Adversity is inevitable, but misery is optional.
It IS possible to be happy, even when life around you is swirling out of
control, and Bill Giovannetti tells you why and how in his book Secrets to a Happy Life: Finding
Satisfaction in Any Situation.
Giovannetti reminds that your sudden need did not startle God from a
nice snooze. He saw every opportunity
and every adversity in your life a long time ago. He heard every prayer you
would pray and all the prayers you should have prayed but didn’t. And He not only knew all these things, but He
made perfect provision for every single one!
What is a happy life in
adversity? A happy life is a “frame of
spirit”, an all-embracing way of looking at life and finding the contentedness
that comes from freely submitting to and delighting in God. Giovannetti leads us through the story of
Joseph, his life and all the adversity he faced, and shows us who God is and
was through it all. He parallels
Joseph’s story with the story of how He works in your life, revealing how God
orchestrates the best possible outcomes even within the worst possible contexts.
When I first saw the title of this
book, I was expecting a false, shallow, health-wealth type book that said God
wants you to be healthy and comfortably happy.
After reading a little about the author, I decided to read it and give
it a chance, and I’m glad I did.
At first I was a little disturbed by
the language “life-changing secrets” and “find your dream” and “know your
destiny”, but reading it all in context, I realized what Giovannetti was
doing. He was not writing in
“Christianese”. He is using fresh word
choices from today’s culture to explain God’s providence. He is targeting seekers who want to be
content and happy when circumstances are upside down and who want to make sense
of things. He uses today’s vernacular
to bring the gospel to the reader and to show how God works in our lives are
how we find satisfaction in life.
Giovanneti’s style is fun and conversational. He takes a serious topic about suffering and
adversity and presents it in a light-hearted way that encourages the reader and
points them toward the Gospel for understanding. Whether a seeker or a mature follower of
Christ, this book is a great reminder of how God works in the world and in our
lives.
To read an excerpt or get more information, check out the Bethany House website here.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House
Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Sounds like a good book, I want to get it. Thanks for the honest review.
ReplyDeleteB
Thanks for your kind review, and I have to say, you really understood what I was trying to do. The book was written (and titled) for a general audience, especially of a secular mindset, and I had to write with them in mind. I wanted to wrap meaty doctrine and the gospel in the language of the common person... it means so much to me that you nailed it. Thank you.
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