Making it Through the Middle

by Emily Belle Freeman

"Have you ever noticed that when people talk about their trials in a public setting, they tend to focus on what happened at the end?" writes Emily Freeman. "They talk about the miracle, the promise, the way it all worked out. It isn't often that people talk about what happened in the middle of the trial."

Sometimes we can't imagine there will be an end to a hard time. But we can find hope and help even when the road seems long and dark. Using examples from her personal life and from the scriptures, Emily shares six lessons that can help all of us make it through the middle moments of our lives.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Lds, Church, Inspirational, Christian, Book Club

64 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Emily Freeman and Simon Dewey collaborated on the bestselling book The Ten Virgins. For nearly 20 years, Emily has addressed groups of women as a writer, songwriter, and motivational speaker. Her deep love of the scriptures comes from a strong desire to find their application in modern-day life. Emily and her husband, Greg, are the parents of four children and live in Lehi, Utah.

Reviews

[Lori]

A timely read for the days we are living in, Making It Through the Middle, shares principles that help us to not only cope, but grow when we are in the midst of trying times.
Emily Belle Freeman introduced me to Myrtle Reed many years ago. Her small book begins with these words from Mrs. Reed, "Do not question too much, dear friend, for the God who ordained the beginning can safely be trusted with the end, as well as with all the lies between."
Emily shares six lessons for our benefit.
1. Turn to the scriptures
2. Wait patiently
3. Recognize and remember His mercy
4. Rely on the Atonement
5. Continue to minister
6. When you can't see God's hand, trust His heart.
In each section she shares scripture, story and life experiences.
Lovely!

[Molly]

Simple but beautifully powerful truths about trials. Took me about 20 minutes to read it and it was definitely worth it!

[Haley Atkinson]

I love everything Emily Belle Freeman writes (including her conference talks).

[Katherine]

April 4, 2015
Another re-reading of this wonderful book, proving just as insightful.

May 12, 2014
An inspirational, uplifting little gem. A dear friend gave me this book, saying, "This is one you need to read." How right she was! I've read it twice in the last month, one chapter at a time so I could ponder the wisdom and insight. Each day it was a source of comfort, of encouragement.

Highly recommended! Especially for anyone who is finding life particularly challenging.

[Suzan]

Small book but wonderful message for anyone struggling with trials.

[Helynne]

This is a thoughtful little tome with some inspirational quotes and vignettes about how to see oneself through tough times. "Sometimes we experience trials that stop us in our tracks. Sometimes the detour takes us on a route we don’t anticipate . . . . But one thing is certain—the Lord will lead us through" (11-12).

After a long illness, author Emily Freeman poured out her feelings of a despair to a friend. He suggested she pretend she was hiking a mountain. "You are spending so much time looking at the peak, at where you want to be, that you can’t see how far you have come. Turn around every so often and look back at the pickup truck where you left it in the parking lot . . . . if it ever feels like you have waited so long that you aren’t moving forward anymore, if you feel like you have taken an unexpected detour, if you wonder if you’re tomorrow will ever come. . . Stop and look back at the truck" (15).

Freeman quotes Elder David Bednar's well-known General Conference talk on "tender mercies" from a few years ago. "Strength comes in pausing to remember past mercies in our lives" (20).

She provides a long list of what Christ does for people. A sampling: ". . . . prepares the way, knows all things, gives liberally, makes weak things strong, hears prayers, sends comfort, provides a sanctuary, increases joy, remembers all, consoles in affliction, gives grace, pours out his spirit, fills hearts with joy, kindly favors us, will visit us, sends angels . . . (22-23).

Another nice thought: "Even as we need angels to help us, we need to be angels to other people . . . . The kind of person who will come running" (44).

[Beth Given]

Very short book with some valuable insights. Emily Belle Freeman’s advice for when you’re going through the “middle” part of the trial includes:

1. Turn to the scriptures (she includes a list of chapters about “middle moments” in the scriptures: Genesis 6; Exodus 13, 16, 33; Deuteronomy 2, 6, 7; Joshua 2, 3; Jeremiah 26, 29, 31; 1 Nephi 17-18; Ether 2, 3, 6)

2. Wait patiently and remember tomorrow will come (“every day better”)

3. Recognize and remember the mercy of Jesus Christ; His grace will sustain us as our needs increase, each and every day

4. Learn to rely on the Atonement (again, another list of scriptures to study: Judges 7, 1 Samuel 7, 2 Kings 6, 2 Chronicles 20, Matthew 11:28-30, Philippians 4:13, Philemon, 1 Nephi 17, Helaman 5:12, D&C 19:23, D&C 68:6, Mosiah 23-24)

5. Continue to minister and serve

6. Trust in God’s heart (“when you can’t see God’s hand, trust His heart)

Lovely little book and a quick read, too; one you could actually make your way through while in “the middle.”

[Jessie]

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is in the middle of a trial, or hard time in his or her life. It is written to help someone who is "In the middle" of a problem. This is a short book, (read in an hour) but it could be used as a study guide. Many references are given and great suggestions for a study journal. The author gives good points and uplifting stories. It could be read over and additional insights gained.

[Viv]

Everyone needs to read this book not just once but several times. This books gives you a different perspective of trials. It gives you faith and hope to endure the middle of any tribulation. Some of my favorite quotes are:
“Sometimes He refines is in ways we might not have wanted because He needs to use us in ways we might not have thought.”
“When you can’t see God’s hand, trust His heart”
“Sometimes we have to be the angel even in the times when we are in need of the angel.”

[Lisa]

Her suggestions for enduring the trials when you are in the middle of them rang true to me. She spoke from a place of experience so it felt very authentic, not like a young married couple who comment on your parenting style before they themselves have become parents. I only hope I can remember to draw on them when I'm in "the middle" of a trial. I know if I do, it will bless my life.

[Jennifer Bennett]

Excellent little read. Freeman explores the idea of focussing on the hard middle sections of scripture stories, rather than glossing over them to see the miracle at the end. Her connection and explanation of Joshua’s story was particularly profound to me. I drew great understanding from this simple book.

[Tamra]

Sometimes there seems to be too many "middles"! But this book helps put a whole new perspective on challenges and how it is a privilege to have the chance to be molded and shaped by God as we go through our trials. Beautiful book.

[Desi]

This is an excellent read! Probably took me too long to get through, but my life & attention span is such that I read when I where I think to do it. Truly though, audiobooks spoil me. Like I said, an excellent read, gave me plenty to ponder & appreciate! Thank you Sister Freeman! 💕

[Kirsten Krason]

This was a really quick and easy read. I had to read it on the desert Bookshelf app. I read it a little bit before bed every night and I really enjoyed it. There are so many good nuggets I can see myself returning to it often.

[Kara]

This is a book I should read every year. Its uplifting and helpful when going through a hard time. This is a book that I marked up and wrote in.

[Jillise]

Favorite favorite favorite. Felt like it was written for me. Wonderful book. Beautiful insight. Started reading it again. One of my top favorites.

[Jen]

A small but worthwhile read.

[Brittany]

This a strengthen me closer to God.

[Shayla Salazar]

This book has fantastic advise on getting through middle moments of trials and it is fantastic!

[Lydia]

Some good stuff but not quite what was needed in my own messy middle

[Evan Thacker]

Good short read. Unique ideas. I liked it enough that I bought a few copies and have given them to a few friends who I felt like are "in the middle" and could use a pick-me-up.

[Wyndee]

My favorite line from the book. "Sometimes He refines us in ways we might not have wanted because He needs to use us in ways we might not have thought. "

[Morgan Malasky]

Short and sweet with an encouraging message.

[Marilyn]

Six practical steps to do when you’re in the middle of some not so pleasant events in your life.

[Kylee Bryan]

Another nice, quick read and pick-me-up if you need it. I especially appreciate that everything is scripture based and not just personal stories.

[Starla]

Whether you're going through a hard time or not, this is a quick, profound read. Loved it. Read it in about an hour.

[Kelly]

The book is OK. I really liked all the scripture references in this book.

[M]

This book is very powerful and very full of insight, hope, wisdom. I needed it right now, and I'm very grateful for the message. This is one I believe I will revisit in future.

[Sabra Ann Rasmussen]

that was a wonderful quick read and very concise in teaching gospel principles, and also relating stories to it to make it stick. I really enjoy her writing.

[Deb]

A person who I visit teach let me borrow this little book after I shared with her a talk from the November 2017 LDS General Conference by Bishop W. Christopher Waddell called “Turn to the Lord.” The talk is similar to this book, though a little more Christ centered. He mentions different specific things we can do to help us during those middle moments when we are suffering with challenges. If this book helped you, I highly recommend his talk.

I love the quote in this book from Freeman’s mother, “When you can’t see God’s hand, trust His heart.” I hadn’t heard that before and had forgotten that it’s important to look for God’s tender mercies and grace. I also like how she includes scripture references to stories of people enduring middle moments. I will definitely read those. Waddell tells some of those types of stories also.

It is difficult to trust, be patient, be strong, and have hope when things get difficult in life. The ideas in this book are helpful. Combined with other sources of truth, I feel like I can go forward with faith. This would be a good little book to own and to refer to again and again.