Endorsements
Katies passion for Gods Word is contagious. As a Bible teacher, her heart beats to see women enjoy studying Scripture, leading them to treasure the God of the Word above all else. You will be equipped and encouraged by Katie as she continually points you back to Jesus.
Gretchen Saffles, founder of Well-Watered Women
What I love most about this book is that the secrets Katie reveals are not simply steps to rehearse or goals to reach for. Katie digs much deeper to show us how the secrets of a Happy Soul are the unlimited riches already deposited in every Christ follower, and she unpacks how to work them out in our everyday lives.
Jeannie Cunnion, author of Mom Set Free
Katie Orrs Secrets of the Happy Soul is a grounded, balanced, encouraging guide for anyone struggling to find happiness daily. I so appreciated her apt handling of the Word of God, coupled with authenticity in her own story. Highly recommended to any woman searching for a joy-anchor in this untethered, pessimistic world.
Mary DeMuth, author of Outrageous Grace Every Day
If theres one thing I can count on with my friend Katie Orr, its that the Bible is central to what she teaches. Most important, its central to the life she lives. Im thankful to call her my sister, and thankful youre about to join her in her studies. Enjoy!
Elyse Fitzpatrick, author and speaker
Psalm 1 is filled with road languagea pathway for all of us to find the right road. Katie captures this journey in Secrets of the Happy Soul by sharing her personal journey toward true happiness found only in Gods Word. If your soul is searching for a happy path, this book will help you discover delight along the way.
Kelly D. King, manager of Magazines/Devotional Publishing and Womens Ministry Training, LifeWay Christian Resources
Katie Orr is one of my trusted sources for Bible studies, study tools, and biblical wisdom for women. Secrets of the Happy Soul is a welcome addition to my bookshelf.
Christine Hoover, author of With All Your Heart and podcast host of By Faith
Katie Orr is a phenomenal Bible teacher. Two things I really love about her: she is relatable and she always points me to Christ. She has helped me in my own daily devotional time in countless ways. You will be blessed by any and all of her resources.
Jessica Thompson, author and speaker
A delightfully deep look at what happiness means to Gods people. Katie Orr infuses her careful scholarship with practical steps and relatable stories, all wrapped in a warmhearted approach that says, Were in this together. And those six secrets? Worth reading about, worth learning about, and definitely worth telling others about.
Liz Curtis Higgs, bestselling author of Bad Girls of the Bible
I dont write a lot of recommendations. When I read a book, I want to know that the author has been a good and faithful student, not of life but of Gods Word. Katie Orr is that kind of person, that kind of friend, that kind of writer. Katie teaches us more than just what do to, but how and why, reminding us ever so tenderly that life in Christ isnt about doing better but being betterbeing a Happy Soul.
Whitney Capps, author of Sick of Me
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
2020 by Katie Orr
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2020
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2019051181
ISBN 978-1-4934-2287-6
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Christian Standard Bible, copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible and CSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
Scripture quotations labeled NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Cover design by Kara Klontz
Published in association with Jessica Kirkland and the literary agency of Kirkland Media Management, LLC
Dedication
To Chris.
My she-shed builder, kid wrangler,
dinner cooker, and sanity keeper.
I could not have completed
this book without you.
Thank you.
I love you.
Contents
Cover
Endorsements
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
The Happy Introduction
Part 1: About the Happy Soul
1. The Pursuit of Happiness
2. Happy! The Name of Gods People
3. The Perfect Portrait of Happiness
Part 2: The Secrets
Secret #1: The Happy Soul Is Focused on God
4. Focused
5. Believe Better
Soul Searching
Secret #2: The Happy Soul Is Resolved to Follow Gods Way
6. Resolved
7. Grasp Gods Way
Soul Searching
8. Attached
9. Enjoy Gods Word
Soul Searching
Secret #4: The Happy Soul Is Dependent on Gods Provision
10. Dependent
11. Develop Deep Roots
Soul Searching
Secret #5: The Happy Soul Is Confident in Who She Is
12. Confident
13. Pursue Your Purpose
Soul Searching
Secret #6: The Happy Soul Is Surrendered to Her King
14. Surrendered
15. Take Refuge
Soul Searching
The Happy Conclusion
Notes
About the Author
Back Cover
The Happy Introduction
From Stagnant to Flourishing
I love to work in my flower garden. I have no idea what to do with cucumbers and tomatoes, but give me a potted plant or a bed of bushes and Im a happy girl. I love digging things up and moving them around until it all looks just as I think it ought. My favorites lately have been succulents. Thanks to the wonder of YouTube, Ive learned how to care for and propagate them (make succulent babies) and keep them thriving.
This wasnt always the case. My first go-around with succulents was an epic failure. I purchased a variety of plants in a super-cool-looking pot, and I set the stunning collection in my living room. For several weeks I enjoyed their beauty. But after a while, the leaves of many of the succulents started falling off at the slightest touch. Some of the stems turned to mush. Other plants were growing really tall, really fast, making them look like a lanky inflatable tube man in front of a car dealership. My once-beautiful succulents quickly became a pot of rotting misfits.
After a bit of research, I gathered that I was overwatering the succulents and they were suffering from lack of sunlight. So I moved them all outside to a sunny window box, stopped watering them so much, and waited. The plants started growing again! Even little baby succulents began to show up.
My succulents were finally happy.