Sunday, February 21, 2021

"Choose Joy"


There are certain times that a book appears to be written for one's circumstances.  "Choose Joy" by Kay Warren is one of those special books. 

Some of you may be familiar with her spouse Rick Warren who wrote the "Purpose Driven Life".  It was a very popular book several years ago.

Sadly Kay's book was written about a year before her son tragically committed suicide in 2013.  It was repackaged  in 2020.  

She addresses the fact that happiness is often  based on what is happening in our lives but joy is something we choose even in the midst of tragic or sad happenings.  I found her transparency and honesty refreshing.  One of the major thoughts that I took away from "Choose Joy" is that sorrow and joy are like railroad tracks.   They run along side each other ...it is possible to be joyful even when sorrow or sad moments happen.

This book I highly recommend for anyone who has struggled with challenging times and been depressed.

To all my dear friends who expressed their comforting words from my previous post - thank you.  God Bless!   Have a good week.

Hugs

Debbie

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." Psalm 126:5 (NIV)


19 comments:

  1. This sounds like an interesting book, especially for people who are struggling with things in their lives. I think that sometimes people have a hard time allowing themselves to experience joy or even happiness, but that is a big part of life. Sometimes we feel that joy is not appropriate at times, but there can be some joy in some really difficult periods of our lives. I hope you are doing OK and accepting and letting the joy surround you. Hugs, my friend. Have a good week!

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  2. Good evening Debbie,
    Keeping you in my prayers.
    This is a book I think I would like to read. Thank you for sharing it.
    Take care, dear friend
    Know you are always in my thoughts
    blessings,
    Penny

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  3. I will look for this book. I hope your days are filled with joy-at least one nice joyful time each day. Praying for you.

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  4. This does look like a good read. I hope you found some solace in these writings.
    Cheers and hugs, and have a better week.

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  5. This looks like a lovely book, Debbie. You mention her remark that 'sorrow and joy are like railroad tracks'... oh yes, I have often felt that too. Seems our hearts are created to be able to hold and to travel through both at similar times. I am grateful for that. Just imagine if we had absolutely no joy during those hardest of times.

    Wishing you a beautiful week ahead!
    Brenda xo

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  6. You are in my thoughts and prayers, Deb. This sounds like an interesting book and I would like to read if and how she added things after her son died.

    I cannot imagine the pain involved in losing my son, who is 26, but to lose him to suicide! I'm not sure what I would do. A timeless reminder to pray for my son, even if everything seems to be going well.

    Love and prayers,

    Sharon

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  7. I love the analogy of the railroad tracks. We are human so we will experience sorrow, but we don't have to let it "derail" us! With the Joy of the Lord "running along side" we will stay the course.

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  8. That's so sad about the Author's son, I'm so sorry to hear that. The Psalm verse you have shared is one of my favorites, Debbie. It's a very special one. There is always hope and joy around the corner. : )

    ~Sheri

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    1. ps.....sending you a big hug, as I know you're still grieving and missing your Mom. : )

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  9. i felt for the author dear Debbie but her attitude and book seem inspiring and really impressive through your words ,in this world not a single person lives without facing challenges ,this is pattern of life and one who understand and accepts it stays serene at the end
    hugs and blessings!

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  10. So true--and sounds like a great book. Still thinking of you, Debbie :)

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  11. Thank you, Debbie, for the great book recommend. I will check it out.

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  12. Dear Debbie
    Thank you so much for your visit and sweet words.
    Sending up my prayers each day in hopes your heart will find some comfort in memories you cherish.
    blessings dear friend
    Penny

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  13. Sound like a very inspirational book at just the right time. Prayers are always answered. I think of you both every day, dear Debbie.

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  14. I'm so sorry to hear about your mother and I know your heart is missing her each day. One of my bible study groups is going through John and we were reading verses about "joy" at the end of the lesson I shared how I had always confused joy with that overzealous giddiness feeling of laughter and that I was having problem finding that anymore and wondered if I would ever laugh again . . . since then I have been coming across so many things about joy, your post today included. Finding true joy is believing deeply in His promises and knowing Him more each day. Knowing the He is always with me, knowing that He gave Himself for me, Knowing that He is preparing a place for me to be with Him one day, but also that He is always right here . . . longing for me to draw near in praise, prayer and conversation with Him throughout my day. Joy is the fact that He is mine and I am His. Joy is so much more than happy laughter! After seeing what true joy really is I was able to say, "Oh, I do have joy, it is not missing from my life . . . He is joy and He is always with me.
    Thank you for recommending this book.
    God bless you.
    Connie :)

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  15. Surely an important book that can help you even in times of great pain or sorrow and Judy is just right :-)

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  16. thank you! I must look for this book. The psalm was so perfect with the theme of your post. A few days ago I experienced an internal shift from feeling voices of pressure and criticism to feeling acceptance and the energy of flow. It did feel like a little miracle to be released. Love visiting you again, Debbie.

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  17. This book really helped me while I was going through a deep depression. Highly recommend for Christian women. I'm a stay at home mom of 2 boys, a fairly new Christian, and I battle with stress and depression and anxiety. This was a life changing book for me.

    Hannah
    KRW Mesothelioma Lawyers

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