My Thoughts
Reading, “Stronger” by Jimy Daly, the following scripture kept coming back to me:
33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
(Hebrews 10:33-36, New King James Version)
I really connected with not just the personal ancedotes that is shared throughout the book, but the message of hope and perserverance that prevails through out this indeed, “strong” and challenging book that has us look at life’s trials with a heavenly perspective.
As Dale writes,”Daly states, “If we believe in a big God, one who is mighty enough to create the universe and every living creature in it, who is still actively making miracles and involved in our lives today, we possess a powerful hope. No matter how traumatic or tragic our circumstances, we know that anything is possible if it’s in His will. We ask for the Lord’s intervention in the great and minute issues of our lives, understanding that His power is unlimited.”, this is such a powerful reminder that there is nothing too big for our Father in Heaven can handle.
As I read “Stronger” it was difficult not to think in the back of my mind, this would be so great to have a study guide with and this is a great book to recommend to loved ones and friends, particularly in today’s world where tragedy and tribulation seems to be around the corner.
Some of the questions that Jim shares in his book, “Stronger” that he has asked himself are questions that we must have asked ourselves in the dark of the night, while on our knees crying and in prayer, “Is great weakness the essential ingredient to discovering great strength?”,”Have we missed this message somehow?”
In “Stronger” Jim Daly strives and often succeeds in answering these questions while offering stories of hope and encouragement that when life is at its hardest or darkest, our Father is at His strongest for us.
“Stronger” hit close to home for me as there have been days, when I too have asked myself the same questions of “When you wish you didn’t feel more helpess than a bug on your back?” or maybe you have felt like,”When you wish you were Superman or Wonder Woman instead of plain ,ol’ pint sized “me”?”
This book is a reminder of the great faith of Job, when abandon, villify and alone, he held on to his trust and faith in our Father in Heaven and was rewarded, not for being a king, or popular, or anybody, but for being a nobody that held strong.
We’ve all had days like that when we felt, “Why me Lord, why?” and “Stronger” is a reminder that what we feel is broken can be traded for “Unbreakable Strength”.
If you’re having a bad day, maybe you know of someone who feels insignficant or overwhelm by life’s circumstances…this is the book for you to either read or recommend to that person you know.
“Stronger” is a great reminder that we are not forgotten and He will see us through no matter what life throws at us.
About the Book
While serving with Focus on the Family, Daly has come face to face with many people dealing with heartbreaking trials. Yet on a trip to Beijing, China, when he asked a local missionary the question “How do you pray for us?” the answer was eye-opening. “We are praying…for the church in America to get more persecution.” Why would someone viewing the lives of believers living in the U.S. ask such a thing from God? Daly concluded that ours is viewed as a weak faith in need of strengthening.
As Daly began to examine his own life and the lives of those with whom he ministered, he observed that trial and persecution had a markedly different effect upon people, and he discovered that those who chose to surrender their situations to God—painful though they might be—grew stronger in their faith, while those who chose to face their trials alone with resentment and anger often turned their back on God—blaming Him for their circumstances. Daly’s latest book, Stronger: Trading Brokenness for Unbreakable Strength, explores the choices that lie at the crossroad of tragedy and presents a vision of strength that the Church and families can cling to during hard times.
Using life principles and personal stories, Daly reveals the most formidable and powerful strength—the kind that endures and hopes even when all seems hopeless. Daly states a profound truth he has observed in the lives of fellow believers: Christ alone is the one true foundation upon which we must stand and to whom we must cling when the going gets tough. Christ offers this strength to us all—not because we deserve it, but because He loves us. Unless we choose to live in Christ’s unbreakable strength, we will live lives broken by bitterness.
Is God to blame? Is He punishing His people? Drawing upon his own life experiences and of those with whom he has shared his ministry, Daly indicates that the opposite is true. God uses every circumstance in our life, whether He orchestrates it for a purpose, or allows it to occur, to show us His great love and continually invite us into closer relationship with Him. Daly states, “If we believe in a big God, one who is mighty enough to create the universe and every living creature in it, who is still actively making miracles and involved in our lives today, we possess a powerful hope. No matter how traumatic or tragic our circumstances, we know that anything is possible if it’s in His will. We ask for the Lord’s intervention in the great and minute issues of our lives, understanding that His power is unlimited.”
Stronger: Trading Brokenness for Unbreakable Strength by Jim Daly
David C Cook/September 1, 2010/ISBN: 978-1-4347-6446-1/237 pages/trade paperback/$14.99
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