Seeking Happy, Finding Joy | Christian Women 50+ | Faith & Purpose

Sherry Shipley|Christian Life Coach
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Hey friend — welcome to Seeking Happy, Finding Joy, a podcast for Christian women over 50 who have a stirring in their heart that there is more to life than simply surviving the hard stuff. Maybe life doesn't look quite like you thought it would by now. You've experienced loss, disappointment, unexpected change, or choices you wish you would have made differently. Maybe the roles that once defined you have changed, you're wondering what's next, or you know God is calling you forward — but you're not sure what moving forward looks like. There IS more ahead. Because God is not finished with your story. I'm Sherry Shipley, Christian life coach; and I believe some of life's hardest storms can become the very places where God rebuilds us — stronger, wiser, more courageous, and deeply rooted in Him. Here we'll have honest conversations about faith through hard times, your identity in Christ, finding purpose after 50, starting over, trusting God, releasing guilt and fear, building resilience, and discovering lasting joy — not because life is perfect, but because God is faithful. We'll dig into biblical truths and practical steps that help you move beyond just getting through life and begin moving confidently into what's next. We'll talk about what keeps us stuck, what God may be asking us to release, and what it looks like to trust Him when we can't see the whole road ahead. I've learned something about roads. After losing my husband suddenly, rebuilding my life, enduring another devastating loss when Hurricane Ian destroyed much of my home, and navigating plenty of unexpected turns along the way, I know what it feels like when life takes you somewhere you never intended to go. I also know this: Your past is a place you've been. It does not define who you are or what God wants to do with your future. We can't always control our circumstances. But with God, we can choose who we become through them. So if you're ready to deepen your faith, rediscover who God created you to be, find renewed purpose, and boldly step into the life He's still writing — pull up a chair. Or maybe grab a helmet. I'm so glad you're here.  

Episodes

  1. 8h ago

    S2 E05 | How to Take the Next Step When You Don’t Feel Ready

    The Hesitation How to Take the Next Step When You Don’t Feel Ready   Have you ever known there was something you needed to do—but instead of taking the first step, you kept saying, “I’m praying about it”?   Friend, sometimes we absolutely should wait . We should always seek God first. We need His wisdom and discernment before charging ahead simply because we want something.   But sometimes waiting isn’t faith. Sometimes waiting is hesitation wearing church clothes.   In this episode of Seeking Happy, Finding Joy, we’re talking about that little space between knowing and doing – when God may have already shown you enough to begin, but you’re still waiting for another sign, more confidence, or some guarantee about the outcome.   We’ll look at Gideon’s story in Judges 6 and the reminder in James 2:17 that genuine faith produces action.   And then I’ll give you three simple questions to help you identify your next faithful step: What do I already know? What is ONE faithful step I can take? When will I do it?   You don’t need Step 7 today. You might not even need Step 3.   Maybe you just need enough faith to take Step 1.   This Week’s Reflection What has God already made clear? Where might you be waiting to feel ready—or brave—before you move? Ask Him: “God, what is my next faithful step?”   Then pray. Listen. Discern.   And when you know what it is – move.   Because faith isn’t only believing God can lead you. Faith also looks like trusting Him enough to take the step when He calls.   Scripture to study out this week: Matthew 6:33 Judges 6 James 2:17   Connect: Website: seekinghappyfindingjoy.com Email: hello@seekinghappyfindingjoy.com Instagram: @sherryshipley.coach Or find me on Facebook!   If this message blessed you or something rang true for you, please share this episode with a friend! Trust me on this: God loves you and He is NOT finished with your story.

  2. 6d ago

    S2 E04 | The Good You May Be Missing — How Gratitude Cultivates Joy

    The Good You May Be Missing — How Gratitude Cultivates Joy What if there’s more good in your life today than you realize? Not because every day is good. And definitely not because the hard things have suddenly disappeared. Sometimes what we’re going through becomes so big that it fills our entire field of vision—and we stop seeing the good that is still there. In this episode of Seeking Happy, Finding Joy, we’re taking a little time to breathe, look around, and talk about gratitude. Because when Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to “give thanks in all circumstances,” he isn’t asking us to pretend heartbreak doesn’t hurt or call something good that isn’t good. Gratitude allows us to hold both. I’ll share how I experienced that firsthand in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Ian—and we’ll look at Paul and Silas praising God from a prison cell before they had any idea how their story would end. And then I’ll give you a simple practice you can begin using today: Slow Down. Notice. Savor. And thank God. In this episode, we talk about: Giving thanks in difficult circumstances without pretending they’re good Recognizing God’s provision in the middle of painful seasons Why knowing God’s character gives us reason for gratitude even when we don’t understand what He’s doing The difference between simply listing what we’re thankful for and actually experiencing gratitude A simple seven-day practice to help you become more aware of God’s goodness in your everyday life Happiness is fleeting – it is tied to a moment. But gratitude trains us to recognize God’s goodness and presence even when the moment isn’t happy. And that’s where gratitude can become a bridge toward joy. Scriptures to explore this week 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Ephesians 5:19–20 Psalm 9:1 Psalm 100:4–5 Psalm 118:29 Connect: Website: seekinghappyfindingjoy.com Email: hello@seekinghappyfindingjoy.com Instagram: @sherryshipley.coach Or find me on Facebook! If this message blessed you or something rang true for you, please share this episode with a friend! Trust me on this: God loves you and He is NOT finished with your story.

  3. Sep 22

    S2 E03 | How You Can Let Go of Old Beliefs to Move Forward

    How You Can Release Old Beliefs to Move Forward What’s in YOUR backpack?  Friend, sometimes the thing keeping us stuck isn’t what happened to us. It’s what we came to believe about ourselves because it happened. A disappointment becomes I’m a failure. Rejection becomes I’m not lovable. Comparison becomes I’ll never measure up. Regret becomes If only I had done things differently… And before we know it, we’re carrying those beliefs into every new season God leads us toward. In this episode of Seeking Happy, Finding Joy, we’re opening up that backpack and taking a look at what’s really inside. We’ll talk about: How experiences, wounds, regret and other people’s words can become beliefs we carry for years Why some of those “rocks” actually feel protective – even when they weigh us down Three questions to help you uncover what a belief may be costing you The difference between what happened to you and what you decided it meant about you Why Jesus invites us to stop doing all the heavy pulling ourselves How to begin bringing the stories you’ve believed into the light of God’s truth You don’t have to unpack the whole backpack today. But maybe it’s time to look inside. Grab Your Reflection Page I created a simple Unpacking the Backpack Reflection Journal to help you spend some quiet time with God and work through the questions from today’s episode. [DOWNLOAD YOUR REFLECTION PAGE] Scriptures from Today’s Episode Matthew 11:28–30 Ephesians 2:10 Isaiah 43:18–19 Psalm 92:12–14 Psalm 38:4 Proverbs 3:5 Romans 8:1 Let's Connect! Website: seekinghappyfindingjoy.com Email: hello@seekinghappyfindingjoy.com Instagram: @sherryshipley.coach Or find me on Facebook! If you know a woman who needs this message today, please share this episode with her. Trust me on this: God loves you and He is NOT finished with your story.

  4. Sep 15

    S2 E02 | What’s Next? 3 Ways to Find Your Point A

    What’s Next? 3 Ways to Find Your Point A What happens when the life you planned doesn’t look anything like the life you’re living? Maybe the roles have changed. The relationship ended. The kids grew up. The career shifted. Loss changed everything. Or maybe life simply took a turn you never saw coming. And now you’re wondering… What’s next for me? Before you can answer that question, there’s another one we need to ask first: Where am I right now? Think about your GPS. Before it can give you directions to where you want to go, it has to locate your Point A. And friend, your Point A is about more than your circumstances. It’s also about who you’ve become in response to what happened—and what you may still be carrying from the life you thought you were supposed to have. In this episode, we’ll talk about: Why a changed route doesn’t mean something has gone wrong How expectations, roles and the need for approval can quietly shape the path we choose What my years of motorcycle riding taught me about planned routes—and unexpected detours Three practical questions to help you honestly identify your Point A Why awareness, not fixing everything, is the first step forward We’ll also look at James 4:13–15 and the difference between making our plans and trusting God with the route. You do not need to have your whole future figured out today. But before we start asking who God is calling you to become, we need to get honest about the woman standing here today. Because you can’t move forward from Point A until you know where Point A is. Connect: Website: seekinghappyfindingjoy.com Email: hello@seekinghappyfindingjoy.com Instagram: @sherryshipley.coach Or find me on Facebook! If you know a woman who needs this message today, please share this episode with her. Trust me on this! God is NOT finished with your story.

  5. Sep 8

    S2 E01 | Why I Went Silent and What God Revealed

    Why I Went Silent — And What God Revealed Hi Friend, Have you ever known God was calling you toward something … but somehow kept finding perfectly reasonable reasons to wait? Maybe you told yourself you needed more clarity. More confidence. Better timing. Maybe you needed to feel more qualified before you could take the next step. I understand. After launching Seeking Happy, Finding Joy, I went silent. There were plenty of legitimate reasons why—and for a long time, I believed they explained the silence. But they weren’t the whole truth. In this episode, I’m sharing what God revealed when I finally became willing to look beneath all those reasons and confront what was really keeping me from moving forward. Because sometimes the thing keeping us from what God is calling us toward isn’t lack of clarity. It’s fear disguised as a reason to wait. We’ll talk about the boxes we build around ourselves—fear of what people will think, believing we’re not good enough, worrying we’ll get it wrong—and what can happen when we stop allowing those fears to make our decisions. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re qualified, ready, or courageous enough to step into what God is calling you to do, this conversation is for you. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you take the next step. You just have to be willing to take it. Connect: Website: seekinghappyfindingjoy.com Email: yourcoachsherry@gmail.com Instagram: @sherryshipley.coach Or find me on Facebook! If you know a woman who needs this message today, please share this episode with her. Trust me on this! God is NOT finished with your story.

  6. 06/09/2024

    06 | Guilt Stealing your Joy? 7 Ways to Beat That Thief

    Hi friend, We’ve all made mistakes at some point, right? Made a poor decision or bad choice? You’ve looked back and wish you’d had chosen differently? “If I had been a better parent; hadn’t taken that job; married that person; listened to my mother; said that horrible thing … “ We have all done or said things we regret. But all too often that regret morphs into Guilt.   What happens when you can’t move past the guilt? When it just keeps coming back to the forefront of your mind in a way that’s keeping you stuck?   Friend – that unhealthy place is NOT what Jesus wants for you! God doesn’t want regret or guilt to rob us of our joy. Joy in Him, Joy of our family, the Joy of living! Because guilt is NOT an emotion from Him. Your past is nothing more than a place you’ve been It does not define who you are or what God wants to do in your future!   Today we’re going talk about where guilt comes from; why you need to give it to God and, 7 ways you can do just that.   Genesis 3:10 – first guilt Psalm 51:3-4 – David’s guilt Matthew 26:75 – Peter’s guilt John 10:10 – the enemy’s plan Ephesians 2:13 – how God sees you Romans 8:1 – our redemption Ephesians 1:7 – our redemption Psalm 139:23-24 – ask Him 1 John 1:9  - confess Isaiah 1:18 – repent Phil 3:13-14 – press forward Romans 8:28 – give thanks Ephesians 2:10 – good works Romans 10:17 – His Word Jeremiah 29:11 – your future   You Are: John 15:16 - Chosen Psalm 103:12 - Forgiven Eph 2:10 - Special Daniel 12:3 - Lovely Eccel 3:11 - Beautiful Gen 1:31 - Created Psalm 139:13 - Unique Psalm 18:35 - Strong 1 Cor 6:20 – Precious   Connect: https://www.facebook.com/groups/navigatechallenges IG: https://www.instagram.com/sherryshipley.coach/

  7. 05/14/2024

    05 | More Than Surviving … 6 Lessons Life Storms Teach Us

    Hi Friend, Faith, Trust, Gratitude … pretty easy to have, when life runs smooth, right? But how about when you’re navigating difficult life storms … especially the ones that come at us full force; the ones that tear down everything we believed would always be there or rip away life as we know it. How easy is it then?   If you’ve ever experienced a nasty life storm, you may have asked yourself: - Is there more after this than just surviving? - Will I always feel broken? - Why would God allow me to go through this?!   Storms that bring devastation and upheaval, are painful. I speak from personal experience!   But also I’ve discovered if we let them, those same storms can also become the source of new life we may never have seen otherwise.   In today’s episode using biblical principles, we are going to explore how life’s storms can actually be a catalyst to new growth and opportunities in spite of the hard.   Scripture: 1 Thess 5:18 Romans 8:28 Phil 4:7 Matt 6:19-21 Psalms 121:1-2 2 Cor 12:9 2 Corinthians 5:7 Isaiah 55:8-9   Connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/navigatechallenges IG: https://www.instagram.com/sherryshipley.coach/

  8. 12/12/2023

    04 | Fear Keeps You Playing Small … 6 Ways to Recognize and Conquer Fear to Love Your Life Again

    Are you frustrated because you’re not living the life you know you were meant for, because you let fear rule instead?   Are you FULLY using your gifts and talents to create a life you love, or is fear making you play small?   It’s really, really important to understand what fear is, and how to recognize when you’re in that space, because if you don’t, fear can keep you from living a full, satisfying and joyful life!!!!   Fear is a tool the enemy uses against us to make us miserable and keep us from chasing our dreams. Fear is actually unbelief – which is the very opposite of Faith God desires us to walk by Faith, but the enemy wants us to walk in fear I know firsthand how crippling fear of the unknown can be!! How it can keep you from living an abundant life filled with peace and joy Once I chose faith over fear, my life began to change In today’s episode, we are going to uncover how to recognize when you’re operating from a place of fear plus explore six different ways to overcome and take action so you can become the confident, courageous and resilient person God designed you to be!   I pray this blesses you! xo, Sherry   I would love to connect with you on social media! Find me in my private Facebook group, Seeking Happy, Finding Joy www.facebook.com/groups/1130925124538778/   Or on Instagram at sherryshipley.coach   In case you didn’t catch all the references today: Matthew 6:25 Philippians 4:6-7 Jeremiah 29:11 Proverbs 3:5-6 Isaiah 41:13 2 Corinthians 10:5

  9. 12/05/2023

    03 | Pride, Selfishness, Fear, Guilt, Self-Worth… the Strongholds Keeping You From Receiving the Gifts That Are Yours

    Hey friend, Do you feel like there is more to life … and question why others seem to get all the good stuff instead of you?   Do you feel uncomfortable when you’re given an unexpected gift and instead of gracefully accepting, perhaps you negotiate with that person so you feel better?   Are you asking now, what could these two different questions possibly have in common regarding living your best life?   We love to give … yet most of us find it very difficult to gracefully receive gifts from others   But what if I told you it’s the “other half” of the equation that opens the path to experiencing the gifts God has for YOU … building a strong foundation for living with peace and great joy?   How do you become a gracious receiver of gifts that are already ours to have?   Let’s dig in to today’s episode to understand the strongholds that keep us from receiving the goodness, the abundance, and the great gifts that are yours and how to develop the grace of receiving well.   I pray this blesses you! xo, Sherry   I would love to connect with you on social media! Find me in my private Facebook group, Seeking Happy, Finding Joy www.facebook.com/groups/1130925124538778/   Or on Instagram at sherryshipley.coach   In case you didn’t catch all the references today: John 13. (John 13:6) John 3:16 Mark 14  (Mark 14:6) Colossians 3:2 Philippians 2:2 Ephesians 4:32

  10. 11/27/2023

    02 | The Power of Gratitude. The Benefits of, and the How-To’s for Cultivating a Gratitude Attitude

    Hey friend, Do you practice a gratitude attitude? Is it possible you have some hidden areas of in-gratitude? How does gratitude even tie-in to living a joyful, purposeful life!?!   Lean in today as I reveal 6 reasons why cultivating a gratitude attitude up-levels your ability to recognize all the great and wonderful ways God is working in your life every day.   And there’s a bonus! I also share 8 different ways to kick-start your journey to cultivate a gratitude attitude to build your firm foundation.   Because Gratitude is the Pathway to Joy!   Grab your journal and pen … this episode is filled to the brim!   I pray this blesses you! xo, Sherry   I would love to connect with you on social media! Find me in my private Facebook group, Seeking Happy, Finding Joy www.facebook.com/groups/1130925124538778/   Or on Instagram at sherryshipley.coach   In case you didn’t catch all the references today: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Romans 8:28 Psalm 100:4 Ephesians 5:19-20 James 1:16-17 Proverbs 21:21 Philippians 4:6-7 Psalm 118:24 Romans 15:13 1 Corinthians 1:4-5 Proverbs 18:21 2 Corinthians 2:14 1 Chronicles 16:34

  11. 11/26/2023

    01 | Happiness vs Joy … Fleeting or Forever? Here’s 3 Ways to Find Your Joy in the Midst of Loss, Disappointment and Painful Circumstances

    Show Notes Hey friend, We all want to be happy, right? But have you discovered when you do find happiness it’s fleeting and when the moment has passed, you are left feeling the same as before? How is Joy different than Happiness? How can Joy be long-lasting; provide the peace and comfort that Happiness can’t? In today’s episode, we will explore these questions and more as we discover the abundant power that’s inside of you, waiting to be called on to rise up and partner with you so that you can experience the Joy that is possible even when you’re the midst of all the junk, hard times, or disappointment. I pray this blesses you! xo, Sherry   I would love to connect with you on social media! Find me in my private Facebook group, Seeking Happy, Finding Joy www.facebook.com/groups/1130925124538778/ Or on Instagram at sherryshipley.coach   In case you didn’t catch the references today: Galatians 5:22-23 Acts 1:8 Romans 15:13 Philippians 4:6-7 1 Thessalonians 5:16

  12. Trailer

    00 | Trailer

    Welcome to Seeking Happy, Finding Joy! Hey friend, Today's episode is an introduction on why I created this podcast, and a little background information about me. Do you believe God is calling you to a life of “more” but not sure what that looks like or where to begin? Are you navigating a big life transition, loss, or facing disappointment because life doesn’t look the way you expected? Are you questioning your passion or even wondering how to love your life again? If you’re ready to discover how you can become the strong, confident, resilient woman God created you to be; unafraid to chase your dreams or color outside the lines, you are in the right place! I’m so glad you’re here and pray this blesses you. I look forward to walking this journey with you! xo, Sherry   I would love to connect with you on social media! Find me in my private Facebook group, Seeking Happy, Finding Joy www.facebook.com/groups/1130925124538778/   Or on Instagram at sherryshipley.coach

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    11 Episodes

Trailer

About

Hey friend — welcome to Seeking Happy, Finding Joy, a podcast for Christian women over 50 who have a stirring in their heart that there is more to life than simply surviving the hard stuff. Maybe life doesn't look quite like you thought it would by now. You've experienced loss, disappointment, unexpected change, or choices you wish you would have made differently. Maybe the roles that once defined you have changed, you're wondering what's next, or you know God is calling you forward — but you're not sure what moving forward looks like. There IS more ahead. Because God is not finished with your story. I'm Sherry Shipley, Christian life coach; and I believe some of life's hardest storms can become the very places where God rebuilds us — stronger, wiser, more courageous, and deeply rooted in Him. Here we'll have honest conversations about faith through hard times, your identity in Christ, finding purpose after 50, starting over, trusting God, releasing guilt and fear, building resilience, and discovering lasting joy — not because life is perfect, but because God is faithful. We'll dig into biblical truths and practical steps that help you move beyond just getting through life and begin moving confidently into what's next. We'll talk about what keeps us stuck, what God may be asking us to release, and what it looks like to trust Him when we can't see the whole road ahead. I've learned something about roads. After losing my husband suddenly, rebuilding my life, enduring another devastating loss when Hurricane Ian destroyed much of my home, and navigating plenty of unexpected turns along the way, I know what it feels like when life takes you somewhere you never intended to go. I also know this: Your past is a place you've been. It does not define who you are or what God wants to do with your future. We can't always control our circumstances. But with God, we can choose who we become through them. So if you're ready to deepen your faith, rediscover who God created you to be, find renewed purpose, and boldly step into the life He's still writing — pull up a chair. Or maybe grab a helmet. I'm so glad you're here.  

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