I Am Weak, I Am Strong: Building a Resilient Faith for a Resilient Life

by Jay Hewitt

Even on the days you struggle to stay strong, you can live a resilient and hopeful life. After receiving a devastating brain cancer diagnosis, Jay Hewitt had a decision to Should he give up on faith or practice what he preached and trust that with God all things are possible? In I Am Weak, I Am Strong , Jay chronicles his journey of turning toward Jesus even when circumstances urged him to turn away. Faith in action for Jay included competing in an IRONMAN triathlon while undergoing cancer treatment. His race was a grand gesture of love for his young daughter--and a call to resilience for all of us. I Am Weak, I Am Strong reminds us that our true "superpower" comes from God. As you read Jay's honest and inspiring words, you For anyone who is searching for hope in anxiety and grief, needs validation and compassion in times of doubt, is curious about faith in the face of death, or longs for a more authentic relationship with God, I Am Weak, I Am Strong will teach you that faith grows from the freedom to doubt. Strength grows from realizing how weak we are on our own. And light grows when we follow God's dreams for us, even through the darkness.

Genres: Christian, Biography, Faith, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2023

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect read to end 2023 and begin 2024! Jay Hewitt writes with such vulnerability and strength that you can't help to be inspired. We are all stronger than we know yet in our weakness we find our greatest strength. Jay's decision to do an IRONMAN when he wasn't even a marathon runner and didn't know how to swim properly is a huge challenge but to do it when facing terminal brain cancer is unfathomable.
A great way to sum up this book is by using Jay's own words, " I will not pretend to be thankful for a terminal illness that, given the odds, will likely cut short my life span. But I will practice the powerful discipline of giving thanks in light of my illness. I will not back down, retreat, and give up. Instead, I will identify God's very real presence in my time of trouble, acknowledge the blessings he provides each day, and lean on his strength to keep going. I will stay strong and press on to the end."
There is also a documentary on Prime called, "Dear Hero" that follows Jay's story. Hero is the name of his young daughter who inspired him.

[Kevin Mo-Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jay Hewitt's story of competing in an IRONMAN triathlon while diagnosed with terminal brain cancer is so incredible and not normal it could feel that there is nothing that one could connect to. Yet, the way Jay writes and tells stories is so relatable that I assume that anyone who picked up his book could find an easy way to apply the inspiration in their own life.

I found myself easily applying his nuggets of wisdom to everyday hardships that I am currently facing. Although the book is focused on finding strength in weakness, it was Hewitt's calling to ultimately live a life of vulnerably really spoke to me. Whether its through his little antidotes, humor, or theological insight, Jay uses his "story worth telling" to help the reader find hope and form a deeper, more resilient faith.

[Jodi Rosser · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you define strength? I loved what the author says about strength in his book, I am Weak, I am Strong. Could it be that in our weakness we can actually be stronger as we depend on God and His strength? I cannot wait for you to read Jay's powerful story of how he did something at his weakest that he would never be able to do in his prime to show that God's grace is sufficient like Paul wrote- When I am weak, then I am strong. I highly recommend this book!

If you want to hear more about this book, you can check out my conversation with Jay on episode 206 on the Depth Podcast. https://jodisnowdon.com/206-i-am-weak...

[Matt Slocum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book and the power of allowing adversity to be used for Gods glory. The impossible can happen when we submit our pain to God and not turn away from Him!

Pastor Jay is an amazing man and I appreciate his vulnerability. That takes courage!

If you’re going through a difficult season, this is a book that will give you the edge to Les. Into the challenge and find purpose.

[Tara Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I wanted to see how the author dealt with his diagnosis but I didn't realize I would be receiving therapy for my internal problems, not just my own physical diagnosis. He made me understand myself in ways that I never did before. This book was so encouraging and so inspiring and led me to much self-discovery.

[Leslienorvell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jay is a great story-teller. His resilience, vulnerability and testimony of faith are at the forefront of this book. I have watched Jay from the congregation praise God days before his brain surgery and then again after. His journey through a fatal diagnosis is truly 5 stars!

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply put, the author shares a beautiful testimony to the enduring love, steadfast trust, and firm grounding placed in Jesus as he navigates a terminal cancer diagnosis.

[Jon Major · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book on trusting God no matter what the outcome looks like.