A Tempered Faith: Rediscovering Hope in the Ashes of Loss

by Jennifer Sands

God answers prayers. Jennifer Sands believed that. When she prayed for professional advancement, she got it. When she prayed for a mortgage approval, it came. When she prayed that her husband, Jim, return home safely from work, he always did... except once. On September 11, 2001, Jim Sands was killed in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. On that day, Jennifer's world collapsed and she suffered the blows of a pounding spiritual firestorm. Why would God send Jim to her as a soulmate only to rip him away in the prime of his life? Had God stopped listening? Had He stopped caring? Had they done something to deserve this? If there really is a God, how could He let this happen? A Tempered Faith is Jennifer's gripping, firsthand account of a young widow's questions, doubts, fears, and desperate search for answers in the wake of her husband's murder. It is the emotionally raw journal of a battle to find footholds of faith in the midst of sorrow and spiritual darkness. Most of all, it is a joyful confirmation that God is in control, He is listening, and He really does love and care for us... even when the earthly evidence suggests otherwise.

208 pages, Hardcover

First published September 11, 2003

Reviews

[E Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read. Probably helpful for someone going through a period of grief.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quotes worth remembering:
"There is no pill that would make the pain of grief go away."

"Bitterness is its own poison. The dungeon, deep and dark, is beckoning you to enter. You can, you know. You've experienced enough hurt...You can choose, like many, to chain yourself to hurt...Or you can choose, like some, to put away your hurts before they becomes hates. How does God deal with your bitter heart? He reminds you that what you have is more important than what you don't have. You still have your relationship with God. No one can take that."

[Lori Gregoire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much that we don't understand about the families who lost loved ones in 9-11. As Christians we know that God never leaves our side. Read this book for proof. A remarkable journey and very difficult book to put down.