Choose Joy Because Happiness Isn't Enough

GIVEAWAY

WARREN, KAY
CHOOSE JOY BECAUSE HAPPINESS ISN'T ENOUGH

Everyone knows how to be joyful in the peaks of life.

When all your fondest hopes and wildest dreams come true, and your heart nearly explodes with happiness, it's easy to feel joyful.

But what about the valleys? When nothing seems to go your way? When everything is falling apart? When God is silent, and you feel all alone?

Where does joy fit into those moments?

In Choose Joy, acclaimed author and Christian leader Kay Warren shares the path to experiencing soul-satisfying joy no matter what you're going through. Joy is deeper than happiness, lasts longer than excitement, and is more satisfying than pleasure and thrills. Joy is richer. Fuller. And it's far more accessible than you've thought.

Joy comes from God...and it can be yours. Today.

My Review:

While I didn't read this book cover to cover, it is laid out in such a way that it is easy to pick up and study one short 'essay' at a time. Each short passage is packed with profound concepts -- like "Joy is my inheritance. Joy is a choice" -- which took time to mull over and learn the truth of something that should be so simple. Alas, we are all bombarded with skewed ideas about joy and happiness courtesy of living in a non-secular world so these simple concepts do take some time to digest.

Warren links joy with the personal knowledge that God is in control of every detail of our lives which makes complete sense, though it's hard to live for this worry-wart. And again, that comes down to a choice -- to accept that assurance and give our lives over to God and praise him in all things including the bad! I really need reminders like this in varied forms so I'm grateful for this book -- especially so, because Warren made me think...ponder...and ultimately accept things I never thought I'd be able to.

She asks pointed questions too. Like "If being a Christian makes no difference in the way we respond to problems, what good is our faith?" Ouch.

I really liked the layout of  Choose Joy. Each chapter is broken down into segments so you can read as little (or as much) as you want and still be fueled with thought-provoking ideas. Warren has included a prayer at the end of each chapter along with reflective questions that spur the reader towards deeper thought.

I really feel that Warren has helped me change my thought processes in regards to the challenges in my life. This is a book I'll be sure to refer to again and again.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Choose Joy by Kay Warren, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please make sure to put the title in the subject line so it's easy for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 29. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".