For The Tough Times: Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope

For These Tough Times by Max Lucado is a little book that is packed full of good stuff. There has never been a time in all of history that people haven't faced heartache in life. Whether death of a loved one, the failure of a marriage, the loss of a friend or even a battle with depression, hurt is nothing new. Questioning God through the tough times is nothing new. This latest volume from Max Lucado reassures us that God is on His throne, where He's always been and that He is still in control. It reminds us that He is our creator, He knows us and He loves us. It points us towards Him and encourages us to cling to Him when all hope seems lost. The book closes with a prayer that sums up the entire book and backs it up with passages of scripture. Max Lucado once again pulls the reader in through his own personal and relevant reflection. Bottom line, it reminds us that God loves us and always will. This is a great book for anyone who doesn't like to read (it's short!) and for those who are facing things that they never thought they would. It's new and it's from Thomas Nelson.

I've learned that judging a book by its length is just as unfair as by its cover. Lucado's For the Tough Times is one of those small gift books that at first glance seems light and fluffy, but actually contains more than you may have bargained for. It's a quick, easy read that makes a perfect gift for a loved one undergoing a trial.

That's what the book is about: trials. Tough topics such as death, grief, pain, revenge are handled and given the proper solutions: faith, silence, intercession, forgiveness, knowledge that God remains on His throne, and in His infinite wisdom, he turns tragedy into triumph, meaning to provide you with good out of a difficult trial. (See Gen 50:20. Also Romans 8:28 "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him.")

From chapters dealing with how our Lord Jesus loves each of us as a parent, and has control over every aspect of our lives, Lucado then delves into how God uses trials (and even Satan) for His ultimate good: to refine the faithful, to awaken the faith of "sleeping" Christians, and to teach the church.

He also tackles the fruitlessness of revenge and how peace can only come from treating others as you would want God to treat you: with generosity, with forgiveness, with love.

He then recommends silence in order to hear God's voice. No peace can be had without being still and knowing that He is God. (Ps. 46:10) And then he encourages us to intercede for others' trials and pains. Finally the book deals with grief and death: and how for Christians, there is no hopeless goodbye, just hope-filled eternal life in the presence of God.

The book ends with a prayer for troubled times which summarizes the contents by recalling how God has turned grieving into dancing all throughout the Bible, and which pleads for the Lord's mercy and grace in every painful situation.

In the end, the book is encouraging and universally appealing to Christians of all kinds. It is a wonderful gift book, even during good times, which reminds us that God is in control.

"Where was God when ________ happened?"

It's a question I hear a lot as a pastor.

Where was God on September 11? Where was God when Hurricane Katrina hit? Often the questions are more personal: Where was God when I lost my job? When I was diagnosed with cancer? When my spouse left me? When my loved one died?

From pink slips to cemetery plots, the heart of the questions is the same: Where was God when my world fell apart? Is He in control? Does He even care about me?

In his book For These Tough Times, bestselling author Max Lucado answers these questions with his trademark warmth, compassion, and biblical insight. (Note: this is an adaptation of material from a few of Lucado's previous books, so much of the text will be familiar to Lucado readers.)

It's a short book (only 79 pages), but Lucado's gentle words bring a biblical perspective and comfort to those going through tough times. Like a father soothing a frightened child, Lucado acknowledges the reality of pain, points to the promises of Scripture, and reminds us that God is in control, He loves us, and that His plan will ultimately prevail.

For These Tough Times contains eight self-contained chapters that offer a good balance of theology and tenderness in bite-sized nuggets that will appeal to those reeling from heartbreak. I recommend it as part of any pastor's library or as a gift to pass on to anyone going through tragedy or loss.

This book was purchased after our family experienced an unimaginable tragedy. Max's words provided comfort to me and have helped me to keep the faith. I recently purchased several copies to give to other family members as we continue to struggle with our unexpected loss.

Generally I find Lucado's books shallow and repetitive, and this small devotional style book- the sort that many people keep in their bathrooms, is about the same. However, when you actually are in the midst of really tough times, sometimes you aren't able to think deep thoughts or focus long enough to read more than a few sentences. Though I favor the Psalms for the really tough times, I can see that this book could serve a need when you are too stressed to concentrate very deeply.