—God’s vision of wholeness, healing, and restored relationship. As we learn to forgive, we make room for greater freedom, deeper peace, and a more enduring joy. Forgiveness does not erase pain, but it prevents pain from having the final word.

Angie Barker-Jackson offers compelling words about acceptance of reality in our pursuit of joy. This powerful message invites us to embrace one of life's most challenging yet transformative spiritual practices: acceptance. Drawing from the story of Joseph in Genesis 39, we discover that accepting what is does not mean resignation or defeat, but rather creates the only place where real change can begin. Joseph's journey from favored son to slave to prisoner reveals a profound truth repeated four times in just eight verses: the Lord was with Joseph. Through betrayal by his brothers, false accusations, and unjust imprisonment, Joseph experienced God's abiding presence. This same truth anchors our lives today. God is with us in our celebrations and in our suffering, in our joys and in our heartbreaks. The message challenges us to hold two realities simultaneously: life can be incredibly difficult while joy remains accessible through God's constant companionship. Whether we're navigating family conflict, financial stress, health crises, or personal disappointments, the deepest reality underneath all surface circumstances is that God is with us. This Emmanuel truth, God with us, becomes our starting point for transformation. When we accept our present reality, we position ourselves to either change ourselves or change our circumstances, always grounded in the steadfast presence of a God who never abandons us.

"Laughter is the best medicine." Humor has a surprising way of healing individuals and relational rifts as well. It's not laughing matter - taking humor seriously just might create greater peace in the world.

Pride and egocentrism is a joy thief. How did the lack of humility show up in the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50? What do the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu have to say about humility and joy? How does our personality type impact our egotistical expression?

Perspective can make an enormous difference in our experience of life, including the amount of joy we feel.