Finding Hope: Where to Look for God's Help

by S. Michael Wilcox

When life's challenges seem overwhelming, where can you turn for help? In this newest volume of the Time Out Classics series, author S. Michael Wilcox offers a profound message of hope and encouragement. Using powerful stories from the scriptures, he teaches that hope can be found in looking past obstacles and moving forward with faith, in looking back at past experiences that may have strengthened us for future challenges, and in looking for times when the Savior walks with us. On those days when we may wonder if Heavenly Father has forgotten us, we have the assurance that each of His servants will receive "the light of the countenance of their Lord . . . every man in his hour and in his time and in his season." And although it may not be your hour now, He will come because He is aware of us, He knows our needs, and He will bless us.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Lds, Inspirational, Church, Spirituality

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

S. Michael Wilcox is an instructor at the institute of religion adjacent to the University of Utah. A frequent speaker at Brigham Young University Education Week, Michael also conducts tours of the Holy Land, Church history sites, Europe, China, and Central America. He received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Brigham Young University, a master’s in media from the University of Arizona, and his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in educational philosophy. He is the author of House of Glory and When Your Prayers Seem Unanswered.

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can find the references for the words "Charity" and "Faith" in the scriptures, but when you look up the word "Hope", its not there. S. Michael Wilcox realizes on his own that its probably not there because it is up to us to seek it out on our own. This was a great book to remind me that I need to remember to have hope during those difficult times in life, or those difficult times could get worse. I loved his examples from the scriptures of those who held hope and overcame adversity. This is a great little book to add to my library.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little volume taken from a Time Out for Women presentation on Hope. It could be read one chapter at a time like a daily devotional.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short book that took me just 30 minutes to read. It is based on his Time Out for Women talk. I really enjoyed his insights on how to find hope to get through difficult trials. Most of his ideas were good reminders of things I've already learned, but there were a few new interesting ideas he shared as well. This was a very uplifting little book.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each chapter includes a story snd/or reflection on hope as an eternal principle. Not surprisingly, it engenders hope, supports hope, illuminates hope, and increases understanding and application of hope in our lives. It’s a very short book, about 60 pages, but thought-provoking. I read it while visiting my wife’s family, but this is one I will buy for myself and read more slowly and I’ll think about it’s lessons from time to time.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just what I needed as I have been searching for ways to help me develop a stronger "Hope" I LOVED every bit of this short book. It was so easy for me to relate what S. Michael Wilcox was trying to get across. There were several "Aha" moments for me.

[Nedra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very nice, short read, using excerpts from various talks he's given. Of course, the choices include his masterful application of the scriptures as always.

[JaNeal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this little gem.

[Amber Orvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read I highly recommend it. The title says it all.

[Amy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short collection of thoughts and stories.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book.

[Nicole Stanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! So we’ll written! It brought tears to me eyes and peace to my soul.

[Avid reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always appreciate Michael Wilcox. This is a shorter book without as much powerful content, but I still liked it.

[Teresa Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think my favorite chapter was We Were Four about Shackleton's miraculous survival in the Antarctic. I do believe we have help from the other side often walking with us when we cannot make it alone.

[Denise Prewett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read.

[Brittany Brassell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy and uplifting read!

[Suzanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love hearing him in person and I loved his thoughts on hope! This was a short, quick read. I marked several things in my scriptures that he talked about and saved some awesome quotes! Loved it!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great!

[Lolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely, helpful book...I read it in one sitting. Okay, I wasn't actually SITTING...I was lying down and it was the middle of the night, and my eyes banged open for no particular reason. Darwin had already left for work, so I flipped on my light and read. Oh, how well paid I feel for a little insomnia.

This book opened my eyes to some biblical stories I had never considered in quite the light Wilcox sheds on them, e.g. Elijah and the valley of the dry bones...the children of Israel crossing over Jordan...the Jaredites sitting on a beach for four years before undertaking their ocean voyage. He says that journeys over rivers (the Jordan), oceans, deserts, wildernesses are all metaphors for our own lives. He weaves everything together with such insight that I found myself thinking, "Aha!" many times and being moved to tears at other times.

It's a very short read...probably a reprinting of a talk he gave at a woman's conference. If you have anyone in your life who needs a shot of hope...or if it's YOU...(and it's always us, right???)this is a great book. I will lend mine out!

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected more from this little book than what I got. I have read other Time Out Classics and really enjoyed them, but I just didn't connect with this one. There were still a lot of good points and maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind when I read it. It can easily be read in one sitting and might offer just what someone else is searching for if they are trying to find hope in their life.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this brief book, Wilcox points out various ways to find hope in our lives, whether it's through looking at past experiences to see how we've been prepared for current obstacles, looking besides us to see the Savior's presence in our lives, or looking to those around us to see the ways they can provide hope. Simple but profound, this is a good choice for those who are looking for a pick-me-up at this time.

[Tamra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grandma's annual Christmas book to our family. It's a little devotional book - probably the length of a full chapter in a real book. I generally dislike devotional books.

This one had some decent ideas and was written well enough, but I don't really feel like I need hope so much, so most of the writing didn't HIT me, you know?

I won't say it wasn't worth my read, but I only read it so I could tell Grandma I did.

2.5 stars

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

S Michael Wilcox points out that most often what you find depends on where you are looking. If you are looking in happy hopeful places then those are what you will find. Ditto for unhappiness. Love how he points out that the word "hope" is NOT in the Bible dictionary (it isn't--go look!). "Perhaps this...is indicative of our lives. We have to LOOK for hope!"

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great little book. Each chapter is just a few paragraphs with a story. It was very short-- easily completed in one sitting when you have a few minutes to yourself. It didn't go into a lot of depth, but each chapter gave you something to think about. Definitely worth picking up for a quick uplifting read!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a book this length you would expect 1 really good point to come out that touches you and teaches you something. I lost count of how many valuable lessons I read. I literally want to re-read it right away to not forget anything he taught me. Very good book! Great insights on hope and how we can have more hope in our lives.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read this book for the second time, and some of this author’s stories and lessons just pierced right through me. In a good way. I’ve read most of his books and I learn so much from every one of them. What a great teacher he is! Thank you Michael Wilcox for explaining and answering questions that I didn’t even know how to put into words.

[Robin]

Excellent lil 58 pg book. Superb scriptural and personal stories explaining what hope really is and how we can best profit from having it. It's about finding hope throughout our lives and especially when times are rough. I think this will be one to refer back to often.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read, uplifting and fitting for many different types of situations. I liked how he used different resources to describe his ideas (scriptures, stories from history, personal examples, etc).

[Tonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend gave this to me for Christmas. wonderful! can read in less than an hour and then feel so "hopeful" about life. He is a wonderful speaker, author and Iove the way he brings scriptural stories and people to life. A good read for anyone cause it just makes you want to be better:)

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love S. Michael Wilcox but this book was not my favorite. I was expecting more. He made some good points but I wish that they had been more developed. This is a very short book and a very quick read.

[Bettyjo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and great examples from the Old Testament. It seems as though, we as Later-Day Saints sometimes forget about the Old Testament until we want a proverb. I really liked all his examples. Very comforting.