Desperate for Hope by Bruce W. Martin - REVIEWED

About the Book: (from Revell)

There is hope after life falls apart.

A single phone call can change your life.

There's been an accident.
You have cancer.
The company's downsizing.

Your spouse wants out.

All of a sudden everything spins out of control.

At some point, we've all felt painful loss, bitter disappointment, embarrassing failure, unthinkable betrayal, and the seeming randomness of suffering. Some of us have faced death. Sometimes it all happens at once. And we have quietly wondered (or maybe even screamed), "Why is this happening to me? Where is God in all of this?"

The answer may surprise you.

With sincere sympathy and ready encouragement, Bruce W. Martin takes you through a grieving process that will help you reconcile your deep suffering with your beliefs about God. A unique and compassionate take on the age-old question of suffering, this book is for anyone who has experienced life-shattering pain.

My Thoughts:

Desperate for Hope is an extremely important, frank, honest, and encouraging look at trials in this life and what they can and will accomplish in the believer’s life if we cling to our faith, and rest in God’s strength.  Once again, I’ve met with a God-appointment within the pages of this book.  I’m looking at Scripture through tear-washed eyes and beholding the wondrous love of my Savior!!  I know that my trials are accomplishing purposeful things in my life, and when I read the chapters of this book, and all of the Scriptural truth contained within the trials recorded there, I find renewed strength.

Martin takes you step by step through a process of understanding the importance of trials in our life.   He wants us to see earthly trials with eternal and heavenly perspective.  He acknowledges the doubt and fear that plagues us in the midst of our storms, and even points out that God allows us to walk headlong into the storms that we face.  But what we learn in within the storm is eternal and vital to our faith.  There IS purpose.  Eternal purpose.

Martin ends each chapter with questions that guide the reader to thoughtfully consider their own story within the context of God’s purpose.  It is both difficult and healing.  No matter if you’ve just entered the storm, or emerged from the other side, you need to read this book!  It will give you a fresh perspective, and a healthy dose of the hope you are so desperately seeking.  This is a most excellent book!!

About the Author:

Bruce W. Martin is the pastor of a new church plant in Alabama. He has been a pastor and counselor for fifteen years and speaks and teaches in the United States and abroad. With the help of God he has survived his own soul-shattering pain and seeks to guide others through theirs.