Friday, July 10, 2015

You'll Get Through This {a Family Christian review and giveaway}

The book, prayer shawl, and my mom's Mother's Ring
Usually, when I sign on to review a book, I have a good idea as to what it is about.  But not always.  Sometimes, God just wants me to read something.

What I saw for this particular review was the author.  Max Lucado.  And I thought, "It might be really nice to read something of his right now."  I didn't really look at the subject matter.  I just signed up, and was surprised to be accepted.

Here is what the publisher's description says about You'll Get Through This:
You fear you won't make it through. We all do. We fear that the depression will never lift, the yelling will never stop, the pain will never leave. In the pits, surrounded by steep walls and aching reminders, we wonder: Will this gray sky ever brighten? This load ever lighten?

In You'll Get Through This, pastor and New York Times best-selling author, Max Lucado offers sweet assurance: "Deliverance is to the Bible what jazz music is to Mardi Gras: bold, brassy, and everywhere." Throughout readers will explore the story of Joseph and the truth of Genesis 50:20 - what Satan intends for evil, God redeems for good, even if it isn't quick and painless for us.
Can I be honest here?  (Well, duh, of course I can!  This is my blog after all!)

If I had actually read that description, I probably wouldn't have put in for this review.

I'm grateful to Family Christian and God for choosing me for it anyway.  Because I needed to read it.

I've been feeling quite overwhelmed, like I'll never get through it all.  And feeling guilty about it besides.  You know, we're not in a bad place.  This isn't like when we were facing foreclosure because of unpaid medical bills.  We're not trying to survive on a $15 a week grocery budget.  Things are basically going okay, but I'm still emotionally overwrought.  I think it is mostly the emotional drama of going through Mom's stuff in the past month.

But the last thing I want to do is read how about how if I just had more faith or something, then I'd find peace and joy and we would all sing Kum-ba-yah.

Even if I do happen to generally enjoy reading what Max Lucado has to say.


I committed to review this, though.  So once I finished chastising myself for not paying more attention, I did settle in to read.  And I knew almost immediately that I need this book.

Lucado isn't telling me to just believe harder.  He isn't telling me to think positive and everything will be roses.  He isn't telling me to fake it until I feel it.  He isn't telling me that good Christians don't experience rotten days, months or years.

What he is telling me is that, like Joseph, I can be in some pretty horrible places that seem to stretch on forever, but that doesn't mean that God isn't there. 

I quoted this to a friend the other day:

God is not sometimes sovereign.  He is not occasionally victorious.  He does not occupy the throne one day and vacate it the next.  ~Max Lucado, You'll Get Through This

The book goes through the life of Joseph, and really makes you think about it.  It is far too easy to gloss over what Joseph went through, as a mere sentence or two is devoted to some of his suffering.  Like Joseph asking the butler to tell Pharaoh of his plight.  And two years passed.  Two years, in one little verse.  Two years that Joseph spent in jail.

God has a completely different timetable than we do, that is for sure.

"Waiting is easier read than done," is what Lucado writes.

I think the best part of this book is all of the examples from messy, real lives.  And Lucado's wonderful way of putting things into perspective.

Gratitude doesn't come naturally.  Self-pity does.  Belyaches do.  Grumbles and mumbles -- no one has to remind us to offer them.  Yet they don't mix well with the kindness we have been given.  A spoonful of gratitude is all we need.  ~Max Lucado, You'll Get Through This



I have a $25 Family Christian Appreciation Certificate  to give away! You can use that to purchase You'll Get Through This, or anything else you wish.


a Rafflecopter giveaway





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book and an appreciation certificate for a giveaway, free from Family Christian Stores through the Family Christian Blogger program.  I was not required to write a positive review, and any affiliate relationship does not impact my opinions. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

8 comments:

Jennifer said...

The story of Joseph is such a beautiful example. Despite being wronged over and over again, he follows God. The quotes you shared are encouraging.

kathy dalton said...

ID LOVE A JESUS CALLING DEVOTIONAL

Unknown said...

I missed the movie with Kirk Cameron "Unstoppable" - so I think I would want to purchase this.

Unknown said...

Another possible item I would choose is the book "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. Although I have already read this book - I want one to keep for myself - in my Re-read Books. I have some books that are so good that I would never get rid of them. I re-read them again and again and this book is definitely one of those books.

Unknown said...

My brother's wife just left him after 27 years of marriage. It is so hard to watch someone you love suffer as he is right now. I'm praying for him.

Unknown said...

Another item that really caught my eye, was the book "Joline's Redemption" by Vickie McDonough. It looks like a good book.

Shannon Alexander said...

Some of the items I am looking at are the Susan K Marlow books. We have the first set (Circle C Beginnings) and my daughter loved them! Now I am looking at getting the next set for her and the Goldtown Adventure books for my son who is starting to read!

Shannon Alexander said...

Something I have learned about reading about Joseph was that he was a very patient man. He trust on God and waited for God's timing. It is hard for me to do the same thing sometimes. I always want things done my way right now. I am thankful for Joseph's example.