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God Will Carry You Through: Encouragement for Tough Times
New York Times bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado has discovered that at any given point, almost everyone is dealing with something difficult. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, marriage issues, illness, job loss, or the stress of everyday life, you need the assurance that God will be there for you during tough times. In God Will Carry You Through , Max teaches through the life of Joseph in his no-fluff, casual storytelling style, inviting you to let God’s words guide you through loss and uncertainty. Laced throughout Through decades of betrayal, abandonment, and false accusations, Joseph never gave up on God or His purpose. And Max assures you that, like Joseph, you'll get through this. It won't be painless; it won't be quick, but God Will use this mess for good. This beautiful book makes a comforting gift for people dealing The inspirational chapters will bring you peace and reassurance about whatever challenge you face. After all, says Max, "Good days. Bad days. God is in all days."
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 17, 2013
792 people are currently reading
1063 people want to read
About the author
Max Lucado
1,201 books5,424 followersWith 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
December 29, 2015
Listened to on audio. Very uplifting book. Even though this book is meant for Christians and I am Jewish I still was able to enjoy the book. It does reference the bible a lot but the main stories I could relate to. It will make you feel closer to God who will help you get through the tough times in your life. Plus it's a very short book.
September 25, 2022
A different style than Lucado’s typical book, but it weaves the stories of God’s work in individuals’ lives throughout to demonstrate that “God Will Carry You Through.”
August 19, 2019
I picked this little book up for a song when Lifeway was closing their doors to the brick and mortar stores. I've always enjoyed Max Lucado, so I couldn't go wrong. It is mostly telling the story of Joseph and how God saw him through, but there are also personal testimonies, little tidbits of other spiritual themes. It is just wonderful! I'm so glad I grabbed it.
A few tidbits: 'But he didn't complain, didn't criticize. He displayed a willing spirit with the prisoners." "Test, test, test. The dungeon looked like a prison, smelled like a prison, sounded like a prison, but had you asked the angels of heaven about Joseph's location, they would have said, "Oh, he is in boot camp."'
If you see your troubles as tests used by God for His glory and your maturity, then even the smallest of incidents takes on significance. This one will sit proudly on my nonfiction shelves! Loved it! Highly recommended.
A few tidbits: 'But he didn't complain, didn't criticize. He displayed a willing spirit with the prisoners." "Test, test, test. The dungeon looked like a prison, smelled like a prison, sounded like a prison, but had you asked the angels of heaven about Joseph's location, they would have said, "Oh, he is in boot camp."'
If you see your troubles as tests used by God for His glory and your maturity, then even the smallest of incidents takes on significance. This one will sit proudly on my nonfiction shelves! Loved it! Highly recommended.
March 15, 2018
I've been going through some rough times and on top of reading my Bible, praying, and meditating, I needed inspiration told in a way that only Max Lucado can do. It helps to read the stories of others and how they overcame their grief by letting go and letting God. Max artfully weaves the story of Joseph into this inspirational book. The scriptures and the real world situations brought me much needed comfort in a very tough time.
December 7, 2020
This book was very encouraging and uplifting and would be applicable to people going through any difficult season or fo people that just find themselves in a slump. I enjoyed the reminder that stated to “Trust God to do what you can't. Obey God and do what you can.” And also the reminder that “Hurt people hurt people.” Reflecting on this helps me to stay focused on what is to come and how to handle people that I may not always fully understand.
January 13, 2022
Dit boek zit mooi in elkaar. Getuigenissen van mensen afgewisseld met het verhaal van Jozef in stukjes opgedeeld. En tussendoor nog mooie quotes en bijbelverzen.
Maar ik kan niet zeggen dat ik er heel veel steun van heb ervaren. Misschien had ik te hoge verwachtingen van het boek? :)
Maar ik kan niet zeggen dat ik er heel veel steun van heb ervaren. Misschien had ik te hoge verwachtingen van het boek? :)
August 14, 2025
I found this book in the newly opened Barnes and Noble in
my area sat down in one of their cozy chairs and read it cover to cover. This book helped remind me that in the midst of life’s storms and tribulations God never leaves our side. Definitely helped put me in a more positive mood.
my area sat down in one of their cozy chairs and read it cover to cover. This book helped remind me that in the midst of life’s storms and tribulations God never leaves our side. Definitely helped put me in a more positive mood.
January 9, 2024
Highly recommend this book. A great read in the morning with coffee to start your day with encouragement. Lucado weaves stories of Joseph and others who have faced the storms of life, yet God carried them through every step of the way.
February 27, 2025
This book is great for people who might be going through extreme times of pain, and while it does show Gad can work through hard times if gives the idea that they are saying I have been through all these crazy terrible things so you have no reason to complain. I understand the idea of the book, but I do not feel it achieves its purpose.
January 8, 2015
The story of Joseph, who was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, shows how his life was made good by God from the bad. How we can have the same happen to us. I like reading these types of books. It shows me how to be closer to God, to have a close relationship with Him in a way that is best for us (me and Him). Everyone has a different way of being in a relationship with Him and that's ok. God made us all and He loves us. He will carry me and wipe away my tears. I love being reminded of that. I once had someone say that these types of books were "fluff" and that I needed to read the harder, heavier books. Those books tend to go above my head like a joke that I don't understand. Books, like this one, bring me closer to Him and, to me, that's what I need.
January 7, 2018
This book is such a blessing! I received it from a co-worker who is a Pastor. I needed this in my life. I was allowing my resentment toward GOD kill my relationship. Now, GOD is opening my eyes. This book has encouraged me to go back to church! Two important things that I took from the book:
1. Make a decision! (Nehemiah 4:9)
2. Read GOD's Word consistently
3. Be still and know that GOD is in control!
4. Surrender to GOD's Will for my life.
5. Meet fear with faith
6. GOD will carry me through anything HE places before me!
"Remember, God is in this crisis. Ask him to give you an index card-sized plan, two or three steps you can take today." pg. 175
1. Make a decision! (Nehemiah 4:9)
2. Read GOD's Word consistently
3. Be still and know that GOD is in control!
4. Surrender to GOD's Will for my life.
5. Meet fear with faith
6. GOD will carry me through anything HE places before me!
"Remember, God is in this crisis. Ask him to give you an index card-sized plan, two or three steps you can take today." pg. 175
September 17, 2014
This Lucado book breaks down the story of Joseph, the biggest Biblical story in which you can easily see God carrying him through his troubles, a few verses at a time and modernizes it while incorporating other people's testimonies. Yes, I cried. Yes, I became emotional. And quite often, too. It was one where I found myself nodding my head, and wishing I could stop the car and jot down that scripture and passage for future reference/reflection. Great for gifting to someone going through a rough season or stuck in God's waiting room.
August 16, 2016
Morning devos. As far as "small" devos go, this one was excellently done. Lucado breaks down the story of Joseph beautifully, with plenty of small personal stories mingled in to see what it really means to trust God in a storm. I liked that it wasn't all personal stories and tiny bits of scripture, but rather every few pages had chunks of scripture that would make it easy for you to memorize/chew on when you start to doubt God's "goodness". Definitely surprised me with how much was compacted in such a small book.
October 31, 2017
This uplifting, encouraging book was full of great insight from the Bible, largely from the story of Joseph, and interspersed with stories of contemporary people's struggles and victories in Christ. It was beautifully made and wonderfully hopeful.
October 22, 2014
Excellent book.
February 20, 2017
Max Lucado is my favorite Christian author.
Such a great author. His book will lift you spiritual. Will make you examine your life. Would recommended reading all his books.
Such a great author. His book will lift you spiritual. Will make you examine your life. Would recommended reading all his books.
March 29, 2020
In these unprecedented times, when people's hope fail them and fear surrounds us, this book is a reminder that the answer we seek is to be found in Jesus Christ Alone. He is peace and He gives Hope.
June 28, 2020
God is the God of all days. Bad days. Good days. God will carry you through. God will carry me through. I believe in Him as Joseph used to believe when he was under the pit.
January 6, 2020
If your a religious person than this book is definitely for you. I chose to begin to read this book because I was in a place where I was always feeling down and wanted to begin a relationship with god. The way the book is set up is in two parts, the book begins to talk about the story in the Bible of Joseph and how his brothers turned their back on him and sold him into slavery. Later on the book unravels and brings in other peoples stories and challenges that they have faced along the way and how they were able to face them through god. I rated this book a 5 out of 5 stars because throughout the book there were parts in peoples stories that I related to so much and I enjoyed reading the different ways in which they said god had helped them in their personal battles and how many inspiring words there were in the book. I also enjoyed how the book was written because it's format is different than other books I've read because the book doesn't just stick to one story, it shows many different ones. In God Will Carry You Through there was a quote that stood out to me, it was "Don't see your struggle as an interruption to life but as a preparation for life. No one said the road would be easy or painless (Lucado, Pg.61)". This quote stood out to me because in life everyone goes through obstacles and they won't be easy or painless but we have to breakthrough those obstacles that will end up making us stronger and ready to face life. This quotes is powerful because anyone could relate that the road they're walking isn't easy but, instead of looking at it as a bad thing we should start looking at it as a plan for our future.
March 8, 2020
This book was highly encouraging and full of both scripture and applied wisdom.
The only reason I take it down a star is that he shares a story from someone about how his own books helped her. The other stories are about how God used a cancer diagnosis or a divorce, so it feels almost self-serving to throw that in there.
Here are my favorite quotes:
“Forgiveness doesn’t diminish justice; it entrusts it to God.”
“When it comes to forgiveness, all of us are beginners. No one owns a secret formula. As long as you are trying to forgive, you are forgiving. It’s when you no longer try that bitterness sets in.”
“God’s sovereignty doesn’t negate our responsibility; just the opposite. It empowers it.”
“Don’t let the crisis paralyze you. Don’t let the sadness overwhelm you. Don’t let the fear intimidate you. To do nothing in the wrong thing. To do something is the right thing. To believe is the highest thing.”
“God doesn’t manufacture pain, but he certainly puts it to use.”
“Our final home will hear no goodbyes. We will speak of the good book and remember good faith. But goodbye? Gone forever. Let the promise change you. From sagging to seeking, from mournful to hopeful. From dwellers in the land of goodbye to a heaven of hellos. The prince has decreed a homecoming.”
The only reason I take it down a star is that he shares a story from someone about how his own books helped her. The other stories are about how God used a cancer diagnosis or a divorce, so it feels almost self-serving to throw that in there.
Here are my favorite quotes:
“Forgiveness doesn’t diminish justice; it entrusts it to God.”
“When it comes to forgiveness, all of us are beginners. No one owns a secret formula. As long as you are trying to forgive, you are forgiving. It’s when you no longer try that bitterness sets in.”
“God’s sovereignty doesn’t negate our responsibility; just the opposite. It empowers it.”
“Don’t let the crisis paralyze you. Don’t let the sadness overwhelm you. Don’t let the fear intimidate you. To do nothing in the wrong thing. To do something is the right thing. To believe is the highest thing.”
“God doesn’t manufacture pain, but he certainly puts it to use.”
“Our final home will hear no goodbyes. We will speak of the good book and remember good faith. But goodbye? Gone forever. Let the promise change you. From sagging to seeking, from mournful to hopeful. From dwellers in the land of goodbye to a heaven of hellos. The prince has decreed a homecoming.”
January 10, 2021
I received this book after a hard breakup in 2015, but put it on the shelf for years thinking it was a cookie cutter Hallmark gift book.
When my dad suddenly got sick, I started reading it for the first time. During the next couple of months my dad would pass away, I would go through another breakup, and my car would get stolen. This book constantly grounded me and brought me encouragement.
It walks you (very simply) through stories of perseverance through difficulty and does a remarkable job at staying biblically rooted through SO many scripture passages and references. The chapters are well laid out and reading is easily built into a routine. It walks you through the entire story of Joseph - it was exactly what I needed. A cookie cutter Hallmark gift book? Far from it.
I would recommend this to anyone going through unexpected hardship. It’s perfect -
When my dad suddenly got sick, I started reading it for the first time. During the next couple of months my dad would pass away, I would go through another breakup, and my car would get stolen. This book constantly grounded me and brought me encouragement.
It walks you (very simply) through stories of perseverance through difficulty and does a remarkable job at staying biblically rooted through SO many scripture passages and references. The chapters are well laid out and reading is easily built into a routine. It walks you through the entire story of Joseph - it was exactly what I needed. A cookie cutter Hallmark gift book? Far from it.
I would recommend this to anyone going through unexpected hardship. It’s perfect -
July 23, 2018
A Great Inspirational Book
Written using the Biblical account of Joseph, Lucado shows us how, in trusting in God through the difficulties, He can make it all turn out for good. Lucado also uses a good variety of contemporary examples. They aren't all of people raised in dysfunctional homes; many come from Christian homes.
The best part of the book, however, is where Lucado has the reader do some work. He has the reader read the Bible to come up with some "Deep Qualities of God."
Written using the Biblical account of Joseph, Lucado shows us how, in trusting in God through the difficulties, He can make it all turn out for good. Lucado also uses a good variety of contemporary examples. They aren't all of people raised in dysfunctional homes; many come from Christian homes.
The best part of the book, however, is where Lucado has the reader do some work. He has the reader read the Bible to come up with some "Deep Qualities of God."
February 23, 2018
It was Okay
I don’t know if this book and “You’ll get through this” is suppose to be together, but they are very similar and I found that this book was repetitive. It nice to read as refresher from his previous book, but I always like to read about other testimonies. I will continue to read Max Lucado books but i would recommend that you either read this title or You’ll get through this, since they are very similar.
I don’t know if this book and “You’ll get through this” is suppose to be together, but they are very similar and I found that this book was repetitive. It nice to read as refresher from his previous book, but I always like to read about other testimonies. I will continue to read Max Lucado books but i would recommend that you either read this title or You’ll get through this, since they are very similar.
October 24, 2021
God will use your suffering/pain for good. It may not seem like it in the moment, but through your trust and faith in Him, prayer, and understanding that others, for years, have gone through similar situations, you will see that God will carry you through. Max Lucado forms these beliefs into stories with Joseph and the way he was treated by his family as well as recent stories of people going through hard times and trusting that God will carry them through.
January 9, 2022
Truly comforting book and greatly gave me encouragement each day I’ve read it to turn to God and trust in Him through the toughest times.
Excerpt from the book that touched me deeply today:
“Finally, I want to encourage you to remember that God is involved in your life. He will take care of you. Why is it important to remember this? Because knowing that God is in charge counterbalances is the mystery of why and how.”
Excerpt from the book that touched me deeply today:
“Finally, I want to encourage you to remember that God is involved in your life. He will take care of you. Why is it important to remember this? Because knowing that God is in charge counterbalances is the mystery of why and how.”
June 26, 2020
ANOTHER BOOK FROM MAX LUCADO THAT YOU CAN REFER BACK TO TIME AND TIME AGAIN FOR INSPIRATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT. I LIKE HOW HE INTERTWINES THE BIBLE VERSES AND LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF JOSEPH WITH THE PERSONAL TESTIMONIES OF ORDINARY PEOPLE TRYING TO GET THROUGH LIFE. YOU COULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE THAT IS STRUGGLING WITH A PERSONAL CRISIS.
January 9, 2021
Wonderful and pleasant read
This book is wrote in a way you can read straight thru or take small bites. The treasures are well worth being found as you read. The including of real stories in peoples own words adds a splendid array of written flavor. This is a very encouraging book, worthy to be on anyone's endtable.
This book is wrote in a way you can read straight thru or take small bites. The treasures are well worth being found as you read. The including of real stories in peoples own words adds a splendid array of written flavor. This is a very encouraging book, worthy to be on anyone's endtable.
March 3, 2021
As always, Max Lucado writes a winning text that feels uniquely personal. Instead of stories that have been retold and retold about Job and David, this story brings us back to Joseph and his enslavement. For those of us who are facing exile to Egypt in the metaphorical sense, this was a healing and timely reminder that God is in control.
May 17, 2019
The last few years my life has been one never ending train wreck and I needed something peaceful and comforting to read before bed so I could hopefully sleep and this worked. It is a beautiful hardcover book if you are religious.
April 6, 2020
Great Timing for this book
Max has done it again. Here we are in the midst of Covid19 and this book takes your eyes off of fear and rejection and sets them on hope, acceptance and a solid foundation.
Max has done it again. Here we are in the midst of Covid19 and this book takes your eyes off of fear and rejection and sets them on hope, acceptance and a solid foundation.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews