Secrets to a Happy Life - Book Review

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.

2 comments:

  1. Sounds like a good book, I want to get it. Thanks for the honest review.

    B

    ReplyDelete
  2. 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.

    ReplyDelete