Book Review: Defiant Joy

Today I’m reviewing a book I knew I was going to love even before I picked it up. Stasi Eldredge’s book Defiant Joy has the subtitle: Taking Joy of Hope, Beauty, and Life in a Hurting World. And I think that message is so timely and needed. There is so much brokenness and sorrow in the world, it almost seems like joy isn’t possible. But the good news is—it is! This book revels in just how much joy there is available for us in Christ.

I was fortunate enough to see a Facebook post inviting people to receive an advance reader’s copy of the book from the publisher and help spread the word about the book as part of the launch team.

What can I say, I see the words “free book” and “Stasi Eldredge” and I click!

I got my book a few weeks ago and felt like a bit of a time traveler because I got to read it early (the book came out earlier this week). Please note that I received no compensation for this review, and all opinions are my own.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small portion of sales, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog through your purchase!  

I’m a huge fan of the Eldredge’s books (Captivating and The Sacred Romance among my favorites) as they have really helped me to grow and experience my relationship with God in new and deeper ways, so you bet I was eager to read this latest book.

I had discovered Stasi’s blog post titled Defiant Joy in 2016 and it immediately struck a chord in me. My health was rapidly declining and my life was in confusion, and the reminder that joy is available even during the very worst life brings was powerful. I was in the middle of redecorating the bulletin board above my desk, and I immediately picked up one of the scrapbook papers I had ready, and wrote “Defiant Joy” to display this reminder where I would see it every day.

“I hope she writes a book about defiant joy…” I thought. (Guys…maybe I *am* a time traveler!)

Flash forward to giddy me diving into this book…

I think too often we equate joy with painting a smile on our faces and acting like everything is fine. Many who talk about joy seem to have never experienced suffering, or even be willing to acknowledge it exists. Some people seem to think of joy as a sort of emotional blindfold.

But Stasi doesn’t have a fluffy view of joy.
She writes from real experience, sharing about the grief of unexpected, untimely loss and debilitating physical pain she has struggled with in her own life. Those of us with chronic illnesses and pain will find an empathetic soul in Stasi, who is no stranger to how health conditions can wreck havoc on our lives and emotions, as well as threaten to do the same to us spiritually. She is open about the fact that problems that threaten to derail our joy can make us question the goodness of God.

But she doesn’t leave us there. Always, the call is to keep turning our eyes to Jesus, and to find comfort—and yes, even joy—in His loving presence. I appreciate her willingness to be raw and honest. When an author is willing to admit life is hard, the truth that Jesus is enough shines through all the brighter.

Stasi dives into the roadblocks and struggles that threaten to keep us from joy (comparison amd self-condemnation being major ones), and points us to scripture that assures us God can break through and sustain our joy no matter what we’re facing.

I especially enjoyed the parts of the book about experiencing joy as freedom, and choosing joy as a way to love others well. Joy is often talked about in a vacuum, as if our well-being has no impact on others, or worse, is selfish. I think you’ll find Stasi’s take very eye-opening and impactful.

I think at some level, we all know we are made for joy, and we know, as Stasi emphasizes, joy is “opposed.” That’s the part of joy where we have to fight for it, defiantly.

I kid you not, a friend of mine wrote a card for me last month with a reminder to be defiantly joyful. I excitedly asked her if she wrote that because of the book.

“There’s a BOOK?” she exclaimed.

Understandably, she was eager to get her hands on this book. Joy is such a deep longing in our hearts and souls, and we were made for it.

I ended up underling a lot of this book, and will definitely (defiantly??) be reading it again. There is so much truth to soak up that a second reading is a must. As you have probably figured out, I highly recommend it! This book would also make a great source of discussion (and joy!) for a Bible study. I haven’t checked it out yet, but there is a study guide available as well.

Have you read Defiant Joy or are you planning to? Share your thoughts in the comments below. I would love to hear what you think.