"What if joy is better than you imagined? The cherished virtue has been wrapped in clichés, stamped on coffee mugs, and sewn onto decorative pillows. Fight Back With Joy declares that joy is more than whimsy but a weapon we can use to fight life's greatest battles."
I saw FightBack With Joy by Margaret Feinberg recommended for one who is battling breast cancer. I ordered the book with the intent to give it to a friend. It arrived this week. I randomly flipped the pages and read this quote, "Practicing defiant joy is the declaration that the darkness does not and will not win. When we fight back with joy, we embrace a reality that is more real than what we're enduring and we awake to the deepest reality of our identity as beloved, joyful children of God." This quote resonated with me on several levels, in regards to several situations (and yes, I understand some of you think it is poor word choice. ::wink:: but for ME - it resonates).
God has persistently
written the word "joy" on my heart for the past 10 years....He's used
joy to transform me. I have learned much and have much more to learn. I
couldn't put this book down and have read it cover to cover. I loved the insights Margaret gained about joy
as she battled cancer. Joy was her "word" for the year and then she
received the diagnosis of breast cancer....and began to learn that joy is much
deeper than she expected and can be a weapon. Excellent truths to explore.
Margaret
mentions those who "leave" when you are in the middle of a battle and
those who "stay." Of those who
"stay," some wreak havoc. She shared four categories of those who
stayed and wreaked havoc: projectors (attempt to turn every crisis into their
crisis), pretenders (looking for the latest scoop), predators (harvest others
hardship for their gain) and pain inflictors (hurt with cruel or cold
comments). Whew....may we always be ones who stay and bless and not fall into
these often well-intentioned categories.
Included in
the book are lists of "5 Things to Say When You Don't Know What to Say,"
"8 Things Those Facing Crisis Can't
Tell You,"6 Lessons I Learned from Crisis," and a letter from Leif, Margaret's
husband about walking through these sorts of crisis' with a spouse. There is also a "play list" to
accompany each chapter. Very helpful info.
Margaret is
real about her journey. I learned more
about chemo than I really wanted to know. I really am not SURE if this is a
book to give to all who struggle with cancer. I know it's a great book for all
to read who are facing various trials.
There were times I thought this would be a great gift for my friend and
times I wanted to throw the book across the room as it made me ache and fear for
my friend. In the end, I'm giving the book to her mom to read and decide what
SHE thinks.
The only
other criticism I had for this book is Margaret continues the recently trendy
practice of quoting Scripture without providing a Scriptural reference. Yes, this bugs me. I saw years ago the trend
moved to quoting and leaving a footnote
to the reference. I've read several books recently by trendy authors who no
longer even foot note. Sure I can look up references with a concordance, but I
think the practice is a bad one as many won't look up references...I find this
a slippery slope....but this book is good enough I'd still recommend it. LOL
I did NOT receive this book free from the publishers. ::wink::
1 comment:
I am really glad to know about this book. Thank you for the insightful review.
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