Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts (Paperback)

by Jerry Bridges (Author)
Key Phrases: puritan sermons, sovereignty over nature, adversity strikes, God Himself, Grand Rapids, The Providence of God (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
WHY IS IT EASIER TO OBEY GOD THAN TO TRUST HIM?

Because obeying God makes sense to us. In most cases, His laws appear reasonable and wise, and even when we don't want to obey them, we usually concede that they are good for us.

But the circumstances we find ourselves in often defy explanation. When unexpected situations arise that appear unjust, irrational, or even dreadful, we feel confused and frustrated. And before long we begin to doubt God's concern for us or His control over our lives.

Adversity is hard to endure, and can even be harder to understand. If God were really in control, why would He allow the tragic auto accident or crucial job loss? How could He permit cancer in a loved one or the death of a child?

Grappling with His concern for us we ask, "Why is God allowing this?" or "What have I done wrong?"

In an effort to strengthen his own trust in God during a time of adversity, Jerry Bridges began a lengthy Bible study on the topic of God's sovereignty. What he learned changed his life, and he now shares the fruit of that study with you in Trusting God.

As you begin to explore the scope of God's power over nations, nature, and the detailed lives of individuals, you'll begin to acknowledge His loving control. And as you come to know Him better, you'll find yourself trusting Him more completely. Even when life hurts.

From the Back Cover

<span style="">Because obeying God makes sense to us. In most<br>cases, His laws appear reasonable and wise, and even when we don’t<br>want to obey them, we usually concede that they are good for us.<br>But the circumstances we find ourselves in often defy expl

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details Paperback: 215 pages Publisher: NavPress Publishing Group (June 1990) Language: English ISBN-10: 0891096175 ISBN-13: 978-0892032860 Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #130,026 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
puritan sermons, sovereignty over nature, adversity strikes, sovereign purpose

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
God Himself, Grand Rapids, The Providence of God, Christ Jesus, Alexander Carson, John Newton, Times of Danger, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Rabbi Kushner, Good People, The Apostle Paul, Margaret Clarkson, Baker Book House, The Works, Body of Christ, Professor Berkouwer, The History of Providence, The Scripture, Old Testament, Word of God, South Wales, New Testament, Andrew Murray, Charles Bridges

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Citations (learn more)

55 books cite this book:

• Sunsets: Reflections for Life's Final Journey by Deborah Howard on 13 pages
• Hoodwinked and Happy?: Evangelicals, Calvinism, and Why No One's Answering the Problem of Evil by Daniel Gracely on 8 pages
• When Life and Beliefs Collide by Carolyn Custis James on 5 pages
• When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn Custis James on 5 pages
• Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye?: Trusting God with a Hope Deferred by Carolyn McCulley on 5 pages

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Customer Reviews

32 Reviews 5 star:  (28) 4 star:  (4) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.9 out of 5 stars (32 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 38 of 38 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Life-Changing, November 20, 1999 By A Customer Bridges starts out at the beginning saying that you shouldn't read this book WHILE you are going through hard times, so of course I did. And I was very angry with some things he said at the beginning so I thought I would go through and see what I could "blast" him for. Instead, this book changed my life. He has three main points you MUST learn if you want to know God better: God's Sovereignty, God's Wisdom, and God's Love. One without the other two will leave you right where you are. Learn all three and your life will be changed. As I began to read just how much God does love us, I could accept His wisdom and sovereignty in all things and the "whys" gave way to the acceptance we need in order to not only survive hard times, but be at peace with them. You will learn to Trust God .... even when life hurts. 23 of 23 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Truely a great book, September 9, 2003 By  Robert Wynkoop (Washington State) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This is the most comprehensive and best of the three Bridges books I have read. The authors purpose is two-fold. First, he wants the reader to glorify God by acknowledging God's sovereignty and goodness in the midst of tragedy. Second, he wants to encourage God's people by showing that God is in control of our lives. Bridges purpose is limited. It is not a theological exploration into the origin of pain and suffering, but a book to help the reader deal with pain and suffering on a level of faith, of trusting in God that things do not just happen. Although evangelical Christians often give lip service to the sovereignty of God, many are for all practical purposes are Christian deists. They see God as being too distant our unable to intervene in times of trouble. I appreciate that Bridges does not duck the tough issues. He refuses to wrap up all the theological loose ends when discussing the sovereignty of God. Like Tozer, he recognizes that there are some issues to which there are no neat and tidy answers. Unlike many other authors who write on this subject, he does not slavishly follow C.S. Lewis The Problem of Pain. It is refreshing to read a fresh perspective on the subject rather than merely hearing Lewis arguments parroted again. Although I was very impressed with the book, there were a few areas that caught my attention. Bridges does not deal comprehensively with the idea of spiritual warfare. I would have also liked to see a fuller discussion on the passive will of God. In fact, it is not mentioned in the first one hundred pages or so. It would have been good to have a fuller discussion of the alternative views of God's sovereignty, but then, that would have doubled or tripled the lengthy of the book. This is truly a great book. I could hardly put it down, one of the best I have read on the providence and sovereignty of God. I would also recommend Jack Contrell's volume, What the Bible Says About God the Ruler, College Press, 1884. Although not a Calvinist, Contrell writes one of the most persuasive arguments for the sovereignty of God I have read. He also explores alternative views of sovereignty (pagan, existential, deists, etc.) and their weaknesses. 18 of 18 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars You MUST read this book if you are hurting, November 2, 2002 By A Customer If you are currently in the midst of deep emotional pain and turmoil in your life, as I am, this book is absolutely essential. I know firsthand what it means to love God but be sure He has abandoned you in the middle of a terrible time. Be assured, He has not, but when you are suffering, it is unbelievably difficult sometimes to trust Him. Where is He? Why doesn't He answer our prayers, if He loves us so much? This book answers that question. It is written along the same lines as Disappointment With God (another great book) by Philip Yancey, but this one goes much more in depth and explains things in a much clearer way, in my opinion, especially for one who is reading it with a mind that is clouded by hurt and pain. Don't turn away from God-- hold on!! He will not leave you with more than you can bear, if you turn to Him to help you bear it. Jerry Bridges shows you how to do this in Trusting God Even When Life Hurts. A truly great and healing book.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book! Trusting God by Jerry Bridges turned into something I was not expecting, and I was all the happier for it. Read more Published 19 days ago by Jared Totten 5.0 out of 5 stars A great book with a great theme A friend had told me about this book, and I checked it out of her church's library. Little did I know how much the title, theme, and words would impact me. Read more Published 1 month ago by Merrily Weidner 5.0 out of 5 stars Trusting God Great Book. Helpful in difficult times. I often give it as a gift. Published 3 months ago by Bluebonnet 5.0 out of 5 stars We all need this book! This is one of the best books I have read, not only for myself, but to encourage and read with others. Read more Published 5 months ago by Cami 5.0 out of 5 stars Who ya gonna trust? Bridges' book has been helpful to me in my personal "walk". When life goes sour, I KNOW I don't automatically trust God to be in control, and rest in that... Read more Published 5 months ago by Gary L. Roys 5.0 out of 5 stars Truly, A Book That Will Get You To See Life In Perspective When I had my heart broken and felt nothing would ever undo the damage, that depression medicine, counseling, talks with friends all helped but never really set my mind at... Read more Published 6 months ago by Craig Connell 5.0 out of 5 stars very timely This book will greatly help those today that are going through difficult times. This author is easy to understand,and he makes his points effectively. Read more Published 7 months ago by Sgt. Bilko 5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, deep Our bible study group is using this. It is a rich study on how to truly trust God with life while we are here. Published 8 months ago by cew 5.0 out of 5 stars God IS in control! This book teaches (probably better than any other)that God is in tune and does care and is involved behind the scenes in YOUR life. Read more Published 13 months ago by ESVK 4.0 out of 5 stars Reader Review It is an insightful book that penetrates to the core of the issue in regards to human suffering and God's sovereignty. Read more Published 15 months ago by W. McDonald Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 215 pages
• Publisher: NavPress Publishing Group (June 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891096175
• ISBN-13: 978-0892032860
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #130,026 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life-Changing, November 20, 1999

By A Customer

Bridges starts out at the beginning saying that you shouldn't read this book WHILE you are going through hard times, so of course I did. And I was very angry with some things he said at the beginning so I thought I would go through and see what I could "blast" him for. Instead, this book changed my life. He has three main points you MUST learn if you want to know God better: God's Sovereignty, God's Wisdom, and God's Love. One without the other two will leave you right where you are. Learn all three and your life will be changed. As I began to read just how much God does love us, I could accept His wisdom and sovereignty in all things and the "whys" gave way to the acceptance we need in order to not only survive hard times, but be at peace with them. You will learn to Trust God .... even when life hurts.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truely a great book, September 9, 2003

By	Robert Wynkoop (Washington State) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the most comprehensive and best of the three Bridges books I have read. The authors purpose is two-fold. First, he wants the reader to glorify God by acknowledging God's sovereignty and goodness in the midst of tragedy. Second, he wants to encourage God's people by showing that God is in control of our lives. Bridges purpose is limited. It is not a theological exploration into the origin of pain and suffering, but a book to help the reader deal with pain and suffering on a level of faith, of trusting in God that things do not just happen.

Although evangelical Christians often give lip service to the sovereignty of God, many are for all practical purposes are Christian deists. They see God as being too distant our unable to intervene in times of trouble. I appreciate that Bridges does not duck the tough issues. He refuses to wrap up all the theological loose ends when discussing the sovereignty of God. Like Tozer, he recognizes that there are some issues to which there are no neat and tidy answers. Unlike many other authors who write on this subject, he does not slavishly follow C.S. Lewis The Problem of Pain. It is refreshing to read a fresh perspective on the subject rather than merely hearing Lewis arguments parroted again.

Although I was very impressed with the book, there were a few areas that caught my attention. Bridges does not deal comprehensively with the idea of spiritual warfare. I would have also liked to see a fuller discussion on the passive will of God. In fact, it is not mentioned in the first one hundred pages or so. It would have been good to have a fuller discussion of the alternative views of God's sovereignty, but then, that would have doubled or tripled the lengthy of the book.

This is truly a great book. I could hardly put it down, one of the best I have read on the providence and sovereignty of God. I would also recommend Jack Contrell's volume, What the Bible Says About God the Ruler, College Press, 1884. Although not a Calvinist, Contrell writes one of the most persuasive arguments for the sovereignty of God I have read. He also explores alternative views of sovereignty (pagan, existential, deists, etc.) and their weaknesses.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You MUST read this book if you are hurting, November 2, 2002

By A Customer

If you are currently in the midst of deep emotional pain and turmoil in your life, as I am, this book is absolutely essential. I know firsthand what it means to love God but be sure He has abandoned you in the middle of a terrible time. Be assured, He has not, but when you are suffering, it is unbelievably difficult sometimes to trust Him. Where is He? Why doesn't He answer our prayers, if He loves us so much? This book answers that question. It is written along the same lines as Disappointment With God (another great book) by Philip Yancey, but this one goes much more in depth and explains things in a much clearer way, in my opinion, especially for one who is reading it with a mind that is clouded by hurt and pain. Don't turn away from God-- hold on!! He will not leave you with more than you can bear, if you turn to Him to help you bear it. Jerry Bridges shows you how to do this in Trusting God Even When Life Hurts. A truly great and healing book.