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Unbreakable Courage: Strong Faith in an Age of Anxiety, Chaos, and Exhaustion
Not yet published
Expected 11 Aug 26Does a day without difficult news seem out of reach? Does this world seem topsy-turvy at best, toxic at worst? Max Lucado’s sound biblical insights and signature storytelling provide strength and encouragement amid the current chaos and exhaustion.
In Unbreakable Courage, today's headlines and the truth of Scripture intersect in compelling fashion. Max offers a fresh look at the story of Elijah the prophet, showing readers how they can stand strong day by day in the face of turbulent times, regardless of the challenging circumstances they may face.
In today’s world, we see echoes of those unsettled, contentious times Elijah endured. Radical departures from long-held truths are taking center stage. Change is evident everywhere we look—in homes, churches, schools, government, and the workplace. We often feel as if we’re swimming upstream in a downstream world. Yet the story of Elijah urges us to have hope in the one true living God. Elijah’s unswerving belief fueled his courage, and it will do the same for us.
Max provides a field manual on how to have strong faith during a time of spiritual drought, anxiety, and exhaustion. He invites us to lean in and let Elijah’s story remind us to
wait for God in solitude and silence,
pray impossible prayers,
live with an expectation of divine disruption,
turn to God during emotional lows, and
understand the spiritual battles we fight.
Elijah’s story will help calm readers’ fears and guide their steps. Faith in our unchanging God instills a capacity for living a renewed life of courage. With God’s help and following Elijah’s inspiring example, readers will discover strength to face the challenges of this life and the courage to make a difference.
In Unbreakable Courage, today's headlines and the truth of Scripture intersect in compelling fashion. Max offers a fresh look at the story of Elijah the prophet, showing readers how they can stand strong day by day in the face of turbulent times, regardless of the challenging circumstances they may face.
In today’s world, we see echoes of those unsettled, contentious times Elijah endured. Radical departures from long-held truths are taking center stage. Change is evident everywhere we look—in homes, churches, schools, government, and the workplace. We often feel as if we’re swimming upstream in a downstream world. Yet the story of Elijah urges us to have hope in the one true living God. Elijah’s unswerving belief fueled his courage, and it will do the same for us.
Max provides a field manual on how to have strong faith during a time of spiritual drought, anxiety, and exhaustion. He invites us to lean in and let Elijah’s story remind us to
wait for God in solitude and silence,
pray impossible prayers,
live with an expectation of divine disruption,
turn to God during emotional lows, and
understand the spiritual battles we fight.
Elijah’s story will help calm readers’ fears and guide their steps. Faith in our unchanging God instills a capacity for living a renewed life of courage. With God’s help and following Elijah’s inspiring example, readers will discover strength to face the challenges of this life and the courage to make a difference.
- GenresChristian
240 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 11, 2026
6 people are currently reading
3001 people want to read
About the author
Max Lucado
1,216 books5,551 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 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Unprecedented times. Do you remember that phrase? It was all over the place during the COVID outbreak that took place in the Spring of 2020 throughout that Fall. We were all begging for “precedented times”.
That was 6 years ago. By now, you would think things would calm down. Right? Not quite. Pressure seems to be mounting. People have given themselves over to extreme tribalism. If you haven’t picked a side (or even voiced an opinion about a side), then you are obviously against everybody else’s side. Stress is at an all-time high. You are probably starting to feel the anxiety mounting. Your breathing may even be a bit more shallow. The muscles in your shoulders are starting to bunch up.
What you need more than anything, right now, is a calm, reassuring voice. You need a wise statesman to speak up. Wisdom. Experience. And to be honest, even if you are not a person of faith, you wouldn’t mind someone speaking from an eternal perspective to calm your fears.
Then you hear the footsteps. You hear the throat cleared. And then you hear it. That voice. One you recognize for offering kind, reassuring, yet challenging words before. He’s speaking again. And the words are a refreshing rain on a dry, dusty, drought plagued land. America’s Pastor, Max Lucado is here with the words you (your mind, soul, and spirit) need to hear.
Welcome back, Pastor Max. Thank you for the words that settle the restless heart. The troubled mind. The ravaged spirit. You just opened up your Bible to the Old Testament and lead us through the life of Elijah. You touched on the experiences that may not read exactly like our lives, but the emotions and situations we are facing. And like the seasoned, wise sage, you spoke directly to us.
It is a pleasure to have set under your teaching, yet again.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
That was 6 years ago. By now, you would think things would calm down. Right? Not quite. Pressure seems to be mounting. People have given themselves over to extreme tribalism. If you haven’t picked a side (or even voiced an opinion about a side), then you are obviously against everybody else’s side. Stress is at an all-time high. You are probably starting to feel the anxiety mounting. Your breathing may even be a bit more shallow. The muscles in your shoulders are starting to bunch up.
What you need more than anything, right now, is a calm, reassuring voice. You need a wise statesman to speak up. Wisdom. Experience. And to be honest, even if you are not a person of faith, you wouldn’t mind someone speaking from an eternal perspective to calm your fears.
Then you hear the footsteps. You hear the throat cleared. And then you hear it. That voice. One you recognize for offering kind, reassuring, yet challenging words before. He’s speaking again. And the words are a refreshing rain on a dry, dusty, drought plagued land. America’s Pastor, Max Lucado is here with the words you (your mind, soul, and spirit) need to hear.
Welcome back, Pastor Max. Thank you for the words that settle the restless heart. The troubled mind. The ravaged spirit. You just opened up your Bible to the Old Testament and lead us through the life of Elijah. You touched on the experiences that may not read exactly like our lives, but the emotions and situations we are facing. And like the seasoned, wise sage, you spoke directly to us.
It is a pleasure to have set under your teaching, yet again.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Max Lucado is a gifted author who always does a beautiful job of relating to his readers. In Unbreakable Courage, he brings to life Elijiah's journey and relates it to today's struggles, troubles, and low points. If you don't know Elijiah's story, Max tells it in a relatable way.
I'm a huge Max Lucado fan because of his ability to talk to the reader, not at them. He can take both familiar and unfamiliar stories from the Bible and teach them without preaching down to his readers. His tone is warm, welcoming, and encouraging. He can offer hope to readers even in the bleakest times. He does an amazing job at showing how Elijiah had his struggles but never wavered in his trust in God. He provided examples throughout and related them to the challenges we face in today's society.
It's so easy to dwell on the negatives, especially in this day and age, but Max offers hope when there may be little left to cling to. His writing and tone are so appropriate. He drives home the importance of prayer and of relying on it to survive the difficulties in life. He inspires readers to trust God throughout the book with personal stories as well as stories about others. He illustrates the amazing love and ability God has to help His children. God is capable of performing miracles every day.
There are so many quotes throughout the book that spoke to me, but since the book hasn't been published yet, I won't quote them here. The quotes are so meaningful, it's as though he's speaking to me directly. He speaks authentically as a true Christian, unlike others who preach it but fail to act in a Godly way.
I loved the book and would recommend it to anyone who is feeling discouraged. It will speak to you and offer you hope in difficult times when you're struggling.
Thank you to Netgalley and Nelson Books for the ARC; all opinions are my own.
I'm a huge Max Lucado fan because of his ability to talk to the reader, not at them. He can take both familiar and unfamiliar stories from the Bible and teach them without preaching down to his readers. His tone is warm, welcoming, and encouraging. He can offer hope to readers even in the bleakest times. He does an amazing job at showing how Elijiah had his struggles but never wavered in his trust in God. He provided examples throughout and related them to the challenges we face in today's society.
It's so easy to dwell on the negatives, especially in this day and age, but Max offers hope when there may be little left to cling to. His writing and tone are so appropriate. He drives home the importance of prayer and of relying on it to survive the difficulties in life. He inspires readers to trust God throughout the book with personal stories as well as stories about others. He illustrates the amazing love and ability God has to help His children. God is capable of performing miracles every day.
There are so many quotes throughout the book that spoke to me, but since the book hasn't been published yet, I won't quote them here. The quotes are so meaningful, it's as though he's speaking to me directly. He speaks authentically as a true Christian, unlike others who preach it but fail to act in a Godly way.
I loved the book and would recommend it to anyone who is feeling discouraged. It will speak to you and offer you hope in difficult times when you're struggling.
Thank you to Netgalley and Nelson Books for the ARC; all opinions are my own.
April 25, 2026
In Take Courage bestselling author, Max Lucado, offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the story of Elijah the prophet. As in his other works, Max combines biblical truths and his storytelling style in an easy to read and understand format. This study of Elijah’s life demonstrates how we can weather the storms of life and have courage in today’s turbulent times.
Max’s daughter, Andrea Ramsey, has prepared a “Questions for Reflection” section at the end of the book to further enhance understanding which is suitable for group or individual study. I really enjoyed reading this book as I have all of Max’s writings through the years and highly recommend it.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Max’s daughter, Andrea Ramsey, has prepared a “Questions for Reflection” section at the end of the book to further enhance understanding which is suitable for group or individual study. I really enjoyed reading this book as I have all of Max’s writings through the years and highly recommend it.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Max Lucado is back with his inspiring way of relating Bible characters to current issues and circumstances faced by Chirstians. In Unbreakable Courage, Max Lucado uses the story of Elijah to teach about courage and faith in these times of uncertainty and spiritual drought. Written in the usual Max Lucado's style - simple, fun and relatable terms, yet with Biblical foundation, this was a very inspiring read. Recommended to everyone.
I got a complimentary copy of this book from Nelson Books | Thomas Nelson via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
I got a complimentary copy of this book from Nelson Books | Thomas Nelson via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 11, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Nelson Books for an ARC of Unbreakable Courage by Max Lucado. Max Lucad0 is such a gifted writer and pastor. I NEEDED this book! Unbreakable Courage walks through Elijah's journey and compares it to today's trials. I highlighted so many parts in my Kindle that pages and pages were highlighted because of how wonderfully they were written and how much they spoke to me. If you are struggling and feeling discouraged about everything going on in the world today this book is for you! It's a wonderful reminder that God is still in control.
March 31, 2026
Unbreakable Courage is my favorite of Max Lucado’s books so far. He brings Elijah’s story to life in a powerful, relatable way, connecting it to the struggles we face today.
Lucado has a gift for words, and this book encouraged me to trust God more deeply and draw closer to Him. It’s both inspiring and comforting—a truly meaningful read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley
Lucado has a gift for words, and this book encouraged me to trust God more deeply and draw closer to Him. It’s both inspiring and comforting—a truly meaningful read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley
April 30, 2026
Max Lucado takes us through Elijah’s journey in the bible and relates it to today’s struggles. It is easy to read and he makes it so relatable. I read it all in one sitting!
In studying Elijah’s story we are able to see how we can overcome the storms of life. I encourage everyone who is feeling discouraged to read this!
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.
In studying Elijah’s story we are able to see how we can overcome the storms of life. I encourage everyone who is feeling discouraged to read this!
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews