Trusting God Even When Life Hurts

Over 500,000 copies sold “Why is God allowing this? What have I done wrong?” Many of us have asked these questions when life hits us hard. When our circumstances defy explanation, it is difficult to untangle our emotions from the truth. Before long, we feel confused and frustrated. We doubt His care for us. We wonder how He could allow these circumstances at all, or if He is really in control. During a time of darkness and adversity in his own life, Jerry Bridges dug deep into the Bible for answers on God’s sovereignty. What he learned changed his life—and it will change yours too. Find the answers to some of your most heartfelt questions, such as: Is God in control? Can I trust God? What is our responsibility when things are hard? How can I grow through adversity? And more Explore the scope of God’s care and control over nations, nature, and the tiny details of your life. You’ll find yourself trusting Him more completely―even when life hurts. Now with an added study guide for personal use or group discussion so you can dive deeper into this staple of Jerry Bridges’s classic collection. “The writings of Jerry Bridges are a gift to the church. He addresses a relevant topic with the wisdom of a scholar and the heart of a servant.” —Max Lucado, pastor and bestselling author

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. Before long, we begin to doubt God's concern for us or His control over our lives. We ask, "Why is God allowing this?" or "What have I done wrong?" During such a time of adversity, Jerry Bridges began a thorough Bible study on the topic of God's sovereignty. What he learned changed his life, and in Trusting God he shares the fruit of that study. As you explore the scope of God's power over nations, nature, and even the details of your life, you'll find yourself trusting Him more completely--even when life hurts. This new edition replaces both Trusting God (paperback ISBN 9781600063053) and the study guide (paperback ISBN 9781600063060) by combining both resources into one volume

From devastating natural disasters to deadly highway accidents, tragedies occur every day around the world and in our own lives. As we face death, grief, loss, we become angry and our faith is tested as we ask, “Is God really in control?” Navigator author Jerry Bridges helps answer that question positively in this topical Bible study, offering comfort and hope by exploring the greater purposes and character of God. Useful for men, women, and teens, the book includes discussion questions.

Thirty biblical meditations for women that offer hope in times of suffering. Thirty biblical meditations for women that offer hope in times of suffering. Hurt is real. But so is hope. Kristen and Sarah have walked through, and are walking in, difficult times. So these thirty biblical reflections are full of realism about the hurts of life-yet overwhelmingly full of hope about the God who gives life. This book will gently encourage and greatly help any woman who is struggling with suffering-whether physical, emotional or psychological, and whether for a season or for longer. It is a book to buy for yourself, or to buy for a member of your church or friend. For anyone who is hurting, this book will give hope, not just for life beyond the suffering, but for life in the suffering. Each chapter contains a biblical reflection, with questions and prayers, and a space for journaling.

As a parent, do you struggle with trusting God’s will for your life and for those you love? Are you tired and afraid? In Be Brave in the Scared, Catholic writer Mary Lenaburg shares how the overwhelming demands of caring for her severely disabled daughter ultimately taught her—and can teach you—that trusting in God and accepting his will can lead to profound joy, no matter what challenges you face. Be Brave in the Scared is an uplifting account of human frailty (and stubbornness) surrendered to faith. Lenaburg tells the heart-rending story of how caring for her severely disabled daughter affected her self-image, marriage, family life, and faith. Although she initially struggled to accept God’s will and her own limitations, Lenaburg ultimately learned how to trust God. She found in that trust inexplicable joy, even during the most difficult days of her life. She writes boldly and authentically about challenges we all encounter, such as trials with control, blame, exhaustion, fear, and acceptance. Each chapter concludes with an invitation to write and a place for readers to express their thoughts and feelings. Lenaburg’s extraordinary story affirms that God’s redeeming love never fails and that he is there to help us through all of the challenges we encounter.

We all admire humility when we see it. But how do we practice it? How does humility--the foundational virtue of the normal Christian life--become a normal part of our everyday lives? Jerry Bridges sees in the Beatitudes a series of blessings from Jesus, a pattern for humility in action. Starting with poverty in spirit--an acknowledgment that in and of ourselves we are incapable of living holy lives pleasing to God--and proceeding through our mourning over personal sin, our hunger and thirst for righteousness, our experience of persecutions large and small, and more, we discover that humility is itself a blessing: At every turn, God is present to us, giving grace to the humble and lifting us up to blessing.

Why? Why do bad things happen if God is so good? The answer is within these pages. Even When Bad Things Happen, God Is Good addresses the age-old philosophical question: Why is there tribulation in the world if God is good? Along with other classics addressing this perplexing question such as The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis and The Wounded Healer by Henri Nouwen, Dr. Leary E. Bonnett sensitively explores this very common question with the skill and spiritual experience of a person deeply committed to helping you learn to trust God in every circumstance. Reshaping the way you think, act, and react to problems impacting your life empowers you to be in control—under God’s grace and mercy. Everyone experiences adversity at some time along life’s journey, but when you have concrete steps showing you how to partner with God, you can unshackle yourself from the throes of troubles. You will be inspired to live a more meaningful life, in thought and deed, and make God a personal reality in your life—starting today!

It’s easy to trust God when everything is going well. But when adversity strikes—a school shooting, a cancer diagnosis, a financial setback—do you wonder if God cares or if He’s even there at all? In this 31-day devotional, author Jerry Bridges tackles the doctrine of God’s sovereignty. These daily readings set the biblical foundation for the essential goodness of His character. In a clear and warm manner, Bridges explains how you can and should choose to trust God no matter what happens in life.