JoyKeeper: 6 Truths That Change Everything You Thought You Knew about Joy

By Suzanne Eller

Know joy. Keep joy. Live joy!Joy can feel elusive when defined by how you feel in a given moment or what your circumstances are at the present. Sometimes joy feels like it can be taken away, even when things are good. During a long season, Suzanne Eller discovered six surprising biblical truths about joy. Those truths helped her see joy and God in a new light. You are invited to embrace those same truths! JoyKeeper will help you· replace the need to hide emotions with honesty about how you feel· redefine joy from an up-and-down feeling to who God is in the right-now· discover how joy guides you through the hard places as well as the good· run freely to your Source of joy, rather than try to do it on your own· confront everyday joy stealers to live day-to-day as a JoyKeeperThirty practical and inspirational daily exercises are also included so you can intentionally practice these truths.Includes a small-group study guideSuzanne (Suzie) Eller is a bestselling author, Bible teacher, and cohost of the More Than Small Talk podcast. Suzie has been featured on hundreds of TV and radio programs. When she's not writing, you'll find her kayaking, hanging out with her "littles," finding the best food truck, or hiking. Learn more at www.suzanneeller.com."Suzie has not only written but lived these beautiful, powerful words. In our uncertain world, we all need to know how to hold on to our joy no matter what happens. Suzie is the wise friend and insightful guide who will show you."--HOLLEY GERTH, Bestselling Author, Life Coach, and More than Small Talk Podcast Cohost"Some books fill your mind and others fill your heart. JoyKeeper does both, and then goes a step further, taking you by the hand to guide you through the process of knowing, keeping, and living joy in the midst of challenging circumstances. Suzie Eller shares honest struggles and hard-earned wisdom on every page, always pointing us to Scripture, always circling back to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross. And what a delight to find a thirty-day devotional included in the book, offering daily encouragement for all of us who want to embrace a JoyKeeper life. So well done, and so needed."--LIZ CURTIS HIGGS, author of 31 Proverbs to Light Your Path"For everyone who has ever thought that joy was for other people (you know, those super-spiritual people who have the inside track to what God wants . . . ). Suzie is here to tell you joy, deep soul-satisfying joy, is available to all of us who love God in our own imperfect way."--KATHI LIPP, bestselling author "Each of us wrestle with sticky spots in our lives that try, on a daily basis, to steal the joy Jesus has promised for us. JoyKeeper helped me to identify a robber in my life. As I have put the truth I learned through JoyKeeper into practice, I have found a new joy I've never known. I now know that specific robber's identity and can send him packing when he comes into view."--LYNN COWELL, author of Make Your Move and member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries speaking and writing teams "During family struggles, health challenges, and disappointment, joy can seem elusive. In JoyKeeper, Suzie Eller intimately shares her path to joy through cancer diagnoses and heartache. Using insightful reflection questions and engaging storytelling, Suzie invites every woman with scars on a journey to becoming a JoyKeeper."--DR. SAUNDRA DALTON-SMITH, author of Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity"A fresh wind of hope comes as you read Suzie Eller's newest book, JoyKeeper. Suzie grants her reader permission to be real about what we feel, while equipping us with the tools needed to leap into action as God's joykeepers. Say good-bye to worry, and hello to deep, lasting joy!"--KRISSY NELSON, author, speaker, TV hose, Krissy Nelson Ministries"I have watched Suzie maintain joy in the face of adversity. JoyKeeper is written with vulnerability and profound insight guiding

• Language: English
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• Release date: Aug 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781493425037

Book preview

Suzie has not only written but lived these beautiful, powerful words. In our uncertain world, we all need to know how to hold on to our joy no matter what happens. Suzie is the wise friend and insightful guide who will show you.

—Holley Gerth, bestselling author, life coach, and cohost of More than Small Talk podcast

"Each of us wrestles with sticky spots in our lives that try, on a daily basis, to steal the joy Jesus has promised for us. JoyKeeper helped me to identify a robber in my life. As I have put the truth I learned through JoyKeeper into practice, I have found a new joy I’ve never known. I now know that specific robber’s identity and can send him packing when he comes into view."

—Lynn Cowell, author of Make Your Move and member of Proverbs 31 Ministries speaking and writing teams

For everyone who has ever thought joy was for other people (you know, those super-spiritual people who have the inside track to what God wants . . . ), Suzie is here to tell you that joy, deep soul-satisfying joy, is available to all of us who love God in our own imperfect way.

—Kathi Lipp, bestselling author

Once again, Suzie cracks open our hearts, enabling us to go deep. She takes us on an emotional healing journey that brings joy like we’ve never known. Her refreshing biblical insights speak into real life. This message will lift you above your circumstances. This is a word for our time!

—Lorie Hartshorn, cohost of 700 Club Canada, author, and speaker

"Some books fill your mind and others fill your heart. JoyKeeper does both, and then goes a step further, guiding you through the process of knowing, keeping, and living joy in the midst of challenging circumstances. Suzie Eller shares honest struggles and hard-earned wisdom on every page, always pointing us to Scripture, always circling back to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross. And what a delight to find a thirty-day devotional included in the book, offering daily encouragement for all of us who want to embrace a JoyKeeper life. So well done, and so needed."

—Liz Curtis Higgs, author of 31 Proverbs to Light Your Path

Suzie’s inspiring words serve as a reminder that joy is found in faith alone, and teaches how joy is possible during times of difficulty. She helps readers expose the hidden joy stealers in their lives, discover how to hold on to true joy even when life is hard, and uncover the beautiful story God is scripting between the pages of the hardships of life.

—Tracie Miles, director of COMPEL Training and speaker and author with Proverbs 31 Ministries

"A fresh wind of hope comes as you read Suzie Eller’s newest book, JoyKeeper. Suzie grants her reader permission to be real about what we feel, while equipping us with the tools needed to leap into action as God’s JoyKeepers. Say good-bye to worry and hello to deep, lasting joy!"

—Krissy Nelson, author, speaker, and TV host, Krissy Nelson Ministries

"In JoyKeeper, Suzie Eller shares words as encouraging and conversational as those coming from a dear friend across a coffee shop table. Suzie is a gifted storyteller, sharing biblical insights, personal stories, and practical wisdom. Each chapter is overflowing with raw transparency, healing truths, and scriptural hope. You—your soul—can’t afford not to read her."

—Amy Kratzer, founder and CEO of Girl Set Free

"During family struggles, health challenges, and disappointment, joy can seem elusive. In JoyKeeper, Suzie Eller intimately shares her path to joy through cancer diagnoses and heartache. Using insightful reflection questions and engaging storytelling, Suzie invites every woman with scars on a journey to becoming a JoyKeeper."

—Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, author of Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity

"I have watched Suzie maintain joy in the face of adversity. JoyKeeper is written with vulnerability and profound insight, guiding readers to encounter joy in a way they haven’t yet—by knowing. JoyKeeper is a lifeline when joy seems like a lost cause and a fleeting feeling."

—Jennifer Renee Watson, cohost of More Than Small Talk podcast and author of Freedom! The Gutsy Pursuit of Breakthrough and the Life Beyond It

"To learn and know joy that supersedes our circumstances is not only life-sustaining, but life-giving—to us and to everyone whose lives intersect with ours both now and in the future. This truth, this hope, has become the testimony of Suzie’s life amid real struggle, and through this book she has chosen to become a kind and gentle mentor, a friend who is willing to teach us how we can choose joy in both the mountains and the valleys."

—Katie Westenberg, author of I Choose Brave: Embracing Holy Courage and Understanding Godly Fear

Suzie’s transparency, wisdom, and biblical teaching make you feel right at home and safe. I felt seen, understood, and mentored throughout this entire book. Not only does she offer powerful truths, she equips you with practical application for breakthrough. This book helped me rediscover the joy I’ve been longing for, and I’m forever grateful.

—Christy Rodriguez, speaker and writer, host of The Brave Place Podcast with Christy Rodriguez, and director and CEO of BraveGirlCommunity.com

© 2020 by Suzanne Eller

Published by Bethany House Publishers

11400 Hampshire Avenue South

Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

www.bethanyhouse.com

Bethany House Publishers is a division of

Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan

www.bakerpublishinggroup.com

Ebook edition created 2020

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4934-2503-7

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations identified AMPC are from the Amplified® Bible (AMPC), copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scriptures identified BSB are from The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible, BSB. Copyright ©2016, 2018 by Bible Hub. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. https://berean.bible/

Scripture quotations identified CEV are from the Contemporary English Version © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations identified CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Scripture quotations identified ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016

Scripture quotations identified GNT are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version-Second Edition. Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations identified ISV taken from the Holy Bible: International Standard Version®. Copyright © 1996-forever by The ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations identified MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Scripture quotations identified NKJV are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Cover design by Emily Weigel

Author represented by The Fedd Agency, Inc.

In honor of

Vivienne Suzanne McDaniel

You brought incredible joy, sweet girl.

We miss you.

Contents

Cover    1

Endorsements    2

Half Title Page    5

Title Page    7

Copyright Page    8

Dedication    9

Introduction    13

Part One: Knowing Joy    17

1. Give a Sister Permission to Feel    19

What I feel: God is disappointed when I am sad.

What I know: God cares about how I feel.

2. Becoming    35

What I feel: I will never be enough.

What I know: God is aware of who I am becoming.

3. Chalk-Line Faith    55

What I feel: It’s my job to fix everything.

What I know: God is God, and I am not.

Part Two: Keeping Joy    71

4. A Safe Place    73

What I feel: Insecure (unsafe).

What I know: God is my safe place.

5. You Are Not Shame    89

What I feel: I am bad.

What I know: God’s goodness is greater.

6. Take Your Seat    107

What I Feel: I should be like her.

What I Know: God has a seat for me.

Part Three: Living Joy    123

7. Joy-Wrapped Faith    125

Devotional: Thirty Days to Living a JoyKeeper Life    131

Study Guide for Groups    193

Group Discussion Questions    197

Acknowledgments    201

About the Author    203

Back Ad    205

Back Cover    206

Introduction

When the topic of joy comes up, I understand that it can make us all feel a little apprehensive. It’s confusing to be told that joy and happiness are the same thing, because the truth is that no one feels happy all the time. It’s perplexing when someone implies that you are less than faith-filled because you’re sad or frustrated or even angry. If you are reading this book, there’s a strong chance that joy is something you not only want to understand but want to live.

Me too.

I am writing this book for the woman who has struggled to understand joy.

I’m writing it for the woman who longs for joy but doesn’t always know what that looks like.

I’m writing it for the woman who is reaching for joy in a hard season. Joy is not only for you; it’s yours to keep in all of those situations because of this powerful truth: Joy is more than a feeling. It’s a knowing.

You see, if joy is reduced to merely a feeling, you’ll be up or down according to your circumstances, and that’s exhausting. You’ll wonder where God is when people hurt your heart. You’ll think that joy is beyond you when you make a mistake. If joy is merely a feeling, you don’t enjoy being in the midst of a sweet season, but wring your hands and wait for the other shoe to drop.

I don’t believe this is what God meant for any of us.

The early church was marked by joy. It identified them! Nonbelievers looked on in confusion as the church dealt with difficult people, everchanging conditions, grief and loss—but with a solid undercurrent of joy. These believers knew where to turn. They knew whose they were. They believed that God would show them the next step even when it wasn’t clear. Even when it felt like it was all falling apart, they believed his will would triumph.

At the same time, they were oh-so-human.

They had to work through conflict. They dealt with devious and power-hungry people who tried to mess up every good thing they were building. They had to pray their way through cultural differences, differing personalities, and persecution. They experienced sadness, loss, exhilaration, excitement, apprehension, and all the emotions you and I wrestle with every day.

A JoyKeeper is someone who experiences real life. She feels all the feelings. She isn’t afraid to be honest when things are hard. She’s tethered to something bigger than her feelings. I know this because I wrote this book in an extended season of sorrow. As I lived out each day, I’d whisper this to myself as a reminder.

Joy is not a feeling, Suzie. It’s a knowing.

That principle of joy held me close to the Source. It also reinforced six biblical truths that once changed the way I viewed joy.

I pray these same six truths will help you redefine joy as well.

I pray these truths will anchor you even as your heart hammers and your knees clang. We’ll unpack them chapter by chapter. Let’s begin by letting them tiptoe into your heart.

God cares about how you feel.

God is aware of who you are becoming.

God is God, and you are not.

God is your safe place.

God’s goodness is greater.

God has a seat for you.

For some of you, these don’t feel like truth right now, and that’s okay.

We’ll take them deeper together.

JoyKeeper

Joy is more than a feeling. It’s a knowing.

We’ll make lots of room to work through each one until they settle into your soul like manna. Transformation will come as you and I honestly plunge into those areas where God wants to do a miracle.

You are invited to live a life marked by joy.

Are you ready?

Suzie

part one

Knowing Joy

If joy is merely a feeling . . .

I will experience it only when things go my way.

I’ll wonder if it’s wrong to feel sad.

I’ll be tempted to hide my emotions from others and even God.

Storms will shake not just my confidence, but also my faith.

I’ll wonder why God gives it to some and not to others.

Because joy is a knowing . . .

I experience joy both in the ups and in the downs.

I am unafraid to ask God to meet me in my sadness.

I choose to live in transparency with others and with God.

I am grounded in my faith