What Happens When You Fight For Genuine Joy In Impossible Circumstances?

I had never led a question-and-answer session during any of my past women’s events, but I was looking forward to the experience. I wanted to hear the questions that had bubbled to the surface after a weekend of immersing ourselves in the Bible’s teaching on hope. I wasn’t prepared for the challenging contexts the women faced or the impossible circumstances in which they were trying to fight for joy.

Many were living with devastating health challenges and unimaginable grief. One woman described sandwich generation complications that made my head spin. Even the most compassionate presentation of sound theology can sound harsh and heartless when hope has been bleeding out for years. The path to joy and peace may be simple, but it’s not always easy:

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.” (Psalm 37:3)

We “feed on His faithfulness” by remembering his record of trustworthy dealings with us in the past. Then we acknowledge his sovereignty and his goodness. He has the right to call the shots, and we can be sure that he has our best interests in mind.

We can trust that the impossible circumstances we’re facing have been hand-picked for our good and for God’s glory. Naturally, this doesn’t justify cold and insensitive treatment of those in crisis, but it’s the only answer that makes sense of our suffering in the long run. Elisabeth Elliot wrote, “I’m convinced that there are a good many things in this life that we really can’t do anything about, but that God wants us to do something with.”¹

“I’m convinced that there are a good many things in this life that we really can’t do anything about, but that God wants us to do something with.” Elisabeth Elliot

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Feed on His Faithfulness

She brings that gritty determination to the pages of Fight for Joy, a collection of thirty devotional readings designed to fuel the believer’s commitment to wait in faith while God does the work that needs to be accomplished. When suffering has stolen all the oxygen in the room, we breathe grace when we run to our loving Heavenly Father for comfort. With scriptural clarity and practical sensitivity, Howe urges her readers to become deeply rooted in godly community, to maintain spiritual disciplines as a lifeline, and to be patient in the long wilderness of waiting.

Acceptance of God’s appointment—even when it’s a dis-appointment—is step one of the journey toward lasting joy. “Joy everlasting. Joy overflowing. Joy in abundance and joy that cannot be dimmed or diminished by life’s circumstances. And let’s be honest. Isn’t that what we all desire?”²

With scriptural clarity and practical sensitivity, Michele Howe points the way to “joy in abundance and joy that cannot be dimmed or diminished by life’s circumstances.” @reviewermom @CLCMinistriesUS #FightforJoy

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What Other Reviewers Are Saying

In her new book Michele Howe takes you on a magnificent journey of love and healing. Finding joy can sometimes be elusive. As you turn the pages of Fight for Joy Michele will be your guide to God’s perfect peace as she shares her own struggle to reclaim God’s truths for joyful living. This is a must read for anyone who wants to live in God’s promises.
― Lucille Williams, Author of From Me to We and other titles

Howe addresses the too-often Christian notion that we will have a life of continuous joy when, in fact, we must fight for it. She shares authentic experiences and reminds us of God’s presence in each one. The reminders are perfect for anyone who is going through troubling times. I can think of many times when it would’ve ministered to me, and I’m sure it will in the future. This book, which is sure to be a Christian classic, ought to be a resource for every counselor and pastor so they can share its wisdom. ― Gail Cawley Showalter, Author of Living, Learning, Loving

Holding You in the Light,

1. Suffering is Never for Nothing, Elisabeth Elliot, 2019 ↩︎
2. Fight for Joy, Michele Howe, 2025 ↩︎

Prepare for Thanksgiving with this New YouVersion Devotional!

I’ve got a new devotional plan ready for you on the YouVersion app just in time for Thanksgiving. Click HERE to start this five-day plan. I pray it will prepare your heart for this glorious season of gratitude. (There’s a good reason why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.)

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Many thanks to CLC Publications for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.