Jennifer Dukes Lee is a long-time blog-friend and encourager. When her book, Love Idol released she challenged herself to go 40 days without using a mirror, reminding us that we are all #preapproved. In her latest book, Jennifer has good news for anyone who’s ever secretly, longingly (even guiltily) dreamed of being happier:
It’s okay to want to be happy.
God cares about your happiness; He created it as a sweet spot, a gift, and something you can faithfully, freely pursue. And He’s daring you to trust Him enough to discover it.
Our books are kindred spirits. Fight Back With Joy and The Happiness Dare go hand-in-hand–exploring the delight, joy, and glee that comes with being a child of God.
Jennifer’s latest book helps you discover your sweet spot in one of the five happiness styles, as well as overcome the obstacles that stand in your way when it comes to growing in happiness. This practical, joyful book will encourage you to smile bigger, laugh louder, and savor the goodness of life as God created.
I’m so excited to host a giveaway for THREE COPIES of Jennifer’s newest book (releasing this week).
To enter to win, simply leave a comment on this blog post. Three winners will be announced next Friday.
Couldn’t we all use this book
Why do we, as Christians, need to be reminded to be happy?!?!? BUT we do. We seem to be able to put on that “happy face” to go to church so no one knows what a mess our lives are in. To be truly happy seems to be out of our reach … Are we just too busy to bask in God’s goodness to understand the happiness that is there? I cannot wait to read the five styles of happiness in The Happiness Dare. 🙂
Dancing! Dancing brings me great joy! It’s my love language! And anyone who knows me knows that when I’m moving I’m HAPPY like crazy contagious- face -hurts -from -smiling – there’s- no-way-you-can-stay-mad-if-you-dance-HAPPY!!!
Dare accepted!! The challenge to be responsible for my own happiness is on!!! Would so LOVE to read this book – and be able to share it!! Thank you for the opportunity at a chance to win — it would make me Delighted Happy to win!!! Blessings to You!!! ~Amy~
The one activity that makes me beam with happiness is doing sign language to Christian music!!!! Another is watching our 20 month old son Bennett stand up in his crib every morning clapping!! He wakes up happy!!!
I’m on my way to see my neurologist. Never a happy event. But now since I have been double dog dared… Now I’m excited to go and see how today will be different. ☺ Thanks Margaret!
I love to serve! Being able to be used by God to bless others brings me a tremendous amount of joy!
Dare to choose JOY! It took me a long time to not feel guilty being happy when so many around me were not. But, I discovered that God is my joy not man wish everyone knew this.
I am beyond blessed to serve at a ministry in Guatemala….the children flood my heart with joy…and laughter!
Thank you Margaret for your giving heart!! We all long for happiness & if you’re recommending this book it must be amazing!!
Would love to win this book!!!
Being with children, especially my grandkids, brings me happiness. I love the younger kids enthusiasm and laughter over simple things. It can’t take me out of my adult grouchiness in a matter of seconds when they start laughing.
So true! When my grandson’s wrap their arms around me and say,”grandma I love you “….I am reminded again that God loves me as I am and only wants my presence.
Great words.
Oh illusive happiness, we chase after you, maybe one day you will slow down enough or I will speed up enough to get a grasp on you. Maybe. Anyway, this book does sound amazing and helpful. Longing to be near enough to God to have just one Ray of joy shine on me. Struggling with infertility for three and a half years is a monthly reminder that something in me is not enough. Even if I don’t win a copy, I might invest in it anyway. The struggle is real.
Prayers for you Shanna. God gives us the longings to nurture and mother. I pray that these desires will be fulfilled for you.
It is a challenge to choose joy and happiness when fighting depression has been my default mode. I am happy when I am surrounded by family. I choose joy when I take time to meditate on god’s promises from Scripture. I am learning to listen to the Holy Spirit’s words of affirmation rather than to those old tapes of criticism and condemnation from others and myself. It is time to walk in joy. My question is, how is happiness different from joy? Circumstances may be contradictory to happiness but the joy of the Lord remains. Sounds like a great book.
Would love to know how to be happier. I have read fighting back with joy and don’t know how you did it except by faith and knowing Jesus is on your side. I lost my daddy to lung cancer 4 years ago and I have struggled with being happy since then. I feel lost most days. I know that I am a blessed mom of four great kids and a wonderful husband who is a godly man. Would love to read this book! Blessings and love…
I am most joyful when I play with my grandchildren. To see the wonderful mother my daughter has become and to experience the innocent joy of children reminds me of how God sees us. On a normal day I think of his disappointment first (then I straighten up my brain), but when I play with the ‘littles’ I am reminded that despite our occasional tantrums he has perfect joy and love for us.
WAHOO! You’re a winner!!
My greatest joy is to be amongst children laughing, giggling, and moving with exuberance! They are so contagious and warming to the soul, one cannot be anything but joyful in their presence.
This happiness dare is perfect as I start a work day. There are so many distractions and temptations to be disillusioned with life and forget to see the glimpses of God’s glory that He shines down on us!
God loves it when we are happy, even in bad situations. His MERCY shines through more BRIGHTLY when we can find JOY and HAPPINESS amongst the chaos of this life.
I double-dog dare you! Laughed out loud at my desk and instantly made me think of sleepover nights with all your friends staying up late, talking about boys, and GIGGLING like crazy. I’m in for this challenge.
Happiness is a choice! I choose to live happy no matter my circumstances!
I accept this dare and hopefully pass it on!!!!
I am touched by all the honest responses! I prayed for each one of you as I read your stories. May you all find joy and happiness today, regardless of your situations. I am struggling to make the choice of being happy…
I’ve been surprised how challenging it is to choose happiness when life has been affected by loss and it’s accompanying grief. I found great comfort in reading Fight Back with Joy. I look forward to reading Jennifer’s book The Happiness Dare too, since you’ve mentioned they’re kindred spirit books!
Thank you for your funny way of challenging us to perceviere. It seems the enemy’s weapon of choice, is to make us believe the lie that there is no real joy to be found. It seems to make us draw inward and paralyze us from looking for God’s purpose for whatever our situation. I ACCEPT your Double-Dog Dare and will Fight (thru s’s lies) to be HAPPY– with the strength of The LORD! Ruff-ruff =-)
I love everything about this. Can’t wait to read the book!
I NEED this book. I need to experience joy in everyday life.
Things that never fail yo make me happy : watching my husband goof off with our children.
Traveling with my husband’s
Watching my children when they are ministering for God
Watching my children play/perform/etc
That first glimpse of a hummingbird each season that they come through.
Getting flowers or seeing something new or beautiful in nature.
Hi ladies and Margaret, So the question is What brings you happiness and joy? It really made me think! Such a simple yet complicated question right? I would say for me, when my dog does the thrashing around on the floor with his legs in the air and the happy bark saying “I am glad you’re here!” And when I pray with someone and see their weight lifted as the Lord touches them. And being on a quiet beach in the morning when no one else is around except the surf, the breeze, the warm sun, and the Holy Spirit. I absolutely love the graphic on the top of the web page “I don’t wait for the weekend to live a happy life” – that is a great reminder to find contentment in the daily journey. Thank you and I look forward to reading the book. – Angie from PA
Good Morning! Praise the Lord for my JOYful books! Would love to read this new one!
Sharing God’s Word with others.
Sharing Gods word with others which I do on my blog.
The things that bring me happiness and joy are not material means, but when I can travel to see my grandkids, find a nice place to enjoy the day with a good book and to have time with my husband enjoying a good meal out. There is cost involved in travel, books and meals, but without the ingredient of people who are dear and time spent alone with the Lord, these are of endless value.
Love the title of your post and the idea of not waiting to be happy but choosing it today. Thank you, Margaret. : )
Happy, happy, joy, joy!!! Sounds like another book I must read. 🙂
You know what makes me happy? Reading! in my hammock! I’m so intrigued by the five happiness styles – which one is this, I wonder?
I find joy sneaking out of bed REALLY early… and having ‘my time’ talking to God, and sometimes even listening for His wisdom, humour, whatever. My joy is never far from the surface… but I never imagined there were different kinds of joy. I’m intrigued; I’m in for the challenge ! Leanne Forest
Doing ANYTHING with my 3 precious granddaughters (or even just one of them) makes me so HAPPY!! It is virtually impossible to not be happy and joyful when in their presence!
This books looks uh-mazing! Such a simply beautiful message.
What bring me happiness? For sure being in nature- playing at the beach with my boys, walking around the lake with my hubby, driving through open spaces… insert big ‘ol grin.
Creating. Anything creative brings joy- writing, speaking, designing, furniture re-arranging, flower collecting.
Sitting on the couch and listening and connecting with a dear friend. Tea in hand. There’s nothing more life-giving.
Love your blog and your heart Margaret. Keep being YOU!
I would love to read I Double-Dog Dear You book. I enjoyed your Fight Back With Joy book so much. I enjoy your joyfulness in your book studies. Much joy to you.
Dare accepted! The hubby is in Australia! I can’t move until October because my little sister is getting married in September! God has really been changing me and im so thankful.
Playing with my daughter!
At the pool or beach with my family.
Listening to Christian music and watching movies with my husband
Reading a good book, watching a chick flick, receiving snail mail from a pen pal or a note of encouragement.
Knowing it is one thing, applying it another. Could definitely use the help of this book.
Spending time with my family and outdoors! Going on a hike, and taking in God’s creation!
WAHOO! You’re a winner!
I accept this challenge! I would love to read this book… its hard to stay happy with the many struggles of life. Thanks for the recommendation Margaret!
I get great delight watching my daughter laugh & play!
Having FUN with my peeps & those moments when I know that I know that I’m experiencing God’s presence in the moment makes me the most happy!
I love spending time with Jesus, going to the beach, serving at church, spending time with those I love.
As the momma of two young children, I am happy hearing them laugh and watching them play together. Also happy to put my head on the pillow at night. 😉
This book sounds great!
What bring me the most joy/happiness? Spending FUN time with my kids – which you think would be easy – but since we’re always together, including homeschooling, it can be harder than you’d think. But time spent with them, giggling at something goofy together, or just hearing them play and laugh together (where no one is upset!) is great.
I feel the most joy when sitting around a table with close friends or family, while the kids are tucked safely in bed. I love talking, sharing, listening to their hearts, and eating together.
WAHOO! You’re a winner!
spending time with friends/family! i have one friend and her husband, who have had medical and financial issues for years-they don’t have a lot and have trouble paying the monthly bills-they don’t even have transportation! when i’m in town visiting/we go out to eat-i get items they may need at some local stores and more!
I hope two others find new happening’s from this book as much as I hope to too 😉
So many things make me happy: waterfalls, rain, sitting by the fire during a storm, snow, teaching, telling really bad jokes, spending time with friends, roses, good books, strawberry jam, hot chocolate. I could go on and on and on…….
I enjoy writing, working on a genealogy project, photography and Scrapbooking. Sometimes I think happiness is overrated. Not that we shouldn’t be happy. But happiness, at least for me, is momentary and fleeting. I’m working on contentment. Would love to read her perspective and take the happiness dare 🙂
I am most happy when spending intentional time with my son, being present and acting silly with him. It would be a blessing to receive one of these books as I often struggle with the idea that I deserve to be happy.
Struggling with depression and happiness seems so illusive… But I am happiest when I’m having fun and being silly with my kids or those rare moments when I get time with my closest friends.
margaretfeinberg I need some advice so if you could email me it would be nice.
margaretfeinberg I need some advice so if you could email me it would be appreciated.
hey cameron! you can email: hello@margaretfeinberg.com and someone on our team will assist you! 🙂
Life can be difficult, requiring us to be reminded of how blessed we are to belong to Jesus! I am thankful for sister’s in Christ who hold me accountable (or remind me of my blessings by being themselves!).
I’m the happiest when I can have quiet time with God and worshipping him.
I can’t wait to get in the car after ladies Bible study because I know that the songs on the radio will be directly related to what we just studied! God delights in making those connections from his word to my world and I love how he is revealed when I simply look and listen!
Two of my favorite people…You and Jennifer!! So full of encouragement and truth!! Thanks to you both!!
Margaret, how generous of you and Jennifer Dukes Lee…..thank you!!!
I am the happiest when I am with my sons and their families, who live many hours away. Also, I come alive when I’m caring for the sick or elderly.
I miss my 47 years of nursing, Hospice being my passion!
The tail has been cut short, but there is probably no shortcut from it to the origin of the word dog. Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide.