The Secret of Spiritual Joy

by William P. Farley

At one time or another, most Christians struggle with depression, discouragement, or despondency. When this happens, spiritual joy is the great need. William Farley has written a practical book to help flawed human beings discover and implement the secret to spiritual joy. The author contends that the gospel is the key to a life overflowing with joy. That is because a right understanding of the gospel produces the humility that motivates a life of continual thanksgiving. A heart humbled by the gospel is the well from which stressed believers can draw the gratitude that generates spiritual joy. This book also examines common joy-killers like grumbling, complaining, boasting, and self-pity, and provides practical suggestions for conquering them. Such attitudes cannot co-exist in a heart saturated with gospel-gratitude. Ultimately, a clear grasp of the cross is the secret to spiritual joy.

Genres: Christian Living, Christian, Nonfiction

108 pages, Paperback

Published November 12, 2015

About the author

William Farley (Bill) is the Pastor of Grace Christian Fellowship, a church he planted in 2002 in Spokane, Washington. He has been married to his best friend, Judy, since 1971. He has five children and twenty-one grandchildren.

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Coronavirus pandemic has left many of us disappointed. As I am writing this review, churches have had to close their doors yet again. In this book, William P. Farley shares how gratitude is The Secret of Spiritual Joy.

Cultivate Gratitude

In 5 chapters and less than 100 pages, Farley makes a concise case to help us cultivate gratitude in our hearts. He shows us how our creature-hood and redemption should cause us to be humble. And he explains how God’s sovereignty and goodness reach their climax at the cross.

I was most impacted by Chapter 3: Getting a Grip on Grumbling. Farley recounts Israel’s grumbling and complaining in response to wilderness testing, and I was convicted of my own sin. He revealed how grumbling equates with despising God, that I am accountable to the extent of my privileges, and that grumbling is a heart issue. But he reminds me how God can still use my grumbling for good, to give me a heart of gratitude.

Spiritual Growth

The book is filled with stories and real-life examples that help Farley make his points. In Chapter 4: Striking Back at Self-Pity, Farley shares an example of how the cross helped his friend connect the message of the cross from his mind to his heart. To repent and focus on the cross will draw our eyes to eternity and the joy of our gracious God.

The book ends with a call to spiritual growth in eight areas: (1) humility, (2) meekness, (3) contentment, (4) worship, (5) intercession, (6) fear of the future, (7) relationships, and (8) joy. Gratitude is at the heart of the Christian. This book proves that even in the midst of a pandemic, there is so much to be thankful for.

I received a media copy of The Secret of Spiritual Joy and this is my honest review.

[Ernie Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret of Spiritual Joy by William P. Farley is a short book that aims to help you be joyful, not to be confused with being happy. Spoiler Alert: The secret is gratitude. Not saying grace before meals. Not sending thank you notes. But a bone deep, unshakable gratitude in life that is born out of a solid understanding of where I would be without God and what I actually deserve from life. The gospel of Jesus Christ forms the foundation of gratitude for whatever circumstances you are in, which then becomes the building blocks of joy in life. The one hiccup in the book is the author’s brief flirtation with something that could almost be called fatalism if you took it in a less-than-generous light. That particular bit is a result of his orthodox Reformed theology and is minor enough to not detract from the book as a whole. Highly recommended for everyone, but especially for anyone struggling to find joy in life.

[Chuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple straightforward book packed with Christian insight! The goal is to be joyful which is not necessarily being happy. Since it says so on the back cover, I'm going to say that the secret is gratitude.

That is not to say that gratitude is simple! Sometimes (a lot of sometimes) it is hard to remember what our lives would be like without the gift of Christ's redemption.

This is a short, easy read that would be good for those who are just not happy. I would not recommend this book as the answer if you are dealing with severe trauma or emotional pain, it is a little to glib.

[Lone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shortly summarized this book says: Stop whining, complaining, ruminating and feel sorry for yourself. Rejoicing in Christ is the answer. The book tells how to do it. I just love this short book. I really needed to hear this and change.

[Rob N]

An excellent little book packed with insight

[Jim Leman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent truths for contentment.

[Jacob Currin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of beautiful truths and reminders about how our lives as Christians need to be.

[Andy Ardern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoilers: The secret of spiritual joy is a heart filled with gratitude for the work Jesus has done in the gospel.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, straightforward articulation of a profound truth. Encourages the reader in the gospel while challenging on issues of thanksgiving or grumbling and self-pity. Thankful for the author's work and I commend this work as a helpful and practical book.

[Jackie Eason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty simplistic approach to understanding how Christians can have spiritual joy in the midst of suffering. I say simplistic for a reason- this would be a great resource for those who have not delved into this topic before, and this would not be a book for those experiencing deep suffering. His approach is basically a great foundation, but his personal examples and somewhat of a “simple fix solution” could be a turn off for those in turmoil. Basically- read this when you aren’t experiencing difficult suffering to get a good, basic theology for when you do experience suffering.

[Élizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief yet Gospel loaded.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book! Powerful and convicting for proud, self-pitying, grumblers like me! And good news for us too!