The Blessings of Brokenness: Why God Allows Us to Go Through Hard Times [Hardcover]

Charles Stanley (personal) (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 1997

Perhaps you've already experienced circumstances so shattering you may wonder today whether it's even possible to pick up the pieces. And maybe you can't. But God can -- and the good news is, he wants to reassemble the shards of your life into a wholeness that only the broken can know.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'After sitting under Charles Stanley's teaching for more than 25 years, I can honestly say his series on brokenness has had a greater impact in my life than any series I have ever heard him preach.' -- James Reimann, Editor, Updated editions of 'My Utmost for His Highest' and 'Streams in the Desert'

From the Publisher

Broken. Blessed. How can those two words possibly go together? Considering just how shattering life's blows can be, can we honestly believe God will bring good out of our most heartbreaking crises? "It's difficult to discern the blessing in the midst of brokenness," says Dr. Charles Stanley. "Certain circumstances in life hurt, at times so intensely that we think we will never heal." The death of a loved one, the loss of a job, a lingering illness . . . the catalysts for brokenness all possess a wrenching pain and the power to forever alter our life. But they also possess one thing more: the potential for discovering a richness in living we otherwise never would know. "After brokenness, we can experience God's greatest blessings," say Dr. Stanley. "The dawn after a very dark and storm-wracked night is glorious. Joy after a period of intense mourning can be ecstatic." First, however, we must fully experience our brokenness and confront why God allows it. With gentle wisdom, Dr. Stanley shines light on the process of being broken. He reveals the ways we protest against it. And he gives us an inspiring look beyond the pain to the promise of blessing. Brokenness is what God uses to replace our self-life with his desires and intents for us, says Stanley. Its end is blessing far greater than we could ever discover apart from being broken. It's spiritual maturity and joyous intimacy with God. Greater depth and power in our ministry to others. New dimensions of freedom, strength, and peace. And a wholeness that comes as God himself reassembles us into someone more closely resembling Jesus Christ.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 8, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310200261
• ISBN-13: 978-0310200260
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,772 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Charles Stanley is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the author of numerous books, including The Blessings of Brokenness and other titles in the popular A Touch of His... devotional series. His popular radio and TV program In Touch is heard and seen worldwide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book shows you just how much love God has for us, November 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Blessings of Brokenness: Why God Allows Us to Go Through Hard Times (Hardcover)

Charles Stanley has to be one of the greatest people that God has chosen to speak through. This book touched my heart and showed me why things happen to me and the reason they happen. It shows me that even though bad things happen, it does not mean that God is being mean to me. It means that God is reshaping my life so that I can be more of a witness to Him and allow Him to fullfil his will through me. I would tell anyone who is going through tough times to read this book and your life will start to look brighter each word you read.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big message in a small package, April 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Blessings of Brokenness, The (Audio Cassette)

This is a great book for helping you come to a greater relationship with God. I was going through the hardest time of my life when a good friend gave me a copy of this book, and without the message I received, I would have come through angry, bitter, and further away from God. Instead, I have a closer relationship with Jesus than ever before. Very highly recommended!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Growing in Him, August 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Blessings of Brokenness: Why God Allows Us to Go Through Hard Times (Hardcover)

Charles Stanley's book can help you get on the right path when you are going through a tough time. I was lost when someone I loved passed away. My faith for the first time waivered. I've learned that when we are the most in need is when we need God most. I have a closer relationship with him and am learning more every day.
There is another book that is helping me to cope, Write from Your Heart, A Healing Grief Journal.
Immersing myself in the word has made a huge difference in the way I am healing.