What do we need in order to truly rejoice in the Lord?

We need a grateful heart.

We need to make the choice to rejoice.

Rejoicing the Lord means we're choosing a mindset of gratitude.

As the founder of Soul Strength Fit,

faith-based fitness, Kelly Wenner has developed Christian

health and fitness programs that combine exercise, nutrition, and daily Bible studies.

She's also the author of several devotional books, including this one, Heartfelt Holidays,

Devotionals for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Thanks so much, Kelly, for joining us on

Takeaways. Thank you so much for having me here. Christmas and Thanksgiving have got to be

just the most world-class meals. Anyone will eat throughout the year. Even on my birthday,

I know it's not going to be good as Christmas. Yes, absolutely. And this is a time where we struggle to keep joy

and the reason for the season in focus because there's so many distractions going on, not to

mention the great food gets us out of shape. And so I'm so glad that you wrote this devotional

right here, finding stillness and meaning in the season's

busyness. Why did you write this book?

Yes, I mean, absolutely. Christmas is the most wonderful time of year.

But I think if we're honest, for a lot of us, it can also be the most chaotic.

Right? Our schedules are filled with extra activities, parties, all good things, still more obligations.

And of course, there's the shopping and the cooking and the prepping.

And sometimes the stress that comes from family dynamics or maybe the loneliness of not having family around or having the relationships you wish you had.

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