Linda Evans Shepherd’s ‘Make Time for Joy’

The tragic death of a daughter launched a mother’s quest to find inner joy.

Linda Evans Shepherd is a firm believer in the power of prayer. Her latest book, Make Time for Joy: Scripture-Powered Prayers to Brighten Your Day, can be looked at as a daily devotional or as a resource to turn to in times of need. 

“I took these scriptures, paraphrased them in modern vernacular, and put them into conversational prayers,” she said in a recent interview with SAconnects. 

The concept 

The colorful book is divided into five sections: “Joy Builders,” “Defeating Joy Stealers,” “Reclaiming Joy,” “Living into Joy,” and “Worship into Joy.” 

Each section offers 14 to 18 paraphrased prayers. Each prayer takes the form of a short, insightful letter to the Lord presented on the left-hand page. Opposite are the scripture passages that served as inspiration. The passages come from a diverse library of modern Bible translations. 

“I’m praying against a lot of negative and situational things,” Shepherd said. The section on “Defeating Joy Stealers,” for example, addresses anger, anxiety, confusion, discouragement, fear, and more. “A lot of people are using the book as a morning devotional. This is so important because in this format, the scriptures come alive. They’re powerful, and they bring joy despite your circumstances.” 

This is an interesting concept, given how “choosing joy” is frequently code for gritting one’s teeth and working through difficult circumstances. So, the question arises, Is there a difference between happiness and joy? 

Happiness versus joy 

“Happiness is when you win a big award. But it doesn’t carry over into your everyday life,” Shepherd said. “Joy is something that you experience as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. That’s why the Word is so important because the Word is empowered by the Holy Spirit. 

“So, joy is a supernatural occurrence in your soul because of the Word of God and because of your connection with God. You are giving Him your burdens, and you are experiencing joy through the power of His Holy Spirit, the Word, and prayer.” 

This idea can still sound like a contradiction. For many of us, it needs clarification. To explore the concept further, Shepherd offered her own story, which is not included in her book. 

“I lost my daughter about seven years ago,” Shepherd said. She believes an aggressive palliative care process led to her daughter’s premature death. Although chronically ill, her daughter died amid growing controversy regarding such hospital policies. 

“It was preventable, but I couldn’t prevent it. I could be sitting at home with a box of Kleenex, even today. It was a powerful loss. But I chose joy. I said, ‘Lord, I give you my grief. I choose your joy.’ 

“Little by little, my grief lifted, and I was able to smile and laugh and enjoy myself.” Paraphrasing the prophet Nehemiah, she continued, “I will always have that pain of loss, but it’s not going to rule my life because the joy of the Lord is my strength.” 

Prayers that speak to this idea are included throughout the book. 

Joy is your choice 

A reoccurring theme of Make Time for Joy is the process whereby the writer’s perspective shifts from seeing a problem to seeing the seed for a miracle. What culminates at each letter’s end is the idea of trust, hope, and expectancy in the Lord. 

Readers will find their own favorite letters to revisit within these pages. Hopefully, the book will help readers address the challenges that happen outside of us and those that happen within us. Learning to find one’s inner strength, especially when there is seemingly no control, is the desire. 

“We have a choice about that,” Shepherd said. “You get to choose. You can say, ‘Oh, I choose self-pity,’ for example. But then, you’re going to become pitiful. Your outlook on life is going to be ‘Look at me, I’m pitiful.’ Or you can say, ‘I choose love. I choose to trust God. I choose His peace. I choose His joy.’ Then watch as God lifts your spirit.” 

Make Time for Joy is bigger than a pocket but small enough to fit in a purse. Without dates assigned to each letter, the book is usable at any time, and it is a worthwhile endeavor.