A Journey to Joy
How to find joy in the midst of grief, heartache, or tribulations.
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Introduction After losing my long-term boyfriend, Richard, to a brain aneurysm when I was twenty-eight years old, I hit rock bottom. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. Not only was I grieving over the death of Richard, but I was grieving over the loss of my best friend and the future we had planned together. I was grieving over “what could have been.” I grieved over the trips we didn’t take and all the places we talked about traveling to. Instead of planning a wedding, I was planning a funeral. I grieved over the future I had planned in my mind. That is why I wrote this book. No matter what we plan or what we think our life should look like, the Lord’s plan will always prevail. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). If this book can help change one life, then my assignment of writing this book is fulfilled. I hope that one person is you. By the way, my name is Joy, and I’m really glad you’re here. I know you’ve gone through some hard days. My healing began when I started sharing my story, so I hope this book will inspire you to share your story, too. This book is my journey to finding joy and my testimony of God’s goodness. May God speak to you through this book as He continues to hold your hand on your journey. Just like Jesus, “I show my scars so others know that they can heal, too.” The Bible tells us in Galatians 6:2 (NIV) to carry each other’s burdens. Whatever you might be going through, I’m here for you, and I hope this book can help you. I pray that the Lord provides you with peace, comfort, and strength and surrounds you with an endless amount of love. I pray that there are more good days than bad days. Most of all, I pray that you will have the strength and courage to choose the gift of joy. Love, Joy Joy: gladness not based on circumstance.
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About the Book
As a young girl, author Joy Buerkle didn’t have a magical upbringing or a lot of happy childhood memories. She didn’t fully know God or God’s character and was often confused, angry, or upset with God. At age twenty-eight, she experienced the deep grief of losing a loved one, and then she suffered pregnancy losses in her thirties. Through these tribulations, Joy grew spiritually and now has a loving relationship with our heavenly Father. In A Journey to Joy, she shares her journey to finding joy and relays her testimony of God’s goodness, grace, and love for mankind. Joy encourages you to see divine intervention through any heartache or tribulations you may be enduring. She prays the Lord provides you with peace, comfort, and strength and surrounds you with an endless amount of love.
About the Author
Joy Buerkle is happily married and lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband Ryan Buerkle. She is a follower of Christ and strives to steward her time well amongst her marriage, family, church, friends, and traveling. Joy shares her testimony through this book to encourage you to share your story with others, too.