31: Holy Unhappiness & The Emotional Prosperity Gospel with Amanda Held Opelt

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author, speaker, and songwriter, Amanda Held Opelt, to discuss themes found in her new book, Holy Unhappiness, such as:

-what the emotional prosperity gospel is and how we see it manifest in our lives of faith and how it doesn't hold up to be true

-work, marriage, children and how those things promise meaning and ultimate joy, but in reality are still difficult and don't often prove to be the cure-all for bad feelings, and how delight is the invitation to us in those bad feelings

-calling, community, and our bodies all being places where platform and "perfection" promise belonging, and how neither platform nor this fragile belonging will safeguard from feeling unfulfilled or difficult emotions, and how humility can shift how we see those things

-sanctuary (the church), suffering, and sanctification all promising to protect us from sinking into darkness, isolation, or despair when in fact they can't, and how hope can be the key to keeping our heads above water in those times.

Guest Bio: Amanda Held Opelt is an author, speaker, and songwriter. She writes about faith, grief, and creativity, and believes in the power of community, ritual, shared worship, and storytelling to heal even our deepest wounds. Amanda has spent 15 years serving in the non-profit and humanitarian aid sectors. She lives in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina, with her husband and two young daughters.

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