For These Tough Times: Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope and Healing
by Max Lucado
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Book Summary Information
Author: Max LucadoEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-09-05
ISBN: 0849901707
Number of pages: 96
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Book Reviews of For These Tough Times: Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope and Healing
Book Review: Perfect For Hurting Hearts
Summary: 5 Stars
This tiny little book is a gem, a perfect gift for anyone with a hurting heart. Tommy Nelson, it's publisher has categorized this book as "Religion/Christian Life/Death/Grief and Bereavement." However, this book is not only for those dealing with issues of physical death. For These Tough Times is helpful for folks handling any issue of loss. (A marriage, a job, a lost dream, a broken heart, illness or any other sort of tragedy)
I admit that chapter one and two made me think that this book might be a bit fluffy. It began with a light review of simple Scriptural truths. God's thoughts are not our own thoughts. He is sovereign over all being mighty and powerful, the creator of the universe. We are encouraged to trust and believe, despite not being able to see or comprehend God's purposes. God understands our sufferings because He joined us here, in the flesh. He loves us so much that He took on our sin and has taught us that nothing can seperate us from His love. After thinking about it, I realized that this simplicity is perfect for those who are suffering. I know that when I hurt, I don't have the emotional or intellectual stamina to be overwhelmed with words. I am far too busy, simply surviving. These short chapters are quick and to the point, and remind us in short order what we already know to be true.
Chapter Three encourages us to magnify God in our lives. "It does us twice as much good to think about God as it does to think about anyone or anything else." p23 Amen! We can so easily get wrapped up in our hurts, kicking Christ off the throne and absent-mindedly planting ourselves up there instead! We need to be purposeful on this front, declaring God's authority and then resting in Him.
Chapter Four answers the question, "How could God allow evil to bring destruction and loss into our lives?" Mr. Lucado does a good job in reminding us of the truth. Here he defines Satan and his position of submission to God along with three reasons God allows suffering to occur. (To refine the faithful, To awaken the sleeping, and to teach the church) The use of Scripture was appropriate, not overwhelming and gives the reader food for thought.
Chapter Five encourages us to put away bitterness and revenge. This was a short chapter, but once again, the author gives us a choice to make. I would have liked to see more in this chapter because this is often where so many of us get lost. The hurts overwhelm us and it is very easy to slip into self deception, thinking we've forgiven when instead we've simply buried the hurt. That said, in six short pages, the basics are covered and what is offered here might lead the reader to seek further resources.
Chapter Six stopped me in my tracks. It speaks of reverence. So many times we have the need to talk out our hurts. But in the end, there is a time for silence. Mr. Lucado teaches from the book of Job a perspective that I'd never considered before. In Job, much of chapters three through eleven are exchanges between Job and his friends, and then for six chapters, Job drones on and on about God as though He knows it all. Then God answers Job with a series of questions that makes Job understand that He needs to be quiet and give God due respect. This was the meat I was looking for in this book. When we suffer it is so easy to focus on self and forget who God is and what we owe Him. We are sinners. He is God.
Chapter Seven encourages us to pray and teaches us the value God puts on our prayers. Then in Chapter Eight, those that have lost loved ones to physical death are comforted with the truths of Heaven. At the back of the book is a prayer, entitled "Do It Again, Lord: A Prayer for Troubled Times." Certainly encouraging, it is a helpful rememberance to acknowledge our hurts, ponder God's faithfulness in the past, and purpose ourselves in trust to our loving Father.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read...taking all of perhaps two hours to read. I've been going through some difficult times of my own and I found this book a helpful reminder of what is true. I was beginning to drift in my pain and this helped bring me back to center a bit. There wasn't really anything stunning within it's pages, but the format, the writing style, and the simple truths spoke at a rudimentary level to the raw places in my heart.
Highly recommended for those who are hurting.
Summary of For These Tough Times: Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope and Healing
When tragedy strikes, people desperately search for answers. Believers and unbelievers alike find themselves turning to God. Best-selling author and pastor Max Lucado points to the only real answer to tragedy and crisis: Prayer. In For These Tough Times, Lucado helps us understand how to pray despite our doubt and fear.
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