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The Secret of Joy: Ten Biblical Antidotes for Anxiety and Depression
Joy. We all want it. Ask a random selection of people on the street what the most important thing in life is and a very high percentage of them will say, in one form or another, that it’s “to be happy.” But as much as we want happiness, the evidence tells us that we’re not very good at finding it. Indeed, for all our efforts, we are living in a generation that is quickly becoming defined by its lack of joy. Ours is a generation increasingly defined by poor mental health. Ours is a generation becoming plagued with anxiety and depression. It’s becoming an epidemic.In this project, we discover that the Bible contains some powerful antidotes to anxiety and depression. We discover these antidotes are ‘hidden’ in plain sight, and we explore the latest scientific evidence that proves just how effective they are when applied to our lives. If we want to be truly happy, the Bible tells us it’s possible. It just doesn’t come to us by the route we’d expect….
253 pages, Paperback
Published February 27, 2020
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November 29, 2024
“Pursue righteousness and you'll get happiness thrown in. Pursue happiness directly and you'll get neither righteousness or happiness.
Jesus explicitly told us that if we apply his Word to our lives, it would produce joy. He said, ‘I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!’ (John 15:11)
Perhaps then, if we don't feel particularly joyful today, we shouldn't be looking to pleasure to cure the pain; we should be looking to righteousness. Perhaps we should be committing to applying his words more fully to our lives. Will that involve discomfort, sacrifice and discipline? Yes. But that's the route.”
Mark Fairley has done an extraordinary job of analyzing what the Bible and science has to say about happiness in a very hedonistic culture. His ten stated antidotes each conclude with ways to apply the Word and the relevant experiences to our lives; this is very much a “read AND apply” book, similar to how the Bible should be in the life of the Christian.
Suffice it to say, this book took time to get through in the way it’s intended to be read. This isn’t merely another speed-read. The antidotes are biblical, and the research is reliable. This book will certainly continue ministering to me for years to come; these antidotes won’t easily disappear.
Jesus explicitly told us that if we apply his Word to our lives, it would produce joy. He said, ‘I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!’ (John 15:11)
Perhaps then, if we don't feel particularly joyful today, we shouldn't be looking to pleasure to cure the pain; we should be looking to righteousness. Perhaps we should be committing to applying his words more fully to our lives. Will that involve discomfort, sacrifice and discipline? Yes. But that's the route.”
Mark Fairley has done an extraordinary job of analyzing what the Bible and science has to say about happiness in a very hedonistic culture. His ten stated antidotes each conclude with ways to apply the Word and the relevant experiences to our lives; this is very much a “read AND apply” book, similar to how the Bible should be in the life of the Christian.
Suffice it to say, this book took time to get through in the way it’s intended to be read. This isn’t merely another speed-read. The antidotes are biblical, and the research is reliable. This book will certainly continue ministering to me for years to come; these antidotes won’t easily disappear.
Displaying 1 of 1 review