As Silver Refined: Learning to Embrace Life's Disappointments

by Kay Arthur

ARE YOU DISAPPOINTED THAT LIFE ISN’T TURNING OUT LIKE YOU PLANNED? HOW DO YOU RESPOND when your husband or wife tramples your emotions? When your boss fires you unexpectedly? When you lose your life’s savings? When the child you’ve loved and prayed for turns his back on you and your values? When disappointments like these smash their way into your life, you may want to scream, “How could God let this happen?”

BUT WHAT IF GOD didn’t just “let it happen”? What if the things you call disappointments are really His appointments — events He is using to make you more like Christ? What if He is using your disappointments like flames to melt and burn away the undesirable elements in your life, leaving you pure and radiant — like refined silver?

YOU CAN BE DEFEATED by life’s unavoidable disappointments, or you can become stronger because of them. Kay Arthur paints a graphic picture of the dangerous downward spiral of disappointment that can lead to discouragement, depression, or even despair. But you can learn to break that cycle and embrace disappointment with a faith that recognizes the trials of life as tools that God uses to make you — as silver refined — a reflection of His goodness.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian Non Fiction, Christian Living, Spirituality, Christianity

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Kay Lee Arthur was an American Christian author, Bible teacher, and co-founder of Precept Ministries International. Renowned for her accessible and inductive approach to Bible study, she helped millions engage deeply with Scripture. Arthur began her ministry informally, teaching teenagers in her living room alongside her second husband, Jack Arthur. Their work soon grew into a global outreach, headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, under the name Precept Ministries International. She hosted the daily Bible teaching program Precepts for Life and became a respected voice in evangelical circles. Arthur authored numerous books and was a four-time winner of the ECPA Christian Book Award for titles such as A Marriage Without Regrets and The New Inductive Study Bible. Her ministry was rooted in a personal reawakening to faith in the early 1960s, following a divorce and a return to religious life. She and Jack also served briefly as missionaries in Mexico before founding their ministry. Arthur remained active in public faith-based initiatives into her later years and was known for her firm stances on social issues. She passed away on 2025 leaving behind a lasting legacy in Christian education and publishing.

Reviews

[Michael Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kay Arthur, author and co-CEO of Precept Ministries International provides the reader with a rather interesting twist on the idea of dealing with the disappointments and struggles we all face on a daily basis. While some more self-help oriented authors spend page after page in their book teaching the reader ways to think positively in order to get through trouble, Kay Arthur reminds us the Bible teaches us we will have troubles in this life. Some may think such an idea to be a "downer." Why would I want to embrace a belief system that essentially guarantees me difficulty in life? It is to this question that Kay Arthur brilliantly addresses using a plethora of scriptural examples to show those who are in the midst of troubles how to properly deal with those critical turning points in their life.

I was immediately drawn in to Arthur's writing style and in particular her use of the word "beloved" throughout the text. Such an approach definitely reveals her passion for believers and non-believers who are struggling with profound issues and who are perhaps tempted to blame God for their problems and either walk away from their faith or not give faith in Christ a second glance. Arthur reminds the reader from the very outset we are engaged in a war for our hearts and perhaps more importantly, for our minds. She immediately lays the groundwork for engaging in this urgent battle by contrasting the one we wage spiritual war with, namely the father of lies, with that of the Captain of the Host, our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.

The remainder of this wonderful and personally challenging book is focused on addressing issues of past failures, stress, pain, God's sovereignty, the need to be courageous in the face of discouragement, and finally embracing the joy of the Lord that is the source of our strength. These are definitely immense yet important spiritual topics that are essential for dealing with the trials and tribulations we all face. Throughout her message, Arthur constantly reminds the reader God is in control. He is the one to whom we must place our trust in as we seek to constantly come under the refining fire of God's word. Trouble is often not what it immediately appears to be. Many times it is arguably our own doing that has gotten us into the "pickles" we sometimes face. More often than not, when we are faced with a trial, we are actually under the watchful eye of the Great Refiner of souls, God Almighty. Arthur reminds us to stay focused on God and his word when we endure hardship. When we have the blues and are dejected, we must remember "God is the God of hope, and we are never to despair but always to hope in Him." While this may sound "cheesy" to some, this is what God's word constantly reminds us. One only needs to take a cursory read through the Psalms to see how David relied on the Lord despite the constant struggles he faced at the hand of King Saul.

We must lay hold of the trust that Kay Arthur so eloquently outlines in her statement, "The Psalmist knew his God and the character and power of his God. And he realized that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He knew his God had not left him. God's very presence was the psalmist's help." Perhaps God is testing our faith in him through a trial or perhaps Satan is attacking us seemingly on every side. Regardless of the source of the trial, one thing is certain. Our God is an ever present hope in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). That is not self-help nonsence...that is a promise we can hold on to as we fix our eyes on the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

As Silver Refined is an excellent book that will serve the reader well as a tremendous resource. I would also recommend Philip Yancey's Disappointment With God, Michael Babcock's How Can I Believe When I Have So Many Doubt's, and John Ortberg's Faith & Doubt as companion pieces to Kay Arthur's effort.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this during my divorce and it changed my life.

My divorce hit me pretty hard, to say the least. It was completely unexpected and wiped my emotional legs out from under me. Naturally, I questioned why God would allow this to happen and then even bigger question of, "What now?"

This book (along with the Bible, of course) had the answers I needed to hear. The book takes you to the Bible to show you God's love for you when you feel so hurt and helpless. Instead of downing in despair, search and pray for God's direction and purpose. This book will help you with that.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how the author approached the subject of disappointments and trials. She didn't try and sugar coat the fact that we are going to have troubles and trials. She used a lot of scripture and focused on our attitude and who we are listening to and believing.

[Kristen Stieffel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books I filled with Post-It notes and highlight marks. I filled a legal pad with notes. The insightful wisdom in this book helped me through a difficult time by getting my eyes off of me and my petty problems and onto God. Kay Arthur's teaching is firmly based in scripture and has been a major contributor to my maturity as a Christian.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard about this book on Nancy Guthrie’s podcast where she interviewed Kay Arthur. I loved this book. So practical and timely and I am recommending it to every one I talk to. We ALL have disappointments (I especially have a big one right now bc we moved across the country to follow the Lord and 3 of my 4 kids are miserable and people here think we’re crazy and it’s just really hard). I have felt a sadness in my heart and like I don’t feel like trusting God anymore. Therefore I am so thankful for this book and that I read it when I did. I love how Biblical her perspective is and how she teaches us to take disappointments and keep them from turning into depression and defeat. Disappointments -> His appointments. Submit, bow the knee, be meek like Jesus…because God is sovereign over evil and uses it to refine us like silver.

[Lani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such wisdom, and I love that Kay Arthur reads the audio version herself. Anyone going through trials of this life will learn how God can help us in and through them so that we don't succumb to the 5 Ds of disappointment, discouragement, depression, despair & demoralization. 1 have been floundering through the murkiness of the first 3, even as, who I think I am, a strong believer. Even knowing the truth, Kay set me back onto the path of right action as well as thinking in Christ, while still acknowledging that there are times when medicines are necessary for chemical and hormonal imbalances. I just noticed that there is a 13 week companion-bible study and I plan to get it and work through to reinforce what she has said for me.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book, and not sure why.. Well apparently God had a few things to tell me. I was not depressed, but was terribly tired of the rat race of life and the constant roller coaster with my husband's health. I read this and it really spoke to me as an individual and pointed out to me some of the things that were wrong with my thinking. I am already applying what I have learned to my life and hope to continue doing that. I believe it will give me a more positive outlook on life.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deepened my personal relationship with Jesus, taught me how to study the Bible, and helps me have hope when everything goes wrong. I thank God for sending His Son to die for me. I thank God for creating me with a purpose and for molding me into His image.

[Beba Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far, one of the best books I've read!! I highly recommend this book to those who need to be healed emotionally/spiritually after a very difficult season of life.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was 19 and deeply hurting. It was a perfect book for that moment in my life.

[Nicole Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book about the refining process that we go through as we grow closer to God and in spiritual growth.

[Leigh LCA · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I need to read yearly.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Kay Arthur and this book didn't disappoint.

[Delores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book! Helped me refine my focus no matter what I am going through in life. My focus shall remain on the one true God. With God, all things and life is possible!

[Alexis Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well known author and speaker Kay Arthur addresses the role of hardship, suffering, and disappointment in the life of the Christian. The book is centered around what Arthur calls the "Deadly D's": distraction, deception, disappointment, discouragement, dejection, despair, and demoralization. These Deadly D's are used by the enemy and experienced by Christians on a daily basis. Arthur encourages her readers to engage the enemy in the battleground of the mind, taking every thought captive and using the inspired Word of God to defend against attacks, whatever their source. She reminds us that all things work together for the Christian's benefit--even hard things. Hence the image of refined silver--a precious substance that has been purified by fire, time and time again.

Allow me to start of by saying that I'm not the best person to judge a book like this. Just as an unmarried person may not know which books on marriage are the best, or those without kids aren't in the best position to judge the many parenting manuals, I am not all that qualified to evaluate this book. I have not experienced much in the way of true hardship, and what little I have experienced has been largely the result of my own sin. So there hasn't been a lot of opportunity for the "Why, God? Why?" internal struggle which is so painful to those living through horrific circumstances and facing heartbreaking (or life-threatening) difficulties. Not that I don't complain (I do) or yell at God (I do) or struggle to understand His ways in the midst of setbacks (I sooo do). It's just that while others are dealing with cancer-level disappointments, I'm whining about a papercut. You get the idea.

The point is, I don't know whether this book would be helpful to someone facing genuine, honest-to-goodness tragedy or suffering or devastation. What I do know is that Arthur stands unflinching on the sovereign love of God and does not back down. She speaks with compassion and tenderness, but with a firm conviction that God is truly sovereign, even over hard things. As a public speaker, Arthur touches many, many people, some of whom contact her and share their experiences and struggles. She relates story after heartbreaking story, and in each case she responds with love and with an unshakable confidence in the sovereignty of a merciful God. Which is by no means an easy thing to do in such a relational line of work. So while I don't actually know how this book would be received by someone in the throes of tribulation, I can't help thinking that the best salve for a struggling heart is truth: knowledge of God's character as demonstrated in the gospel and described in His Word. And that's precisely what Arthur brings to the table.

At the end of the day, the writing isn't brilliant, though for a speaker, it's not half bad--this is my first exposure to Arthur, and I have to say I'm impressed. And yeah, the organization isn't terribly clear (which makes sense, since she's a talker, not a writer). But the soundness of Arthur's theology more than makes up for any minor shortcomings of presentation. So really, it's more of a three-and-a-half star book.

Oh, and don't let the heft of the book intimidate you--in this latest edition, the last hundred pages or so is a chapter-by-chapter study guide. And it looks like a pretty decent study guide, at that. In fact, I'm recommending it to my small group. And I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for more Arthur books.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

[Mary-ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Can You Do When Life Doesn’t Turn Out Like You Planned?

How do you respond when your husband or wife tramples your emotions? When your boss fires you unexpectedly? When you lose your life’s savings? When the child you’ve loved and prayed for turns his back on you and your values?

When disappointments like these smash their way into your life, you may want to scream, “How could God let this happen?”

But what if God didn’t just “let it happen”? What if the things you call disappointments are really His appointments—events He is using to make you more like Christ? What if your circumstances are actually the flames of His grace, intended to melt and burn away the undesirable elements in your life, leaving you pure and radiant—like refined silver?

You can be defeated by life’s unavoidable disappointments, or you can become stronger because of them.

Life’s disappointments can send you on a dangerous downward spiral into discouragement, depression, or even despair. But in this eye-opening book, Kay Arthur guides you to biblical truths that will help you break that cycle and instead embrace disappointment as the cleansing fire God uses to make you—as silver refined—a reflection of His goodness.


In As Silver Refined, Kay Arthur tackles one of the most difficult topics for both new and maturing Christians: disappointments and the seeming contradictory nature of a loving God and the reality of pain.
The book begins with a description of the works of a Silver Smith. He is patient and thorough in removing all the impurities from his silver. The heat causes the impurities to rise to surface to be removed by the Silver Smith. Arthur did an incredible job at describing the process of refining silver. You quickly realize the way it parallels to our lives with Christ. Arthur goes on to list five Deadly D's: disappointment, discouragement, dejection, despair, and demoralization. Through the book, Arthur shows how easy it is to spiral down from disappointment to demoralization if disappointment is not dealt with correctly. Disappointments happen. It's how we handle the heat that matters. She says that we need to look at disappointments as God's appointments. By removing the "D" from disappointment and replacing it with an "H", you change "disappointment" to "His appointment". As the heat increases, God is refining His people by removing their impurities. Fire is required to release the impurities in silver and in the lives of Christians.

The book has goes into depth on several themes, however the two I most enjoyed were several chapters on meekness followed with a genuine look at what God’s sovereignty really means. Meekness is often coupled with humility and may be seen as being passive or weak “The opposite of meekness is not strength but rather lack of control, an untamed and unbroken wildness,” Arthur writes. Because meekness is a fruit of the spirit, to be meek is to respond in the spirit. If we’re not acting in meekness, we’re reacting in the flesh. To be meek is to act, not re-act.
If you’ve experienced more of your fair share of pain in life, this book will help locate your struggles in the bigger picture of God’s plan. It is healing, empowering and inspirational

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kay Arthur’s latest book introduced me to some amazing heroes of the faith: A missionary who was captured and tortured by the people he wished to win to Christ. A man who never lost his hope while suffering through the bodily deterioration of ALS. A woman who was able to praise God in spite of a son who took his own life. A political prisoner who gave up his blanket, his only source of warmth, to the other man in his cell and won that man to Christ with his dying words . . . I read their stories of sacrifice with tears in my eyes.

What did these folks have in common? They had learned the secret of the Refiner’s fire. By finding God’s blessing in the midst of their suffering, they became sources of hope and encouragement for every life they touched.

Kay Arthur writes, “This image of refinement is something God touches on again and again in His Word. He is the true Refiner. We are His silver. And the fire is the fire of His making.

For through His fire our Refiner will perfect an awesome work, a divine work. He will take what is impure and make it pure. He will take what is dull and make it beautiful.

He will transform us into a treasure.

He’ll refine us in the crucible so that He can see Himself in the silver—in you and me. And so the world, as well as the principalities and powers and hosts of Satan, can behold the triumph of the Redeemer.”

As Silver Refined shares strategies for emerging victorious through the fires of failure, temptation, stress, and tragedy. Kay teaches us how to recognize when the Five Deadly D’s—Disappointment, Discouragement, Dejection, Despair, and Demoralization—have begun to take hold in our hearts and how to access God’s promises before the enemy gains a foothold through them. For God’s promises are our power. I especially love how this poem sums up God’s promise to guide us . . .

Child of My love, fear not the unknown morrow,
Dread not the new demand life makes of thee;
Thy ignorance doth hold no cause for sorrow,
For what thou knowest not is known to Me.

Thou canst not see today the hidden meaning
Of My command, but thou the light shall gain.
Walk on in faith, upon My promise leaning,
And as thou goest, all shall be made plain.

One step thou seest: Then go forward boldly;
One step is far enough for faith to see.
Take that, and thy next duty shall be told thee,
For step by step thy God is leading thee.

Stand not in fear, thine adversaries counting;
Dare every peril, save to disobey.
Thou shalt march on, each obstacle surmounting,
For I, the Strong, shall open up the way.

Therefore go gladly to the task assigned thee,
Having My promise; needing nothing more,
Than just to know where’er the future find thee,
In all thy journeying—I GO BEFORE.

The Scriptures, testimonies, and practical advice on these pages strengthened me, and now I’m working through the 13-week Bible study included in this edition. As Silver Refined is a book I’ll return to again and again.

Would you do me a big favor and rate my review? You can do that here at my blog.

[Melissa T]

****Please note, I received this book as a free Goodreads Giveaway****

Anyone who is religious SHOULD NOT read this review lest they be offended by it in some way.

I feel bad, but I only made it through about 14 pages of this book before I put it down. It's my fault for not paying closer attention when reading the blurb for the book. I thought that this was more along the lines of a self help book when I first read the blurb to enter the giveaway.

Then when I actually received the book, I read further and saw that it's more religious (deeply so) and I was unnerved at the prospect of reading it. I wanted to give it a shot, because I won the book after all so I might as well, but I just couldn't do it.

I am not a religious person. I would say that I'm more spiritual if anything, and overall without really labeling myself too much, I'd rather just say I was open minded. I have been to church maybe once or twice, and I've always felt uncomfortable being there.

In college, I was involved for a while with a group that was very much into proseltyzation. I thought they were just a nice group of people to hang out with at first, and then once we did start hanging out, I noticed that all conversations centered on God and Church. It bugged me but they were nice so I wanted to be friendly and at the time I had some questions. Then they started pressuring me about going to church with them, and doing bible study.

I did the bible study, but one particular lesson stopped me from hanging out with them after this... I have no idea the section or the passage in particular but it was something to do with a person having a disability because they were being punished for their sins.

When the passage was read, everyone in the group turned to look at me and the leader of the group asked me how I felt about fulfilling the punishment for my sins. (I have Cerebral Palsy.)

I didn't know what to say and stammered something, when I should have just walked out. It felt like they were judging me right there, doubly so, because they knew more of the bible and the implications of the passages than I did.

This book demonstrates some of the same ideals they held like certain elements of modern life being evil, and to be avoided.

Plus I felt like I needed to have a bible right in front of me to help decipher all the passages that were referenced.

I suppose I thought that this would be somewhat lighter, with a few passages sprinkled in for reference maybe, rather than having a passage stated every few lines.

I will not rate this out of fairness for not having actually read it. Definitely a reminder to myself to pay closer attention to the giveaway blurbs.

And to anyone who read this review and was offended, I won't apologize because I did put a disclaimer at the top and you chose to read ahead.

[Stephanie Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life. That one word brings everything from smiles and sighs to raging tirades. Life has both excitement and disappointments. Ephesians 5:20 says, "And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." It does not say give thanks for the good only - for the great house, perfect job, and amazing spouse. It says to give thanks for EVERYTHING - the good, the bad, and even the ugly. That can be difficult. Kay Arthur talks about how to turn your disappointments in life into God's appointments in her book As Silver Refined Answers to Life's Disappointments. Just in reconfiguring your perceptions of life's disappointments into God's appointments begins to turn a cloudy, stormy day into just a partly cloudy day. It is the first step in moving from seeing life pessimistically to seeing life optimistically.

I chose this book to read because of the synopsis on the Blogging for Books website. One line jumped out at me and intrigued me - "You can be defeated by life's unavoidable disappointments, or you can become stronger because of them." Powerful words! First of all Arthur highlights the first point that disappointment is unavoidable. It is going to happen, the only questions are when, in what fashion, how bad, and how am I going to react to it? And that is the next point that she so aptly makes - are you going to react or intentionally act? Choosing to be intentional rather than haphazard is the way to turn those disappointments into His appointments. It kind of reminds me of a childish chant about "turning that frown upside down" but it is just that intentional.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that As Silver Refined by Kay Arthur was a slow read for me. While I love to read all book genres, I am partial to the fast pace of mysteries and thrillers. This one took me a couple of weeks which gave me the benefit of really getting involved in her fantastic book. Arthur tells us that God puts us under fire by giving us life's trials and tribulations in order to refine us as is done with silver. He refines us to be more pure and beautiful in our commitment to Christ. Life is hard; there is no doubt about that. It's how we handle it that shows if we are becoming more refined or less. She tells us to act rather than react and to be meek. She compares wars in our nation's history to the war between God and Satan for us. Satan cannot snatch us from our Heavenly Father's hand unless He allows it, but Satan will use all kinds of strategies to get us down. Arthur calls these the Deadly D's: distraction, deception, disappointment, discouragement, dejection, despair and demoralization. She gives us strategies to defeat Satan and his Deadly D's as well as encouragement through stories from her own life and from people she has met in her ministry. So many of these people should be struggling in the depths of despair, but they look to our Lord and they overcome. It is so awesome! Plus, the 13 week companion study guide is wonderful. You're not just reading Bible verses. You are using what you've learned in the book's chapters to analyze them and really think about them. If you are struggling in life (and who isn't?), I highly recommend reading this book.

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 5 out of 5]

In As Silver Refined: Learning to Embrace Life's Disappointments, Kay Arthur is instructional, compassionate, and encouraging to those who are going through some kind of crushing disappointment. The book includes the text, to page 286, and then a study guide with thirteen lessons that correspond to the text.

As you read Kay Arthur's books you can really feel that she has a heart for God and for teaching others the truths she has found in the Word of God. Her faith is uplifting and offers some real encouragement to those going through life's disappointments. She always makes it clear that God loves his people no matter what and He wants us to come running to Him or stay close to Him when trials hit. He will not forsake us.

Instead of focusing on our disappointments, we need to look at them as His appointments, and opportunities for our refinement. God would not allow it in our lives if He did not have plans to use it for the good according to His plan and purpose for our lives. This book will help Christians who are facing disappointments and trials of all kinds and sizes to keep the focus where it belongs, on Christ.
Very Highly Recommended; http://shetreadssoftly.blogspot.com/

Disclosure: I received my copy through a Goodreads giveaway.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Are you disappointed life hasn't turned out as you planned?" Kay asks. I'm disappointed life hasn't turned out as God planned, Kay. And I couldn't read much more w/o getting a stronger anti-depressant.
Author referred to reader as "Beloved." Should've stopped reading right there. Came across wrong to me in other ways--like when she was being painfully honest about her sinful shortcomings--pouted at her husband once for not noticing she'd hung pictures in his study. Really?!! Please, get real...
Forced myself for about 70 pages before quitting.
And a friend, Beth W, recommended this?
Do some people have to believe this stuff to assimilate tragedy?
See Genesis. God left us in charge. We screwed up. Hence sin. And tragedy. Not God's will, but due to the fall of mankind and introduction of sin and evil into our world.
Keep repeating this: Good God, bad devil; good God, bad devil; good God, bad devil... It's not that complicated, really.
If I rec'd everything as though from the hand of God, I might not have Jenn & Nick now... or maybe she'd be in a vegetative state. But I knew that wasn't God's will for her, and we didn't settle for less than God's best. Good God. Awesome God.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so very easy at times to struggle in our faith and wonder why it seems so hard to trust God when things don’t go as we planned. In her new book, Kay discusses the five Deadly D’s: disappointment, discouragement, dejection, despair, and demoralization. Reading her descriptions of those feelings really hit home with me as I have expressed those exact feelings to God in my prayers in times past.

One of the things I found to be most interesting about this study book was Kay’s detailed discussion of meekness and exactly what it means to be meek. I loved the definition: to be meek is to be calmly strong. That is a powerful statement.

With this book not only do you get a good book to read but it also includes a complete 13 week companion Bible study in the back. It would be perfect for a small study group to read the book and then work through the study together. Once again Kay has opened God’s word to us in a very real and exciting way.


I received this complimentary copy from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group through their Blogging for Books program. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here are my own.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came to me as a gift during a particular poignant time in my life. I needed God to teach me about how to deal with disappointment in my life. It is all right there in the Word. Arthur takes the reader on a wonderful, healing journey through the Word and helps us to understand the purpose for disappointment in our lives and how to deal with it in a Godly way. God loves us so much and He never leaves us. His promises are so beautiful and all we have to do is reach out and claim them for ourselves. I really enjoyed how candid Arthur is in sharing her own testimony. She also includes many stories that she has heard along her own journey and in her ministry. This lady does not beat around the bush but she is also very loving. Her heart for the reader is quite evident. I recommend this book to any believer at any stage in their walk with the Lord. He tells us in His Word that there will be trials but to take heart because He has overcome the world! Praise God!
Thank you to Goodreads for the gift of this book at such a perfect moment.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually like Kay Arthur, but to read this book took a lot of will power. I started reading it right after my husband died and I was run over by a truck. I could no longer use exercise as a way to deal with stress and cooking was out of the question, since I could hardly stand up for five minutes. It was annoying at times... Not all the trials in life are because you are being disobedient to God. Sometimes God uses trials to pull you closer and teach you something about His amazing love that you can only see when you feel you are at the bottom of a pit and cannot get out. I still had my children, but being unable to really take care of them made me feel inadequate as a mother.

It could be that I disliked the book because of the time in my life when I read it, but I would not read it again.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Won this through the Goodreads First reads giveaway program. What a great program to get books into the hands of readers. Thank you for the interesting book.

I normally really enjoy this type of book, but I had a tough time with this particular book and feel that it was just an OK read. It probably is much better if used in an adult Sunday School class or in a church small group reading club. The study guide in the end would support either. Reading it before bed I felt that I was pushing through it. It seemed to repeat a few good points over and over with different stories which seemed to fill a few more pages. I believe that this book will be enjoyed by others, but it just was not for me.

[DeeAnn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on dealing with life's disappointments by realizing they are His appointments.

"Every disappointment- even if it's tragic and evil- is His appointment. I may not like His appointment or agree with it, but God is in charge. Nothing happens apart from His permission. He is the ultimate authority, the ultimate cause, and He has the ultimate responsibility for all that goes on..... If God is not sovereign, we're in trouble. We'd better panic, because Satan, the prince of this world, can do anything he wants to us. But God is sovereign, & therefore whatever happens to us has been filtered through His fingers of love, designed for our good and for His glory."

Highly recommend this book!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"As Silver Refined" is a Christian Living book about how God uses even the bad things in your life to further His purpose of making you more like Christ (if you'll let Him). I've read several books on this subject, like "Hearing Jesus Speak into Your Sorrow" by Nancy Guthrie, which I felt explained many of the same truths in fewer, more powerful words. However, different writing styles can sometimes speak to different people, so I'm always happy to see a book that points people to the Scriptures for truth and healing.

She made some good points and told some touching stories to underline her points. Overall, I'd recommend this book, though maybe not as much as some of the other books on this same topic that I've reviewed.

[Sarabeara]

This book was in-depth in scripture, I find Kay Arthur digs into the Word and this book really made me think about all the things in life we go through and how God is working the good in us through it all. Sometimes it can seem like your world is coming to an end but it's not, the struggles we go through God is more than able to bring good from them, and in so doing we are growing in character, we become more like Him!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll give a little warning with this book - there's a hint of "read the Bible enough and you won't be depressed." What a bunch of manure! No one would ever say that about diabetes or cancer. And I don't see any impressive credentials behind Mrs. Arthur's name to make her an expert in medical matters. So other than that chapter, great book.