Take Courage: Encouraging Words for Discouraging Times

by Matthew Harrison

With tragedy, sickness, and political unrest everywhere around us, it can be difficult to find hope. Newspapers and social media seem to be plagued with headline after headline of sin, death, and destruction. How can we find hope in these seemingly hopeless times, and how can we provide hope for others? Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church―Missouri Synod for more than a decade, provides encouragement in his book, Take Hopeful Words for Hopeless Times. He reminds readers of God's words of hope and promise and points us toward trusting in Jesus during our temporary earthly struggles.

160 pages, Paperback

Published April 17, 2023

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a timely, clear, and faithful exposition of some of God’s most encouraging reminders to us, as found in His Word and described in our Lutheran confessions. This book is a collection of letters, short essays, and sermons written by Dr. Harrison over the past several years, some addressing specific topics or people, and some more general in nature. All provide comfort for us straight from the Source: the Word of God, who is Christ. I’ve been so blessed by this book over the past three weeks, choosing to read just a few of the short chapters each day as part of my daily devotional time. Many thanks to Pastor Harrison for his faithful service, prayer, preaching, teaching, and writing for the saints of our church body and the Church at large!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-worth the quick read. Harrison offers a collection of his thoughts and reflections on what's going on in the world (namely COVID and the repercussions of all that).

Each chapter is a completely unrelated message or sermon given by Harrison at some point. This makes the book feel very unconnected, which is a little annoying as you read, especially considering each chapter is 1-2 pages long and you have to start over at each new chapter. It also leads to several bouts of repetition as the chapters don't seem to be written in conjunction with each other.

It was enlightening to read some of the sermons he preached for the deaths of his close friends. Based on those sections, he's an excellent preacher.

[Mark Loder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, solid biblical guidance for life. There are many distracting matters that evil puts before us every day. Harrison’s encouragement what all pastors emphasize to their people: stay grounded in Christ. Your Bible, Catechism, and hymnal are your greatest tools.

[Kyle Ronchetto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book of sermons from President Harrison speaking about courage in our world, and especially courage in the face of death.

If I have a complaint about the book, it would be that the sermons are very bound up with the current events of 2020 and feel a little dated now.

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good content, but has been published a couple years too late.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a faithful exposition of the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. I particularly liked the essays that discussed the deaths of dear friends - heart warming.

[Rolph Bolstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful reminder in many different ways (drawing on many different real world examples) of the forgiveness of Jesus!