Jesus Will Meet You There: Finding Strength and Comfort in the Savior Who Understands

by Kristen Wetherell, Sarah Walton

Through personal stories and biblical wisdom, the award-winning authors of Hope When It Hurts remind us that weakness isn’t the end of our story—it’s the very place Jesus meets us.

“Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton serve as wise and understanding guides through the all-too-common struggles we all have with loneliness, fear, doubt, and grief.”—Nancy Guthrie, author and bible teacher

Pain changes everything. It changes how people pray, how they hope, and how they relate to God.

Many of us are walking through something chronic illness, deep loss, lingering doubt, or a season that just won’t let up. Authors Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton know what that's like. They've lived it too.

This book journeys through the Gospels to meet Jesus in the ordinary and the hard places of life, inviting readers to experience his nearness in a new way. At the center of the Christian story is this astonishing God does not stay distant from human suffering. Jesus took on flesh and stepped into the world—its limits, its grief, and its pain.

This book offers truth and comfort to those caught in life's darkest moments,

When the miracle doesn't comeWhen death seems to winWhen you feel alone in your doubtsWhen you feel like a bad ChristianWhen you wonder if God is punishing youWhen you feel misunderstoodWhen fear consumes you
Strength is not required to come to him. He has already come near. And even here, in the hard place, he is with us.

Genres: Christian Living, Christian, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2026

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply encouraging book rooted in Scripture and personal testimonies that highlight the ways Jesus walks alongside us in our suffering. I appreciated the devotional format, which makes it easy to read at your own pace, either selecting chapters a chapter for your season or reading in a few sittings (as I did). A comforting and hope-filled read for anyone navigating difficult circumstances.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been an encouraging read about Jesus and what it means to walk in true, personal faith in pain and suffering.

Definitely would recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Rachel Lundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know that any book Sarah Walton and Kristen Wetherell write will be excellent, and this book met all of my expectations. It was encouraging and comforting, and I highly recommend it.

This book can be read straight through if the reader wishes. It could also be a book that one picks up when they need encouragement in a particular struggle or life situation. Jesus Will Meet You There is divided up into six parts: Weakness, Fear and Shame, Loneliness, Pain, Doubt, and Grief. Each of those six parts has 4-5 chapters that dive into specifics of how Jesus meets us in those particular struggles and sufferings.

This is a book I will return to when I need hope and encouragement, or when I need help in knowing how to encourage and comfort a friend in their suffering.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Hope When It Hurts in the fall when my soul was really weary, and even though there was some bitterness in my heart at the time, I really resonated with the gentle reminders and encouragement the authors had to say. It was funny actually, as someone suffering from Chronic Lyme Disease, to pick up the book without knowing both the authors have it too!

So when I heard they were coming out with another devotional, I knew I wanted to read it asap. This one was even better (or maybe I’m just not as bitter, haha)! This book hit all the sore spots…coming to terms with your weakness, the fear and shame of dealing with a life altering disease or situation, the loneliness of going through it without anyone else who really “gets it”, the pain, the doubt, the grief over your old life and what you thought your future would look like.

This book helped me to both feel seen and also to hope despite my current reality. I’ll definitely be going back to it again and again. Some of my favorite nuggets:

“You and I aren’t disappointments or failures because we’re inherently limited by our humanity. We’re simply human, designed to be dependent on the One who created us.”

“I’m living in a body that’s technically alive but sick enough to keep me from truly living.” (This one hurt!)

“Physical healing isn’t the measuring stick of God’s love or a sign of the strength of my faith…God didn’t deny Jesus’s request because he lacked faith. To the contrary. Jesus showed the greatest display of faith ever known to mankind—trusting his Father’s perfect will MORE than he desired relief.”

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Patricia N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus Will Meet You There
by Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton

I picked up this book looking for encouragement, and it ended up being exactly what I needed. It felt like sitting down with a trusted friend who understands that life can be hard and who gently points you back to Jesus.

One part that especially stayed with me was the discussion of how we are like lambs. The authors talk about our tendency to wander, worry, and become anxious when life feels uncertain. As someone who struggles with anxiety at times, I found that comparison both humbling and comforting. We often try to handle everything ourselves, but like sheep, we really need the care and guidance of our Shepherd.

I was especially touched by the illustration of the "bummer lamb"; a lamb that has been rejected by its mother and must be cared for closely by the shepherd. The shepherd feeds it, carries it, and gives it special attention. The authors use this picture to show how Jesus draws, especially near to those who are hurting, broken, lonely, or struggling. Rather than being forgotten, the bummer lamb often becomes the one that stays closest to the shepherd. I found that image both beautiful and encouraging.

Throughout the book, the authors share scripture, personal experiences, and stories from Jesus' ministry to remind readers that He understands our fears, grief, doubts, and disappointments. They don't offer easy answers, but they do offer something better; a reminder that Jesus is present with us in the middle of our struggles.

By the end of the book, I felt comforted and encouraged. It reminded me that I don't have to carry every burden alone and that Jesus is patient with my worries and fears.

I would recommend this book to anyone dealing with anxiety, loss, loneliness, or simply needing reassurance that God has not forgotten them.

A gentle, hope-filled book that reminds us that even when we feel like the bummer lamb, we are deeply loved and cared for by our Good Shepherd.

Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Christian Publishing, Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton authors, for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

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[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book during a time when my friend was dying, and we were in the middle of a long, hard winter. I needed encouragement and Jesus Will Meet You There was what I needed.
The authors have had very hard struggles and though personal stories share how Jesus has met them in their pain. There are six subjects in the book that are then then broken into chapters, and they cover weakness, fear and shame, loneliness, pain, doubt, and grief. Each chapter is backed by the Bible.
I used this book as a devotional, but it can be read through in a few settings. I recommend this book and their earlier book Hope When It Hurts for yourself or anyone who is hurting.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but all opinions are mine.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author’s of this new devotional, Jesus Will Meet You There – Finding Strength and Comfort in the Savior Who Understands by Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton, are not new to me authors. I read their first devotional (Hope When It Hurts) year’s ago and it was one of the books I recommended to many ladies, and still one of my favorite devotionals. This new one does not disappoint, still biblically solid, with lots of helpful encouragement to remind you where to turn to for true help.

Few highlights:

Not only are we sinners who need a Savior; we’re also sufferers who need a Comforter and Redeemer.
I’ve come to believe some weaknesses are really mercies that draw us toward active faith – an in-the-moment reliance on the God who is in control.
Peace if sound in trusting the One who holds tomorrow in His hands who promises to equip me for everything that lies ahead if I depend on Him one step at a time.
Greatness in the world’s eyes is measured by what we can do for ourselves. Greatness in God’s eyes is measured by taking our eyes off ourselves and trusting in Him.
We need truth that runs deeper even that the “God’s got this” cliches that Christians toss around.
Repentance is the invitation that opens the door to fellowship with God.
Misdirected devotion leads to sin and shame. But Jesus sets us free to devote ourselves to God.
Our earthly challenges are temporary, but who we are – our character, faith, and souls – is eternal.
Sadly, some of the deepest pain comes from within the body of Christ because we expect Christians to act like Christians.
Hard seasons of spiritual pruning are meant to make us more fruitful.
So much of the Christian life runs counter to our natural way of thinking.
It’s prideful to believe we have more control over our circumstances than we really do.
Taking our doubts to the Lord is actually a sign of faith, not a lack of it.
While we ant God’s Word to be our primary source, we can also benefit from theologians, historians, and suffering saints who faced their doubts and grew stronger in trusting God.

So if you are struggling with unknowns, fears, and/or doubts, this devotional will help you walk through those in a biblical way. Reminding you what God’s Word says.


Many thanks to Netgalley for providing this book for review! Opinions are 100% my own! I did receive the product in exchange for this review and post.