You’ll Get Through This (Thomas Nelson, 2013)
Max Lucado’s latest book, You’ll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Turbulent Times, applies the Old Testament story of Joseph to the “pit” experiences of our lives. Offering hope in the midst of tragedy, Pastor Lucado notes that our “pits” catch us off-guard. We all fear that we won’t get through our adversity. Yet God pledges to reweave our pain for a higher purpose, although He may take His time. History is redeemed in lifetimes, not minutes.
Our survival in Egypt begins with a yes to God’s call on our lives. When our world bottoms out we, like Joseph, need to “look higher” to God rather than “dig deeper” into ourselves. While we may be puzzled by our adversity, that adversity doesn’t bewilder God. He sees our struggle and is fully engaged. Max encourages us to make God’s presence our passion- we never will go where He is not. Our mess can become our message.
We are in God’s waiting room. As we wait, God works. As a counterbalance to life’s punches, Pastor Lucado emphasizes that we need an anchor: “a deep-seated stabilizing belief in God’s sovereignty.” We must live with the awareness that God is active in our situation, able, and up to something significant. Whether our days are good or bad, God is in all days. An attitude of gratitude leaves us looking at God, as we turn our attention to what Jesus did for us rather than focusing inward on what was done to us. How we get through life depends on the degree that we believe and accept God’s vision for our lives. God preceded our ministry downsizing or vocation loss. He will outlive our ministry downsizing or vocation loss. God is all over our ministry downsizing or vocation loss.
