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I Am Strong: Finding God’s Peace and Strength in Life’s Darkest Moments
For many, the Christian life looks like You call out to God. Your problems get worse. You suffer and wait. Nothing changes. Author John S. Dickerson knows the feeling. A rare health condition drove him to examine the Bible's claim that "when I am weak, then I am strong." As a journalist, Dickerson has seen severe human suffering. As a pastor, he has comforted others through unimaginable grief. He wrote I Am Strong to give understanding, hope, and strength to the hurting.
In its chapters, I Am Strong equips you
Unlock God's strength for your difficulties.
Understand how a loving God will resolve your pain.
Know God's plan to repurpose your pain, injustice, and inadequacy.
Understand why your suffering does not mean God is punishing you.
Overcome life's circumstances as Christ and Paul did.
Discover the life-changing power of God's strength in your weakness.
I Am Strong breathes hope and comfort. Much more, it offers daily practices and lifelong vision on which to build an unshakeable life of meaning and peace.
In its chapters, I Am Strong equips you
Unlock God's strength for your difficulties.
Understand how a loving God will resolve your pain.
Know God's plan to repurpose your pain, injustice, and inadequacy.
Understand why your suffering does not mean God is punishing you.
Overcome life's circumstances as Christ and Paul did.
Discover the life-changing power of God's strength in your weakness.
I Am Strong breathes hope and comfort. Much more, it offers daily practices and lifelong vision on which to build an unshakeable life of meaning and peace.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2015
38 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
John S. Dickerson
7 books60 followersJohn S. Dickerson is a prize-winning journalist, a recognized voice in American Christianity, and bestselling author of "The Great Evangelical Recession." His writing has appeared in The New York Times and USA Today, among others. In 2009 Tom Brokaw, Charles Gibson (ABC News) and Anna Quindlen (Newsweek) named his investigative reporting the best in the nation. As a pastor, John has guided individuals and communities through grief and loss. He serves as Lead Pastor of Connection Pointe Christian Church in the Indianapolis area.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 19, 2017
John Dickerson's book is amazing.
So helpful and consoling to those seeking to find a closer walk with God and letting His strength handle problems instead of failing with our own weakness.
So helpful and consoling to those seeking to find a closer walk with God and letting His strength handle problems instead of failing with our own weakness.
December 23, 2015
We need encouragement and hope when we are hurting. Dickerson reminds us that the only hope that is real and meaningful is from God. “God's strength best invades our lives through our weaknesses and pain.”
We have all kinds of questions when we suffer. Why am I suffering? Why haven't I been healed? Is God mad at me? Dickerson answers these kinds of questions as he helps us put suffering into an eternal perspective.
Dickerson writes from his own experience. He has hemiplegic migraines. They have debilitating stroke like symptoms. A few times a year he looses his ability to form words and to even think. It's his thorn in the flesh.
He shares how he is daily discovering the comfort of God's presence. He is convinced God is repurposing our temporary pains for our eternal good. We must push ourselves to trust God. There is an inner rest and strength that comes from that relationship with God. “The secret of finding joy, peace, and contentment has nothing to do with your circumstances and everything to do with Christ's strength.”
Dickerson has done an excellent job of helping us understand why there is suffering in the world. He shows that we can have peace and contentment that rise above our circumstances. He has great illustrations, stories of people and from the Bible, to support his teaching.
The message came through clearly that peace and contentment in our circumstances is not something instant. It requires our spiritual growth and is a skill we must learn. Here is how Dickerson describes ultimate spiritual adulthood: “When we really trust God the Father so much more than we trust ourselves. … When we really want His desires more than our desires.”
This is the most honest and realistic book I have read on suffering in a long time. He doesn't promise relief from suffering. He still suffers. But he has learned that God wants to give power and strength through that suffering. That's the truth he has for us too.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is hurting. You'll read of people who have risen above their pain through Christ's strength. You'll begin to understand what God is doing in your pain and what it means to surrender to His plan. You'll be encouraged by the example of Jesus and His suffering.
It would be a good book to give to someone who is hurting. Perhaps you don't know what to say or how to encourage. This book would be a great help.
Food for thought:
“Your greatest contribution in life may result from your greatest pain or weakness, surrendered.”
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
We have all kinds of questions when we suffer. Why am I suffering? Why haven't I been healed? Is God mad at me? Dickerson answers these kinds of questions as he helps us put suffering into an eternal perspective.
Dickerson writes from his own experience. He has hemiplegic migraines. They have debilitating stroke like symptoms. A few times a year he looses his ability to form words and to even think. It's his thorn in the flesh.
He shares how he is daily discovering the comfort of God's presence. He is convinced God is repurposing our temporary pains for our eternal good. We must push ourselves to trust God. There is an inner rest and strength that comes from that relationship with God. “The secret of finding joy, peace, and contentment has nothing to do with your circumstances and everything to do with Christ's strength.”
Dickerson has done an excellent job of helping us understand why there is suffering in the world. He shows that we can have peace and contentment that rise above our circumstances. He has great illustrations, stories of people and from the Bible, to support his teaching.
The message came through clearly that peace and contentment in our circumstances is not something instant. It requires our spiritual growth and is a skill we must learn. Here is how Dickerson describes ultimate spiritual adulthood: “When we really trust God the Father so much more than we trust ourselves. … When we really want His desires more than our desires.”
This is the most honest and realistic book I have read on suffering in a long time. He doesn't promise relief from suffering. He still suffers. But he has learned that God wants to give power and strength through that suffering. That's the truth he has for us too.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is hurting. You'll read of people who have risen above their pain through Christ's strength. You'll begin to understand what God is doing in your pain and what it means to surrender to His plan. You'll be encouraged by the example of Jesus and His suffering.
It would be a good book to give to someone who is hurting. Perhaps you don't know what to say or how to encourage. This book would be a great help.
Food for thought:
“Your greatest contribution in life may result from your greatest pain or weakness, surrendered.”
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
September 25, 2017
This is an excellent book for anyone struggling in this life. While so many "helpful" Christians actually make fellow believers feel worse during this struggle, this author points out how God in human form (Jesus) struggled. What better company to be in than our Savior. The author doesn't berate the struggling Christian but encourages to keep following and to keep leaning on our God. He reminds us that God cares about ALL our problems and that God DOES use our pain for His glory.
One aspect I found frustrating was the redundancy of some of the author's writing. Sometimes it is necessary to repeat things to drive home a point, but there were several instances where he repeated the same verses or the same quotes which was tiresome.
One aspect I found frustrating was the redundancy of some of the author's writing. Sometimes it is necessary to repeat things to drive home a point, but there were several instances where he repeated the same verses or the same quotes which was tiresome.
September 13, 2018
This is definitely one to add to the collection dealing with the problem of pain and reconciling that with the God of the Bible... along with "The Problem of Pain" by C.S. Lewis and "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp which have both helped me a lot in the past. I liked the analogies he had to give. It was simple to understand and readable, as well as Biblical in message. "His strength is made perfect in my weakness."
February 13, 2018
Awesome - this book is for everyone. I am a single mom going through way more than I ever thought I could handle - I know my faith is what holds me up. Though after reading this book I realize I am strong and I can find peace in this storm and gain strength from it. I highly recommend this to everyone whether you are going through HELL here on earth or if your life seems like Heaven.
November 8, 2018
This is a book that you can read more than once and learn something new every time you read it. I especially like the appendixes added at the end for further reference. Pastor John has been through many trials, but he has a very positive attitude and outlook on life. I look forward to reading this again.
September 2, 2018
This would be a strong 4.5 stars. I loved this book. I would certainly pass it onto anyone having a tough time with life. God really spoke to me through this book about using my weakness, pains and circumstances for his glory. Highly recommended.
June 19, 2019
I found it too simple; too many details. It didn't draw me in. Maybe because i have had immense suffering and have already learned a lot of this. It felt too basic and maybe meant for an audience of newer believers?
April 23, 2018
If you wanted one book that you could give to a friend in need of hope, this is the book. John’s pastor’s heart is clear and engaging.
June 7, 2018
Good perspective on dealing with many difficult life issues from someone who has experienced many challenges himself.
August 20, 2018
Well written book on a difficult topic. The stories told are memorable and well written. If you or someone you love is struggling I Am Strong would be a good place to start them.
January 5, 2019
Wonderful, encouraging book on finding good in bad situations!
December 29, 2016
So, this has been and continues to be a very difficult and challenging year for me. Thus the theme in my reading for 2016. I loved this book. The author has tremendous compassion, which I think comes when one has walked a similar road. Very good book if you are traveling down a dark road.
February 22, 2016
Great book on the GREAT ESCAPE when times are tough
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews