Book Review On It’s Not Supposed to be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered
By Lysa TerKeurst
Reviewed By Ashley Flowers
So many times when we encounter unmet expectations in life, someone we know will offer up a Bible verse or well-known saying to encourage us. However good their intentions are, often times their words of encouragement seem shallow compared to the hurt and pain we are experiencing. Author Lysa TerKeurst understands that all too well.
In her book, It’s Not Supposed to be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered, TerKeurst speaks truth from God’s Word and shares personal experiences as well as those of others to show that even in the midst of life’s unmet expectations and disappointments, God really is good, He is in control and is working everything for good.
When I first learned the topic of Lysa’s new book, I immediately craved to know what she had to say about how to find strength in the midst of shattering disappointments. I had just gone through the most disappointing experience of my life and felt not only shattered, but lost as to what to do next. I prayed countless times, asking God why these things were happening to me and why He was allowing me to go through so much hardship, but through Lysa’s book He gave me something better than answers—hope.
Lysa walks us through how we too can emerge from our experiences victorious, full of hope and trust in the Lord. She gives solid practical advice on how we can fully trust in the Lord, no matter our circumstances, guaranteeing “We will all suffer sometimes. But [God] won’t let that suffering be wasted.”
Lysa is honest about the discrepancy between God’s sovereignty and our human nature when it comes to our desire for comfort. She stresses the importance of truly knowing who God is, explaining “if we have a misunderstanding of God, we will certainly have a misunderstanding of our circumstances.”
The importance of trusting God is woven throughout every chapter, claiming “Understanding how to consider it all pure joy rises and falls on whether we truly trust God in the middle of what our human minds can’t see as good at all.”
Another thing Lysa makes clear throughout the book is that we can’t be idle if we want to emerge victorious from our disappointing circumstances. We must put in the work. We must decide to believe God is who He says He is and be willing to put aside what we think our life should look like. “Sometimes to get your life back, you have to face the death of what you thought your life would look like.” Is that scary? Yes. “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.”
Everyone faces unmet expectations. Everyone suffers. Everyone deals with disappointments. But God is faithful. If you are struggling with knowing how to walk through life’s disappointments and wondering if God really is working everything for good, read Lysa’s book and find truth that will help you emerge victorious!
Meet the Author!
Ashley Flowers is a music teacher in Moore, OK. She loves to laugh, even if it’s at herself. She can’t live without sweet tea and chocolate covered almonds. Her secret talent is being able to sing with her mouth closed. Thunder up.