The Formed Life Podcast

Virginia Wear Kujabi
  • 5.0 (21)
  • Christianity

The Formed Life Because your soul wasn’t made for hustle—it was made for connection. Are you spiritually hungry for more—more depth, more intimacy with God, more wholeness in your everyday life? The Formed Life is a sacred space for followers of Jesus—and those spiritually curious—who are weary of performative faith and ready to step into a deeper, more authentic walk with the Trinity. If you’ve ever felt burned out, stuck, or spiritually dry, you’re not alone—and you’re not without hope. Hosted by spiritual director and author Virginia Wear Kujabi, this podcast gently invites you to slow down and open yourself to the transforming presence of God. Each episode weaves together soul-nourishing conversations, simple yet profound spiritual rhythms, and accessible theology that meets you right where you are. You’ll hear from wise, grace-filled voices as we explore the beauty, mystery, and mess of becoming more like Jesus in real life—not through striving, but through communion. Whether you’re a mom in the thick of it, a ministry leader longing for renewal, or simply someone craving deeper spiritual practices and connection, The Formed Life will guide you into a life of purpose, peace, and Spirit-led formation. Come as you are. Leave with more of who you were always meant to be—rooted, whole, and fully alive in God’s love.

  1. Sep 16

    Episode 44: Can you have joy in the middle of the hard season? Dr. Jacqueline Heider part 2

    Thrive Through It (Get it here) What if you could experience joy in the middle of the hard season—not just after it ends? In Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Jacqueline Heider, we go deeper into what it actually means to thrive when life is hard. Jacqueline shares why training your mind has been one of the hardest of her six Thrive principles to live out, how Philippians 4:8 has challenged her to question thoughts that simply aren’t true, and why sometimes the first step toward change is making one small choice that challenges an old belief. We also talk about something that is at the heart of this conversation: Christian resilience is not simply pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. Jacqueline explains why she eventually moved the spiritual dimension of resilience to the center of her resilience wheel—and why the work of the Holy Spirit matters when we are trying to navigate our emotions, setbacks, change, burnout, and difficult circumstances. And then we get to one of my favorite parts of our conversation: “God doesn’t want us to have moments of joy. He wants us to have joy in the midst of all of our moments.” That doesn't mean being happy about painful circumstances. It means learning to turn toward the Lord in the middle of them—to seek Him, trust Him, and ask what He might be teaching us and how He might be glorified. If you're in a hard season right now, feeling stuck, burned out, or simply tired of waiting for “the next thing” before you can experience peace, I think this conversation will encourage you. In this episode, we talk about: • Training your mind and learning to think on what is true • Challenging beliefs that may not actually be true • Moving from survival mode toward resilience • Why thriving is NOT the same thing as productivity • The role of Scripture, prayer, and the Holy Spirit in resilience • Happiness vs. Christian joy • Finding peace and contentment in the midst of difficult circumstances • How to view setbacks differently • Why application—not simply information—matters for transformation • Finding a Godward perspective when life feels overwhelming • Jeremiah 32:17 and the truth that nothing is too hard for God Dr. Jacqueline Heider is a ministry leader, Bible teacher, resiliency coach, and author of Thrive Through It: Six Superpowers to Turn Struggles Into Strength. If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, go back and listen to Episode 43 first! Connect with Jacqueline: JacquelineHiderCoaching.com If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who might need it—and subscribe to The Formed Life Podcast so you don't miss the next conversation.

  2. Sep 9

    Episode 43:You Were Never Meant to Just Survive: How to Thrive Through Life’s Hardest Seasons | Dr. Jacqueline Heider

    Have you ever had a season of life that simply knocked the wind out of your sails? Maybe nothing is technically a crisis. Your life may even look fine from the outside. But internally, you're exhausted. You're struggling. You're just trying to make it through the day. What if God has something more for you than simply surviving? In Episode 43 of The Formed Life Podcast, I sit down with my longtime friend Dr. Jacqueline Heider—ministry leader, Bible teacher, resiliency coach, and author of the brand-new book Thrive Through It: Six Superpowers to Turn Struggles Into Strength. And honestly, this conversation could not have come at a better time for me. Jacqueline's work began with her doctoral research on resilience in ministry after nearly two decades of watching pastors, ministry leaders, and women struggle with burnout and barely survive when they could be thriving. But this isn't a conversation about pretending life is easy. Jacqueline has lived through her own hard seasons—including the unexpected challenges surrounding her daughter's cognitive disability diagnosis. She vulnerably shares how she went from asking, “Why me, Lord?” to discovering that God Himself was enough to carry her through. And that journey changed her. In this episode, we unpack what it actually means to thrive when your circumstances haven't changed. Because thriving isn't having a picture-perfect life. It's having an inner sense of well-being, joy, and peace that comes from Christ—and knowing that even when you get knocked down, you can get back up because of whose you are and who you know. Jacqueline shares her powerful “pipe cleaner vs. popsicle stick” picture of resilience: we aren't called to be so rigid that pressure breaks us. We're learning to bend, adapt, and become resilient in Christ. This conversation is ultimately about much more than resilience. It's about the God who meets us in our hardest places. In This Episode, We Talk About: • Why Jacqueline wrote Thrive Through It • Nearly 20 years of working with women and witnessing burnout • The difference between surviving and thriving • Jacqueline's daughter's unexpected cognitive disability diagnosis • The moment Jacqueline realized God alone was enough • How studying the names of God changed her perspective • Why thriving doesn't mean everything is perfect • Why joy and happiness aren't the same thing • How to thrive in the “messy middle” when circumstances haven't changed • The importance of vulnerability and authentic community • Naming and resetting our emotions • Paul’s example of living with purpose through tremendous hardship • Why knowing your “why” matters • The six superpowers of Thrive Through It • Renewing your mind through Scripture • Harnessing your passions and discovering your purpose • Investing in yourself without guilt • Viewing setbacks as setups • Embracing change and developing resilience • What it looks like to live abundantly with Jesus—even when life is hard A Question to Carry With You Instead of asking only: “Why is this happening to me?” What if you asked: “Lord, what are You trying to teach me through this?” Sometimes the circumstances don't change. But we do. Get Jacqueline's Book Thrive Through It: Six Superpowers to Turn Struggles Into Strength Get Book Here Connect With Jacqueline  @dr._jqheider on instagram  If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who is tired of just surviving. And if you're new here, welcome to The Formed Life Podcast with Virginia Kujabi—where we explore what it looks like to cultivate a life rooted in relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, allowing His presence to actually form the way we live. Because God doesn't waste a thing. Even the hard places can become places where He forms us more like Jesus.

  3. Sep 2

    Episode 42: What If the Diagnosis You Fear Most Isn’t the End of the Story? | Misty Coy Snyder (part2)

    What if the diagnosis you fear most isn’t the end of the story? What if there is more beauty, more hope, more possibility, and more joy than anyone thought to tell you? In Part 2 of my conversation with my dear friend Misty Coy Snyder, we dive deep into her newly published book, Happiness Is Down Syndrome: Strategies and Support for Parents at Every Stage—and into a much bigger conversation about disability, human worth, flourishing, advocacy, faith, and the stories we tell about one another. Misty challenges us to reconsider what our culture means when it talks about “burden,” “suffering,” “good,” and “blessing.” Because what if disability isn't the tragedy we've been taught to see? What if our understanding of human flourishing has been far too narrow? Misty shares why she believes disability can offer us an entirely different lens through which to see humanity—one that can cultivate empathy, perspective, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be human. We also talk about why self-advocates—people with Down syndrome speaking from their own lived experience—need to be heard. Misty explains why the people who actually live with Down syndrome should have a voice in shaping how society understands Down syndrome. She also shares a humbling story about realizing that sometimes the biggest limitation isn't our children's ability—it is our own assumptions about what they can do. And then we talk about the heart behind Happiness Is Down Syndrome. Misty didn't want to write another book that simply lists medical information or resources. She wanted to create something that could meet a frightened parent where they actually are—with stories, science, experts, self-advocates, practical resources, and hope. A book that could feel less like a textbook… …and more like a friend. In this conversation, we talk about: • Why society often equates disability with burden and suffering • What disability can teach us about human flourishing • Redefining what it means for something to be “good” or a “blessing” • Misty’s “unfamiliar path” and Isaiah 42:16 • The story and meaning behind Happiness Is Down Syndrome • Why the book includes therapists, counselors, organizations, parents, experts, and self-advocates • Why people with Down syndrome need to be heard telling their own stories • The danger of both limiting people with Down syndrome and romanticizing their experiences • Why possibility, autonomy, individuality, joy, and hope matter • How our assumptions can unintentionally limit our children • What Misty hopes her book will mean for families receiving a diagnosis • The importance of giving parents permission to grieve • Why you don't have to rush to be okay • What it means to “be where your feet are planted” • Misty's dream for the book to reach parents at the moment they need it most • Why she wants families to know: you are not alone, and your baby is precious And perhaps one of the most powerful moments of the conversation is when Misty speaks directly to the parent who has just received a Down syndrome diagnosis. Her message is simple: Your feelings matter. You don't have to rush. You can grieve. You can feel what you feel. And you are not alone. This conversation is about so much more than Down syndrome. It's about what happens when we allow God to expand our definition of blessing, challenge the stories we've believed about human worth, and learn to see people not through the limitations of our culture—but through the fullness of their humanity. 📖 About Misty Coy Snyder Misty Coy Snyder is an author, storyteller, entrepreneur, and advocate in the Down syndrome community. She is the creator of Happiness Is Down Syndrome, a platform born from her experience as the mother of her son, Jed. Her new book, Happiness Is Down Syndrome: Strategies and Support for Parents at Every Stage, brings together personal stories, practical resources, experts, organizations, and self-advocates to support families navigating the Down syndrome journey. 📚 Get the Book Happiness Is Down Syndrome is available through Misty’s website and major booksellers. Misty Coy Snyder Happiness is Down Syndrome Book 💙 Connect with Misty Instagram: @mistycoysnyder and @happinessisdownsyndrome  ❤️ A Special Note This conversation is dedicated to our sons, James and Jed—two mighty warriors who remind us that every human life is deeply valuable and beautifully made in the image of God. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear this message. And if you're new here, subscribe to The Formed Life Podcast with Virginia Kujabi for conversations about faith, spiritual formation, and what it looks like to actually live a life with God.

  4. Aug 26

    Episode 41 — The Diagnosis Changed Everything: Misty Coy Snyder on Down Syndrome, Motherhood & God’s Unexpected Plan | Part 1

    What if the thing you thought would change your life for the worse became one of God’s greatest gifts? In this deeply personal conversation, I sit down with my friend Misty Coy Snyder, newly published author of Happiness Is Down Syndrome, to talk about motherhood, disability, advocacy, faith, and the surprising ways God can completely rewrite the story we thought we were living. Misty shares what went through her mind when she first received her son Jed’s Down syndrome diagnosis—including the painful thoughts she was afraid to say out loud. She opens up about the dreams she thought she was losing, the shame she wrestled with, and how becoming Jed’s mother forced her to confront parts of herself she had never seen so clearly before. But then everything changed. Misty tells the beautiful story of meeting Jed face-to-face and realizing that the baby she had been afraid of was not a diagnosis—he was her son. From there, a completely unexpected calling began to unfold: Happiness Is Down Syndrome, a platform that has grown from a small Instagram page into a powerful voice for the Down syndrome community. We talk about: • Receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis and the emotions nobody prepares you for • How motherhood reshaped Misty’s understanding of herself • The moment Jed changed everything • Why Misty believes the world has gotten Down syndrome profoundly wrong • Disability, ableism, fear, and the importance of telling the whole story • How God redirected Misty’s dreams in ways she never could have imagined • Her journey from theater and performing to global advocacy • Speaking at the United Nations and discovering a stage she never dreamed of • The story behind the provocative title Happiness Is Down Syndrome • Why her new book is designed to be a guide and companion for families navigating Down syndrome • Why this book isn't only for families in the Down syndrome community—it’s for all of us And perhaps most beautifully, we talk about what happens when God takes the thing we feared most and somehow reveals a gift we never could have imagined. This episode is dedicated to our incredible sons, James and Jed, two boys who remind us that every human life is immeasurably valuable, deeply loved, and beautifully made in the image of God. Come back next week for Part 2, where Misty and I dive even deeper into Happiness Is Down Syndrome and the message she hopes every family—and every person—will take away from this book. Connect with Misty: MistyCoySnyder.com Instagram: @happinessisdownsyndrome Get the book: Happiness Is Down Syndrome is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and Misty’s website. Misty's Page  Get Book on Amazon For copies purchased through RODS Hero, 100% of the profits go toward RODS and its mission to uncover the superpowers of individuals with Down syndrome. Rods Heros Songs by Misty  Happiness Is Song

  5. Aug 19

    Episode 40: Is Your Money Forming You? Faith, Stewardship & True Wealth with Hilgardt and Janice Lamprecht

    ANNOUNCEMENT: The Formed Life Fall Cohort What if the life with God you’ve been longing for doesn’t come from trying harder—but from learning to actually live differently with God? The Formed Life Fall Cohort is a 10-week immersive experience for followers of Jesus who are ready to move beyond consuming more Christian content and begin cultivating a life that is deeply rooted in relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You’ll practice spiritual rhythms, create space for God, and learn how to become more like Jesus—not through striving, but through a life intentionally rearranged around Him. We begin September 17. 🗓 Thursdays ⏰ 7:00–8:30 PM EST 💻 Live on Zoom 🌿 10-week immersive experience If you’ve been thinking, “I know there has to be more than this,” this may be the next step. Save $300 with early-bird code EARLY through August 28. 👉 Join the Fall Cohort: Apply Here About This Episode What does your money have to do with your spiritual formation? More than you might think. In this episode of The Formed Life Podcast, Virginia sits down with longtime friends Hilgardt and Janice Lamprecht, founders and leaders of The LifeWealth Group, for a deeply personal conversation about faith, finances, stewardship, generosity, marriage, leadership, success, dreams, and what it actually means to live a life of significance. Hilgardt and Janice share the story of how God led them from South Africa to the United States, how their faith shaped the growth of their business, and why they intentionally built their company around the phrase “For the Glory of God.” But this conversation goes much deeper than financial planning. We talk about the subtle ways money, achievement, success, and performance can become sources of identity and security—and how God invites us into something better. Janice shares candidly about reaching the end of herself through burnout and discovering the freedom of finding her security in God's grace and love rather than accomplishment. We also explore what happens when a husband and wife build a business together, how different strengths can become complementary rather than competitive, and why learning to honor the way God has uniquely created another person can transform both marriage and leadership. And perhaps most importantly, we ask: What if stewardship isn't just a financial issue—but a spiritual formation issue? Hilgardt and Janice unpack the difference between ownership and stewardship, the connection between money and the condition of our hearts, and why our worth can never be measured by our net worth. If you've ever felt anxious about money, retirement, success, your future, or whether you're doing enough with the life God has given you, this conversation is for you. There is wisdom in planning. But there is also freedom in learning to place tomorrow back into God's hands. In This Episode How Hilgardt and Janice followed God's leading from South Africa to America Building a business for the glory of God Why financial stewardship is ultimately a matter of the heart The difference between ownership and stewardship How money can become intertwined with identity, fear, and security Generosity as an ongoing journey of spiritual formation Marriage, business, and learning to embrace each other's strengths The visionary and integrator dynamic Leadership through encouragement and servant-heartedness Burnout, performance, achievement, and discovering God's grace How to pursue dreams without allowing achievement to become your identity Why your worth is not your net worth Planning for the future without being consumed by anxiety What it means to live tomorrow in God's hands Pursuing a life of purpose, impact, legacy, and true wealth Meet Hilgardt and Janice Hilgardt Lamprecht, CFP®, CKA®, CExP™ is President and CEO of The LifeWealth Group, with nearly three decades of experience in wealth management, private wealth planning, retirement planning, and multi-generational wealth preservation. He is also the author of Plan to Succeed With Your LifeWealth: Helping Dreams Become Reality. Janice Lamprecht is Chief Operating Officer and Integrator of The LifeWealth Group, where she focuses on operational excellence, servant leadership, and helping turn vision into execution. 🌐 The LifeWealth Group: THE LIFEWEALTH GROUP 📖 Hilgardt's book — Plan to Succeed With Your LifeWealth: Buy book here If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to hear that their worth is so much bigger than what they earn, own, or accomplish. And remember: You don't just have a financial life and a spiritual life. You have one life—and God cares about all of it. Follow The Formed Life Podcast with Virginia Wear Kujabi for more conversations about becoming like Jesus in the ordinary places of everyday life.

  6. Aug 12

    Episode 39: God Did More Than We Ever Imagined | One Year of The Formed Life Podcast

    One year ago, The Formed Life Podcast began with a microphone, a dream, and a simple desire: to help people follow Jesus into a life of deeper relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today, that little dream has reached listeners across 37+ countries. In this special one-year birthday episode, Virginia is joined by her dear friend Jen Jones for the podcast's first-ever live audience celebration. Instead of interviewing a guest, Jen turns the microphone around and interviews Virginia about the story behind The Formed Life Podcast—the dreams that took years to become reality, the challenges behind the scenes, the conversations that have changed her, and what God has been teaching her along the way. And underneath it all is a bigger story: What happens when we simply say yes to God? Virginia shares how a dream that began as early as 2019 sat dormant for years while microphones gathered dust, life unfolded, marriage and motherhood took center stage, and technical obstacles seemed to delay the dream. But what looked like delay wasn't necessarily denial. In 2025, the right relationship and mentorship helped Virginia finally launch The Formed Life Podcast. One year later, she is reflecting on God's surprising faithfulness—and the privilege of being able to share the message of spiritual formation with listeners around the world without ever leaving her home office. In this episode, Virginia and Jen talk about: The story behind the original dream to start a podcast Why technical obstacles delayed the launch for several years What finally helped Virginia move from dreaming to doing The surprising global reach of The Formed Life Podcast How God can use our obedience in ways we never anticipated The tension between ministry beyond our homes and the ministry happening within our homes The behind-the-scenes work of producing a podcast without a production team The importance of community, friendship, mentorship, and saying yes to opportunities Some of Virginia's most meaningful podcast conversations from the first year How spiritual formation happens not only through what we teach, but through what we experience What it means to practice what we preach when life becomes difficult Finding courage to speak when we don't consider ourselves an expert How the Holy Spirit leads us into courageous obedience Why we don't have to carry the pressure of "getting it all right" God's sovereignty and the freedom that comes from knowing the kingdom does not depend on us What Jesus' invitation to "come to me" means for the spiritually weary The difference between spiritual rhythms that form us and religious practices that leave us feeling burdened The invitation to walk with Jesus and learn the unforced rhythms of grace The unexpected global reach When The Formed Life Podcast launched, listeners were already tuning in from multiple countries. One year later, Virginia knows of listeners in more than 37 countries—including the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, Vietnam, Australia, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Brazil, France, India, South Korea, South Africa, The Gambia, and many more. What began in a home office became a small window through which the message of spiritual formation could travel around the world. And Virginia's response is simple: To God be the glory. Great things He has done. A word for the spiritually weary One of the most beautiful moments of the conversation comes near the end, when Jen asks Virginia what she would say to someone who feels spiritually weary, stuck, or hungry for a deeper life with God. Virginia points to Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28–30: come to Him, walk with Him, learn from Him, and receive His rest. The Christian life is not ultimately about performing enough spiritual activities to become acceptable to God. It is about keeping company with Jesus. Spiritual disciplines and rhythms can be beautiful means through which we abide in Christ, but they are not meant to become burdens that replace relationship with Him. The invitation is to walk with Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit and to become increasingly formed into His likeness. One year later, the invitation remains Whether you've listened to every episode or you're discovering The Formed Life for the first time, this episode is an invitation to consider your own "yes." What has God placed in your heart? What have you been postponing because you don't feel qualified, ready, or equipped? What if faithfulness begins with one small act of obedience? And what if the goal isn't to accomplish something impressive—but simply to walk with God faithfully and allow Him to form you along the way? Go deeper with The Formed Life If you're longing for more than information about spiritual formation and want to practice a deeper life with God in community, The Formed Life's Fall Spiritual Formation Cohort launches September 10. This is a 10-week immersive spiritual formation experience designed to help you cultivate rhythms of abiding, renewal, relationship, and surrender as you journey with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Early enrollment offer: Use code EARLY for $300 off. Offer expires August 22, 2026. Learn more at  The Formed Life Fall Cohort Connect with Virginia Follow Virginia on Instagram: @VirginiaKujabi Follow The Formed Life: @TheFormedLife If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs the reminder that they don't have to do more—they can simply come to Jesus. Scripture referenced Matthew 11:28–30 — Jesus' invitation to the weary to come to Him, receive His rest, and learn His way of life. Psalm 2:8 — "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession." John 15 — Abiding in Christ and bearing fruit through relationship with Him. The Formed Life Podcast exists to equip followers of Jesus cultivate a life rooted in relationship with the Trinity, gratitude, and community—empowering transformation through the Holy Spirit and spiritual rhythms to become formed more like Jesus.

  7. Jul 29

    Episode 38 | Beloved: The Truth That Changes Everything

    The truth is you are loved. You are loved. You are loved-- more deeply and completely than you could ever imagine!  What if the greatest obstacle to your spiritual growth isn't a lack of discipline, knowledge, or commitment? What if it's that you've forgotten—or perhaps never truly believed—how deeply you are loved by God? Many followers of Jesus know God loves them. They can quote the verses, explain the gospel, and affirm the truth intellectually. Yet countless believers still live as though they must earn God's approval through performance, productivity, or striving. In this episode of The Formed Life, Virginia explores one of the most transformative truths in the Christian life: belovedness. Drawing from Scripture and insights from Francis Chan's Beloved, this conversation invites listeners beyond simply knowing about God's love and into experiencing it. Together, we'll explore how the Father's love precedes our obedience, how Jesus reveals the heart of God, and how the Holy Spirit pours God's love into our hearts in a deeply personal way. Friend, spiritual formation does not begin with striving. It begins with belovedness. As Virginia reminds us, the starting place of becoming more like Jesus is not becoming more lovable—it's learning to live from the reality that you already are loved. In This Episode Why the Father's love comes before our obedience The difference between knowing God's love and experiencing God's love How performance-based Christianity keeps us stuck Why belovedness is foundational to spiritual formation How Jesus perfectly reveals the love of God The role of the Holy Spirit in helping us experience divine love Moving from insecurity and striving into joyful obedience Memorable Quotes "The starting place for you to be formed more like Jesus is this place of awareness that you are His beloved." "The love of God is not an abstract concept. The love of God has a face, and it's our Savior, Jesus." "The Holy Spirit makes the love of God experiential." Scriptures Referenced 1 John 4:19 Ephesians 1 Matthew 3:17 Romans 5:5 Romans 8 John 15 Reflection Questions Do I live from belovedness or from performance? Have I settled for knowing God loves me without truly experiencing His love? What would change in my life if I genuinely believed the Father delights in me? Where is God inviting me to receive rather than strive? This Week's Invitation After this episode talk to God about His love for you.  Where are you at with His love? Is it only in your head or are you experiencing it in your soul?  Ask the Holy Spirit to experience God's love right now.  If time permits, Open your Bible to Romans 8, Ephesians 1, or 1 John 4. Read slowly. Read prayerfully. Then simply sit before the Father and pray: "Father, help me experience Your love." Connect With Virginia Follow Virginia on Instagram: @virgniakujabi and @theforrmedlife  If This Episode Encouraged You... Would you take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? Reviews help more people discover The Formed Life and join this growing community pursuing life with God through spiritual formation, gratitude, and communion with the Trinity. And if someone came to mind while listening, share this episode with them. The Christian life isn't striving to become loved. It's learning to live from the reality that you already are.

  8. Jul 22

    Episode 37 | Have We Forgotten Delight? Why God Wants More Than Your Faithfulness

    What if God isn't merely inviting you to endure your life faithfully? What if He's also inviting you to delight in Him? Many of us have learned how to strive. We've learned how to serve, sacrifice, and pursue spiritual growth. Yet somewhere along the way, we've forgotten that one of the fruits of the Spirit is joy and that every good and perfect gift comes from our loving Father. In this episode of The Formed Life, Virginia reflects on the unexpected delight found in thirty-nine days of the FIFA World Cup—shared laughter around the television, inside jokes with family, smoothies lovingly nicknamed "FIFI," and the beauty of watching the nations gather together. Through these ordinary moments, she offers a gentle reminder that delight is not opposed to spiritual formation. In fact, it may be one of the beautiful ways God forms us into people of gratitude, joy, and love. Jesus didn't merely invite us into faithful endurance. He invited us into abundant life. Friend, perhaps you've been carrying a faith that feels heavy lately. Perhaps you've unknowingly believed that holiness means becoming less joyful or that enjoyment must somehow be earned. Scripture tells a different story. The God who created sunsets, laughter, wedding feasts, friendship, and beauty delights in giving good gifts to His children. This episode is an invitation to slow down, savor God's goodness, and joyfully receive His gifts with gratitude. In This Episode: Have we unintentionally forgotten delight? Why enjoyment is a gift from God—not something to be earned How Jesus modeled joyful presence, celebration, and community The relationship between delight, gratitude, and spiritual formation Why holiness and joy are not opposites Practical ways to cultivate delight in your everyday life Learning to receive God's good gifts without rushing past them Scriptures Referenced: Psalm 37:4 Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 John 10:10 James 1:17 Matthew 11:28-30 Psalm 103 Reflection Questions: Have I unintentionally believed that becoming holy means becoming less joyful? What good gifts has God already placed before me that I've been rushing past? When was the last time I simply delighted in something with gratitude? How might God be inviting me to slow down and receive His goodness this week? This Week's Invitation Watch the sunset. Buy the flowers. Take the walk. Laugh with your children. Call the friend. Eat the ice cream. Watch the match. Take the nap. And don't rush through it. Delight isn't a distraction from becoming more like Jesus. Sometimes, it is one of the beautiful ways He forms us. Connect with Virginia Follow Virginia on Instagram: @virginiakujabi and @theformedlife  If This Episode Encouraged You... Would you take just thirty seconds to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? Reviews help more people discover The Formed Life and join this growing community seeking to become more like Jesus through gratitude, community, and spiritual formation. And if someone came to mind while listening, would you share this episode with them? Sometimes the most transformational invitations are also the simplest ones. "Becoming more like Jesus isn't only about learning how to suffer faithfully. It's also learning how to receive joyfully."

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About

The Formed Life Because your soul wasn’t made for hustle—it was made for connection. Are you spiritually hungry for more—more depth, more intimacy with God, more wholeness in your everyday life? The Formed Life is a sacred space for followers of Jesus—and those spiritually curious—who are weary of performative faith and ready to step into a deeper, more authentic walk with the Trinity. If you’ve ever felt burned out, stuck, or spiritually dry, you’re not alone—and you’re not without hope. Hosted by spiritual director and author Virginia Wear Kujabi, this podcast gently invites you to slow down and open yourself to the transforming presence of God. Each episode weaves together soul-nourishing conversations, simple yet profound spiritual rhythms, and accessible theology that meets you right where you are. You’ll hear from wise, grace-filled voices as we explore the beauty, mystery, and mess of becoming more like Jesus in real life—not through striving, but through communion. Whether you’re a mom in the thick of it, a ministry leader longing for renewal, or simply someone craving deeper spiritual practices and connection, The Formed Life will guide you into a life of purpose, peace, and Spirit-led formation. Come as you are. Leave with more of who you were always meant to be—rooted, whole, and fully alive in God’s love.

Information

  • Creator
    Virginia Wear Kujabi
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Formed Life Podcast