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Take Back Your Joy: Fighting for Purpose When Life Is More Than You Can Handle
Esther Press Presents Take Back Your Joy by Nicole Jacobsmeyer
Have you ever wondered where God is when life is hard, joy is gone, and you have more tears than tissues?
Does it feel like your circumstances are more than you can handle?
YOU’RE NOT ALONE!
What if in your darkest moments you
• Embrace a clear sense of purpose
• Stay grounded in God’s Word
• Serve others with gratitude
• Choose forgiveness—again and again
• Discover the freedom of giving up control
In Take Back Your Joy , Nicole Jacobsmeyer shares 10 steps that grew her from defeated and ill-prepared for relentless trials, to living as a joy-filled reflection of God’s faithfulness.
Discover God’s purpose in your pain and find joy again even where you least expect it.
Have you ever wondered where God is when life is hard, joy is gone, and you have more tears than tissues?
Does it feel like your circumstances are more than you can handle?
YOU’RE NOT ALONE!
What if in your darkest moments you
• Embrace a clear sense of purpose
• Stay grounded in God’s Word
• Serve others with gratitude
• Choose forgiveness—again and again
• Discover the freedom of giving up control
In Take Back Your Joy , Nicole Jacobsmeyer shares 10 steps that grew her from defeated and ill-prepared for relentless trials, to living as a joy-filled reflection of God’s faithfulness.
Discover God’s purpose in your pain and find joy again even where you least expect it.
224 pages, Paperback
Published October 4, 2022
23 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 1, 2025
A helpful reminder for me that God sees me and loves me deeply. Joy is for me too. There are some good reminders for those seeking to rediscover what it means to live joyously despite pain.
October 4, 2022
Take Back Your Joy, by Nicole Jacobsmeyer is a honest journey through life's difficult moments and finding peace in those challenges. If you have ever struggled or are struggling to get through those difficult seasons of life, this book is a game changer. The connection to Jesus that Nicole brings forth is knowledgeable, relatable, and truly encapsulates all that there is to be thankful for to bring back your joy. If you haven't already, you need to read this book!
August 29, 2022
Nicole is one of my best friends & I got an advanced reader copy. I absolutely loved this book. Nicole walks you through her story & the beautiful truths of God as He walks through life with each of us. I’m so thankful for Nicole’s willingness to be honest & share Truth. This is a beautiful read & truly inspiring, encouraging, and hope-filled! I highly recommend this book 💕💕
May 21, 2025
I've said it once and I'll say it again: when a book is put in my hands at the exact time I need it, I thank God. At a recent church conference this spring, a special mentor to me handed me Take Back Your Joy after learning I lost my job. I started each morning the past few weeks at 5am reading a few pages, savoring every word.
I don't think I'm the only one who feels like God often isn't close by when we're going through a trial or challenge in our life. Joke's on me because that's the exact opposite of where He is. (I'd also argue that He is always close by!) Jacobsmeyer's book beautifully reminded me of where to put my trust and that no matter what, He has a plan.
"No one understands the weight of the world - including the sorrow, loss, and devastation we face - more than Jesus. We can lean on Him. The one thing we know is that He is always with us, orchestrating a bigger plan than we could imagine."
Take Back Your Joy reinforces the notion that even in the midst of difficult times, there is still joy to be found and praise to be given. God uses the hard things to draw us closer to Him and all for good.
This stuck with me, too: "Our lives are always better with Jesus; our lives are never better when we're in control."
It isn't easy to stay positive and hopeful when you've lost your job, gotten a divorce, learned of a cancer diagnosis, ended a friendship ... whatever the situation may be. But when we put our trust in the Lord and know that He sees all, we can cling to Him to get us through. What solace it brings!
This book lifted my spirits immensely! If you know someone going through a difficult time, give this to them. Remind them that our purpose in life is to live for the Lord and give Him all glory. He didn't promise us a bed of roses, but He promised to be with us no matter what. Such comfort to my soul!
I don't think I'm the only one who feels like God often isn't close by when we're going through a trial or challenge in our life. Joke's on me because that's the exact opposite of where He is. (I'd also argue that He is always close by!) Jacobsmeyer's book beautifully reminded me of where to put my trust and that no matter what, He has a plan.
"No one understands the weight of the world - including the sorrow, loss, and devastation we face - more than Jesus. We can lean on Him. The one thing we know is that He is always with us, orchestrating a bigger plan than we could imagine."
Take Back Your Joy reinforces the notion that even in the midst of difficult times, there is still joy to be found and praise to be given. God uses the hard things to draw us closer to Him and all for good.
This stuck with me, too: "Our lives are always better with Jesus; our lives are never better when we're in control."
It isn't easy to stay positive and hopeful when you've lost your job, gotten a divorce, learned of a cancer diagnosis, ended a friendship ... whatever the situation may be. But when we put our trust in the Lord and know that He sees all, we can cling to Him to get us through. What solace it brings!
This book lifted my spirits immensely! If you know someone going through a difficult time, give this to them. Remind them that our purpose in life is to live for the Lord and give Him all glory. He didn't promise us a bed of roses, but He promised to be with us no matter what. Such comfort to my soul!
August 24, 2023
Take Back Your Joy is a christian self-help book by the author Nicole Jacobsmeyer, who has a passion for helping and equipping women to stand firm, walk faithfully, and live full of joy regardless of their circumstances. In this book, Nicole shares her journey through some of the most trying circumstances of her life and how she overcame them to find peace. Nicole urges the readers to continue fighting for joy even when life seems too much for them by sharing her challenges and stories of how God helped her overcome the difficulties in each chapter.
By being honest and sharing her own struggles, Nicole encourages readers to press on when all seems lost. No matter what challenges life presents, she believes that God is magnificent and that we may find enduring joy and purpose in him. No matter what God sends into our lives, she assures us, he is good. Nicole tells her incredible tale of struggles and suffering with an honest humility that will capture your attention right immediately. The way Nicole writes makes it easy to understand biblical concepts. Whether you have previously struggled or are currently struggling to get through those difficult periods in life, this book is a game changer. Nicole's relationship with Jesus is well-informed, approachable, and honestly embodies all that you ought to be thankful for in order to restore your joy. If you haven't already, you must read this book. Highly recommend from my side.
By being honest and sharing her own struggles, Nicole encourages readers to press on when all seems lost. No matter what challenges life presents, she believes that God is magnificent and that we may find enduring joy and purpose in him. No matter what God sends into our lives, she assures us, he is good. Nicole tells her incredible tale of struggles and suffering with an honest humility that will capture your attention right immediately. The way Nicole writes makes it easy to understand biblical concepts. Whether you have previously struggled or are currently struggling to get through those difficult periods in life, this book is a game changer. Nicole's relationship with Jesus is well-informed, approachable, and honestly embodies all that you ought to be thankful for in order to restore your joy. If you haven't already, you must read this book. Highly recommend from my side.
February 10, 2023
I had high hopes for this book, but I really struggled through. It’s clear that Nicole had been through a lot of painful things in life, but it felt a little…preachy…for anyone currently in a dark season. In fact, at one point Nicole even writes that if the reader is in a season of depression, she’s sorry (and that’s it). Her only encouragement is that if we’re still breathing, God’s not done with us yet.
My struggle with this book might very well come from my own life season of pain and suffering, so it’s possible this book would sit with me differently in other seasons. Instead, I walked away feeling even more confused about how my faith informs my perception of hardship, and if I’m not joyful right now, then I’m not walking with the lord as I should be. And that’s certainly not the takeaway I was hoping for. I already do many of the things Nicole advises, and I’m still struggling.
So all of that is to say—if you’re picking up this book because you need hope in this season, just be wary. It might be good for you, but it definitely was not one I would recommend.
My struggle with this book might very well come from my own life season of pain and suffering, so it’s possible this book would sit with me differently in other seasons. Instead, I walked away feeling even more confused about how my faith informs my perception of hardship, and if I’m not joyful right now, then I’m not walking with the lord as I should be. And that’s certainly not the takeaway I was hoping for. I already do many of the things Nicole advises, and I’m still struggling.
So all of that is to say—if you’re picking up this book because you need hope in this season, just be wary. It might be good for you, but it definitely was not one I would recommend.
November 11, 2024
(I am a slow non fiction reader.) This book was a beautiful, Christ centered picture of walking with the Lord through suffering, with actionable steps at the end of each chapter. I found it helpful to reorient my attitude toward joy, while knowing that there is some suffering that we won’t understand the “why” until we’re on the other side of heaven. This book doesn’t offer an easy answer or empty platitudes of “just have faith” or “the best is yet to come,” but instead focuses on asking ourselves the necessary questions:
will we allow God to bring purpose through pain?
Will we let Him be in control, or are we fighting Him for control of our own lives?
We will be humble and stand on the truth of the gospel?
Will we allow every trial to drive us away from the Lord?
Or will we lean into His loving embrace, through every circumstance, whether good, bad, or ugly?
Highly recommend this book for its solid gospel message, Christ centered approach, and the beautiful message of fighting for joy in every circumstance.
will we allow God to bring purpose through pain?
Will we let Him be in control, or are we fighting Him for control of our own lives?
We will be humble and stand on the truth of the gospel?
Will we allow every trial to drive us away from the Lord?
Or will we lean into His loving embrace, through every circumstance, whether good, bad, or ugly?
Highly recommend this book for its solid gospel message, Christ centered approach, and the beautiful message of fighting for joy in every circumstance.
October 4, 2022
Packed with biblical truth and practical application, Nicole chronicles a journey that entailed an assault, depression, a miscarriage and her battler with cancer. After a decade of relentless trials, when life felt like more than she could handle, she took her doubts, pain and questions to God. As a friend and fellow journeyman, she offers insight and biblical perspective into choosing forgiveness, surrendering control, serving others and fighting for Joy when it all feels like it's too much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2022
We live in a broken world. But God hasn’t given up on us. In this world we will have trouble, but Jesus has over come. Our pain has purpose. I’m so grateful for Nicole’s story. Her circumstances in her short life have been so difficult, but she is shining her light and giving God the glory. God hasn’t wasted her pain, and He wont waste ours. We just need to give Him the broken pieces. I’m ready to hand mine over now. Thank you for this beautiful reminder Nicole.
August 13, 2024
This book was so encouraging - the author is genuine and uses her own life struggles to lead the reader to Biblical truths when entrapped in the lowest and darkest seasons. There was so much that I related to and the author continually pointed to the truth that can change us within in spite the most difficult circumstances that life can bring. If you are a woman who is fighting for joy this book will help you!
February 18, 2023
Amazing faith
This was an excellent testimony about how even when we may be faced with trial after trial, God is there and will bring us through anything we face. Highly recommend. I read this as part of a study with the author herself, which was awesome. Hope she keeps writing!
This was an excellent testimony about how even when we may be faced with trial after trial, God is there and will bring us through anything we face. Highly recommend. I read this as part of a study with the author herself, which was awesome. Hope she keeps writing!
February 20, 2023
Joy restored!
Nicole shares her heart and struggles to help guide you back to finding your joy. Her raw emotions and biblical insights pair together to create a safe place for you to explore your hurts and seek joy.
Nicole shares her heart and struggles to help guide you back to finding your joy. Her raw emotions and biblical insights pair together to create a safe place for you to explore your hurts and seek joy.
August 11, 2023
This book was so good. It was soft to my soul in parts and challenged the heck out of me in others. If you’re in a season of life that feels like a struggle or you are having a hard time finding joy, this book may help a lot.
December 6, 2022
Excellent read!
January 22, 2025
Truly an eye opener that had changed my life. I will come back to this often. 🩷
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews