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When God Breaks Your Heart: Choosing Hope In The Midst Of Faith-Shattering Circumstances (2008)

by Ed Underwood(Favorite Author)

4.28 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

1434767515 (ISBN13: 9781434767516)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

David C. Cook

review 1: If you or someone you know is hurting or suffering, if you or someone you know is asking, "Why, God?", then this book is for you. Ed Underwood uses his personal experiences to offer hope and inspiration. He presents an amazing interpretation of John's Biblical story of Mary, Martha, and Jesus' miraculous raising of Lazarus that brings the reader to an intimate relationship with God. It's a book that is definitely worth your time.
review 2: I like the subtitle of this book. Choosing Hope in the Midst of Faith-Shattering Circumstances. Hope was my word for 2012, but God knew I needed this book this year, not last year.I will not belittle the author, or the books impact on me, by saying I understand the pain he was going through. I will only say the circumstanc... morees we are going through prove the thoughts he has on pain, suffering and how to think about them and God in the midst of it all, can apply to many problems. And our pain and suffering is COMPLETELY different from anything he went through. But the basic principles he talked about, and the things God's word says, apply to us all.If you are suffering, were suffering, or know someone who is suffering faith-shattering circumstances, they you/they need this book. Buy this book. Buy it for your friend(s). I highly recommend it! It is a book every Christian should read because either they, or a family member will be in need of this book. It will help you to be a better Christian, a better friend, a better loved one. It will help you understand and it will help you avoid many mistakes we make when dealing with suffering in others close to us.Ed Underwood speaks the truth about suffering and how to deal with it and how to be mad at God and still be a Christian. He is a pastor of a large church and he even had days when his suffering caused him to turn his back on God. As he says in the dedication, this book is “For all who – like Mary and Martha – look at the tragedy in their lives and wonder why Jesus doesn't show up... but still look for Him with broken hearts...”That is us. My family. My hubby and I. We are suffering and we wonder why. I have had times when I have cried out and yelled at God. I have wept over our situation. I have had times when I felt I could not take any more. I highlighted this book in hundred's of places. There is hardly a page without some part highlighted. I hope this gives you a glimpse into this most WONDERFUL book. “Somewhere in the mystery of God wrapping Himself in human skin, Jesus, the God-man, expressed His godly anger against the pain of sin and death through intense human emotions. Jesus could not and did not suppress His rage against the impact of all that is wrong with life.” pg. 132 ““Go ahead, scream at the pain, shed your tears, and ask your questions. But do it in the presence of Jesus, because He knows exactly how you feel.” Not intellectually, but viscerally. No one hates your pain more than Jesus. No one hurts for you more than Jesus. Jesus, God-in-the-flesh, raged at the tears of His friends and wept at their graveside. God felt grief as a man... all of it. One thing I know: God is not trifling with you. I can't tell you that He will fix this, but I can tell that he hates it and that it breaks His heart.” pg. 134Another quote... a very good one. (referring to Gal.6:1-5 that he just quoted) “Though this applies specifically to Christians who have fallen into sin, Paul's words offer sound advice to any believer trying to encourage those whose affliction is not spiritual, but physical or emotional. As I read this paragraph, a few guiding principles jump out of the text: -Restore in a spirit of gentleness. -Restore with humility of a fellow follower of Christ on this sin-stained and hurtful planet. -Restore by performing physical deeds of kindness that take some of the weight of this tragedy off their back as you shoulder part of the road. -Restore after you have thoroughly examined your own motives, weaknesses, and absolute need for the strength only Christ can give you. -Restore with the confidence that you are not trafficking in unlived truth but offering counsel that you know you either have lived or would live when your dark days come.” pg 203 (Bold words my addition.)"These are things I want to remember when I am comforting/encouraging others.The following is what I want to remember when others do not do so good a job of trying to comfort me and my family. “Christians tell me they don't know what to say, and then they open their mouths and prove it.” pg 200grin :-)And.... I may have found my most favorite quote for the whole book. Here it is. Ready??? “Hurting people are petty people.” pg 201This is what he says just before and after this quote. “I think it would also help you if you knew the sentence I repeat to myself over and over when I am offering advice to those who are so overwhelmed by the circumstances of their lives that their patience is paper-thin: “Hurting people are petty people.” By the way, I include myself if this category. My most petty and self-centered times have occurred during the weeks and months of intense suffering.” pg 200-201Ed said that. He said he was petty. And yes, sometimes I am self-centered and petty. But Ed says it like it is normal. It is a human thing to be self-centered when you are in a time of intense suffering. It is not a Godly thing, to be sure, but it is a human thing. Mostly, I want to remember what it felt like when I was suffering and focused on me and my family, so I can forgive others for feeling and acting the same way when they are suffering.This loooooong 3 ½ year trial of unemployment for my husband (though we really count the trial as 9 years from the time my hubby hurt his back and things have not been good since) has been really hard. Some days and weeks are harder than others. But I am learning and growing through this experience. I thank the Lord for books like this one that have helped me on this journey. And yes, I pray DAILY for an end to this trial. I thank my husband and kids who put up with me on my bad days, as I put up with them on their bad days. We are learning to love each other even more through this hard trial. I appreciate the prayers of extended family and friends. If you want to pray for us, pray for our finances to be more secure, but mostly pray for God to receive the glory for all he has, is, and will do in our lives. He has left us here on earth so He has a purpose for us yet. Pray we would find that purpose, embrace it, not be afraid of it, and live for God. less

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