Books in Review: It's Not Supposed to Be This Way

I hadn’t even heard that Lysa Terkeurst was releasing another book. But when I found out that advance copies were available for review*, I jumped at the opportunity to sign up. Since I’d read and reviewed her book Uninvited this summer, I already liked her style as an author. But this book with its subject matter was all the more relevant to me than her last book. I love her raw honesty in the depth of physical and emotional strife. I admire how she is able to keep Christ at the center of all her struggles. But the best part about it is that she allows her audience to come along with her on this difficult journey, in hopes that it will help them through their own difficulties. I know that is much easier said than done. That’s something that we all need on our spiritual journeys. This book is ideal for anyone going through a difficult time, and anyone who likes Lysa’s previous books, especially Uninvited. It you want to know more about it, just ask ~ Bethel

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​​No matter where we go in this life, we are more than sure to be met with disappointments. That’s part of living in this world. Some of these disappointments are minor, while many of them are earth-shattering, causing so much pain and suffering in their wake. All too many of us find ourselves crippled by our circumstances, especially when difficulties hit us unexpectedly. So many of us get to the point of questioning God’s goodness or desiring to turn our backs on Him. This can make us feel trapped like there’s no way out. It makes us ask the question: how can I handle the major disappointments I am sure to face in this life?

In her newest book, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, Lysa Terkeurst walks us through how we can turn to the Lord to find strength and courage when life throws unexpected disappointments at us. This topic is very relevant to Lysa, who in only a few years’ time has dealt with marital strife and two major health issues than inevitably required surgery. With her own fair share of hardships, Lysa admits that facing these disappointments is hard, and sometimes feels impossible to overcome. But she directs us to the Lord and His Word to helps us find strength to keep moving forward, even if we don’t have all the answers or when it we are actually given more than we can handle. She also reminds us how important it is for us to remain alert to the tactics of the one that wants to use our disappointments to keep us apart from God. This is all pointing to the reality that God is using our trials to prepare us from strength in this life and eternal peace in the next.

​This book is powerful, relevant, and honest. Although written out of her own personal experience, this book felt like it was written for me and my current struggles, which speaks to the talent of the author to relate to her audience. If you are going through trials or disappointments in your own life, I cannot recommend this book enough. It is the perfect companion to her last book, Uninvited. This book is available as of November 13. Get your copy today!

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* I received an advance reader's copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review

To read my review of Lysa's last book, Uninvited, click here
To read more about the circumstances that made this book so personal relevant, click here

Teen Rating. Although this book is geared toward adult women, I believe that teen girls could read and really get a lot out of this book. The content is completely appropriate for any age. I recommend it for those about 14 or older (depending on their reading level)

Male-Friendly Rating. Although this book was written with adult women in mind, I really think that men can gain a lot from reading this book.

Singles-Friendly Rating. I added this rating to this book because, although it is not a relationship book specifically, many single women struggle with the disappointments of being alone or from betrayal in past relationships. I think this book could be of great benefit to them.

Personal Rating. This book was so relevant to the place I was in my life. This was a book I needed. I cannot recommend this book enough.