40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life: Living the 4:8 Principle

by Tommy Newberry

Overview

No more waiting and hoping—Experience 4:8 thinking right now!
Drawing on the core message of the New York Times bestselling The 4:8 Principle, 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life is a fun and highly practical action plan providing readers with time-tested strategies and exercises for experiencing joy by design—God’s design. Fans of The 4:8 Principle will love the fresh format and timeless reinforcements offered in 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life, while new readers will be introduced to the life-changing power of The 4:8 Principle for the first time! All readers will benefit from the uniquely packaged inspiration and encouragement delivered in bite-size chunks for easy consumption and in a “sticky” style custom-made for easy retention and long-lasting joy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781414366906
Publisher:	Tyndale House Publishers
Publication date:	10/02/2012
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	363,603
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 6.90(h) x 0.50(d)

Read an Excerpt

40 DAYS to a Joy-Filled Life

LIVING THE 4:8 PRINCIPLE

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By TOMMY NEWBERRY

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Tommy Newberry
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4143-6690-6

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Chapter One

Day 1

THINK THIS, NOT THAT The Joy of Free Will

A HEALTHY BODY produces energy. Likewise, a healthy mind produces joy. This is not an accident. If you want to experience vibrant health and abundant energy, it is essential that you consume certain foods and drinks and refrain from consuming others. The same is true if you want to lose weight or put more muscle on your frame. You have to say yes to the foods that lead you toward your goal and no to those that lead you away. Very simply, you need to eat this, not that. And while, for the most part, this is now considered common sense, it is not always common practice for those desiring to reshape their physical bodies or increase their energy levels.

Progress toward joy begins the same way, with a firm decision to cut back on joy-reducing thoughts and increase joy-producing thoughts. In short, you have to change your mental diet. You have to think this, not that. After all, joy is the sum and substance of emotional health.

Many well-meaning individuals desire to be leaner or more energetic but then continue to indulge in a diet and lifestyle that takes them in the opposite direction. Consequently, they do not reach their goal. Many with the goal of increased joy run into the same predicament: they keep consuming a mental diet mismatched with their goal. In both instances, there is a major disconnect between desired objectives and daily behavior.

Joy is a state of mind that must be purposely cultivated if you are to live and love and influence others as God intended. Fortunately, joy does not depend on the outer conditions of your material life, but rather on the inner condition of your mental life. Joy is the result of something strikingly simple, though not necessarily easy: consistently thinking joy-producing thoughts.

Is this within your grasp? Is it even possible for anyone to accomplish? Before you answer, let me remind you that few endeavors worth pursuing come easily to anyone, and the attainment of a joy-filled spirit is no exception. There are risks in shooting for this gold standard of faith in action. There is a high price to be paid, and it must be paid in advance. Certain comfort thoughts will need to be relinquished. Counterproductive habits will need to be abandoned. Tenured excuses must be surrendered.

Since you are free to choose what you think about, and you have billions of options, what specific thoughts should you increase to become joy filled? What specific thoughts should you decrease? What kinds of thoughts will distress your soul? What types of thoughts will nourish and hydrate your soul?

At any given moment we can consciously choose to

• think excellent thoughts, not mediocre thoughts;

• think focused thoughts, not scattered thoughts;

• think fresh, exciting thoughts, not stale, boring thoughts;

• think compassionate thoughts, not harsh thoughts;

• think innovative thoughts, not common thoughts;

• think loving thoughts, not indifferent thoughts;

• think energetic thoughts, not exhausted thoughts;

• think constructive thoughts, not destructive thoughts;

• think helpful thoughts, not hurtful thoughts;

• think successful thoughts, not failure thoughts;

• think faith thoughts, not fear thoughts;

• think fit thoughts, not fat thoughts;

• think bold thoughts, not comfort thoughts;

• think opportunity thoughts, not security thoughts;

• think giving thoughts, not getting thoughts;

• think serving thoughts, not self-centered thoughts;

• think grateful thoughts, not entitled thoughts;

• think abundant thoughts, not lacking thoughts;

• think responsible thoughts, not irresponsible thoughts;

• think reconciliation thoughts, not retaliation thoughts;

• think principled thoughts, not popular thoughts;

• think positive thoughts, not negative thoughts;

• think thoughts of victory, not thoughts of defeat; or

• think about the promises of God, not the problems of this world.

Think about what you want, not what you don't want. Why is this required for joy-filled living? Very simply stated, we tend to bring about what we think about. As King Solomon counseled, "As [a person] thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7, NKJV).

Building on Solomon's wisdom, James Allen wrote that "the outer world of circumstance shapes itself to the inner world of thought, and both pleasant and unpleasant external conditions are factors which make for the ultimate good of the individual. As the reaper of his own harvest, man learns both by suffering and bliss."

It is my intention that during this forty-day regimen, you will start experiencing more of the bliss that is called joy-filled living. Starting today, release the need to hang on to thoughts that haven't worked well for you.

It is true that we can think this, not that!

ACTIVATE 4:8

Drill #1

Think about the person you intend to become. Then on the following page, identify a few specific thoughts that are incompatible (Not That column) with that vision. In the left-hand column, identify a handful of thoughts that are compatible (Think This column) and helpful. At the bottom, write a short sentence indicating your commitment to improve your thinking.

The Extra Mile

Invite a trusted friend to participate with you over the next forty days. Send a brief e-mail to each other before midnight every day sharing what you deem the most valuable concept or "aha moment" from that day's lesson. If possible, talk about the experience once per week by phone or over a cup of coffee.

Make It Stick: Thought of the Day

I am free t to choose my thoughts.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom to select my thoughts. Today, nudge me to think the right thoughts all day long. Amen.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from 40 DAYS to a Joy-Filled Life by TOMMY NEWBERRY Copyright © 2012 by Tommy Newberry. Excerpted by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

Acknowledgments....................vii
Introduction: I Should Have Had a 4:8....................ix
How to Use This Book....................xiii
DAY 1 Think This, Not That: The Joy of Free Will....................1
DAY 2 Deal or No Deal: The Joy of Decisiveness....................7
DAY 3 Hundreds of Problems, Millions of Blessings: The Joy of Perspective....................13
DAY 4 The Fifteen-Minute Miracle: The Joy of Daily Solitude....................19
DAY 5 That's How God Made Dogs: The Joy of Prudent Thinking....................25
DAY 6 Write Your Own Headlines: The Joy of Goals....................31
DAY 7 Focus Creates Feeling: The Joy of Awareness....................37
DAY 8 Stop Identity Theft: The Joy of Knowing Whose You Are....................43
DAY 9 Take a Vacation from Yourself: The Joy of Shaking It Up....................49
DAY 10 The Secret Studio: The Joy of Creation....................55
DAY 11 Harboring Gratitude: The Joy of Appreciation....................61
DAY 12 4:8 Your Mate!: The Joy of Marriage....................67
DAY 13 I'll Have What He's Having: The Joy of Curiosity....................75
DAY 14 The Gift of the Present: The Joy of Right Now....................81
DAY 15 Gratitude Schmatitude: The Profile of an Ingrate....................87
DAY 16 Feeling vs. Fact: The Joy of the Truth....................95
DAY 17 Hunting Rats: The Joy of Being Battle Ready....................101
DAY 18 Acknowledge and Challenge: The Joy of Emotional Strength....................107
DAY 19 Just Exchange It: The Joy of an Easy Return Policy....................115
DAY 20 Visualize God's Blessings!: The Joy of Imagination....................121
DAY 21 A Cry for Help: The Joy of Compassion....................127
DAY 22 We Are Sponges: The Joy of Our Surroundings....................135
DAY 23 What Did You Eat for Dinner Last Night?: The Joy of Quality Questions....................141
DAY 24 Whatever Your Hand Finds to Do: The Joy of Excellent Work....................149
DAY 25 To Advance, First Retreat: The Joy of Reflection....................157
DAY 26 Stop and Drop: The Joy of Restraint....................165
DAY 27 Don't Sweat the Big Stuff, Either: The Joy of Conquering Mountains....................171
DAY 28 Words of Mass Destruction: The Joy of Speaking Life....................177
DAY 29 Way to Go!: The Joy of Other People's Success....................185
DAY 30 Affirming God's Goodness: The Joy of Telling the Truth....................193
DAY 31 Motion Rules Emotion: The Joy of Self-Discipline....................199
DAY 32 You Are Good at Certain Stuff for a Reason: The Joy of Using Your Strengths....................205
DAY 33 What's Your Goal: The Joy of Being His Greatest Creation....................211
DAY 34 The Master's Mind: The Joy of His Thoughts....................217
DAY 35 God Will Be Cheering!: The Joy of Discovery....................223
DAY 36 Own, Starve, Retreat: The Joy of Solutions....................231
DAY 37 The Mentalist: The Joy of Focus....................239
DAY 38 Routine or Exceptional: The Joy of Thanksgiving....................245
DAY 39 Cut the Clutter: The Joy of Simplicity....................251
DAY 40 Occupy God Street: The Joy of His Presence....................261
Notes....................271
About the Author....................272

What People are Saying About This

Eva Piper

In 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life, Tommy Newberry lays out a plan for making joy an everyday experience. Timeless truths mixed with real life examples make this book fun to read and highly practical.

Jeremie Kubicek

Simple, relevant, and powerful, the 4:8 message continues to touch lives in deep and meaningful ways. If you want to live each day with more joy, then read 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life.

Doctor - Jeanne Mayo

The 4:8 Principle is one of only a small handful of books that have deeply influenced me over the last decade. I have shared it with many friends and thousands of youth leaders across the country. In 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life, Tommy Newberry amplifies his call for joy and shows us, step by step, how to activate 4:8 throughout our lives. Read this book and spread the joy!

Cecil Murphey

This is a book for serious people—for Christians who hunger for “something more” and are willing to exert effort to fulfill that yearning.

Tim Sanders

In less than six weeks, Tommy Newberry will change your life from the inside out. In a world where we measure transformation in years, this book is literally a Godsend.

Dr. Jeanne Mayo

The 4:8 Principle is one of only a small handful of books that have deeply influenced me over the last decade. I have shared it with many friends and thousands of youth leaders across the country. In 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life, Tommy Newberry amplifies his call for joy and shows us, step by step, how to activate 4:8 throughout our lives. Read this book and spread the joy!

Bryant Wright

If we desire more joy, then we need to line up our thinking with the apostle Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:8. Tommy coaches us to put this powerful principle into practice! With 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life, you’ll be inspired to leave your comfort zone behind and start living in the joy zone.

Janet Parshall

What Tommy has captured so beautifully in 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life is how Philippians 4:8 serves to get joyless, critical thinking under control. This book reminds us all that we have a choice when it comes to our thought life and that right choices generate right attitudes. Prepare to be challenged! If you want revolutionary thinking, then read this book!

Don Piper

Tommy Newberry’s book 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life is a surefire primer for finding authentic joy in the center of God’s will. And thank the Lord, Tommy is honoring God by writing books like this one.

Jon Gordon

Straight to the point and fun to read, 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life will inspire you to think differently about . . . everything! Read this book and feel the joy.

Greg L. Jantz

In 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life, Tommy Newberry makes experiencing joy simple and achievable for everyone. Follow Tommy’s game plan—live the 4:8 principle for forty days—and you’ll be amazed at the transformation . . . and so will everyone around you!

Doctor - Tim Elmore

40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life shows you how to guide, guard, and gauge your thoughts every day. Tommy communicates convincingly that if we can harness what goes on in our minds, joy can be the norm in our lives; the rule, not the exception.

Gregory A. Dale

40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life is a powerful and practical resource. It is a must read for anyone interested in improving their quality of life and their relationship with God.

Jeff Mullen

If you want to experience a joy-filled life, I challenge you to not only read but put into practice the wisdom in 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life. Tommy has a way of provoking, challenging, and inspiring that has transformed my life as a husband, a father, and a pastor. I hope you experience the same journey.

Dr. Tim Elmore

40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life shows you how to guide, guard, and gauge your thoughts every day. Tommy communicates convincingly that if we can harness what goes on in our minds, joy can be the norm in our lives; the rule, not the exception.

Editorial Reviews

Think this, not that
Just as a healthy body produces energy, a healthy mind produces joy. This is not an accident! If you want to experience vibrant health and abundant energy, you need to eat certain foods while refraining from others. Likewise, if you want to experience abundant joy, you need to change your mental diet. Simply put, you have to think this, not that. And with God’s help, you can.

This book is not about thinking the way most people think. It is about thinking the way few people think!

Building on the core message of the New York Times bestseller The 4:8 Principle, 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life is a collection of inspiring daily readings, provocative questions, and practical guided exercises designed to help you think, speak, and act in ways that directly result in abundant joy and equip you to handle even the most desperate times and difficult people.

The blissful, stress-free existence you’ve always wanted is just forty short days away—so let’s get started.

It’s time to unlock the secret to a joy-filled life!

From the Publisher