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Review: I Choose Joy

I Choose Joy book cover on blue background

After reading I Choose Love by Chip Ingram, I knew that I had to read his earlier works on other fruits of the Spirit. I Choose Joy is the perfect complement to that book as it puts into practice the things that we encounter in life and how we can respond as believers while operating from a place of joy.

Many thanks to Moody Publishers for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Book Synopsis

Joy―our lifeline and strength through life’s suffering.

C.S. Lewis said, "Joy is the serious business of Heaven.” Too often, however, joy is missing from our lives. When we look to Scripture, we see examples of early Christians thriving even amid hardship and persecution. How do we recapture that deep and stubborn joy?

Pastor and author Chip Ingram takes us to God’s Word, helping us shift away from self-centered happiness and toward lasting joy found in God’s goodness.

“Choosing joy in the midst of difficulties goes against all our instincts. When you look at life through the lens of your circumstances, what happens? You’re happy when circumstances are good and sad or angry when they aren’t, right? But if you look at your circumstances through the lens of God’s goodness―his power and promises―that’s a higher perspective. You can experience joy because you know a good God is going to take even the worst and most difficult things in life and use them for your good. Living above our circumstances occurs when our perspective interprets our circumstances rather than our circumstances determining our perspective.”

You cannot choose your life’s circumstances, but you can choose how to respond. Join esteemed Bible teacher, Chip Ingram, on this journey to restore the essential Christian virtue of JOY!

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

I’m in a season of life where it's difficult to come by joy naturally, so I am grateful that I was able to read this book for both motivation and inspiration. While the concept of joy as a choice isn't new, I appreciate that this book shifts from sheer willpower toward a change in perspective based on the promises of God in the Bible. Grounding our ever-changing emotions and thoughts on truth that is external to us keeps us from wishful thinking and prepares us for the real suffering that accompanies this life.

This book serves as a reminder that joy is a gift and fruit of the Spirit that allows us to proclaim God's presence amid hardship, offering others a glimpse of hope and a way to endure in His strength. As has been the case with Chip Ingram's other books, I am grateful for his balanced approach between theological teachings and practical application. The stories help bring joy to life and the concepts are clearly communicated in a way that is easy to remember. If you are looking for a way to infuse more joy into your life without having it feel contrived, I Choose Joy is a well-laid out guide that focuses on abiding deeply with Christ and deriving joy from its ultimate source.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📖
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍

Book Quotes

Paul was telling the believers in this city, "I want you to contend for this faith." Don't misunderstand. He is not telling them to go out and fight nonbelievers physically or even figuratively. Some Christians then and now misunderstand the mission. They bring heat, not light. Paul wants these Philippians to win this battle "in a manner worthy of the gospel"—lovingly, winsomely, and with rock-solid conviction of the truth. That pairing—truth and love—combines acts and words of compassion and kindness with uncompromising faith in the gospel and God's presence and power in believers' lives.
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