Fear Not Tomorrow, God is Already There: Trusting Him in Uncertain Times

by Ruth Graham

Tomorrow is a word often filled with promise and hope. But during times of uncertainty, the very thought of tomorrow can be filled with fear. An unexpected turn of events can flip our lives upside down and bring us face-to-face with daunting challenges that leave us feeling anxious, inadequate, overpowered, ill-equipped, or even beyond hope. Can God be trusted? Does He care? Ruth Graham asked herself these questions as she faced uncertainty in her own life. Join her as she explores the character of God as revealed in Jesus’ encounters with real people—a band of frightened fishermen, a woman facing unspeakable grief, a man scarred by his own sin, and others. You will discover as she did that you need not fear tomorrow…God is already there.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Graham is the child of Billy Graham & Ruth Bell Graham

Reviews

[Christopher Lewis Kozoriz · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Hope can certainly be dimmed by life experiences. Any number of things can be dim hope. A diagnosis of cancer or of another devastating illness. The loss of a job and no responses to résumés sent out. Rejection. A child bent on self-destruction. An abusive marriage. An addiction that takes over your life. Living under stress for long periods of time. A long battle with degenerative disease. In light of all that happens to undermine hope, we wonder, is the statement "Fear not tomorrow, God is already there" a platitude? After all, beyond what we go through personally, there is a lot to fear these days. We read the news reports, and things just seem to be getting worse. A struggling economy, terrorism, ongoing wars and threats of wars to come. It can be easy to perceive our circumstances as hopeless and to throw up hands in surrender to fear, pessimism, or cynicism. We can't see God. We can't feel Him. Is God really there in our tomorrow?
That is the critical question, and as we are discovering, it can be answered with a resounding "Yes!" Remember, Scripture promises that God is with us. He will never leave us. In Jeremiah we read, "They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you" (Jeremiah 1:19). God knows things will come against us and try to rob us of our hope. But He promises those things will not overcome us, because He is with us. Our hope isn't a whistling in the dark. It isn't pie in the sky. Our hope is based on God Himself. His presence is real." (Ruth Graham, Fear Not Tomorrow, God Is Already There, Page 271-272)

The author is one of the daughters of the late great evangelist Billy Graham and Ruth Graham. I was confused as I started this book because I had thought this book was written by Billy Graham's wife! However, as I got further on in the book I began to realize the author was their daughter. In fact the saying, "Fear not tomorrow, God is already there" was mailed to her from her mother, it was a print which was kept in front of her Mother's desk (Page 13). The author has gone through many challenges in life; most notably her divorce with her first husband because of his infidelity and the death of her mother before the time of the writing of this book. She discusses how she dealt with each of these things and how God picked her up and pushed her forward. She now ministers the same comfort that God had given her during these trying times. In respect to her divorce of her first husband she actually has another book called In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart: Hope for the Hurting that may interest some if they have gone through a divorce and/or their partner has committed adultery.

I personally was comforted when she related her story of her mother passing away into eternity and what she went through and how with God's help was able to push forward, and now ministers to others with broken hearts. She talks about forgiving others, seeking God's forgiveness and also forgiving yourself in order to move forward. How God can use your past weaknesses to strengthen others. She says, "We come to him [Him] broken. He sees in us what He wants us to become. And He moves us there, cracks and all...We come to Him in pieces. He crafts something beautiful. And He uses that beauty to heal a broken world."

She gives many practical things to overcome fear with God's help, including: taking your focus off the situation and putting it on God, meditating on Scriptures, listening to praise music and forming an ABC Praise List as a tool for prayer and starting point to praising God (She includes her own personal list in the back of the book) just to name a few.

Fear not, I am with you always, to the very end of the age, says the Lord! I will never leave you or forsake you (See Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5; Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:10-13). This book shows how God uses the cracks in our life to grow us and bring healing to others with the same healing and comfort we have received. Also, that we do not need to fear because God has promised that the good work He has begun in us, He will complete (See Philippians 1:6) He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith. We have nothing to fear in Jesus' Name.

[Sue Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book! Keeping me mindful

[Katherine Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not it.
How can one reference Lysa Terkurst and then turn around and quote Lewis & Tozer in the same paragraph? Completely antithetical.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good encouragement, especially for this time of life where there is so much fear and uncertainty. Some repetition in parts, but overall good book.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Ruth Graham a few years back and could sense her presence as I read this book. She is honest and frank as she talks about stories from her life where God became real. Ruth also tells of her struggle with fear and other issues.

Some of the chapters in this book are titled Trust at My Doorstep, Discover His Trustworthiness, Experience His Presence, Know His Comfort. In each chapter Ruth gives a story from her own life and one from the bible that helps describe yet another aspect of God which helped her grow in His love for her and the plan He has for her life.

I liked how Ruth described fear. “Fear takes the air out of life. When we live with fear, we lose our capacity for fun and spontaneity. We struggle to love others whole heartedly….Sometimes we experience fear as torment. Torment is not God’s will for us. God is committed to our peace.”

Ruth also says, “When I am willing to be myself, when I am willing to let God work through my insufficiency, incredible things can happen. Through my weaknesses God can work and show His greatness. Paul caught this truth. I liked how Ruth helped us apply scripture to our lives.

In the back of this book God’s attributes in ABC order. This can be used as a tool in prayer. It’s also a starting point for praising God. I was really encouraged by the message and hope in Ruth’s story. It’s easy to understand and refreshing. I’ve received a copy of this book to review and these are my words about how Ruth’s book inspired me.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book 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”

Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Danial Tanvir · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a book by ruth graham.
it is about god and religion.
in the start she says that we should not worry because god is already here.
she talks about trusting god in uncertain times.
she was going through a lot of hard times.
she lives in virginia and is a mother and has grand children.
there is talk about a woman being stoned to death for adultry.
she prays to god and feels as if god is not answering her prayers and she begins to question things.
she talks about the tsunami in 2004 which devastated many countries and then she goes to african countries such as rwanda and tries to help the people over there.
in the end , the author talks about jesus and the bible and about how we should pray to jesus and pray to god.
she talks about her love for jesus and wants people to follow and to practice the message of jesus.

[Wilma Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging and uplifting. Loved it.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

How often do we use condemning and negative talk about ourselves? What about allowing the thoughts of others to define us? To be honest, I am guilty of this very thing, as I am almost certain you are too. Ruth Graham shares with us in chapter 10, titled Realize His Restoration, that we do not have to live in regret.

As a wife and mother, I have often felt that I have come up short with my spouse and children. Often times, we allow others opinions to keep us in regret or condemnation. But in one of my favorite verses from Philippians 4:8 which states, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things”, it teaches us how to think. I don’t need to think of myself in such negative ways. We know that we need to allow God to do the defining of us, not others.

Stop! Quit trying to measure up to others expectations or standards. Let God be our standard. Only with the aid of the Holy Spirit can we move beyond our fears and regrets.

I highly recommend this book. I believe it can be very helpful.

[Jane Maritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed other inspirational writing by Ruth Graham, so looked forward to receiving this book - and I haven't been disappointed. This book is filled with personal examples as Graham explores the concept of trust; and how we have no need to fear, but rather reason to hope. Each chapter ends with a beautiful Point of Focus, or scripture reference that fits the chapter. And at the end of the book is her ABC Praise List, a great reminder of who God is.

Not only do we not need to fear tomorrow, we don't need to regret the past. God can make beauty out of our brokenness. And Graham points out that we should ANTICIPATE tomorrow, or "stand on tiptoe," as her little girl would do while waiting for Daddy to come home. What a beautiful concept!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tackles the fear we face during times of change, uncertainty, and crisis, and reveals how to replace our fears with hope and anticipation.

This book is special to me personally because, God being God brought this book to my door step one day before a big event. I was stepping out of my comfort zone wondering if God was going to catch me. When I opened the mail and read the title, God spoke directly to me. When I actually opened the book and began reading Fear Not Tomorrow, God Is Already There God reminded me once again how I should not fear the next day or the next day or the years to come because God is in control. In a time of uncertainty, with the economy, job lay offs, families hurting, this book offers an important reminder to us all. I highly recommend this book.

[Go2therock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth is down to earth, open and honest, and clearly standing on the solid rock. This was one of those books that I could underline, highlight, and mark the heck out of if it hadn't been a library book. Mostly, I appreciated the way she had of literarily (not a word, but there's not a word for this I don't think) talking with you over a cuppa, coming and sitting next to you, placing her arm around your shoulders, and sharing in the struggles AND how to make it through them. Good, good stuff, Ruth.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it over several years so don't remember much of the beginning. Felt like a lot of the book was based on much-repeated platitudes and disjointed examples rather than applicable encouragement or practices, but the chapter on hope was excellent and really applicable in practical ways.

[Robert]

So far, it's a great book. Very touching with helpful ideas and solutions for living a Christian life.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written and helpful nonfiction book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a lot of information. You should use a journal or note book to take notes so you can go back with out having to re read.

[Abhay Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

A job well done, Ruth - Blessings