Thoughtful Tuesdays: How to Live in Defiant Joy
While reading the first few chapters of Margaret Feinberg’s book, Fight Back with Joy, I was suffering from one of the worst bouts of flu I have had in a long time.
I decided to follow her advice and I fought back with JOY.
I thought of thanking God for the timing of this illness – we had had a wonderful Christmas break with family, we flew back to Arizona with a reasonable flight, we went out for a great New Year’s Eve Party with friends – before the flu hit. I thanked God for a patient and loving husband – so tolerant of my moans and pleas. I thanked God for friends who were praying for my recovery.
Yes I could feel JOY during this time.
Margaret writes from her whole heart and her experiences as she tells about her brutal fight with cancer. She explains lessons she learns along the way.
She says:
More than whimsy, joy is a weapon we use to fight life’s battles… You are founded in joy, created for joy, and destined for joy. Joy is where you come from. Joy is what you are created to experience. Joy is where you are headed.
I asked Margaret how hard it was to write this book on a scale from 1-10.
An eleven! This journey has been the most painful experience of my life. And, to share about it requires some vulnerability. Okay, a lot of vulnerability. And, that’s really, really hard. But I feel like I’m finally ready to share what God has stirred in my heart along the way because although cancer has been the most painful journey—it has also been the most joyful. And no one is more surprised than I am.
Pick up a copy of Fight Back With Joy at Amazon or Barnes and Noble today.
Watch the promo video:
Tweetable:
Joy is where you come from. … Joy is where you are headed. @mafeinberg #fightbackwith joy. (click to tweet)
Janis Cox
Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. Available in Kindle Format, in bookstores, online and from her website. Curriculum available upon request.
You can find her on Facebook, and Twitter. Tadeo has his own Facebook Page.
Janis, I didn’t see a way to leave a comment on your Still Sunday post, but I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the practical wisdom you share from your time in the Word!
Thank you Elizabeth for bringing that to my attention. I don’t know what happened but the comments were turned off and I didn’t do it. Crazy sometimes. lol:) Thanks so much for your encouragement.
Blessings,
Janis
Hi, Janis. What’s up? I hope you’re feeling better now. 🙂
Blessings!
Hi Lux,
Oh my I had an awful flu followed by a cold. But I sure feel better today.
Thanks for your concern.
Blessings,
Janis
Joyful food for thought! Thank you, Janis. And I pray you are feeling better!
Janis,
Yes today I do feel better – I guess fighting back with joy can bring healing as well. Happy New Year to you.
Blessings,
Janis
Sweet Janis, thank you thank you thank you. Humbled and honored by you and your post, and continue to pray healing over your bout of the flu.
Margaret,
You are most welcome for the shout out. I love how you write. You captured my attention with Wonderstruck and I am sure that your new book will be one that stirs hearts and souls and strengthens everyone by the power of faith in Jesus.
Blessings,
Janis
Dear Jan,
I pray you are going from strength to strength, and experiencing the joy so well defined in Margaret’s book. Still praying God bless you
Mary,
Thank you so much. Yes I am going from strength to strength – but also from rest to rest. I am learning to sit still – sometimes we need to have times like these to refocus and renew.
Blessings,
Janis
Sorry to hear how unwell you have been. I sympathise with you, Janis, as I too am “suffering from one of the worst bouts of flu I have had in a long time” and desperate to come out the other side after nearly a month of it! I’m currently fighting back with help from family, prayer support, natural flu remedies, extra rest including resting in God, and keeping a daily gratitude journal to remind me of God’s graces.
And how grateful I am to have read your encouraging and inspiring words here today. Fighting back from challenging and painful circumstances with joy feels contrary to every human instinct, yet it is truly biblical and deep-soul changing in its repercussions. I have heard great things about Margaret Feinberg’s latest book and aim to secure a copy as soon as possible. Thank you for this inspiring reminder! Praying for your recovery and for greater health and strength to be restored to you in the days ahead.
Oh Joy,
My prayers go out for you. May God heal you completely. May you feel His Joy as you wait for healing.
From Jesus Calling – The future is a phantom, seeking to spook you. Laugh at the future! Stay close to [Jesus]/
Blessings,
Janis
Joy, praying for healing from the flu for you as you too, Fight Back With Joy.