Life, In Spite of Me: Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice [Hardcover]

Kristen Jane Anderson (Author), Tricia Goyer (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 4, 2010

She wanted to die. God had other plans.

Why does my life have to be so painful?
What’s wrong with me?
It’s not going to get better.
It could all be over soon, and then I won’t hurt anymore.
 
Kristen Anderson thought she had the picture-perfect life until strokes of gray dimmed her outlook: three friends and her grandmother died within two years. Still reeling from these losses, she was raped by a friend she thought she could trust. She soon spiraled into a seemingly bottomless depression.
 
One January night, the seventeen-year-old decided she no longer wanted to deal with the emotional pain that smothered her. She lay down on a set of cold railroad tracks and waited for a freight train to send her to heaven…and peace.
 
But Kristen's story doesn’t end there.
 
In Life, In Spite of Me this remarkably joyful young woman shares the miracle of her survival, the agonizing aftermath of her failed suicide attempt, and the hope that has completely transformed her life, giving her a powerful purpose for living.
 
Her gripping story of finding joy against all odds provides a vivid and unforgettable reminder that life is a gift to be treasured.  
 
Includes notes of encouragement Kristen wishes she had received when she was struggling most.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Life, In Spite of Me is a remarkable story of life beyond despair and hope that triumphs over tragedy.” 
   —Louie Giglio, pastor, Passion City Church/The Passion Movement

“Suicide is a liar and a thief. It promises peace to those who are escaping but delivers unimaginable pain and rejection to those left behind. Kristen Jane Anderson’s riveting story unmasks the thief and gives hope a face.”
   —Dr. Dennis Rainey, president, FamilyLife Ministries

“When I first met Kristen, I was overwhelmed with her smile, and then I saw her wheelchair. It was a defining moment for me. I had not heard her story or why she’d ended up at Moody. But it was her smile—and it is still her smile—that dismantles me. Kristen has something. It is something otherworldly. She had every reason to die, but now she has every reason to live. I hope you’ll read her story, see her smile, and know why she lives.”
   —Michael Easley, former president, Moody Bible Institute
   

About the Author

Kristen Jane Anderson has been featured on Oprah and is a popular speaker at colleges, women’s and youth events, churches, and suicide prevention outreaches. A graduate of Moody Bible Institute and the founder of Reaching You Ministries, Kristen seeks to help those who are hurting, hopeless, lost, suicidal and depressed.
 
Tricia Goyer is the author of three hundred articles for national periodicals, as well as fourteen novels and six nonfiction books, including Blue Like Play Dough.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books; 1 edition (May 4, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601422520
• ISBN-13: 978-1601422521
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.9 x 9.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (282 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #611,408 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It Takes Faith May 10, 2010

By Alaina Frederick

Format:Hardcover

Wow - from the tightness in my chest to the tears of every emotion running down my face I can't recommend this book enough. It changed my life. It will change yours. Kristen's story of common teenage pain to the ultimate choice is one that I can relate to unfortunately too well. Her words put me in the moment. Her pain made me want to leave that moment. Yet, with every page I was wanting to know more - routing for her and in a sense starting to route for myself as well.

It's a beautiful story - well worth the time and cup of tea to read it. I read it in less then 48 hours. It's a beautiful book - I have a soft spot for hardcover books and this one is one that will forever have a place not on my bookshelf but on my nightstand to forever remind me of what I am grateful for and to always seek His direction.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for teens! May 23, 2010

By A. L. Pausley

Format:Hardcover

Life, In Spite of Me was a wake up call for me. Most of my life I've heard of people who battled with depression or bi-polar disorder or just sadness in general - but, rarely understood what I was hearing. Kristen and Tricia present Kristen's story in a way that really helps the reader understand what it's really like to live your life captured by depression, sadness and a feeling of hopelessness. Many times I felt like I was there with Kristen as she fought her sadness. I felt myself cheering her on through her long recovery and rejoicing at the end when... well, you'll have to read that for yourself.
As a youth leader and youth pastor's wife, I appreciated Kristen's side notes to those battling depression or suicidal thoughts themselves. She is personal and got right on the level with where so many of our teens are today in this society. Best of all - the Gospel is CLEAR and evident and she speaks of it unashamedly! There is hope for those struggling and I've been challenged to wake up and be more alert to the teens I'm surrounded by, who might be battling this quiet demon. Kristen's story will encourage you, challenge you and motivate you to get on board with helping people. If you have any kind of interaction with people, at all, this book could be a helpful tool for you in identifying the needs of people suffering with depression.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story of the Real God in the Real World May 7, 2010

By Dan Gill

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

A person cannot survive getting run over by a freight train
A person cannot survive losing nearly all of the blood in their body
A person with such devastating injuries cannot make it without lifelong pain medication
UNLESS
The hand of The Almighty God gets directly involved.
Miracles seem to be stories just for The Bible, but here we have Kristin's wonderful story of a miracle in our own times that so clearly demonstrates the sovereign power of God. God has a plan for every single one of us, and this book is a fabulous story of the journey Kristen went through to find her purpose.
I would recommend this book to everyone!