7-Week Bible Study
If you’ve ever felt like the joy, joy, joy, joy down in your heart has gone missing, then this book is for you.
Kathy Carlton Willis learned that happiness runs and hides, but joy remains when trials show up. Now she’s here to share these principles with you in The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy.
In each chapter:
- Grin with Joy tells real-life stories and observations. You’ll laugh at Kathy’s humorous confessions and wacky insights.
- Grow with Joy features a joy word study and workbook. Kathy explores what the Bible says and unpacks timely truths.
- Go with Joy offers life application. Pick the action steps that help you live a joy-filled life.
- Give with Joy equips you to share joy and meet the needs of others. This is when faith becomes ministry.
- Your Grin-with-Joy Challenge describes a joy-challenging scenario to solve.
Fun! Free Color Sheet (Click to Download)
Endorsements
With her trademark honesty, warmth, wit, and humor, Kathy inspires us to grin with joy, regardless of our circumstances. But she doesn’t stop there. I love how every chapter of The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy also encourages us to grow with joy, go with joy, and give with joy. This study challenges readers to apply the truths we’ve learned immediately in our everyday lives and then share them with others.”
—Christin Ditchfield, internationally syndicated radio host, conference speaker, and author of over 80 books, including What Women Should Know About Letting It Go
Kathy Carlton Willis writes stories from her open-book life in a way that makes me want to say, “She gets me! She really really gets me!” Because of her humorous outlook and honest confessions, I want to take a deeper look at how God’s joy works in and through me. If you’ve ever wished you could grin with joy despite overwhelming circumstances, this book is for you. I can highly recommend The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy for your own reading, or for a group setting.
—Pat Layton, author, Life Unstuck
How can a Bible study be simultaneously so thorough, so meaty, so thought provoking, and so entertaining? I’m not sure how Kathy pulled it off, but The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy is all those things and more. You’ll relate to the concepts whether you’re just starting your joy journey or are a seasoned traveler. Pick up this book if you want to be inspired not only to find more joy, but to create more joy in the lives of others.
—Dr. Thelma Wells (Mama T), speaker, author, A Woman of God Ministries
The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy had me giggling and nodding my head in commiseration. With truth and transparency, Kathy Carlton Willis strips off the layers and gets right to the heart of the matter of a choosing a joy-filled life. Like trying on swimsuits after a long, calorie-laden winter, Kathy grins and bares her soul in a way that reminds us that joy isn’t found in perfect circumstances, but in a perfect Christ. I highly recommend this study for everyone who longs for more laughter in their lives and more serenity in their spirits.
—Renae Brumbaugh Green, ECPA bestselling author and award-winning humor columnist
In trial and triumph, sorrow and celebration, joy is the Christian’s constant companion. Kathy captures this truth beautifully in The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy. Using humor, transparent stories and solid biblical studies, she shows how Jesus splashes his supernatural, abundant joy into our messy lives, and how the overflow of his joy can heal and transform others. Joy is surely the Spirit’s work within us, but it’s also our choice. What a practical, insightful and motivating book!
—Dawn Wilson, founder of Heart Choices Today, upgradewithdawn.com
Is your life missing the joy God promised? Kathy Carlton Willis shows you how to experience it in her new book The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy. This unique book is a delightful blend of heartwarming stories, Bible study, and practical, hands-on life application. Kathy is humorously serious about joy! She doesn’t just tell us why we can grin with joy, she shows us how to go out and live joyfully.
—Kathy Howard, speaker, Bible teacher and author of 8 Bible studies and devotionals
I was amazed at how many “joy” Scriptures Kathy Carlton Willis unveils from the Bible! You’ll have no doubt after reading The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy, that God wants us all living joy-filled lives. With Kathy’s trademark humor, personal stories, thought-provoking questions, prodding, and mentoring, you’ll find yourself wanting to grin and shout for joy no matter what your circumstances. You’ll relate to the concepts in this Bible study, wherever you are in your joy journey. Pick up this book if you want more joy of the Lord in your life, and then joyfully “serve it forward” to others.
—Janet Thompson, Woman to Woman Mentoring, speaker and author of 20 books including Everyday Brave: Living Courageously As a Woman of Faith
Paul exhorts us to “rejoice in the Lord always.” How is that one working out for you? Joy can be illusive when we are focused on our circumstances. The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy gives the solution: directing our gaze toward God, the true source and provider of joy. With relatable stories of finding joy even in the challenges of life, Kathy Carlton Willis leads the way with wonderful humor and refreshing honesty. Her joy is infectious! Get ready to grin with joy!
—Julie Zine Coleman, speaker and author, managing editor for Arise Daily (Advanced Writers and Speakers Assoc.) juliecoleman.org
The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy addresses the prickly places of life in a positive way, yet it doesn’t gloss over reality. I enjoyed Kathy’s stories, humor, and practical tips, but most of all, I appreciated her ability to touch my soul and soothe it with meaningful spiritual application. If you need a joy boost, then start smiling, because The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy will provide and surprise.
—Anita Agers Brooks, inspirational business/life coach, international speaker, and award-winning author of Getting Through What You Can’t Get Over
The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy will be my go-to resource when I find myself slipping out of God’s best and settling for a humdrum lifestyle. Kathy Carlton Willis put together a practical roadmap to joy with an easy blend of Bible word studies, comical and heartwarming stories and how-to tips. Joy naturally spills out of those carrying it onto those around them. The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy points the way to your next fill-up.
—Beth Patch, Spiritual Life Editor for CBN.com
Kathy Carlton Willis admits she seems to accumulate trials like valuable collectibles. Boy, can I relate! Can you? We might ask how it’s possible to operate out of a mindset of joy when the not-so-fun stuff of life hits us from every side. The good news is that in The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy, Kathy walks alongside us, encouraging us on our faith journey. Using experiential wisdom, plenty of Scripture, and a nice blend of humor and transparency, she shows us that yes, indeed, joy can be a reality in our lives. Whether studying her book alone or in a group setting, you—and the people around you—will be encouraged and blessed.
—Twila Belk, a writer and speaker who loves braggin’ on God. Author of The Power to Be: Be Still, Be Grateful, Be Strong, Be Courageous and seven other titles
The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy is one of the most relevant studies I’ve read on the topic of joy. I was really drawn in by Kathy’s personal stories. They opened up my eyes, ears and heart to be more receptive to what the Bible says about joy. Kathy doesn’t merely share stories for the sake of entertainment, but she ties them into Scripture in a way that challenges me to want to deliver more joy to others.
—Lynda T. Young, author of the You Are Not Alone Book series, Hope for Families of Children with Cancer, and Hope for Families of Children on the Autistic Spectrum
I was so excited to read another of Kathy’s books. Kathy always produces books chockfull of information, and The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy is no exception. With an insightful blend of biblical and practical principles, Kathy teaches us to respond with joy in the face of difficult circumstances. A must read for anyone who needs a little more joy in their lives.
—Michelle S. Lazurek, Two-time award winner of the children’s book of the year award for Daddy am I beautiful? and Uniquely You