I just read an article about a dermatologist who took his life, largely because he suffered from depression, but also because he was the subject of bullying.

As a pastor one of the things I have seen more and more in recent years is the struggle against shame and regret. Against feeling like a loser. Against feeling like there is no way out.

I started reading Fight Back with Joy this past weekend and have been “taken” by it. One section stood out to me as I read:

The journey to joy begins with acceptance.

Acceptance acknowledges our helplessness and requires us to loosen our grip, slow our pace, and reorient our focus on God in the situation. Paul does not find contentment in bucking his circumstances but in surrendering control of them.

The journey to joy advances through adaptability.

We rarely choose what is subtracted from our lives, but we can choose how we respond. How we reorganize our lives in order to move forward.

The journey to joy leads us to greater dependence on Christ.  (excerpts from pages 46 & 47)

Margaret knows whereof she speaks. As she started studying “Joy” she found out she had breast cancer. This book is not an autobiography, but she does intersperse her experiences with lessons on Joy and others she is learning along the way.

In my ministry, I see acceptance as one of the hardest things to experience. Hence, the struggle with shame and regret. I’m not belittling those folks at all. Coming to terms with yourself, your past, your thoughts, you name it. Its not an easy thing to do but Joy becomes possible when you do.

What do you think? How have you experienced Joy?

There are some who are doing a weekly book posting about Margaret’s book. This is not part of it. For more on that check here.