Finding My Joy

By Misty Dearing

Finding My Joy is a memoir about overcoming trauma, experiencing inner peace, and finding joy in the midst of not only the difficult times but also in the daily routine of life.

Have you gone through trauma, loss, abuse of any kind, mental or physical health struggles? Have you felt lost and alone, wondering where God was? Do you want to know the path to freedom, peace, healing, and ultimately joy? This book takes a deep dive into all those experiences and more.

You’re invited to come along on the journey. Who knows, maybe you’ll find what you’re looking for—and hopefully so much more! Join Misty as she shares her life experiences, points out the things that can steal your joy, and gives practical advice on what you can do to find your own inner peace, healing, and joy. Come—you’ve been prayed for!

In Finding My Joy, Misty Dearing tells her story with candid sensitivity. She brings clarity and hope not only to those who have suffered similar experiences but also to all who love them. 

—Sharon Callister-Huebner

Counselor, Mentor, Support Group Facilitator, and Author

After reading Misty’s book, I have a new perspective on my own life experiences. Anyone who has lived through any of the things she touches on will come to realize, through reading her book, that it’s okay to talk about these things, and there is healing available!

—Tom Dearing

Soulmate/Husband since September 26, 2020

When my mom told me she was writing a book about her life, I just had to offer to help with the cover design. Throughout my life, I’ve witnessed my mother’s struggles as well as her healing. I believe my mom’s life has been much like the growth of a flower—sprouting from the cold ground, weathering adversity, and blooming into new life. Lilies are my mom’s favorite flowers, so they were a natural choice, but they are also a symbol of fresh life and rebirth—which happen to be a direct result of her healing journey. I’m very proud of my mom! I hope you learn something from her story—I know I have.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798891301313

Book preview

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Finding My Joy

Misty Dearing

ISBN 979-8-89130-130-6 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89130-131-3 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Misty Dearing

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

All scripture cited is from the NIV (New International Version) Bible translation.

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

This book is dedicated to the four loves of my life—Tom, Josiah, Eli, and Micah—and to Andrea, who has helped me navigate the past and present as well as give me hope for my future. Thank you; I wouldn't be who I am without you!

I also want to say a special thank you to my friend, Sharon, who spent many hours praying over this book.

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Epilogue

About the Author

This book is dedicated to the four loves of my life—Tom, Josiah, Eli, and Micah—and to Andrea, who has helped me navigate the past and present as well as give me hope for my future. Thank you; I wouldn't be who I am without you!

I also want to say a special thank you to my friend, Sharon, who spent many hours praying over this book.

Prologue

Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

—James 1:2–3

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him will have everlasting life.

—John 3:16

When I look back over my life, I see trauma, heartache, and a whole lot of things that should never have happened to me. But I also see the many incredible ways in which God walked with me (or carried me) every step of the way. He is so faithful! He is who the Bible says he is. He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. In my loneliest times, I was never alone. In my saddest times, he wept with me. In my happy times, he rejoiced with me. Over the course of the last few years, he has been teaching me how he sees me, how unconditional and how abundant his love is for me, and how to find joy. This book is not a representation of all the bad that can happen in life. Instead, it is a story of love—God's love—and his redeeming power to save and bring joy!

Heavenly Father, I pray over each soul that reads these words. I pray that you will speak through me. Thank you for your faithfulness, mercy, grace, unconditional love, and joy! In your precious name, amen.

Chapter 1

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

—John 16:33

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

—Proverbs 22:6

The farm was a happy, peaceful place full of love, laughter, and learning about God. Granny and Papa were in their mid-forties when I was born. I was the first grandchild. They were part of everyday life for my first three years. When I was little, it seemed the farm was huge. There was the farmhouse, a garage, a large pole shed, the small pig barn, the cow barn with a milk house attached, the hay barn, and a small one-bedroom house. My mom had grown up in the main house with three sisters and a brother. The small house was built when my mom was a little girl. It was built by my papa and his brothers for their parents to live in their late years. This little house is where I came to live after I was born. I have memories of being that 2 1/2 year old waking up in the morning and running across the driveway to see Granny and Papa, have pancakes for breakfast, and then follow Papa out to the barn.

As I grew up, I would spend weekends, school breaks, and at least a month every summer with them. This was my happy place. Granny taught me how to cook, bake, and play cards. Papa taught me how to drive a tractor and help bale hay. They both taught me the love of Jesus and what he did for me on the cross. I helped feed animals, I played in the mud with the pigs, and I helped in the garden. Granny and I rode bikes together and took walks in the woods and collected rocks from the gravel pit. We watched game shows and colored. It was the place I felt safest in the world.

Although Granny and Papa have both gone home to heaven, the farm remains in the family as my mom bought the four-acre homestead. The house has changed in many ways since she moved in. A couple of things that are significant to me that I miss from how Granny and Papa had it are a large picture in the living room of an angel watching over children crossing a bridge and a hand-painted plate that Papa and I had done together one summer that had hung on the wall in the kitchen. I've often thought about that picture in times when I've needed comfort. Even though these things are gone, I'm so grateful that it's still a place I can go where I feel loved, safe, and comfortable.

Through this farm and these people, I fell in love with the great I Am. This foundation is how I made it through the many struggles that life has thrown my way. Jesus never said that life would be easy or that we'd always be happy. In fact, he specifically said, In this life you will have troubles. The good news is he also promises to see us through all the troubles. He will never leave us or forsake us. We're all human. We all have hurts. We all fall short. But I have more good news—we are all forgiven! Perspective in this life is crucial. One of the things I've had to learn is that unfortunately, people who are hurting tend to hurt others. Once we understand that, it helps us forgive others and ourselves. It does not excuse bad behavior or take away the hardship we've felt because of it. However, it does give a measure of compassion not only for others but for ourselves. Through Christ, there is no condemnation but a spirit of love! I hope as you read this book, you will see how I've found healing, growth, and even joy because of the love of Christ. Thank you for taking this journey with me!

Lord, I ask that you will speak through these words. I ask that whatever it is you have for me and for those reading, we would be able to hear your voice through all the chatter in life. There is a reason you've given me the desire to write these