By Max Lucado - For the Tough Times: Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope

by Max Lucado

When tragedy strikes, people desperately search for answers. Believers and unbelievers alike find themselves turning to God. Best-selling author and pastor Max Lucado points to the only real answer to tragedy and crisis: Prayer. In For These Tough Times, Lucado helps us understand how to pray despite our doubt and fear.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, Self Help, Spirituality, Christian Non Fiction, Faith

Hardcover

First published September 1, 2006

About the author

With more than 150 million products in print and several NYT bestsellers, Max Lucado is America's bestselling inspirational author. He serves the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and their mischievous mutt, Andy. His most recent book published in August 2024 and is titled What Happens Next.

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Reviews

[Lionel Valdellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve learned that judging a book by its length is just as unfair as by its cover. Lucado’s For the Tough Times is one of those small gift books that at first glance seems light and fluffy, but actually contains more than you may have bargained for. It’s a quick, easy read that makes a perfect gift for a loved one undergoing a trial.

That’s what the book is about: trials. Tough topics such as death, grief, pain, revenge are handled and given the proper solutions: faith, silence, intercession, forgiveness, knowledge that God remains on His throne, and in His infinite wisdom, he turns tragedy into triumph, meaning to provide you with good out of a difficult trial. (See Gen 50:20. Also Romans 8:28 “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him.”)

From chapters dealing with how our Lord Jesus loves each of us as a parent, and has control over every aspect of our lives, Lucado then delves into how God uses trials (and even Satan) for His ultimate good: to refine the faithful, to awaken the faith of “sleeping” Christians, and to teach the church.

He also tackles the fruitlessness of revenge and how peace can only come from treating others as you would want God to treat you: with generosity, with forgiveness, with love.

He then recommends silence in order to hear God’s voice. No peace can be had without being still and knowing that He is God. (Ps. 46:10) And then he encourages us to intercede for others’ trials and pains. Finally the book deals with grief and death: and how for Christians, there is no hopeless goodbye, just hope-filled eternal life in the presence of God.

The book ends with a prayer for troubled times which summarizes the contents by recalling how God has turned grieving into dancing all throughout the Bible, and which pleads for the Lord’s mercy and grace in every painful situation.

In the end, the book is encouraging and universally appealing to Christians of all kinds. A wonderful gift book, even during good times, which reminds us that God is in control.

* * *

Disclosure: The publisher Thomas Nelson (via their BookSneeze program) provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un oasis en medio del desierto. Corto y poderoso. Un libro para leer cuando te estás preguntando por qué y duele lo que está pasando.

Siempre me ha gustado como Max Lucado escribe, y este libro aunque es muy corto nos lleva a entender que la voluntad de Dios es perfecta aunque no la entendamos.

Se lo regalaría a una persona que acaba de perder un ser querido, a una persona que está pasando por un momento de incertidumbre y no sabemos qué decir. A veces el mejor consejo será decir que estamos ahí para ellos y darles este libro.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea who Max Lucado was until October 2001. A friend had a book and I asked what she was reading. Life happened, and it took me five years to buy Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear. I was hooked, I felt like I was having coffee with a friend, and I desperately needed to hear what he had to say, that feeling continues today. One book and he was a favorite author. I can’t think of any book I’ve read that didn’t bring me to tears. His writing touches me.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucado quickly and concisely speaks to the issues of the heart that compound around sorrow: Where is God?, How is there good in this? How can I possibly navigate through things in a healthy way? The author uses Scripture as his authority, but has an easy and observant way of speaking that makes this little book easy to enter into and to pass on.

[Amner Lozano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro que irradia confianza en Dios. Interesante.

[Venus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerfully Packed

Bottom line and to the point. You are not left in the wake of filler words but instead you are made to see the truth of God and His love for you. Your woes are made insignificant in the presence of God's care and concern for you. Your faith is strengthened and your posture perfected in prayer and the presence of His Word.

[Tony Kobukowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Difficult Times

Some of the most difficult times I have ever had in life, in ministry, in hospice chaplaincy, and still today are addressed Biblically in this wonderful book by Mr. Lucado. I would recommend it to all who are facing the difficult times of today or dealing with tough times of the past.

[Laurie Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a blessing!!!

If you are going through tough times, this book will touch your soul. It shares the stories of those in the bible who have dealt with trials and how God responded. It provides wisdom for how we can respond. The ending is a prayer that I have bookmarked to read and pray again and again. Such a blessing!!!

[Kim Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful description of who God is. I love how simply yet elegantly Max Lucado explains things.

Any Christian who wants to know more about God, how good He is, and how to get through the tough stufff...this book is for you

[Susan Hetherton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Direct

Direct and to the point is why I love Max’s books. Everything he states is Bible based. Once I start a book like this it isn’t long before I find myself in a full relationship with the message.

[Marcus Goncalves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy and short book to read, but with a lot of thoughts to meditate on, especially if you are going, or have gone, through tough times.

[Melinda Guerrini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comforting

Comforting reminder of who God is and that trusting He is who He says He is brings me peace in my greiving

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book was full of compassion and truth.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this little book. Max Lucado writes well and is easy to read and understand. Made me stop and think at times. I will be returning to this book again and again.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. Easy read and well written. I highly recommend it.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small book with a lot of wisdom.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great one hour audio book. Highly recommend to anyone that is struggling or feeling down.

[Marvin Padilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muy bueno

Hay textos incompletos en algunos capítulos pero por lo demás, no decepciona.
Vale la pena leerlo para recuperar la esperanza.

[Andrea Engle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re struggling (and all of us are at some point), this short little book may be able to help … give it a try … you’ll come away with at least one idea that’s helpful …

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an encouraging read that even when we face tough times and heart breaking times that God is there and He is faithful and He is above everything we face.

[Lena White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book especially the prayer at the end. The stories and scriptures. I do recommend this book for people that are going through some things.

[Annette Plemmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max Lucado is an impressive author.

I have read several of his books, which I own, this time, I listened to the Audiobook.

I recommend book or Audiobook format.

[Lois Ann Devorsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

God always has perfect timing. I needed to read this book. Max lets God speak through him in the most understandable way. There hasn't been a Max Lucado book I haven't liked.

[Cynthia Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

I would recommended Max Lucado books to anyone that is looking for a Christian author. His books make me reflect on my own life.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

For the Tough Times is the first book by Max Lucado I have ever read, so I cannot say whether this little book is representative of his body of work. If it is, however, I cannot say that I would rush out to pick up another of his books.

The strongest feature of Lucado’s small book (it is 96 pages long and about half the size of a standard paperback) are the Bible verses he quotes. His book is intended for an audience who is suffering extreme difficulty—the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or other hardships—but unfortunately I didn’t find his words all that comforting. He picked out a number of verses that I think may be helpful for anyone struggling through difficult times to meditate upon, but I find it difficult to believe that anyone would find much in For the Tough Times to draw strength from outside of those verses.

I wonder if the lack of depth or powerful insight is a result of the book’s small size or its nature as an adaptation of previous work or a combination of the two. Everyone finds it hard to know what to say to those in our lives who are struggling through tough times, so I can’t completely fault Lucado for struggling to find poignant and meaningful phrasing. However, that is what this book is supposed to be, and I’m not sure it has succeeded in being that.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"When all that is good falls apart, what can good people do?' The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord sits on his throne in heaven." - Psalm 11:3-4.

"Isn't David's question ours? When all that is good falls apart, what can good people do? When illness invades, marriages fail, children suffer, and death strikes, what are we to do?" - For The Tough Times: Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope by Max Lucado.

Don't we all ask those questions at times? I know I have. When my Grandma died after battling cancer. When we left a church after 7 years. When I endured a miscarriage at 8 weeks.

I find great comfort in knowing God is sitting on his throne!

In this small book Lucado does an excellent job of reminding us that God has a plan for each life. Not even Satan can derail the plan of God. In fact, Satan is often an unwilling participant in God's plan.

This small (only 83 pages long) book would make an excellent book for someone going through a difficult time. Or as a Gift Book for an introduction to Lucado's books.

It's a quick read. Not terribly meaty or deep but it will make you think about God, prayer and Heaven.

[Joshua Lake · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can find my full review at Quieted Waters.

This was the first Max Lucado book I’ve read, but it fit with everything I’d heard of him. The book was true to Christianity’s basic principles, was easy to read, and was comforting to the reader. On the other hand, it was also a bit simple, and perhaps too trite for some. Overall, it is a very pleasant read, and it represents God’s goodness in a loving way.

The basic idea of For The Tough Times is that God is sovereign and watching out for us, so we may find comfort during trials. Lucado assures the reader of God’s goodness, of His sovereignty, and of His historical use of trials to bring about good.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small book with a big message.

This is a very timely book that has been re-released by Thomas Nelson (For These Tough Times was the original). I hadn't read that version, but I found this one to be very encouraging and brought focus during my own tough times. So many are facing tough situations right now, this would be a perfect gift for them.

The chapter entitled "In The Silence God Speaks" was especially poignant to me as I so often don't take the time to quietly wait to hear God's voice.

This is a worthy read, if just to have some encouragement for someone you know that is going through difficulty.

[Cathy Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

The topic of suffering is relevant to every human being on the face of the planet. As times get tougher, we tend to question why more often. A quick perusal of newspaper headlines or television news will show us that times are growing tougher by the moment.

Max Lucado once again delivers the answer--God.

For The Tough Times is a small book that packs a big punch.

(See http://wordvessel.blogspot.com for a more in-depth review.)

[Rich Abraham · Rating 2 out of 5]

It tackles the toughest of situations we face and it is so true, God has it all in the palm of his hands and isn't surprised one bit about a loss, struggle, hardship or the likes. I'm hoping to pass on some of this encouragement to those facing such challenges in the future and already have passed some of this along to those in need as well.