What if my hope only leads to disappointment? What if I embrace joy only to have it ripped from my hands? What if my celebration is the cause of others’ sadness? What if my joy takes me away from the God I knew so well in my pain?
Author and marriage and family therapist Nicole Zasowski knows what it’s like to take a blow that makes it difficult to look to the future with expectation and ask herself these questions. Yet, as she found the courage to celebrate, she discovered God is as present in our joy as He is in our pain.
Yes, God’s purpose for us is worked out in our struggles. But what if it is also worked out in our dreams and our delighted joy? In What If It’s Wonderful? Nicole helps you:
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overcome the fears that keep you from looking toward the future with joy;
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let go of the lies you’ve believed about happiness and embrace celebration as a part of spiritual growth;
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approach life with an expectant heart and courage to trust God’s good gifts.
With a psychological and spiritual case for celebrating, Nicole challenges you to let go of the habit of practicing disappointment and fully embrace joy, beckoning you to ask yourself a new question: What if it’s wonderful?
Quotes:
“We are hesitant to embrace joy and we are hesitant to celebrate.”
“Fear often accompanies our joy. We are waiting for a reason to celebrate. We view celebration as a reward.”
“When we see our celebration as a gift from God and not as a reward for our own goodness, exuberant celebration is the most natural response.”
“Celebration is not about me. It is about looking at what God has done.”
“Pessimism is my attempt at control.”
“Biblically they celebrated when it was time to celebrate. There was a rhythm to their celebration. It’s not a reward. It is remembrance.”
“Blame, shame, control, and escape are ways we deal with pain.”
“Escape takes us out of pain. Celebration doesn’t dismiss pain, it trusts God’s promises in the midst of pain.”
“Thanksgiving celebrates the gift with the giver.”
“Savoring has become one of my favorite practices. It celebrates the ordinary through the five senses.”
“Gratitude helps us to notice and name.”
“Thanksgiving is expressing the gratitude. When we give thanks it doubles the joy we gain from gratitude.”
“Daily digging for delight.”
“Keep the thank you notes.”
“Celebration bookends the Bible and it bookends the life of Jesus.”
“Our brokenness makes the most sense in the context of our belovedness.”
“We are promised joy as our inheritance. What is dark today will not be dark forever. Sometimes that is all we can celebrate on a hard day.”
“God’s faithfulness does not depend on our faith.”
“Joy increases when it is shared.”
“This week’s love offering is to give affirmation. Express your thanksgiving and gratitude for others in your life.”
Connect with Nicole:
https://www.nicolezasowski.com
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