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God Will Carry You Through

Review

God Will Carry You Through

Bestselling storyteller Max Lucado has written a lovely gift book full of heartwarming and heartrending stories from folks he has come to know over the years. Lucado’s work is always full of encouragement and gentle nudges to make changes most people would rather push to the back burner than bring front and center to be faced. Yet Lucado’s fine ability to communicate the biblical reasons why Christians must face their problems, attitudes,  weaknesses and sins head-on is why fans will submit to his suggestions even when they would rather not.

Throughout this lovely, hardbound book, Lucado weaves the story of Joseph’s early and young adult life when he was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, imprisoned wrongly, forgotten when he should have been remembered, and then finally, after many long years, was placed as second in command in Egypt. As the Bible tells readers, Joseph was a man who honored God in his actions and his thoughts throughout his years of suffering. When it was in his power to destroy the very same brothers who altered his life forever, Joseph again did the God-honoring thing and forgave them all. In fact, Joseph not only forgave his brothers, he richly provided for them and their families for the rest of their lives. The lesson here, writes Lucado, is that no matter how, where, why, or for how long we suffer, it is in our power to do the right thing.

"Readers will find themselves encouraged, helped and fortified as they let the deep truths of God’s unfailing love sink into their hearts and minds."

Thus the premise for GOD WILL CARRY YOU THROUGH is that God will carry you through, no matter what. Lucado shares chapter by chapter how everyday folks have endured death, accusation, divorce, adultery, sickness, financial woes, unemployment, betrayal and more, yet they chose to do the God-honoring thing by forgiving, moving ahead, working hard, rebuilding the relationship, and trusting God throughout. Lucado reminds readers that every single person will suffer and every single person also has a promise from God that He will carry them through the fire.

Writes Lucado: “You’ll get through this. It won’t be painless. It won’t be quick. But God will use this mess for good. Don’t be foolish or naïve. But don’t despair either. With God’s help, you will get through this.” He continues by reminding Christians that they frequently forget they are in a war zone and that Satan wants nothing more than to neutralize them and mute their influence. Lucado tells believers to be encouraged even in the midst of the most violent storm because God will use their mess for good. He writes, “You (Christ follower) represent a challenge to Satan’s plan. You carry something of God within you, something noble and holy, something the world needs --- wisdom, kindness, mercy, skill. What Satan intends for evil, God, the Master Weaver and Master Builder, redeems for good.”

This message is repeated in a multitude of shapes and forms throughout this lively and inspirational text. Readers will find themselves encouraged, helped and fortified as they let the deep truths of God’s unfailing love sink into their hearts and minds.

Reviewed by Michele Howe on September 19, 2013

God Will Carry You Through
by Max Lucado

  • Publication Date: September 10, 2013
  • Genres: Christian, Inspirational, Nonfiction
  • Hardcover: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson
  • ISBN-10: 1400323118
  • ISBN-13: 9781400323111