Here are some thoughts I had as I read this excellent book, Defiant Joy by Jennifer Michelle Greenberg.

We enjoy so many blessings in this life. So many… Ephesians 1:3-23 gives us a nearly exhaustive list and these are only an example of the joy that will come when we get to heaven. God said so. It will be so!

We cannot make our own joy. It’s just not possible. We must understand that God gifts us with joy, His joy. I was able to find more than 150 Bible verses about joy. Every one of them connects to God! One in particular stands out to me – The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10

It has become very obvious to me that tears and joy often go together. Have you ever cried in response to joy, to worship, to intense happiness? I would venture to say that all of us have. Legitimate tears are a real sign that God lives in us.

Are you convinced that God really loves us? The conviction of God’s love for His children is absolutely necessary to understanding His joy and how it is given to us. Absolute certainty in His love and joy is where we find total rest.

The evil one, satan, loves to undermine our joy. He is a real expert at this. He does not want us to understand that our faith is the foundation of understanding joy. He will do everything in his power to undermine our faith. That includes waging war against our joy.

When all is said and done, when Jesus returns or we draw our final breath we can know, without question, that God is the foundation and giver of joy.

This book is more than worth your time. It was helpful to me in so many ways. I have a better understanding of so many of the stories in the Word and how they apply to this walk I’ve chosen with Jesus. Do you like books that are full of connections? This one is for you! I highly recommend reading this. I know I’ll be reading it again and again.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free directly from Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR requirements, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”