When Life Is Hard [Paperback]

James MacDonald (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 17, 2009

When life is hard, really hard, we often spend all our time pleading, begging, yelling, refusing, and questioning. While none of these things are necessarily unusual, they are missing the ultimate point. When life is hard, when things get ugly, when all hope seems to be lost... that is when we are able to display the superiority of the life lived in God.

It is in those moments of despair, when we question what is happening, when we don't know what to do, when some trials never seem to end, that we can lean most heavily on God's promises and truths.

Working his way through five questions we've all had run through our heads, trusted pastor James MacDonald helps us understand what we should do now. We begin the journey by looking at different types of "trials," figuring out exactly what we're dealing with, and recognizing that God certainly knows. Second, the obvious question: "Why?" God sees us going through trials and we long for two things: for them to be over and to know why they happened in the first place. Next, we need to know what to do with these trials when they come (and they will most certainly come). Fourth, we have all wondered it, can trials be refused? Are God's purposes really being fulfilled in the midst of this trying time? And lastly, God reveals Himself to us through these trials...and sometimes, they just don't ever end. Why doesn't this trial go away?

God told us to expect trials--don't be surprised when they come. Grow when they come. Find hope when they come.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

JAMES MACDONALD is the founding and senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Pastor MacDonald has written many books, including Lord, Change My Attitude, When Life is Hard, and Gripped by the Greatness of God. Pastor MacDonald's teaching can be heard on Walk in the Word, a daily radio program heard on outlets across North America. Pastor MacDonald and his wife, Kathy, have three children and reside in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; 1st edition (December 17, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080245870X
• ISBN-13: 978-0802458704
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,482 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

JAMES MACDONALD is founding pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, a suburban Chicago church composed of many new Christians that has grown to more than 6,000 worshipers in its fourteen-year history. He has spoken extensively at retreats and Bible conferences and is the author of three other books, as well as articles in noted Christian magazines. He can be heard daily through the half-hour radio broadcast, Walk in the Word, which is aired on more than 500 stations around the country. A new one-minute feature with James, called Listen Up, is now in syndication and is heard on more than 1,000 stations nationwide.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Out of the ashes February 12, 2010

By Nelson Johnsrud

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have to disagree with the earlier review. As someone who is still emerging from one of the darkest hours of my life, I have to say that I found the "When Life is Hard" book and podcast series extremely helpful in shoring up my spiritual foundation again after a devastating loss. Last year in February my daughter (age 23) was admitted for "minor" surgery to drain an infected mass on her bladder. During the procedure a vein to her leg was cut, and a progression of events that followed resulted in her death that evening. In a few short hours she went from a healthy young woman with a minor medical issue to a tragic death due to a surgeon's mistake. I have struggled with this harder than anything I have ever had to deal with. Mr. Macdonald's book is spot-on for anyone who is facing a true life trial. Hebrews chapter 12 has been a constant comfort to me, and I was glad to see Mr. Macdonald expand on that theme. I highly recommend this book to anyone facing a hard trial.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars When Life Is Hard April 11, 2010

By Michael Taylor TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

"When Life Is Hard" by James MacDonald is a great and encouraging read for the Christian who is going through some kind of trial (relational, health, career, etc.).

Among the points covered include:

1. 3 things to remember when in a trial.
2. One of the fruits of genuine believers is that you endure hardships.
3. 2 good benefits of trials.
4. 4 actions to take when in a trial.
5. 4 ways to respond to a trial.
6. When in a trial, be careful of discouragement, dislocation, and bitterness.
7. 5 things to consider when going through a trial.
8. The devil wants to use our trial to paralyze us while God wants to use the trial for our own good.
9. 2 things to do when you are living with your "thorn".

MacDonald pulls no punches: trials are not necessarily fun to endure and they are sure to come to the Christian. However, with God's grace, you will endure and glorify God in the process.

Highly recommended.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy Read, But Meaty and Helpful February 13, 2010

By Frank Helquist

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book has kept me reading it because of its easy style of writing while at the same time it provides very clear teachings about trials in life. It's one I have marked up as I have read it and will work through it a second time.