Nicole Jacobsmeyer - Take Back Your Joy: Fighting for Purpose When Life Is More Than You Can Handle

What people are saying about

Take Back Your Joy

If you feel discouraged, overwhelmed, confused, or discontent in your circumstances, this book is for you. Nicole writes with vulnerability about her incredible journey through loss, uncertainty, and a surprising diagnosis that would ultimately leave her clinging to the promises of God, more dependent on His grace, and with a passion to encourage others. Her life testifies to His presence in suffering, purpose in pain, and a God who wont let go.

Alisha Illian, author of Chasing Perfect, founder of The Gospel Changes Everything

Nicole is one of the most extraordinary young women I have ever met. She has overcome so much yet walks in so much wisdom. She has not wasted one thing she has survived. This book is a must-read.

Sheri Rose Shepherd, award-winning author

Nicole Jacobsmeyers book is about a real God who is present in our real lives. Things happen to all of ussometimes hard things. Beautifully and sensitively written, Nicoles practical and insightful book guides us to have faith in a God who can fill our lives with joyno matter.

Nancie Carmichael, author of Selah and Surviving One Bad Year

Buckle up as Nicole takes us on a journey fueled by the character of God and the hopeful message of the gospel. These pages may smell like smoke because she has been through the fire, and it has refined her. How do we love, serve, or forgive, even amid a life that is more than we can handle? Nicole shows us through story backed by biblical principles. Take Back Your Joy is a timely and necessary message for the church.

Rebecca George, host of Radical Radiance podcast, author, and speaker

In a world of painful circumstances, we need the depth and faith of grounded women like Nicole. Reading this book felt as if I had just listened to a lifelong friend pour out her heart and her story of pain, trauma, and triumphand I was hanging on every word. In todays world and culture, I crave honesty, depth, and biblical soundness. Nicole offers all threewith a sense of humor! She weaves Scripture and stories from the Bible throughout her own story, drawing parallels and lessons from the pages of Gods Word to her own life. Nicoles story is worth reading, and her faith will leave you challenged and inspired.

Nancy Ray, host of the Work and Play podcast

Nicole tackles tough topics with biblical truth. Her encouragement is relatable and restorative for rediscovering true joyGod-given joy!

Sarah Molitor, author, social media influencer

Nicole Jacobsmeyer

Books for Courageous Women from David C Cook

TAKE BACK YOUR JOY

Published by Esther Press

An Imprint of David C Cook

4050 Lee Vance Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.

Integrity Music Limited, a Division of David C Cook

Brighton, East Sussex BN1 2RE, England

ESTHER PRESS and the EP graphic are trademarks of David C Cook.

All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes, no part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form without written permission from the publisher.

The website addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These websites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of David C Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.

Details in some stories have been changed to protect the identities of the persons involved.

Bible credits are listed in the back of the book.

Library of Congress Control Number 2022933379

ISBN 978-0-8307-8287-1

eISBN 978-0-8307-8288-8

2022 Nicole Jacobsmeyer

Published in association with The Bindery Agency, www.TheBinderyAgency.com.

The Team: Susan McPherson, Stephanie Bennett, Judy Gillispie, James Hershberger, Angela Messinger, Susan Murdock

Cover Design: James Hershberger

Cover Photo: Getty Images

First Edition 2022

062822

Dedicated to my best friend and husband, Andrew.

Without you this book wouldnt be possible.

And to my four precious and strong kids.

May Christ always be your rock and joy

regardless of what life brings your way.

To the Reader

Thank you so much for picking up this book! Ive been praying specifically for you for years. While these pages are filled with hope, encouragement, and Scripture, this book also contains some difficult topics. Life can be so hard sometimes, but lets talk about it and fight for the joy, freedom, and victory that are found only in Christ.

One of my familys most sacred traditions is looking for sea glass on the Connecticut shoreline. What started as a way of entertaining my two energetic boys in the season of cancellations and closures at the beginning of the pandemic has become one of our favorite pastimes and a tradition we are carrying forward as a family. When I hold the pieces of glass that have been worn down by the salt and sand, their edges rounded and their texture smooth, I wonder if this is exactly what God is doing for us: smoothing out our sharp edges. Sea glass tells the story of the cross. Jesus, broken and crushed, became our greatest treasure. Its a tangible reminder of what Gods love has been doing all along: making us into something new.

None of us knows what our particular brand of struggle will be in this life. To be human is to know pain, and there is no cure for the human condition. No, we cant eradicate pain from our lives. But when we encounter suffering, we do get to choose what we do with it. Will we react to the feeling in a way that leaves us struggling with the very pain we were trying to avoid? Or will we let our hurt draw us close to the heart of Goda God who took human form to know and absorb our painwhere we can be transformed? Will we let our struggles shape our hearts and form us into something new? Will we be good stewards of our pain?

I wish Id had Nicoles truth-filled reminders during my own season of hardshipthe same reminders that you will find in these pages. This book encouraged me to trust that we dont need to know what is going to happen in this life; we just need to get to know God. Nicoles words will inspire you to not simply settle for knowing about God but rather will move you to know God and His Word and to pursue a vibrant relationship with Jesus. And it is here that we find joy that extends beyond the boundaries of our circumstances.

Nicoles candor gave me the permission I craved to speak with honesty about what hurts. And her practical wisdom reminded me that joy is found in celebrating who God is, becoming more like Him, and living right in the center of His will. These pages are a hope-filled anthem that will remind you that the good life is a life lived with God right where you are.

Survivors have the most beautiful hearts. Nicole is a survivor. Nicole has been a good steward of her pain and has generously shared her growth with us here, gently showing each of us a new way.