Hope When It Hurts {Giveaway}

Life hurts.  Let’s just be honest about that.

Physical or mental illness, past hurts, relationship struggles, financial difficulties, the loss of someone close to us…  The list goes on, and I’m sure we have all experienced pain in one way or another.

Yet, even in the midst of the pain, there is hope.

That is something I have personally experienced and long to share with others, so when I heard about the release of this book: Hope When It Hurts by Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton, I jumped at the chance to be part of the launch team.

Hope When It Hurts consists of 30 devotional readings, exploring God’s presence and purpose in our suffering, giving hope and encouragement.  Each chapter includes reflection questions, a short prayer and a list of Bible passages for further meditation on the topic.

I found it to be encouraging, challenging and thought-provoking.  It is balanced and realistic.  It never promises, “Come to Jesus and everything will be okay.”  The book is honest about the reality and pain of suffering, never undermining it or brushing it aside, but it is also filled with encouragement to hold to hope in Christ in the midst of it and to trust that God can work in us through our times of pain.  The authors share some of their own experiences, and it is clear that they have lived (and are living) the message they share.

To whet your appetite, here are a few of my favourite quotes from the book:

• “Because of the light of Jesus Christ shining into our hearts, eternal darkness has been defeated and our present darkness is being transformed.”
• “The Father crushed his Son so that we would never be crushed by sin and death.”
• “You can know that your trials are not expressions of God’s anger, because all of it was poured out on Jesus.  There is no wrath left for those whose sins were borne on the cross.”
• “There is a glorious treasure to be found when the pain of this world drives us to Jesus, and it is of far greater worth than any earthly relief.”
• “If you have trusted Christ to save your soul… suffering will not lead you to hopelessness, but to the God of hope.  It will not lead your faith to be shattered, but to an unshakeable hope that is founded on the immovable Rock: Christ Jesus.”

Truthfully, I highlighted passages on almost every page, and there are several sections I want to return to for further reflection.  I think this book will provide real hope and comfort to people walking through difficult times.

You can find out more at The Good Book Company’s website. (UK page, US page)
The introduction and the first chapter are available as a sample, and there are also four bonus chapters available for free download, which will give you a taste of what the book is like.

I’m also giving away a copy of the book to one lucky winner.  To be entered into the draw, please comment below, and I’ll choose a winner on Monday 24th April.

I’d love if you would share how you have known hope in a time of hurt (e.g. share a Bible verse that has helped you or a way that God has encouraged you.)

Here are some of my posts related to finding hope in God in painful times:

• Blessings In Disguise?
• The Day I Found My Voice
• Kintsugi: Beauty In The Broken Places

I look forward to reading some of your insights.  Let’s rejoice together in the amazing hope we have in Jesus, even in the midst of the hurt!

I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from The Good Book Company in exchange for an honest review.