Never Give Up: God is Good When Life Isn't

by Max Lucado

Find hope to keep going even when times are hard when you discover that God never changes, and He is always on your side.

In Never Give Up, trusted pastor and bestselling author Max Lucado crafts a powerful narrative underscoring the theme of relentless perseverance and the goodness of God in the midst of life's storms, illustrating that God's goodness transcends our circumstances.

This encouraging book, carefully curated from Max's bestseller, You'll Get Through This, serves as a vivid reminder that, even when life seems unfair or impossible, our faith in a benevolent God can carry us through to redemption and transformation. Never Give Up will give you the encouragement to keep fighting, to keep believing, and to never give up, assuring you that with God's guidance, any adversity can be overcome, leading to profound personal strength and spiritual insight. You’ll discover how

Finding hope in despairTrust in God's planOvercome adversityStrengthen your faith 

Inside the pages you will also

A 7-day devotional focused on the 7 Statements of Strength from the bookKey Scriptures for getting through life's toughest daysReflection questions 

Never Give Up is a beacon of hope and encouragement if you are wading through a storm or experiencing hardship, emphasizing that with God's help, you can overcome any challenge, leading to personal growth and redemption. Come and discover how your challenges can be transformed into opportunities with the guiding hand of God.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Audiobook, Christian Non Fiction, Christianity

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 22, 2025

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

[Kellie O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max Lucado did it again! In this very important book, he helps us to understand that God is good when life isn't. Whatever you are going through, don't give up! God will help you through it, Max points out that it won't be easy, it won't be quick, it won't be painless but God will help you.

When I was almost done with this book, I got a phone call from my Nurse Practitioner with news that I didn't expect. All I could think of is, I am reading the right book!

I really highly recommend this one!
Enjoy and Happy Reading 🙏

[S. Boon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Wanda Maldonado · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great help...really good read

[Erin Laramore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short but powerful reminder to not lose sight of the fact that God is good regardless of one's circumstances. Using the Old Testament story of Joseph, Lucado brings home 10 points to show how God used Joseph's trials to ultimately save the world from the years of famine. It was a great reminder to anyone going through a difficult time to trust in the goodness of a God who loves them and wants their best. This came at a poignant time for me and I was super glad for the reminder. Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Never Give Up by Max Lucado

Max Lucado has written a fantastic study on Joseph and his many trials and tribulations. Never Give Up is the perfect title as it points to Joseph's life and how I as a Christian should strive to live. I learned so much from this book and will likely re-read it again, as I am sure there is more to glean from this book. I most definitely recommend as this would be good for a small group, Bible study or individual study.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the Publisher.

[Mindy Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I think I will need to read again and again!

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unpacking the story Joseph, readers are encouraged never to give up on God, and always believe that God will take the hard times and turn them into something good if we will just keep the faith.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Give Up
God is Good When Life Isn't
by Max Lucado
Pub Date Apr 22 2025
Nelson Books |Thomas Nelson
Christian| Religion & Spirituality| Self-Help



Nelson Books and Netgalley have provided me with a copy of Never Give Up for review:



When you realize that God never changes, and He is always on your side, you will find hope to keep going even when times are hard.



A powerful narrative underscores the theme of relentless perseverance and God's goodness despite life's storms in Never Give Up, by trusted pastor and bestselling author Max Lucado.


Max shows how faith in a benevolent God can help us get through hard times and reach redemption and transformation in this book based on his bestseller, You'll Get Through This. This book will encourage you to keep fighting, to keep believing, and to never give up, assuring you that with God's guidance, any adversity can be overcome, leading to profound personal strength and spiritual insight. You’ll discover how to:
Finding hope in despair
Trust in God's plan
Overcome adversity
Strengthen your faith


I give Never Give Up five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Susan Mather Barone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max Lucado’s latest book, Never Give Up, dramatizes the Biblical story of Joseph while highlighting his responses to pain, loss, and adversity. He shows how Joseph is a guide and mentor for Christians facing their own hardships.

The eldest son of Rachel, Joseph is known for having an indulgent father in Jacob (also known as Israel) who gave him a coat of many colors. He had these God-given dreams that one day his family would bow down to him. (Read Genesis 37 ) Unfortunately, he ran his mouth to his brothers who already hated him with the fire of a thousand suns.

Jacob encourages Joseph to spy on his older brothers in the fields as they pasture their flocks.When they see Joseph walking in the distance, they conspire to kill him. Reuben intervenes so the brothers don’t kill Joseph, so they throw him down into a dry cistern.

Lucado begins the story here with Joseph beat up and bottomed out. He imagines the brothers above Joseph, several faces looking down at him from a bright sky above. They sell him to the Ishmaelites who are on the road to Egypt. Joseph must make the arduous journey to Egypt on foot. Joseph has to learn a new culture and language, Max said. Most people would become bitter and rail at God for their misfortune.

Joseph relies on God throughout his journey. He is sold at auction to an official of Pharaoh's, Potiphar, a captain of the guard. (See Genesis 39) Everywhere he goes, the Lord shows him favor. Everything Joseph does prospers, and his success means blessings for those around him. This is why Potiphar elevates Joseph to run his household. But then, Joseph turns down the wife’s many advances. Her pride wounded, Mrs. Potiphar accuses Joseph of rape and he's sent to the pit once more.

But God’s favor is with Joseph even then. (And reminded me of Psalm 139:7-12) He is put in charge of the prisoners. He cares for a butler (cupbearer) and a baker who one day tell him about these dreams they had. Joseph tells them God interprets dreams. In three days, the butler will return to service, while the baker will die. Joseph asks the butler to tell Pharaoh about him, but the butler forgets – for two long years. (See Got Questions? How Long Was Joseph in Prison?)

Joseph will interpret Pharaoh's troubling dreams of famine and offer solutions that will save people's lives and bring great wealth to Egypt. Pharaoh will trust Joseph and put him in charge of everything and everyone. He will save many from death, including his own family. After their father dies, his brothers fear Joseph, knowing all they did before. Joseph says, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (Genesis 50:15-21)

Overview

If you are a longtime reader of Max Lucado like me, you’ll recognize ideas and messages from his previous works. In fact, Joseph is the topic of book, You’ll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times. I recommend this work as well as the present one.

You might ask, “Couldn’t I just read Genesis 37-50?” Yes - definitely read these passage to give you the background on Joseph from Scripture, and then return to those pages after reading Lucado's message. In my mind, Lucado is unmatched when it comes to storytelling. He revisits these Biblical heroes often, activating the theatre of a reader’s mind and heart. Daniel, for example, is also mentioned in this story. Lucado tells readers they “will get through this,” but he also has this question for the Christian:

Is God Good Even If My Circumstances Are Not?

Never Give Up weaves stories of faith using Joseph’s narrative to provide readers with the reassurance that God is good, unchanging, and in control at all times. We can trust him like Joseph.

Key Themes

God’s Sovereignty: Lucado explores the theme of God's control over all circumstances, even when we might feel like we cannot endure life’s trials.

Endurance and Faith: The book shows how God uses personal hardships as lessons to build on in His divine classroom. Lucado draw parallels between Joseph’s story, Jesus' own narrative, and modern-day struggles of Christ-followers.

Divine Favor: Scripture shows the the fruit of the Spirit in Joseph’s life. He flourished and prospered despite his numerous setbacks and grim circumstances.

Writing Style

Lucado is a masterful storyteller, blending alliteration and wordplay to create engaging and uplifting prose. His narrative seamlessly transitions from scriptural recounting to practical applications for the reader's life.

Lucado sees us as a version of Joseph. Those pits in life will help the Christian grow, and Lucado points out that the pit also causes us to look up. Someone above us needs to help us out of the pit. Lucado reminded me what my Grandma Pringle used to say, “This too shall pass.” These trials are temporary, even if in the moment they sure don’t feel like it. And "God will use this mess for good," Max says – for our good and His glory.

Personal Reflections

Never Give Up provided a balm for moments of depression and anxiety that I've experienced of late. I have not been feeling my best. I've mentioned before I have chronic migraine and fibromyalgia. I've picked up arthritis, too, and sleep avoids me. I've found myself near tears at times. Lucado offers comfort and encouragement. He reminds me that I'm not alone, and my pain isn't unusual. I'm sure the pain has a purpose. And, yes, I need to look up and ask for help from my Father in Heaven.

Second Corinthians 4:16-17 says, “Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day. Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine."

Conclusion

I've included below Max Lucado's video for him new book. Never Give Up is a short yet impactful read, perfect for anyone in need of a reminder that God's plans and purposes for His children are for our good and His glory. (See Romans 8:28-30) Lucado dramatizes Biblical stories in a modern way to help readers imagine the life of times of heroes of the faith. He uses Joseph’s story as the main thread with contemporary stories of Christians who have seen God redeem their pain, tragedy, and losses. And Lucado says God can do the same for you.

[LAMONT D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had this on my Kindle back in 2015 so I will need to read again but I am sure it was good. Looks like it came out again in 2024.

[BookwormMom · Rating 5 out of 5]

None of us is spared from pain, hardships, and suffering. There are those who are able to handle these staunchly but there will also be others who will collapse under the weight of their difficulties and lose hope.

Never Give Up is a beautiful, inspirational, and hopeful book that all should read but, most of all, by those who feel like they are hanging on to life by a thread. Joseph, one of the Bible’s prominent characters, is this book’s central figure. The author uses Joseph’s experiences and deftly compares them to modern day concerns — showing how God’s plans unfolded in Joseph’s life just as He is also present in the midst of our trials and challenges and will use those for good. The hardships experienced by Joseph, from the time his brothers drop him down a cistern to being sold to Egyptian traders, spending time in jail, and rising to prominence as a trusted steward of the Pharoah, show that God is able to produce good from unpleasant or difficult situations.

Waiting for God’s answer is hard; our lifetime is a mere blink in God's eyes. His time is different from ours; we need patience and trust that He is always in control. The author reassures us though that God is always around. He can produce good even out of the most challenging situations just like he did with Joseph and many other biblical characters.

One of the author’s quotes that really stood out for me was: “While you wait, God works”. There could be times when we may not be feeling His Presence but in reality, He is right there — working with, and transforming, our experiences into blessings and grace. The book has other quotable quotes sprinkled throughout the book’s pages, highlighted inside bubbles.

The story of Joseph runs through the entire book and it makes us see how God has been working in our lives from the time of Adam and Eve to our modern age today. The last chapter of Never Give Up is devoted to a week of devotionals in the form of seven statements of strength that anyone can use to stay hopeful and motivated to push through life’s challenges. Never Give Up is a book you can leave on your bedside table or desk and pick up during moments of difficulties.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Max Lucado’s writing for years, and was anxious to read his newest book, Never Give Up: God is Good when Life isn’t. Thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishing and NetGalley, I was able to read an ARC and give my unbiased review of the content.
The background of the book is the Biblical story of Joseph - how he was a favored, spoiled, pampered son, and his brothers who angry and jealous. The brothers threw Joseph into a pit, and then sold him into slavery. Yet Joseph never stopped believing in God’s love and goodness. The story continues with the many trials of Joseph but how God ultimately triumphed in Joseph’s life. So many lessons along the way, for Joseph and for us.
The book is written in readable chapters with study and discussion questions at the end of each chapter. It’s a book that would be perfect for a Christian book club, or a Bible study group.
Max Lucado has again demonstrated his own faith through his writing. The reader is reminded of life’s trials, and how no one is immune to trouble. But through it all, even realizing that the answers we pray for may not come even during our lifetime, we need to have faith, continue to praise God in every season of life, because ultimately, God has the perfect plan and in His perfect timing.

[Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Give Up: God Is Good When Life Isn't is an interesting and inspiring book by one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado. While this book was compiled from Max’s previous bestseller, You’ll Get Through This, it serves as a hope filled Bible study based on the life of Joseph. Joseph’s life was not always easy and even painful at times; however, Max encourages readers to “Never give up. With God’s help you’ll get through this.”

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for anyone going through a difficult time that could use some encouragement. Similar to Max’s other writings, Never Give Up is interwoven interesting stories, biblical truths and inspiration. The back of the book includes a seven day devotional centered on seven key scriptures from the text.

I am thankful to have received a complimentary digital copy of this book from Nelson Books via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion and unbiased review.

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the Biblical story of Joseph many times before, but this devotional book has added another layer to the story we all know by giving us opportunities to empathise with him. If I'm honest, this book also made me cry in places where Lucado talks about God's love for us and the way he chose us.

Lucado ties Joseph's stories in with modern day stories e.g. His father's diagnosis with ALS. From this, he shows the reader that he understands what being in "the pit" means and gives Biblical context to what he talks about.

Well worth a read, especially if you are in the pit.

I receive complimentary books for various sources, including Netgalley, Authors, and other such sources. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received compensation.

[Jenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a child of God, I know His timing is perfect and His plans are always better than mine. But sometimes it’s hard to remember those promises. Max Lucado does an amazing job reminding us to never give up on God or ourselves or each other. No matter what we face, He knows how it’ll turn out. Like Joseph faced when he was sold into slavery by his brothers, our trials in life are a way for God to show us His blessings. We need only be still. And pray. “Waiting is a sustained effort to stay focused on God through prayer and belief.”

This book is perfect for any Christian or non-Christian but especially for those going through a difficult season. It would make an amazing gift or even a book to add to your yearly rotation - the reminders of God’s faithfulness are that good.

[Kandi A. Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a Good Read

I enjoyed this book. I have read a lot of Max's books starting back in 1985 with his book, On The Anvil. This book is just as informative and comforting as he explores the life and troubles of Joseph from the Old Testament. Max is the author I always go to to help me think on God and work through life's problems. His humor and his knowledge of the scriptures as well as his interesting story telling brings me comfort that reminds me that nothing is too big or too small to lay before God. I always feel better after reading his books as it helps me focus on the One that can help me through hard times. God bless Pastor Lucado and his ministry through books.

[Pamela Small · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Give Up by Max Lucado is fabulous. The subtitle “God is good even when life isn’t” piqued my interest and I was not disappointed. The foundation of the book is based on the biblical account of Joseph. Mr. Lucado parallels the unfortunate trials and tribulations in Joseph’s life to the events we incur in our present day life situations. In ten chapters, he expands on the lessons in Joseph’s life and writes profound stories, making applications for the reader to consider. After each chapter, there are reflection questions. Never Give Up is a book anyone should be able to glean insights from for personal application. Max Lucado encourages the reader without platitudes. He admits that while life is hard, but there are correct responses to the trials of life that will offer help- through God’s help. There are no quick fixes and there is pain, but he assures the reader that God can use the messes in our life for good. Therefore, NEVER GIVE UP! The format is ideal for personal development as well as for a Bible study, small group, or Christian book club. I strongly recommend it. It is excellent!

Additionally, his research is well documented in the Notes at the end of the book. Also included in the conclusion of the book is a seven day devotional . Max Lucado never disappoints! His winsome writing style encourages the reader !

I received an ARC from NetGalley.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot we can learn from the life of Joseph. From the bottom of the pit, to his rise to power in Egypt, few experienced the highest highs and lowest lows like Joseph did. This book is a short but interesting study of his life and dependence on God, with thoughtful reflection questions to direct the reader to trust God in life’s most difficult times, building faith, forgiveness, patience, and more. Additionally, seven brief devotions in the back of the book are honest and encouraging. An easy yet helpful and enjoyable read.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Blessing Okwuofu · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Never Give Up, Max Lucado skillfully weaves the story of Joseph in a moving reminder that God is with us even in the most difficult circumstances. A short but powerful and insightful read which demonstrates how God works out everything for our good. I recommend this book to everyone, no matter what they may be passing through.
I got a complimentary copy from Nelson Books | Thomas Nelson via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are mine

[Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick, feel-good read, that provided a lot of encouragement. I read this for a small group and the contents of the book led to great discussions between us all. I would say that the book did more to spark meaningful conversations than it did to teach me on it's own, but I appreciated it nonetheless.

[Gea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although we all face difficult times in our lives, Max Lucado offers a reminder that God is always with us in our difficulties. He encourages us to persevere through our troubles and trust in God to help us overcome.

[Cristian Marrero · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy books by Lucado. I enjoy his simple words.
In here, we visit Joseph’s story to share his message of hope and faith. Lucado emphasizes that even in tough times, God remains good and in control. Always remember, "You’ll Get Through This.".

[Glen Ensinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

This book is spot on what you need to get through the minute, hour, day, month and year.. We as a human race continually either try to do things on our own or give up. The book reminds us that we ate not alone and God will see us through what ever we are going through.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t stop reading this book. From travel from the Cayman Islands back to Connecticut this book held my interest and filled me with Hope. This is a must read for those who don’t know, those who “think”they know and those who may have forgotten, God is Good When Life Isn’t.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needed

In my walk to get closer to God, to understand why things happen and how to put them in perspective. This book is a must read, it brings peace to unnerving situations. Thank you for this gift of encouragement

[B. Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little encouraging book. Easy to read and understand.

[Albert S · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are in a crisis or feel you're in a pit, I strongly recommend this book. It will help you step out of the pit and show you the steps to resolving your crisis.

[Tibor · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Rhonda DuPree · Rating 5 out of 5]

A message we all need to hear and heed. The biblical story of Joseph gives lessons in how to face struggles.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written & a keeper.