If you are going through anything at all, I suggest you read this one. Lysa is bold and transparent when it comes to sharing some of the difficult things she has faced. She hits them head-on with dignity, grace, and a bit of humor. Yet the underlying truth is just learning to trust God no matter what kinds of situations come your way.

She shares that throughout her struggles, she always takes it back to the cross, always reminds us to let God carry and comfort us. For those of us facing bewildering, stifling, and overwhelming circumstances, this book is a reminder that life just happens. Bad things happen. Things we have no control over happen. But in the midst of it all we can continue to bring it to Him and He will comfort and heal our deepest wounds.

Early on she said she talks about feelings when you are facing hardships. On page 9 she says, To deny my feelings any voice is to rob me of being human. But to let my feelings be the only voice will rob my soul of healing perspectives with which God wants to comfort me and carry me forward. This statement stood out to me because so many times we feel like our feelings are stuffed away because others don't understand them, or because we don't understand them ourselves. 

Another statement that grabbed my attention is in the latter portion of the book was this. Lysa says, Comfort isn't a solution to seek; rather, it's a by-product we'll reap when we stay close to the Lord. (p.181) I really liked that and it was food for quite a bit of meditation. I had to ask myself if I was seeking God just to get comfort - or seeking Him because He is God. 

I found this an encouragement and recommend it for anyone who is "going through."
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I love the classics and have quite a collection of them. For my first book this year I chose Andrew Murray's The True Vine. He made a lot of points I liked. One of my favorite quotes is at the first of the book before he begins expounding on this parable. He says: 

With what you already know of the parable, bow down and be still, worship and wait, until the divine Word enters your heart and you feel His holy presence with you and in you. (p.24)

And on page 33 he says: The branch has no care, the vine provides all, it has but to yield itself and receive.

I think the total reliance on Him and being quiet before Him are true acts of worship. Although I enjoyed reading this classic, and it had plenty of good points and thought-provoking points, I found it a bit redundant near the end. I suggest you read it for yourself! It was still a good read and I recommend this one and other classics be on your reading list for this year. You can get it here:

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