Much of the teaching I’ve heard on joy over the years is oversimplified.

I remember those days in Sunday school learning that JOY is spelled Jesus, Others, Yourself. While that made perfect sense when I was 9, I’ve seen how distorted that can become as an adult.

I watch as friends who love Jesus, spend so much time pouring into their kids, grand-kids and others that their joy looks something like this:

jOy

Technically, it still spells joy, but more than anything, these men and women who are so exhausted, so empty, so running on fumes from pouring into others need to pause and take time to focus on themselves. To rest, reset, refresh. Laying hold of the fullness of joy right now will require them to reevaluate for a season and discover the joy that comes with:

JoY

Most of the definitions I have heard about joy (and probably you, too) define it more by what it isn’t than what it is. I constantly heard that happiness is based on circumstance but joy is not.

I am now convinced the writers of the Bible would say that, the reason we have joy is because we have great circumstances. If you are a child of God, you are drenched in the grace and mercy of God. Who has better circumstances than that?

No matter what you’re facing: Your circumstances are better than you think.

If you’re not experiencing joy, perhaps it’s because your definition of joy is too narrow.

For the last three years, I’ve been on a spiritual expedition. Digging into the more than 400 references of joy, happiness, merriment, rejoicing, singing, dancing in the Bible.

I’ve discovered joy as so much more than I ever thought or have been taught.

And when it comes to doling out happiness and joy, God is anything but stingy.

Our God is a joyful God. The nature of the Trinity brims with affection and delight. Joy is woven into the fabric of creation.

That’s why I want to invite you to lay hold of a deeper, more robust joy than you’ve ever known before.

In the 6-session DVD Bible Study, Fight Back With Joy, we’re going to challenge what we’ve been taught about joy and examine it through the lens of Scripture.

What you discover won’t just change how you understand joy, but how much joy you experience on a daily basis.

Will you join me in discovering how more than whimsy, joy is a weapon we use to fight life’s battles?

The Fight Back With Joy DVD Bible study releases January 6.

Pre-order today. And we’ll include a special gift—a joy necklace for you or to share with a friend.

Because we are a people meant to be filled with joy and radiate joy everywhere we go.

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Here’s a sneak peek at the Fight Back With Joy Trailer:

*Original Photo Source

Let’s discover freedom from the past. Margaret’s new book and Bible study, Fight Back With Joy: Regret Less. Celebrate More. Stare Down Your Greatest Fears. will teach you how to turn mourning into joy. Click here to purchase your copy.