"I encourage all who hunger for justice, peace, acceptance, and comfort to read this book. In its pages you will find beautiful prose and hope that even in the darkest of spaces, places, and times—through addiction, suicide, sudden death, prison, abuse, and despair—love reigns, truth reigns, joy reigns.”

— Liz Theoharis, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A Call for National Revival

“What is the true life? That is the big question that animates this book. Angela Gorrell teaches us that in a well-lived life emotions are felt authentically, choices are embraced meaningfully, and self-transcending connections are forged broadly. These pages crackle with raw honesty, deep wisdom, profound realizations, and potent reminders that ultimately goodness can be found amidst the rancor of daily life. The author’s insights contained within are not ivory tower speculations, either. They were formed and forged through the crucible of living. Suffering is inevitable and inescapable but does not have to have the final say in our lives. Joy is a gift and ‘will always find us,’ writes Gorrell. You will find joy in these pages—may we all be grateful for this deeply moving gift she has given us.”

— Robert Emmons, author of The Psychology of Ultimate Concerns and The Little Book of Gratitude

“Angela Gorrell’s moving personal experiences and stories in The Gravity of Joy arise amidst the ordinary, exceptional, and anguishing realities of being human. She is a vulnerable and honest guide, who knows her own and others’ tear-stained cheeks, as she and others receive joy with wonder, not triumph; with humility, not presumption; with presence, not power. This book is a witness to hope that can and does save lives.”

— Mark Labberton, President of Fuller Theological Seminary

“Angela has a gift for clearly articulating deep, complicated emotions in a way that few writers can. I admire both her gut-level honesty and her thorough reflection. Her poignant storytelling gives readers permission to embrace the messiness of life and reinvigorates our hope in God’s presence through it all.”

— Linda Livingstone, President of Baylor University

“For Angela this book is not about Angela, though stories of her experiences figure very prominently in it. It is about the great power of that rather ephemeral but irresistible emotion called joy, an emotion that we cannot manufacture but that we can prepare for and open ourselves toward. . . . That joy, Christ’s joy, is ‘an incredibly powerful counteragent to despair—and even a companion during suffering.’ In a way—a difficult, challenging way—each of the stories of addiction, despair, depression, and death Angela here tells is an invitation to that kind of joy.”

— Miroslav Volf , from the foreword

“For Angela this book is not about Angela, though stories of her experiences figure very prominently in it. It is about the great power of that rather ephemeral but irresistible emotion called joy, an emotion that we cannot manufacture but that we can prepare for and open ourselves toward. . . . That joy, Christ’s joy, is ‘an incredibly powerful counteragent to despair—and even a companion during suffering.’ In a way—a difficult, challenging way—each of the stories of addiction, despair, depression, and death Angela here tells is an invitation to that kind of joy.”

— Miroslav Volf , from the foreword

“Gorrell’s therapeutic message provides a healing balm that will resonate with any Christian.”

— Publishers Weekly

“A searingly honest, devastatingly painful, profoundly wise—and beautiful—book. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. Angela Gorrell is a scholar with the courage of the most authentic memoirist. She generously and unflinchingly brings the theological discussion of the most sublime subject—joy—right into the middle of the mess of life and lets it unfold in surprising and wondrously disrupting ways.”

— Tod Bolsinger, author of Tempered Resilience: How Leaders Are Formed in the Crucible of Change