As the year comes to a close, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the goals, habits, and experiences of the past twelve months while planning for what lies ahead. When we view our lives through the lens of growing in Christ, our prayer echoes 2 Peter 3:18: to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
In Delighting in Jesus: Rhythms to Restore Joy When You Feel Burdened, Broken or Burned-Out Asheritah Ciuciu invites us to deepen our delight in Christ by practicing rhythms that draw our hearts and minds toward Him. While spiritual disciplines may not be a new concept for many, this book offers fresh insights that encourage us to reflect on how we’re currently walking in grace and obedience—and how we can continue to grow in the year ahead.
Spiritual Disciplines for Everyday Joy: A Book Review of Delighting in Jesus
Content
Content
Purpose of the Book
The author helps us reflect on how God delights in us and the practical ways we delight in him.
Table of Contents
Part One: Created for Delight
1. Where Did All My Joy Go?
2. The God Who Delights
3. God Cares About Your Joy
Part Two: Rhythms to Restore Joy
4. Restoring Your Brain’s Pathway to Joy
5. Delighting in the Heart of God: Worship
6. Practicing Jesus’ Rhythm of Worship
7. Delighting in the Revelation of God: Word
8. Practicing Jesus’ Rhythm of the Word
9. Delighting in Communion with God: Whisper
10. Practicing Jesus’ Rhythm of Whisper
11. Delighting in the Gifts of God: Wonder
12. Practicing Jesus’ Rhythm of Wonder
13. Delighting in Obedience to God: Walking
14. Practicing Jesus’ Rhythm of Walking
Part Three: Our Joy Fulfilled
15. This Is Our Happily Ever After
Summary
In the first section, she introduces us to the God of joy, who created us to experience and reflect His joy. Though life's burdens often threaten to steal it, she points us to the grace of His presence as the ultimate answer. In the next section, she explores five disciplines—worship, the Word, wonder, whisper, and walking—offering creative and practical ideas to weave them into our daily routines. Finally, the last chapter reminds us that our deepest and most lasting joy will be fully realized when Christ returns to establish His kingdom.
My Take
When I reviewed my 2023 reflection, one prompt stood out: “What do you want to take with you into 2024?” My answer was simple but profound: Joy.
Around this time last year, a group of women gathered in my home for a short Advent study on joy. It was a season where I teetered on the edge of burnout, worn thin by the demands of life. And yet, I felt the weight of shame whispering, “You should be filled with joy right now.” That study became a refuge—a space to reflect and learn what it truly means to have joy in Christ. My biggest takeaway? Joy isn’t a feeling but an awareness of God’s grace and favor.
Yes, we’ve been in the thick of holiday busyness, juggling distractions we often don’t even notice. It’s like walking around with broccoli in your teeth or a zipper left down—oblivious until someone or something points it out. Burdens, brokenness, and burnout work much the same way, quietly stealing our joy by keeping our focus inward. The thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, as John’s Gospel warns us, is relentless in his efforts.
That doesn’t mean we won’t experience deep sorrow, spirals of anxiety, or fatigue. But fixing our eyes on the truth of joy reminds us that it’s less about fleeting happiness and more about resting in God’s sufficient grace and believing He is enough.
Carrying joy into 2024 led me to another Bible study, this time on Philippians, where our central theme was joy. This season bore fruit beyond what I imagined, equipping me with a grace-filled mindset to navigate challenges and unexpected opportunities alike.
Now, as I prepare for 2025, I’m still clinging to joy. My plan includes habits and goals designed not to strive on my own strength but to rely on God’s grace—to place myself before Him in the Word, in prayer, and in obedience. I want to walk with Him—both literally and figuratively—in joy and discipline for His glory and the good of those around me.
As you step into 2025, I pray you’ll discover the joy found in Christ Jesus, a joy that permeates your heart and mind and equips you to face the year ahead.
My Recommendation
This book is an excellent choice to kick off the year as you reflect on and plan habits to deepen your walk with the Lord.
Filled with stories and illustrations, the author's engaging writing style draws readers in. Unlike many other books on spiritual disciplines, this one emphasizes creative approaches and practical insights on habit-building, making it both refreshing and accessible.
Quick Stats
# of Pages: 271
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 4 stars
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Scriptures About Delighting in the Lord
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God (Ps. 43:4)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16:11)
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh.8:10)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil.4:8)
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*A big thanks to Moody Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book and for the opportunity to post an honest review.