Fight Back With Joy by Margaret Feinberg

Feinberg found a lump. The medical team found two. The diagnosis was carcinoma.

She and her husband decided to fight back with joy, beating back depression, disappointment, even the disease itself. Joy is our heritage, Feinberg says, our purpose and destiny. We have been promised God's joy – in full.

She shares her experiences of creating a battle plan and determining her medical team. Her journey to joy began with acceptance. Like Paul, she wanted to be content whatever the circumstances. She then learned adaptation, then dependence.

She writes about finding joy when everything unravels, following James, “consider it all joy...” She looks at learning to grieve well, to celebrate while suffering, getting encouragement from Habakkuk. She determined to give joy to others.

This is an excellent book for anyone in a similar situation. Feinberg is honest in sharing her pain, her reactions, as she was one of those who seemed to get all the painful side effects of the chemo treatment. Yet she shares insightful spiritual lessons she learned through it all. Her perseverance is an encouragement.

This is a good book for those who want to know what their friend taking chemo may be experiencing. Feinberg and her husband have done a great job of including information for caregivers and friends. Her “5 Things to Say When You Don't Know What to Say” is excellent. Her husband has wise words for caregivers. They remind us that caregivers need our attention too.

Food for thought:

“The biggest myth about joy is that it only flourishes in good times, or that it is only the byproduct of positive experiences. … Life's thorniest paths can lead to great joy.”

“No matter what adversity we face, we can choose to refocus from what's before us upward toward the God who fills us with joy.”

Find out more about the book and the DVD Bible Study here.

You can read a guest post and watch a video by Feinberg on the Christianity Today website here.

Margaret Feinberg is a popular Bible teacher and speaker at churches and conferences. Her books and Bible studies have sold nearly a million copies and received critical acclaim. Christianity Today recently listed her among “50 Women” influencing church and culture. She and her husband live in Colorado. Find out more at www.margaretfeinberg.com.

Worthy Publishing, 224 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.