"I don't want to look back on my life - my beautiful, wonder-filled, God-given life - and realize that I've mostly missed it while I was busy preparing for the worst." Wow, did this book ring true for me. This book is filled with wonderful examples of Nicole Zasowski's personal experiences, Scripture and how to grow our relationship with God, reasons why embracing joy can be hard and what we can do to battle those negative messages we receive about being joyful, and how we can be joyful (less pessimistic) and celebrate even during our trials and disappointments.

What If It's Wonderful?
Release Your Fears, Choose Joy, and Find the Courage to Celebrate
by Nicole Zasowski
Pub Date 08 Mar 2022
Thomas Nelson--W Publishing, Thomas Nelson
Christian



I am reviewing a Copy of What If It’s Wonderful: Release Your Fears, Choose Joy, and Find the Courage to Celebrate through Thomas-Nelson and Netgalley:





Nicole Zasowski Is an author and marriage therapist who knows what it's like to take a blow that makes it difficult to look to the future with expectation and ask herself these questions. Yet, as she found the courage to celebrate, she discovered God is as present in our joy as He is in our pain.






God’s purpose is worked out for us in our struggles, that’s true. What if God’s Purpose is also worked out in our dreams and delighted joy? In What If It’s Wonderrful Nicole helps the reader t is also worked out in our dreams and our delighted joy? Nicole challenges you to let go of the habit of practicing disappointment and fully embrace joy, beckoning you to ask yourself a new question, with both spiritual and psychological cases for celebrating.



If you are looking for a book that reminds you the importance of finding the courage to celebrate I highly recommend What if It’s Wonderful five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

“Celebration is essential to God’s character and central to His mission.” In this book, the author truly encourages the reader to “count it all joy” and reminds us we can courageously celebrate God’s faithfulness whether the circumstances are trials or triumphs. Nicole shares both her personal experiences and those of her mentors and clients she has counseled making the book relatable.

This is my first book by Zasowski and I loved it! I felt like I was talking to an old friend who could see deep inside my soul. I too struggle with celebrating. I’m always waiting on something bad to happen- something the author called foreboding joy. I highlighted a TON of passages in the kindle version. So much wisdom. You can tell the author has struggled deeply. I appreciate her honesty throughout the book. This was well written and I would recommend it to any Christian. 5 stars

What If It’s Wonderful? touched me more than I had originally imagined, and opened my eyes to a fresh, new perspective.

I must admit, I had been apprehensive to read this tome. As with most Christian spiritual growth books you run the risk of opening unknown wounds of the past, something that is truly terrifying to me. I am one of those people that suppress what I am feeling or going through, and have had instances in the past where I’ve read something that’s evoked emotions that I am not ready to deal with yet. The author did a wonderful job of bringing a mirror to my soul, helping to guide me to face situations of my past, and finally giving words to the wordless emotions in my heart. She did it in such a gentle way that I never felt overwhelmed, but actually hopeful that bringing these emotions to light, and working through them, would be cathartic.

I loved the reminder of choice. So many of us get lost in our emotions that we forget that we have a choice and can choose to see situations from a different and more positive mindset. God loves celebrations, just look at how many are depicted in the Bible, and He did not mean for us to wallow in our emotions, but to celebrate the little things, and find the good in it all.

With notes and a discussion guide, this is an invaluable resource that is a quick study, but one that packs a valuable punch. I can already see this being a blessing in my own life, and I know it will be in yours as well.

What If It's Wonderful?: Release Your Fears, Choose Joy, and Find the Courage to Celebrate by Nicole Zasowski is a call to celebrate. This is a precious book that believers of all ages would benefit from. The author points out the Biblical basis for celebration and calls the reader to be courageous and celebrate. I particularly loved the author's exploration of joy and how it changes us. I think that this topic is something not explored enough in Christian circles, and I am so glad that this author wrote this book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Celebration isn’t always easy. It feels like it should be, but it’s not. In a world where criticism is expected but genuine compliments are harder to find, celebrating can feel over-the-top and indulgent. Zasowski introduces celebration as a spiritual discipline—a requirement to fully experience the Christian faith.
Life is tough, especially with the past couple of years being overtaken by a global pandemic and all kinds of crazy headlines. Sometimes it can be hard to find things to celebrate, but this book reminded me that the small things are worth pausing for. Instead of criticizing myself for what I could have done better, I now try to start with what went well. Instead of starting prayers with asking God for things, it’s re-rooted my prayers on thanksgiving and adoration.
Honestly, I think this should be required reading for all Christians right now for so many reasons. In a world where our mental health is collectively declining, and the Church needs to remember the art of joy, celebration, and the Year of Jubilee.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy!

I have never thought of celebration as a spiritual discipline, but after reading Nicole’s book I can’t see it as anything else. “Celebration at its very best is a response to God’s goodness, not a reward for our own.” It’s easier than ever to live with a pessimistic attitude. And when something good happens, it’s hard to fully enjoy the moment without wondering when it will all go away. We have leaned to expect disappointment, but “when we protect ourselves from disappointment, we will also protect ourselves from being delighted.” The chapters that spoke to me the most were Joy in Sadness and Receiving Affirmation. I loved this. I needed this.

This is more than a "just choose joy!" message. For anyone who wants to intentionally celebrate and embrace joy right where they are, this is a helpful resource.

4.5 (Lowered from 5 due to the structure of each chapter... a brief personal story/moment intro, teaching, then coming back to the story/moment for a sentence or two in an effort to tie it all together. I wish it were woven in more instead of feeling tacked onto the end or given more content. For example, several times Nicole writes about miscarriage multiple times. Then at the end she begins a chapter with a mention of their daughter. Though wonderful news, it's a little jarring to just drop in with no other mention despite the other stories.)

"What if my hope only leads to disappointment? What if I embrace joy only to have it ripped from my hands? What if my celebration is the cause of others' sadness? What if my joy takes me away from the God I knew so well in my pain?"

I really enjoyed reading this book and felt like I got to know Nicole so well through her writing. She opens up about many hardships in her life (CW: Miscarriage) and how hope was stolen from her in her worst moments but how she found her hope ultimately restored through Jesus. As someone who has also endured a miscarriage, I wish I had this book back then to help me focus on the Giver rather than the gift.

I think everyone would greatly be benefited by this book and hope that it blesses others the way that it has blessed me.

Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson for the chance to read and review this book. It is out now!

“Where is God in the room? He is at the center of the celebration.”

I love the author’s reminder that “God’s people are marked by celebration- they are known for it.” For Christians, no matter our circumstances, Jesus Himself is our greatest comfort, joy and reward. “What if it’s Wonderful” is a beautiful exploration of what it can be like to encounter God as we actually ‘expect, receive and embrace His good gifts’.

In her bio at the back of the book, the author describes herself as wearing ‘her heart proudly on her sleeve’… what an honor to read a book by such a sincere and true writer. Zasowski’s experiences of grief and disappointment have been instrumental in teaching her how to draw close to God in heartache and brokenness. Yet now she shares how that very same God has been inviting her to experience his nearness in uncharted territories of expectation, hope, and nearly embarrassing amounts of happiness! :)
I’m so glad that she has accepted his invitation, and dared to gaze upon a God who laughs and delights with us in the loveliest moments of the lives he gave us. I’m so glad that she is letting him empower her with courage and faith, for the good discipline of celebration.

This book is for those, like me, who approach life cautiously, who weigh all the options, who are more prone to plan for the worst than to expect the best. Nicole Zasowski challenges herself and her readers to consider the question, “But what if it's wonderful?” She provides insight into our cautious nature, and lays out the logic for the importance of joy and celebration in our lives. She shares intimate details from her own life that are both heart-warming and heart-wrenching. She does all of this while using the truth of God's Word to support her message.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of What If It's Wonderful from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

This is the book I didn’t want to read. My pessimism disguises fear that one day everything will fall apart. Instead of reading a message of criticism, Nicole delivered a gentle “me too” that helped me feel safe letting her into my darkest spaces. As someone who has walked through darkness, she sits with us in our pain and opens the curtains to let a sliver of light in. I was surprised not to find a “to do” list for joy, but an invitation to worship through wonder. Nicole passes on her longing for joy and celebration in the presence of Christ instead of our circumstances. Even a pessimistic, cynical girl like me is encouraged by her message. “Celebration won’t ask you to change. But it will ask you to be brave with your whole self-to honor others and the life you have been given with gumption.”

I had heard great things about this book, and judging by how much I highlighted, it did not disappoint. A book about how to find joy and celebration in the big things and in the mundane. "Celebration at its very best is a response to God's goodness, not a reward for our own." We so often let our fears and pain dictate what we do in life instead of stopping to celebrate everything God has given us. A book you can go back to again and again (especially in different life seasons) to remember how good it is to celebrate.

"I don't want to look back on my life - my beautiful, wonder-filled, God-given life - and realize that I've mostly missed it while I was busy preparing for the worst."

I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

One would expect a healing book from a marriage and family therapist, right? However, one does not expect a tender and compassionate unveiling of our own hearts as we journey with Nicole as she shares her experiences of brokenness and her reflections of Scripture. What if It's Wonderful is an exquisite finale to her first book, From Lost to Found. I call them twins! One hardly stands without the other. To know both is to know that life is the untold mystery of the providential hand of God our Father in all of our circumstances- both in the agony and the celebration.

I look forward to the day your twins(both of your books) will be published in one volume- for all the world to read and enjoy!

Thanks to Thomas Nelson - W Publishing for the free book.
What a joy this book was. The author doesn't shy away from sharing the hard parts of her story and is vulnerable in her sharing her struggles to choose joy. I could relate to the parts of her story where it was easier to lean into fear then celebration. If you don't celebrate, you can't be disappointed, right? Yet, she challenged the reader to dig deeper into faith and what celebration looks like in light of what Jesus has done. This is a perspective I've not read before, and I am going to work on applying the ideas in this book because living in that place of celebration is a place I want to be in.

This book is a perspective shifting gift! I chose to pre-order this book on our mutual friend's recommendation and I am in awe. Trusting God in celebration is shaky ground for many of us, Nicole is a wonderful guide through this topic thanks to the authenticity in her own seeking and her courage in sharing those lessons with her readers. It is a thoughtful, joyful, perspective shifting read and I am so grateful to have found it. I find myself returning to these wise words and feel this book will be a resource for me and my faith journey for many years to come. Thank you to Nicole for her curious and kind spirit and the gift of this book!

Nicole Zasowski’s book “What if it’s Wonderful” came at a perfect time. It’s message was an unexpected initiation into healing and the tearing down of lies and false beliefs about who God is and how He loves us. Nicole shares about her personal struggles with celebrating the good things in life, Gods good gifts, because “what if it’s too good to be true?”
Nicoles beautiful writing and voice perfectly captures the many ways and reasons why we don’t celebrate and then challenges those reasons with scripture and personal stories that support why we absolutely CAN and SHOULD celebrate! Because, what if it’s wonderful?
As a trauma survivor, mental health professional, and mother of 3 I have found myself living in fear with worst-case type thinking and often missed out on the joy of just being present and trusting that Gods good gifts weren’t going to be taken away. Nicole’s message truly challenged me to learn the truth about God and His gifts, and to live courageously with joy and celebration.
If you live your life questioning gods goodness, or in fear of worst case, or with a “waiting for the shoe to drop” mentality, I urge you read this book and let Nicole’s words penetrate your heart and change your thinking the way they did mine :)

- Summer B.

Joy (and choosing it no matter the circumstance) has been a focus for me the last couple of years, so I immediately knew I had to read What If It’s Wonderful. I loved the book’s sequence, as Nicole revealed fears that may hold us back, broke down the roles that emotions can play in choosing joy and shared ways that can help on the path to more celebration. What I enjoy most about Nicole’s writing is how she can share her personal stories, tie in scriptural references, and then thoughtfully revisit her stories and express the feelings behind them so they’re relatable to the reader. Time and time again I found myself identifying with the feelings she would describe though my personal experiences are very different. She also provides plenty of practical exercises that help with reflection and can inspire personal growth. As someone that is often hesitant to celebrate, I was challenged, but I was also so encouraged because I see that there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate. Just like recent lessons in choosing joy, I need to kick aside fears and be more mindful of choosing celebration.

In recent years, I’ve struggled with significant heartache and disappointment. Without realizing it, I adopted a lot of patterns and practices designed to anticipate the worst and prepare for pain so that hurt would be expected instead of something that could take me by surprise. Nicole’s writing helped me to recognize that by trying to insulate myself from pain, I was also insulating myself from real joy. Joy hasn’t felt safe for me but I’ve also grown weary of my habit of expecting the worst and missing out on my present. What If It’s Wonderful arrived at the perfect time. It contained the message my heart has desperately needed to hear and Nicole delivers it with insight, relatability, compassion, humility and heart. I am no longer going to waste my days preparing for the worst. Instead, I’m going to use the tools I’ve learned to embrace and celebrate the beautiful life God has given me right now, exactly as it is. In reading this powerful book, you’ll surely be inspired to do the same!