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It's easy to trust God when things go your way, but what about when things go wrong?
Description:
In an effort to strengthen his own trust in God during a time of adversity, Navigator author Jerry Bridges began a lengthy Bible study on God’s sovereignty. The revelations changed his life.
In Trusting God, he shares the scope of God’s power to help you come to know Him better, have a relationship with Him, and trust Him more—even when unjust things happen.
Tragedy, grief, loss, and death are part of life. Discover how Trusting God can reveal biblical truths about God.
Also available: Trusting God Discussion Guide
Other Links of Interest:
Also available in audio.
Trusting God
ISBN-13:
9781600063053
Trim Size: 5.5 x 8.25
Cover: Paperback
240
Pages
$14.99
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Downloadable
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Part of a Series
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Available in Spanish
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Customer Reviews
Wow!
Incredible succinct summary of how God is working in our lives and in the world to accomplish His purpose. I have tried to understand how to trust God in difficult times. I was reminded in this text of all the scriptures that testify of God's sovereignty and that God may choose for a Believer to encounter "various trials" to make them all that He wants them to be. Thank you Dr. Bridges for your ministry through this book.
Posted by
K.S
on
3/22/2012 3:45:19 PM
A must read!
Where is God when horrible things happen? What role does He play when it comes to job loss, the death of a child or loved one, a terminal illness, or other tragedies? Does He actually control all our circumstances, or do these bad things happen simply because we live in a sin-cursed world?
These are questions that I never gave much thought...until I found myself in the midst of my own tragic circumstances. It suddenly became a crucial issue in my life!
Jerry Bridges addresses this exact issue in Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts. If you've read my reviews of other books by Dr. Bridges, you know that I really enjoy his writing. I think this one is my favorite so far. He expresses what I came to strongly believe during that period in my life much more eloquently than I ever could. Dr. Bridges wrote this book based on a lengthy Bible study he did on the subject during a time of adversity in his own life.
He points out that most Christians find it much easier to obey God than to trust Him. We can handle things pretty well when His expectations are clearly laid out and we know what to do, but when life gets messy and we don't understand what's going on and can't see the outcome (or don't like the one we do see!), it's easier to place blame on other factors instead of trusting that God knows what He's doing.
The book begins by addressing this critical issue: Can we trust God? Is He trustworthy?
In the first half of the book, Dr. Bridges takes us through a thorough study of God's sovereignty over people, nations, and nature as taught in Scripture. In Chapter 7, he tackles the issue of our responsibility in light of God's sovereignty. The last few chapters address how God's wisdom and love factor in to the equation.
He wraps up by applying all we've seen of God's character personally: how we can know and experience God's love, and trust Him and be thankful, no matter our circumstances.
Dr. Bridges isn't afraid to tackle the tough issues brought up by the subject of God's sovereignty, and he does it with grace and humility. Trusting God is eloquent, Scripture-saturated, and encouraging.
Do yourself a favor...get and read Trusting God now so you'll be standing on a firm foundation when (not if!) circumstances seem to be trying to knock you off your feet!
(Thanks so much to Navpress for the review copy of this book. I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own.)
Posted by
Kara Haschke
on
11/2/2010 11:02:22 AM
Sovereign
In Trusting God Even When Life Hurts, Jerry Bridges addresses questions about suffering in the life of Christians. A personal time of study and prayer evolved into this book on the sovereignty of God. Can we trust Him? Why does God allow suffering? Does He love us?
It has been my experience that books on suffering are best read when one is not suffering. I started this during a difficult time in my life and had to lay it aside until I was through that time. When I picked it up again, I found it to be helpful in understanding some of what I experienced. I liked the fact that there were many Scripture references and quotes from other Christians. The last two chapters on God's love were important to grasping the previous chapters and leaves us understanding why we can trust God. I would recommend this book if you're looking to read on the topic of suffering, hard times, and difficult situations.
Trusting God Even When Life Hurts is written by Jerry Bridges and published by NavPress. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Posted by
Cynthia
on
10/27/2010 8:26:25 PM
Trusting God
In Trusting God, author Jerry Bridges covers far more material than I can summarize in a brief review. Here are a few of the major points:
•Why we can trust God
•Why God allows us to go through trials
•How to trust Him in all circumstances
•How we can grow through adversity
•Why--and how to--choose to trust God
This book contains a wealth of solid information and wisdom. I'd like to share a few passages that I especially liked:
•"Trusting God is not a matter of my feelings but of my will. I never feel like trusting God when adversity strikes, but I can choose to do so even when I don't feel like it. That act of the will, though, must be based on belief, and belief must be based on truth." (page 52)
•"If you stop and think about it, you will realize that most godly character traits can only be developed through adversity. The kind of love that gives freely of itself at great cost to itself can only be learned when we are confronted with situations that call forth a sacrificial love. The fruit of the Spirit that is called joy cannot be learned in the midst of circumstances that produce mere 'natural' happiness." (page 128)
•"Trust is not a passive state of mind. It is a vigorous act of the soul by which we choose to lay hold on the promises of God and cling to them despite the adversity that at times seeks to overwhelm us." (page 214)
•"I once asked a dear saint of God who has experienced much adversity whether she found it as difficult to trust God in the minor difficulties of life as in the major ones. She replied that she found the minor ones more difficult. In times of major crisis she readily realized her utter dependence on God and quickly turned to Him, but she often tried to work through the more ordinary adversities herself. Let us learn from her experience and seek to trust God in the ordinary circumstances of life." (page 219)
(I received a copy of this book, at no cost to me, for review purposes.)
Posted by
Melissa
on
9/4/2010 11:10:28 AM
Outstanding book!
I just finished reading Jerry Bridges book titled “Trusting God” and it occurred to me that we are lacking literature that deals with this most important subject matter. With tens of thousands of books published every year, why are there not more on trusting God? After all, isn’t that what the Christian life is all about? Instead, Christian publishers give us book after book dealing with “self-help” matters which only serve to keep our focus on the “self” and away from God. I guess you might call this a self-help book, but not of the same variety we have come to expect and that fill our bookstores. Bridges gives us self-help by way of self-surrender to God.
For those of you who have read any of Jerry Bridges work in the past, you will not find many surprises. “Trusting God” is easy to read, loaded with scripture, and it will make you think. A huge theme in this book is the sovereignty of God. Bridges reminds us that every Christian must have a robust understanding of the sovereignty of God. He cites numerous Scriptures to show us the sovereignty of God in literally everything. This is helpful because when we finally come to the point where we see that God is in control and that He can manage the affairs of our lives much better than we can, we are on the right path to trusting God. Along with that, Bridges affirms that we must understand that God is good, and is always working for our good and to glorify His name. If only more Christians truly understood this, it would help them through the ups and downs of life that everyone faces.
I would highly recommend this book to you, especially if you struggle to believe in the sovereignty of God.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Posted by
Dan Stegeman
on
8/17/2010 11:15:06 AM
This is a great book!
Have you ever noticed that it is easier to obey God than it is to trust him? When bad things happen in our lives, it is sometimes hard to understand where God is. I really enjoyed reading Trusting God Even When Life Hurts. It explained how God is in control, even when our lives seem out of control. It also makes very logical points that are very easy to understand. Some times during adversity it is hard to believe that God is in control. It is easy for us to say that we trust God when things are going well, but when things start to go bad we tend to stop trusting him. Why is that? Well when things are going well, we assume that God knows what he is doing and will take care of us. When things start to get bad, we start to questions God and wonder if he is really allowing this bad stuff to happen to us.
Trusting God Even When Life Hurts is a well written book that cover a lot of areas that have to do with trusting God. I am really glad I read this book. I would definitely recommend it. I have really learned a lot from it. This is a great book for anyone to read, especially if you are going through a tough time.
Posted by
Valerie
on
8/10/2010 4:40:38 PM
Excellent!
Trusting God, by Jerry Bridges is one of the best books written on viewing our circumstances from a biblical perspective that I have yet read. Full of Scripture and of theologically sound truths, Mr. Bridges fleshes out his theme of trusting in our sovereign, wise, and loving God and applies it to all aspects of our life, although his directive is primarily that of adversity.
Initially, I found it interesting that he chose to include self-acceptance as a key part of seeing God’s sovereignty amidst trials, but he is absolutely correct! Indeed, that is one particularity about Trusting God that stood out to me: this book is so much more than simply a thesis on basic (or even lofty) Christian beliefs, it is a handbook guiding you towards practical Christian thought and worldview.
The subtitle, Even When Life Hurts, is a reminder to us that Christians ought to expect hardships in life just as a nonbeliever. The difference being that we have the grace of our Lord to gain strength and hope from during those times. This book will strengthen your trust in the Lord as you learn in a deeper way that He is fully in control over every aspect of our lives and is truly worthy of our praise. Excellent!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Posted by
Elizabeth Bailey
on
8/9/2010 4:32:55 PM
"Trusting God"
There are times in life when we wonder, why would God allow this or that to happen? In this book, “Trusting God”, the author, Jerry Bridges, delves deep into the heart of God, and His sovereignty power and love for His children. He shows us, that even through the toughest of times, we must trust God, even when life hurts us the most, we must hold on, and never let go of God. We learn that through it all, God is in control! Bridges teaches us about three main things about God; His sovereignty, His love, and His Wisdom. Having one without the other two, will leave you right where you already were. If you are able to learn all three, your life will be changed forever! The author presents God to be a God that is both powerful and loving, and also both sovereign and wise! What more could we, His children want from our dear Heavenly Father? We should place our complete and sovereign trust in Him, in ALL things. Life might hurt some times, but God is good ALL the time, and He will never leave us, nor forsake us. Jerry Bridges does a truly wonderful job of making that connection to the reader. This book is a must read for anyone going through a rough time in their life, or for someone who just needs reminding that God is always there for us, and that He will never put on us more than we can bear. God is there for us, and we must trust Him, even when life hurts!
As per FTC guidelines, I must state that I was given a complimentary copy of “Trusting God” from Nav Press Publishers in exchange for my review. My opinions are expressly my own, and are never influenced in any way, due to receiving this copy of the book from the publisher.
Posted by
A. Cann
on
8/4/2010 5:56:58 PM
Theologically Troubling and Not very Comforting.
I didn’t anticipate finding this book, Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges to be my favorite, but I am even more concerned with its message than I thought I would be.
This book was not intended for me to be the audience. I understand that. So my review may be a little unfair and a lot biased.
The theology in this book is almost diametrically opposed to my own. The basic premise here is that God is always in control, even when bad things happen.
That much I can agree with. God wants the best possible life for people, and when bad things happen, God can bring amazing things into someone’s life as a result.
However, this author wants to emphasize not that God will bring good out of tough times — God causes tough times.
God caused that kid to say mean things to you when you were 8.
God caused your car to break down in the middle of nowhere on an abandoned road.
God caused that drunk driver to kill your son.
Why can God still be good? Because we don’t have to understand everything God is doing. God is bringing God’s self glory through all things, even if we can’t see it.
I can’t handle that idea. I can’t handle a God that would plan and execute the Holocaust. I can’t believe in that God, and I don’t believe the Bible shows us that kind of God. Jesus certainly doesn’t.
Some would say a God that allows bad things to happen is just as problematic. Well, I’ll take that problem over the idea that God would cause pain for his people.
This book might bring some people solace in times of trouble, but I find it troubling and theologically dangerous.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Posted by
RevMelissa
on
8/4/2010 3:13:30 PM
Trusting God
In a very candid admission, Jerry Bridges states that he did not know how to turn to God in times of trouble. As a matter of fact he stated quietly frankly that he was alone in his adversity. Bridges observes wisely that all human beings experience adversity at different times in our lives and as he puts it in varying degrees.
Bridges makes it clear that the purpose of his book is two-fold; to glorify God by acknowledging God’s absolute sovereignty and secondly, to encourage God’s people through the process of demonstrating from the bible that God is in control of their lives. As a matter of fact Bridges makes it very clear that God loves His children and as Paul stated in the eighth chapter of Romans, that God works all the circumstances in their lives for their ultimate good.
Trusting God opens in chapter one with a very pointed, yet valid question, can you trust God? Using scripture, real life examples, and years of tried wisdom Bridges answers this question in the affirmative. He hopes that as you read this chapter and the rest of his book that you too are able to answer a definite yes.
Bridges takes on the challenging task of demonstrating that God is in control regardless of the trial, tragedy, or tribulation that comes into your life. He makes it clear from the Word of God that these painful events that we all experience are not merely chance or blind fate. Without years of pastoral wisdom and biblical knowledge he comforts and gives guidance to each individual regardless of the tragedy that you are facing.
Bridges makes it clear that we can go to God and seek wisdom and answers from God. He makes it clear God is under no obligation to explain himself to us. He also makes it clear that we are obligated to trust God. What makes this book a very comforting and practical handbook is that Bridges is careful to exegete the scriptures and show us that we should and that we are enabled to trust God with our lives in the most painful of times.
Bridges makes excellent explanation and application in all fourteen chapters in his book. Each chapter is very useful and needs to be read very carefully. However, the last three chapters are the meat and potatoes of this book. Growing through Adversity, Choosing to Trust God, and Giving Thanks Always are very down to earth and encouraging to the hurting saint.
Trusting God, like all of Jerry Bridges books is not only well written, it is very easy to read and understand. He writes with clarity that is rare. He not only uses Scripture but he explains it so that anyone can grasp its meaning and be comforted. This book needs to be next to your bible, concordance, dictionary, and study guides.
I received a copy of this book for review through the NavPress Blogger Review Program and received no other compensation for this review.
Posted by
Gregg Metcalf
on
8/2/2010 6:23:49 PM
life-changing
Raised in a Christian home, and being a "rule-follower", obeying has always been easy...but trusting God when the "rug was pulled out from under me"-event occured, was a bit more difficult! Trusting God did not come as easily as obeying. Someone gifted me with this book, and it changed my life. The phrase, "everything God does is for His glory and our good" has continued to be a life-changing and comforting fact. My first reading of this book was over 10 years ago. I have shared this book with others many times. Throughout this past year I have been in treatment for cancer. I had forgotten that the opening lines of this book refers to cancer...until I pulled it out to share with someone else I know who was recently diagnosed. So many people have asked how I was able to be so calm and joyous throughout my diagnosis and subsequent treatment. I am so grateful that I had learned to trust God through the insight into,and reminders of, God's sovereignty in this book, so many years ago. I decided to re-read it...and I'm so thankful that I had read this long before I was diagnosed. God had used this book to teach me to trust Him in a much more profound way--a heart rather than head knowledge...long before my diagnosis. My cancer journey has been one of the best years of my life. Resting in the fact that God knew what He was doing, I anxiously waited to see how this very unexpected journey would unfold. He did not disappoint. God does know what He is doing and the peace that comes from knowing this certainly does result in the "peace that passes understanding". Thank you.
Posted by
Karen Delgado
on
6/19/2010 7:20:54 PM
important book on suffering
In Trusting God, Jerry Bridges tackles some big and important questions. How are we to approach the hurdles life throws our way? How can we trust God in spite of difficult circumstances? How are we to trust him even when life hurts?
These questions all give us pause to think at some point in our Christian life. And there are many books which aim to help us deal with these issues. This book stands apart. Bridges points in an uncommon direction for finding help: the sovereignty of God. Most don't like to think of God's being behind the very difficulties that make life so painful.
Bridges is under no illusions as to his ability to provide all possible answers to this age old dilemma. He offers hope but the answers aren't easy or glib. He doesn't reveal how he has personally conquered all such doubts and how his life story provides the answers to ours. Instead I picture him sitting down, opening his big black Bible and applying Scripture with care. This book is a Bible study, that will pay great dividends to those who dig in and hear what the Bible has to say about trusting God.
Three themes are explored in depth, in Trusting God: "God is completely sovereign. God is infinite in wisdom. [and] God is perfect in love." (pg. 16-17)
Most of the book explores God's sovereignty since so many Christians today are unfamiliar with the term and the concept. Bridges carefully shows the extent of God's control over this planet and each of our lives. If you are unfamiliar with the Bible's witness to God's sovereignty you will be amazed at the number of Bible verses and passages that are examined.
After exploring the three themes of God's sovereignty, wisdom and love, Bridges deals with how we can apply these Bible truths to our lives. The author's great confidence in God, by the end of the book, becomes infectious. I particularly appreciated his insight into Christian's common obsessing over knowing God's will for us when it comes to a decision.
Bridges shares his heart in this book. It doesn't appear to have been an easy one for him to write. You can tell he's been through a lot personally and has shared the grief of many who have suffered even more. His personal accounts and illustrations add life to the book. His openness about his sin and failures to trust God is inspiring. He writes with an earnestness and confidence that can only be accompanied by prayers for those of us who would read this important book.
This book will be challenging at times, but the effort is rewarding. I encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and spend some time learning from Jerry Bridges as he takes you through the Bible. You will be better equipped to face the suffering that is in store for all of us. And you will find yourself trusting God, even when life hurts.
My thanks go out to NavPress for supplying me with a review copy of this book.
Posted by
Bob Hayton
on
1/23/2010 11:11:29 AM
Trusting God, an immediate impact on my ministry
Being in ministry now for over a decade, walking with many people through their hurts, disappointments and even tragedies, the most oft asked question is "Why?" Most of the time this question does not immediately imply a lack of trust in God. But far too often that is where it leads. How could God allow...? Why did God...?
For a pastor, a friend, a loved one these are often unanswerable questions. Indeed many times it easier to obey God rather than trust Him.
The republishing of Dr. Bridges book Trusting God: Even When Life Hurt is an absolute need read for us all. The reality of life is that we will all face times of great difficulty and hurt. This book is theologically sound and at the same time a comfort to read. It was such for me and I am not currently facing great difficulty.
It sounds so flippant and many times offensive to tell some one facing a tragic situation not to worry, "God is in control." While that is indeed the fact, in the moment it is difficult to see. This is the reason I would highly recommend this text now, perhaps you have not faced great adversity, or perhaps you have sometime in your past. Either way this book will give you the truths of God's character in His love, His wisdom, His sovereignty, His rule, and His trustworthiness.
I have only blog reviewed for a short time now, but of the books I have read and reviewed, this one has made the most immediate impact on my ministry.
God is Sovereign, and we can trust Him, even when life hurts. Thank you Dr. Bridges for such a powerful reminder from the Word of God, and thank you Navpress for re-releasing it.
Posted by
Marcus Daly
on
9/7/2009 9:12:46 AM
God's Sovereign Goodness
Anyone who has read the best-selling The Pursuit of Holiness will recognize the very familiar, plain-English style and sense of Jerry Bridges. In the 20th Anniversary paperback edition of Trusting God, Dr. Bridges takes the very deep and extremely important doctrine of God’s sovereignty and lays it out clearly, simply, and not only is it well within the grasp of the newest convert to Christ, but it is also presented logically and thoughtfully so that the most mature theologian can appreciate this work and glean many great things from it.
In his Preface he writes, “The purpose of this book is twofold: First, I desire to glorify God by acknowledging His sovereignty and His goodness. Second, I desire to encourage God’s people by demonstrating from Scripture that God is in control of their lives, that He does indeed love them, and that He works out all the circumstances of their lives for their ultimate good” (pg. 9). In this, Jerry Bridges accomplishes his goals most triumphantly.
Trusting God is listed in the category of Christian Living or Spiritual Growth for the very good reason that its approach to the circumstances daily faced by the individual believer is both practical and personal. Yet, the truths that Dr. Bridges presents concerning the attributes of God, especially in His sovereign goodness, makes this book equally at home on the shelf in the Theology section.
Those whose theology tends toward an emphasis upon the free will of man will most certainly gain a better understanding of how Reformed thinkers generally view the blessedness of God’s sovereignty; and those of us whose theology stands firmly on the doctrines of grace will find a very compassionate presentation of this truth, which by God’s grace, may temper us away from a tendency to approach God’s sovereignty like the proverbial bull in a china shop, just because we see the urgent need to proclaim this truth in American pulpits today.
The doctrine of God’s sovereign grace is so neglected today that this book is a must-read for those who have never read it; and it is also a must-reread for those who have already read it many years ago. Trusting God, and the sovereignty of God that this book proclaims, is more culturally relevant today than it was twenty years ago during its first publication. Therefore, I highly commend the reading of Trusting God to anyone desiring to worship God more deeply and commune with Him more intimately.
Posted by
Jon Cardwell
on
8/27/2009 3:19:34 PM
Practical Theology at it's Best!!
The full title of Bridges’ book is Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts. It is Providential that I “happened” to be reviewing this work at this current point in life. Today I sat with a neurosurgeon and scheduled major back surgery to address a “pars fracture” in my lower spine. I have been encouraged by Jerry Bridges’ book as I seek to understand the “whys” of these personal circumstances. Bridges examines and explains the doctrine of the sovereignty of God in a manner that brings comfort to the hurting soul.
This book is easy to read and will strengthen the reader’s resolve to trust God irregardless of the circumstances of life. Jerry Bridges presents the hammer-like doctrine of God’s providence with the precision and gentleness of a surgeon to his readers. His stated purpose for the book is to accomplish two things: “[He desires] to glorify God by acknowledging His sovereignty and His goodness. Second, [he desires] to encourage God’s people by demonstrating from Scripture that God is in control of their live, that He does indeed love them, and that he works out all the circumstances of their lives for their ultimate good.“
God’s glory – your good. That truly is the message of Trusting God. I would recommend this book as a great encouragement as you personally experience the “ups and downs” of life; and I would also encourage this book to be given as an invaluable resource to hurting friends and family. Please visit Navpress.com for more details on how you can obtain a copy of this book. You will also find a curriculum based around Trusting God as well as discussion guides for small group studies.
Posted by
Mark Kelly
on
8/24/2009 12:44:48 PM
Can I trust God?
Can I trust God?
This question plagues many of us, particularly in times of great difficulty. When it seems like our world is falling apart, it often feels impossible to believe that an all-powerful and all-good God is in control. But just because we can’t see Him at work, doesn’t mean He’s not.
This is what motivated Jerry Bridges to write Trusting God. What Bridges reminds us of in this very dense text is that God is completely sovereign—over circumstances, nations, nature, and even people—infinitely wise, and supremely loving. And because these things are true, we can trust Him fully as He works out all things for our good through His providence. More than that, it’s only because He is sovereign that we can trust Him at all! Because none can frustrate His plans, they will surely come to pass. And were His plans able to be thwarted, He would not be trustworthy at all, and we would have no reason to hope.
This is very good news for all of us, as it greatly encourages us to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and a desire to look for where He is working, in all our circumstances—both good and bad.
One note for readers: Sometimes Bridges’ writing… drags. I’ve experienced this with every book of his I’ve read to date. The content is wonderful, but I find myself having to (usually) read in fits and starts. This is may actually be a blessing in disguise, as it gives me time to reflect on what I’ve read, so maybe it’s not a bad thing.
Trusting God is without question a book that is extremely beneficial for all looking to better understand how God’s providential rule over creation, and how that affects our lives. Read slowly and savor.
Posted by
Aaron Armstrong
on
8/24/2009 9:43:37 AM
Convicting and Encouraging
Having read several of Jerry Bridges' books in the past, I expected I would like Trusting God, but the book far exceeded my expectations. Bridges explores the concept of trusting God by delving deeply into topics like God's sovereignty, the purpose of hardships and trials, how we ought to respond to God in difficult circumstances, God's love for us, and our attitudes in response to God's work in our lives. I appreciated the amount of Scripture Bridges used to make each of his points, and also that he drew from the work of other theologians rather than just using his own experience or anecdotes.
I found this book convicting at many points, but even more than that I found it tremendously encouraging. Reading this book reminded me in a powerful way of God's sovereign ability to control even the least of my circumstances, and His promise to work them for His glory and my good. As I mentioned before, Bridges used an abundance of Scripture references in the book, and it was so helpful to me to see again and again how the Bible underlines God's trustworthiness, sovereignty, and love for His people.
I took pages of notes as I read Trusting God and could go on at some length about what I learned, but other readers would probably find different points of interest and application, so I highly recommend it to you for your own reading and study. Bridges writes in an accessible fashion, but his content is deep and solid. I noticed that there is also a study guide for the book, and although I haven't seen the guide I do think this book would make a great Bible study for a small group or class.
Posted by
Catherine
on
7/26/2009 7:04:20 PM
Trusting God Review
The thing that caught my eye and caused me to decide to read this book was a question on the back cover. It says, "Why is it easier to obey God than to trust Him?" I had never really thought of it that way, but I realized that it really is easier to obey Him than to trust Him. The book suggests that this is because we can see and understand that God's laws make sense and are designed for our own good. It is much harder to trust Him, though, when we see and experience adversity and tragedies in our lives and the lives of others. We are often afraid to trust God out of fear that He will allow bad things to happen to us.
After reading this book I think that, probably for the first time, I can begin to understand why I should trust God no matter what happens in my life or in the world around me. I am beginning to be able to see and understand how and why tragic things happen to "good" people. I don't mean to say that I suddenly have all of the answers after reading one book, but I do feel like I have been "pointed in the right direction."
The book covers such topics as God's control and sovereignty over people, nations, and nature. It also addresses God's wisdom and His love for us. Finally, it helps the reader to understand why and how to trust God even when things aren't going well.
I recommend Trusting God Even When Life Hurts to anyone who, like me, sometimes questions why God allows bad things to happen. It is so confusing and distressing when such things happen. It is a great relief to have finally found a resource that I think is allowing me to begin a journey toward truly trusting and relying on God!
Posted by
Wendy Hilton
on
7/22/2009 9:34:20 PM
Excellent book!
Trusting God by Jerry Bridges turned into something I was not expecting, and I was all the happier for it. I have read enough defenses for the sovereignty of God, both philosophical and apologetical. Instead, Bridges presents a biblically-grounded celebration of the sovereignty of God in all things.
His central theme asserts that we can only trust God when bad things happen if He is totally sovereign, wise, and loving. This in response to the age old question of evil: either evil came about because God is all-powerful but not all-loving, or because God is all loving but not all-powerful. Rabbi Harold Kushner chose the latter in his best-selling book When Bad Things Happen to Good People, a position that Bridges references (and refutes) throughout the book.
Instead, Bridges presents a God that is both powerful and loving, both sovereign and wise. He does it with the awareness of the tensions between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility, yet he does not rely on speculation or philosophy. Rather he draws heavily from both the Old and New Testament to defend a sovereignty that overcomes evil, a sovereignty that secures the glory of God and the good of His people, a sovereignty that can be trusted.
Posted by
Jared Totten
on
6/24/2009 3:59:33 PM