Harney Kevin - Defiant joy study guide: what happens when youre full of it

That sounds so pretty, doesnt it? Joy is closer than you think. Awwww. Thats so special, Candace. Yall. I am sick and tired of mantras as much as the next person. I am. But I couldnt think of a better way to convey what you most need to believe before you jump into this study. Joy is most certainly near. Theres a foundational truth that I will be building every thought about joy upon: God is good and He always does good. Because of this, He is the giver of every good and perfect gift. He has designed you to live a life that is full and abundant.

I have had people write to me and tell me that joy is a frivolous luxury. And, ultimately, that is telling me that they believe God is cruel and unkind and makes us work and perform and be deserving of anything good... especially joy. Thats simply not the God I know or see throughout the Bible. Because God is good and always does good, I can trust that His promise to give me abundant life will include good things. Whats more good than the nearness of our heavenly Father and the fullness of His joy right there by His side? Joy is closer than you think because God is better than you may believe.

Did ya catch that? I mean, REALLY catch that last statement?

Joy is closer than you think because God is better than you may believe.

If youll keep that as the filter for everything you will read after this, I know youll be surprised at the measure of joy you can and will find.

Whos in?

Alrighty, then.

Here we go.

WHEN GOD SHOWS UP AND THINGS BLOW UP... IN A GOOD WAY!

My life changed when I put on a Chewbacca mask, cracked up at myself, and over 160 million people laughed along with me. I still have not figured out exactly what was going on that day in my van. I dont fully understand what happened the next few days when I was invited to appear on TV shows and interviewed by people I had only seen on a screen up to that point in my life. But here are a few things I am learning through this experience.

We were made for laughter, joy, and fun... more than we realize. Our hearts and souls long for joy. I believe there is a God who delights when we laugh and celebrates when we play.

God has a destiny for each of us. It is better than we dream. And He will move us toward our destiny in surprising and shocking ways. God might not use a Star Wars mask and the internet to unfold your destiny, but He has a plan and it is going to be a fun ride, if you are willing to jump on.

To be totally honest, Im still figuring out what all of this means for me. God is still unfolding His plan and I am having a great time figuring out where this is all going. I am excited to have you join me on this journey of life, laughter, joy, and discovery.

THINK ABOUT IT, TALK ABOUT IT

Tell about a time God pulled back the curtain and gave you an exciting and unexpected glimpse of His plan and destiny for your life. What did you see and how did you feel?

[Your Response Here]

How have you experienced joy and excitement in surprising ways as you walk through life?

[Your Response Here]

J OY beckons us to a place of carefree laughter, smiles, and peace in the simplest moments.

WATCH THE SESSION ONE VIDEO

Feel free to reflect, jot down your thoughts, listen, laugh, and even ask questions!

One Big Thought... Joy is a daily decision.

[Your Response Here]

The God who made you wants you to experience delight, drink in joy, and actually have fun. He really does. This means we are partners with God in experiencing and living with joy. So, how do we engage with joy? Here are some ways we can partner with God in our journey to invite joy into our lives: