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Thomas Nelson

It's Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered

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Description

New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst unveils her heart amid shattering circumstances and shows readers how to live assured when life doesn't turn out like they expected.What do you do when God’s timing seems questionable, His lack of intervention hurtful, and His promises doubtful?Life often looks so very different than we hoped or expected. Some events may simply catch us off guard for a moment, but others shatter us completely. We feel disappointed and disillusioned, and we quietly start to wonder about the reality of God’s goodness.Lysa TerKeurst understands this deeply. But she's also discovered that our disappointments can be the divine appointments our souls need to radically encounter God. In It's Not Supposed to Be This Way, Lysa invites us into her own journey of faith and, with grit, vulnerability, and honest humor, helps us to:Stop being pulled into the anxiety of disappointment by discovering how to better process unmet expectations and other painful situations.Train ourselves to recognize the three strategies of the enemy so we can stand strong and persevere through unsettling relationships and uncertain outcomes.Discover the secret of being steadfast and not panicking when God actually does give us more than we can handle.Shift our suspicion that God is cruel or unfair to the biblical assurance that God is protecting and preparing us.Know how to encourage a friend and help her navigate hard realities with real help from God's truth. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas Nelson (November 13, 2018)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0718039858


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 51


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.5 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.88 x 0.88 x 8.75 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #3,939 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #5 in Divorce (Books) #49 in Christian Women's Issues #100 in Christian Spiritual Growth (Books)


#5 in Divorce (Books):


#49 in Christian Women's Issues:


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • His Way of Leading Us Home
This is one of the best Christian non-fiction / inspirational books I have studied this year! Lysa TerKeurst is a Christian woman, wife, mom, ministry leader, book and Bible study author who found herself in three major life crises in a short time. The situations highlighted in this book to show the power and love of God when we endure similar – or entirely different – circumstances that just weren’t supposed to happen. Circumstances that He can and does use for our good. The author takes us through her feelings and faith challenges she experienced as a result of those situations, and how she wrestled through with scripture, prayer, and reliance on the Lord. Her vulnerability is refreshing, her wisdom inspired by the Lord. “Disappointment isn’t proof that God is withholding good from us. Sometimes it’s His way of leading us home.” (pg. 5) Lysa doesn’t mince words. She does not minimize the Lord in any way, rather, He is everything! She is honest, showing that bad things do happen to Christians even while believing that God is good. She writes in a manner that someone who has been a Christian for any length of time, whether new or seasoned, can grasp when in the midst of a trauma. There are stories of people from scripture, and parts of her own life. The wisdom imparted comes from serious wrestling in a walk with God through painful disappointments. I could see myself in some of her feelings and reactions – not in circumstances like she was experiencing, but things going on in my own life. It isn’t the situations that are front and center, it is how we can learn to respond despite times that simply weren’t what that should have been. Those responses may sound overly simple to those not going through a trauma but are profound to the person who is trying to put one foot in front of the other for one more day. There are two ways we can get through – with God, or giving in to our flawed desires. One quote that is important is “We must set our minds and our hearts on things above by choosing to remember God’s words, repeat God’s words, and believe God’s word about us.” (pg. 65) I listened to the audiobook and read the print copy while doing the associated Bible study (and purchased the e-book), and I feel it is a valuable resource to the person going through struggles or the friend of someone struggling through hard times. Don’t compare the author’s situations to yours; instead, compare your reactions, feelings, and responses. I very much like the writer’s approach to seeking God, wrestling, praying, and getting into scripture. Our responses in times of crisis are vital to how we live our lives from those times forward. Regarding the audiobook, it is read by the author. I felt in many ways as if we were sitting in her kitchen over coffee or tea from the writing style and simply hearing her word sin her voice. Why did I get three formats? Because some things I learn better by repetitive hearing. Other times it is easier to open the book and search for the relevant pages, including chapter endings of “Going to the Well”, “Receive (a scripture)”, “Reflect”, and prayer. Back sections include scripture and helps for situations. I highly recommend this unique and timely book to Christians who are going through trauma of any kind and want to know that God is still in control and appreciate solid biblical teaching. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2019 by Jeanie D
    • Beautiful and encouraging
To live is to love. To love is to risk pain. To risk pain is to live. It’s what it means to truly be human. I really enjoyed reading and walking with God in each chapter diving in God's word which is food for our tired and weary souls at such a time of loss we are enduring. Life is precious from conception to natural death, what I've learned and hope to share with those around me is that God can take out disappointments and make us stronger in love and truth to help others know God more. I especially like the story titled "Upside down" in the last chapter, because that's so many of us but it takes courage to be humble and let our light shine for others. Be blessed and God loves you. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2024 by Monica
    • its not supposed to be this way
good book
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2024 by Nancy Comello
    • Candid reminder about strength that can come through our disappointing and heartbreaking moments
Though Lysa TerKeurst writes mainly for women,(sometimes it was jarring to read “dear sister” or “you’re a strong woman” as a brother in Christ and someone who is most definitely not a woman), anyone can benefit from the wisdom from scripture and her own personal experiences and insights. Some of my favorite quotes are “Your whys have made you wise” and “To be human is to be vulnerable. It demands a trust in God that's no joke. Trusting God is the hardest lesson to learn but the most crucial. We trust a God who allows hurt. But we also trust a God who uses hurt for good. Being hurt isn't the worst thing in the world. It's actually the very thing that makes us closer to Jesus and closer to our fellow humans. In a world of differences we are so very united when we simply cry together.” There are so many more gems in this insightful and encouraging collection that you have to read to discover and be blessed by! Thank you Lysa for not giving in to your pain but letting your God-gifted talent to express prose shine through and help countless people be reminded of truths that are often too difficult to see in the midst of life’s trials and tribulations. Highly, HIGHLY recommend this amazing book!! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2024 by Amazon Customer
    • Never Gets Old
I have reread this book too many times to count, and have bought multiple copies to have on hand for all the times I’ve recommended it to a friend. Lysa’s writing style is warm and inviting- like sitting with a good friend over a crock pot meal. This book is full of convicting, comforting, and necessary truths. My own copy has been well-loved and covered with highlighting, underlining, and tear stains. Couldn’t recommend this book more. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2024 by Anna
    • Enjoyable Read and Informative
I liked the book, and the humor gives it spirit making it human and easy to relate to. Life throws us many curves and the author seems to ride through it all with good advice. I found this book quite good, and another book titled Love Puts Things Right helped me through my own personal crisis. Thanks to the authors. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2024 by Katherine
    • Amazing...divine
Wow.....Lysa, this book had me crying in every chapter with soul caressing expressions of grief and recovery. This book is helping me reconnect with what's important, my spirituality and faith. Thank you.
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2024 by Jan Marie Shea
    • Another great book by Lysa
I love anything this author writes. She is so transparent and honest about her own experiences and uses real methods to help the reader through their own life. She uses biblical principles in a way that’s easy to understand and practical in today’s world.
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024 by CASSIDY

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