Podcast Summary: Jesus the Healer w/ Nancy Dufresne

Episode 148 | The Flow of Joy, Part 1
Date: January 25, 2023
Host: Nancy Dufresne (Dufresne Ministries)

Overview of the Episode

This episode kicks off a new focus in Nancy Dufresne’s ongoing series about living free in Christ. Nancy centers on the spiritual “flow of joy” as one of the defining aspects believers can and should access daily. Drawing from scripture, personal experience, and practical examples, she teaches how joy is not just a fleeting feeling, but a powerful force at work in every believer, intended to carry them through life’s challenges with strength, stability, and delight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Kingdom Within: Righteousness, Peace, and Joy

• Scriptural Foundation

  • Cites Romans 14:17: “The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
  • Emphasizes that these are not just concepts but active flows available inside every believer (00:45–02:10).

• Joy as a Spiritual Force

  • Clarifies that joy is not simply an emotion, but a spiritual force from within. While emotions can be affected, true joy is sourced in the Spirit (04:40).

"Joy is not simply an emotion. It's a force and it's a spiritual force."
— Nancy Dufresne (05:30)

Cultivating Skillfulness in Joy

• Yielding to the Flow

  • Encourages listeners to actively yield to the flow of righteousness, peace, and joy, and become skillful in drawing on these by practice and decision (01:45-02:30).

• Personal Example: Guarding Joy in Ministry

  • Nancy shares her own struggle with the temptation to complain about travel, and how she chooses gratitude and joy to honor the privilege of her calling (07:25).

"I stand in my closet, I say, thank you, God, for the honor. It is such an honor to get to go and preach this word. I'm not going to let my flesh or my feelings diminish the joy of my call."
— Nancy Dufresne (08:20)

Scriptural Illustrations: Paul and the Joy-Filled Race

• Acts 20:22-24—Paul’s Example
  • Reviews Paul’s statement about being “bound in the spirit” to his assignment, despite knowing affliction awaits him, and explains that embracing God’s call with joy makes believers unshakeable (12:00–17:00).

"But none of these things move me... so that I might finish my course with joy."
— Quoting Paul, explained by Nancy (16:40)

• Joy Makes You Immovable
  • Nancy explains that joy isn’t about ignoring hardship but about being anchored so deeply in God’s joy that opposition cannot defeat you (17:10–18:30).

Practical Lessons: Joy in Everyday Life

• Joy is Strength

  • “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nancy stresses that joy is the conduit for God’s strength, and complaint severs this connection (19:40–21:00).

• The Power of Rejoicing

  • Shares a testimony where a minister helped a sick woman by provoking her to say “Thank God I’m strong” instead of focusing on weakness—resulting in restoration (24:00–25:45).

"The more you talk about how weak you are, the weaker you become. What's the word tell us? Let the weak say I'm strong."
— Nancy Dufresne (25:20)

The Dangers of Complaint; The Blessing of Joy

• Complaining Cuts Off the Flow
  • Uses the Old Testament example of Israelites in the wilderness—complainers (not rejoicers) lost God’s protection and suffered (29:10).

"I used to say this in our household. Gripers get the vipers. There's no sense in having a viper when you can rejoice..."
— Nancy Dufresne (30:10)

• Joy Sets the Tone for Your Spiritual Progress
  • Draws the analogy that, just as children must have the right attitude to receive privileges, so too must believers maintain joy to progress spiritually (31:10–31:55).

"Sad people don't get to go the places that glad people get to go."
— Nancy Dufresne (32:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Facing Hardships:

  "How do you keep going when you know that up ahead is opposition? You do it in joy."
  (15:25)

• On Complaining:

  "If you don't stir up the joy, you might end up falling into the complaint. And complaint will cost you everything."
  (09:45)

• On Ministry Attitude:

  "To God, it matters. What's our motive? What's our intent? What's our attitude in this life that he's given us?"
  (20:55)

Timestamped Breakdown of Key Segments

• [00:10–02:10] – Introduction to the “power present” wherever you are and the theme of the Kingdom within
• [04:40] – Distinguishing joy from emotion; introducing joy as a force
• [07:25–09:45] – Nancy’s testimony on protecting joy in ministry and fighting discouragement
• [12:00–18:30] – Exploring Paul’s steadfastness (“none of these things move me”), importance of joy in fulfilling your divine assignment
• [19:40–21:00] – Joy as strength, the danger of complaining
• [24:00–25:45] – Testimony of healing and the practical power of rejoicing
• [29:10–30:10] – The story of Israel’s wilderness complaints (“gripers get the vipers”)
• [31:10–32:10] – The spiritual principle of gladness opening doors and opportunities

Actionable Insights and Takeaways

• Stir up joy on purpose: Use words and actions of rejoicing to activate God’s strength in your situation.
• Be watchful over your attitude: Complaints close the door to God’s flow; joy opens it wide.
• Finish your race with joy: It’s not only about what you do but the heart and attitude with which you do it.
• **In every need—finances, health, relationships—choose to rejoice and declare God’s promises rather than focus on lack or weakness.

Summary

Nancy Dufresne’s message is a call to recognize that joy is already within every believer as part of the Kingdom of God. Joy is a spiritual force, not an emotion, and must be stirred up—especially in times of opposition or routine weariness. Whether facing ministry challenges, personal hardship, or everyday drudgery, believers are exhorted to “run their race” with joy, which will transmit God’s strength, refresh the soul, and enable longevity and success in the things of God. Complaints, on the other hand, block the flow and cut off blessings. The episode concludes by inviting listeners to develop greater skill in yielding to joy, thereby experiencing “days of heaven on earth.”

For more teachings or to order Nancy Dufresne’s book Living Free from Worry, visit Dufresneministries.org.