It's Not Supposed to Be This Way Study Guide with DVD: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered

by Lysa TerKeurst

Life often looks so very far from the reality we long for. Lysa TerKeurst deeply understands. But she's also discovered that whether we're dealing with daily disappointments or life-altering loss, we can find unexpected strength as we wrestle well between our faith and feelings.

This book offers a safe guide, fresh biblical insight, and life-giving perspectives for living in between Eden and eternity. With grit, vulnerability, and honest humor, Lysa helps readers:


Stop being pulled into the anxiety of disappointment by discovering how to better process unmet expectations and other painful situations. 
Train themselves to recognize the three strategies of the enemy so they can stand strong and persevere through unsettling relationships and uncertain outcomes.
Discover the secret of being steadfast and not panicking when God actually does give them more than they can handle.
Shift their suspicion that God is cruel or reckless to the biblical assurance that God is protecting and preparing them.
Know how to encourage a friend and help them navigate hard realities with real help from God's truth.
This pack contains one study guide and one DVD.

Genres: Christian, Self Help, Spirituality, Psychology, Nonfiction, Religion

177 pages, Paperback

Published November 27, 2018

About the author

Lysa TerKeurst is president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and the New York Times best-selling author of Univited, The Best Yes, Unglued, Made to Crave, and 18 other books. Her newest book, It’s Not Supposed to be This Way, is scheduled for release in November of 2018. Lysa was recently awarded the Champions of Faith Author Award and has been published in multiple publications such as CNN and Fox News online. Additionally, she has appeared on the Today Show as one of the leading voices in the Christian community.

Each year, Lysa is a featured keynote presenter at more than 40 events across North America, including the Women of Joy Conferences and the Catalyst Leadership Conference. She has a passion for equipping women to share their stories for God's glory through Proverbs 31 Ministries' annual She Speaks Conference and writer training program, COMPEL: Words That Move People.

Connect with Lysa on social media @lysaterkeurst or at http://lysaterkeurst.com/.

Reviews

[Jill Pelak · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was well written, and thought provoking. Challenged my faith and helped to encourage the growth that I was hoping for. However, the study itself which I did with women at our church, was very overwhelming. Most of us found the study guide (about 60 of us) to be all over the place and hard to follow.

[Gena Spearing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such and encouraging book for all of life’s disappointments. Lysa is extremely vulnerable and honest with her struggles. She points you to the truth. Highly recommend this book!

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent companion study guide with the video series as well as the book by the same name. I used this with the video study when it was offered through FaithGateway. We are led to look at our own feelings and motives through the direct, yet sensitive questions and suggestions. This level of honesty becomes critical as we wrestle through those things in our lives that weren’t supposed to happen (or in some cases, not happen). Don’t compare or rate the author’s crises on a scale showing they are much worse than what you are going through – I can say it makes the study questions much more challenging. We each have our own struggles that leave us as walking wounded, whether physically or emotionally, and in both cases, spiritually.

If one is going through trauma or disappointments, this workbook is a valuable part of going forward with the Lord. I highly recommend it.

[Eli Pollack · Rating 2 out of 5]

If your "problem" is a boyfriend breaking up or a parent dying maybe this book is helpful.

If you're worried about malaria, small pox, onchocerciasis (river blindness), cholera, world hunger and possibly more large scale issues this book may not be what you need.

Or maybe I just have trouble understanding a G-d that creates a world where children, from birth, suffer so much and Lysa's explanation didn't further my understanding of that.

If you are a true believer this is probably a book you can enjoy, written with great passion and love.

[Chelsie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

It had been awhile since I read something written by Lysa Terkeurst. I had been following her journey the past couple of years and as my heart ached for her, I read this (and recently saw where her and Art renewed their vows) knowing that God has a purpose in her pain. This book is extremely vulnerable and full of the hope we have in Jesus. Anyone walking down a road of disappointment-this is worth reading.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lysa Terkeurst gets real about the struggles and heart-breaking disappointments she has experienced in her own life, which helped me keep my own disappointments in perspective. I found this book to be helpful, practical and encouraging as I struggle to understand God's working through disappointments in my own life. I especially appreciated the Biblical passages and the prayers at the end of each chapter.

[Surisaray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bless her heart, you can feel her pain through the pages, you can feel her desire to encourage the reader to pick up the cross and carry it one step at a time with her, she wants to show compassion for pain because she feels it and understands. Her writing is poetic and beautiful which I appreciate, and what is even more encouraging are the Bible verses she quotes. Note to self: Read during trial times.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is GREAT, the workbook is not so great. The workbook mostly goes over the video lessons that you have to purchase separately in addition to the workbook and the book, which was stated anywhere when I purchased. Have been using for a group Bible study, we finally decided just to discuss the book chapter by chapter and not use the workbook. Highly recommend the book but I would skip the workbook unless you want to also purchase the videos.

[Amanda Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book a year ago or so. I put it back on the shelf because I thought it wouldn’t apply to me. My marriage won’t be restored, so what could I get out of this book? After many encouraging friends, I picked the book back up and persevered through the voice in my head. Fortunately, I was wrong about this book. It was very applicable to my season of life. I love all of the encouraging scriptures and amazing analogies that Lysa includes in her writing.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This study is very good, especially if you are going through something that is hard. It helps you to understand the whys and maybe help with the solution. The videos that go with this study are excellent. Recommend. The companion book is good, too, but you could essentially use just the workbook and the videos. But, the lesson does encourage you to read the chapters, and does include time in the daily lesson to do so.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading when a series of disappointments entered my life and her words hit home. I put the book aside for a few months and came back to it and her words resonated even more with me, helping me build my relationship with God and make decisions I need to live a more graceful life. Thank you Lysa for entering my life with this book at just the right moment.

[Shelly Mccarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never have ever read a book that spoke to me like it was my life in the book. From the Introduction to the end of the book I felt like Lysa Terkeurst was speaking to me. My life is almost exactly like the book. I highly recommend this book to every woman that is going through a rough marriage, relationship.

[Tricia Canton · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend gave me this book as I’m currently enduring a difficult life season, and it was perfect. Lysa transparently shares her hardships and how she’s been able to endure with God. Deeply profound, faith-filled, and full of scriptures. I was so blessed by this book.

[Elizabeth C S · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve read some of Lysa’s books and have really enjoyed them! While good truths in this book, it just felt like reading a run on journal. I know this is a super unpopular rating but for me, this didn’t cut it compared to what I expected.

[Kendle Crider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read if going through hard times

Such an uplifting message. It’s okay if things don’t go the way you want them to. Lysa wrote words that I have been struggling with for years.

[Autumn Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

It might just be because I don’t read self-help books and prefer fantasy, but I couldn’t get myself to finish the book. It was a little too scattered for me and I felt like I was reading someone’s journal entry. She writes well but it just was not my cup of tea.

[Caitlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lysa TerKeurst did it again with this book! It's one where you may potentially cry throughout but it's oh so worth it. After each chapter she has verses to reference, questions to journal on and key take aways.

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a relatable book when you struggle with disenchantment and disappointment in life...and your walk with God. Uplifting and gave me clarity on some thoughts I’ve had in the past. Not a life-changer, but definitely a thought-changer.

[Elizabeth Knaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and creative encouragement, in the context of Scripture, for all going through disappointments on various levels as well as for those seeking to serve others as an empathetic, compassionate friend.

[Kimberly Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this three times - and would do it again! So much truth in its pages. Lysa does a beautiful job of sharing what God has shown her as she walks through pain, questions, and feelings that I think we ALL share. This book definitely ranks as a top 5 of all time for me. HIGHLY recommend!

[Patricia Lott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish I had a group

I loved the book. However, I found this study guide workbook to be unfriendly without a group. I am praying to find a group of start a group to do this because...It's not supposed to be this way

[Mandi Dotson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was raw and comforting. I truly feel like Lysa is a friend of mine and we were having a hard conversation in which she gave Godly advice.

[Deborah Martinez]

I really enjoyed Lysa’s truth telling in this raw and emotional book! This book is filled with God’s redeeming truth and grace, even when it’s not what we always what we want to hear!

[Anne Etim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing book. Very inspiring

[Tori Hyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

# 2 - 2019

[Sharon G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book while doing an on-line Bible Study through Proverbs31 (P31). It’s a book that I will pick up to read again.

[Melissa Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe my new favorite book/ study by Lysa. Loved it.

[Vicki Gore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good bible study. Liked the book and video better than the workbook.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book and study excellent. I loved it!

[Connie Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is her best book.