Seeing Beautiful Again: 50 Devotions to Find Redemption in Every Part of Your Story

by Lysa TerKeurst

In the middle of the pain you didn't cause, the change you didn't want, the reality you didn't know was coming . . . your life can still be beautiful. We all have stories full of sorrow and celebration because of situations we've faced. But with God, there's always more than we see being worked out behind the scenes. In Seeing Beautiful Again, New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst shares how she processed seasons of disappointment and heartbreak, while inviting you to hope again.

Lysa assures us that the aching pain we feel is proof there's a beautiful remaking already in process if we don't give up. Through these 50 devotions, Scriptures, prayer prompts, and personal notes from Lysa, you will:


Gain healthier ways to process your pain and learn to see your situations through truth-based perspectives.
Disempower the lie that how you feel about your life is the full story by remembering with God there's always something more true, lovely, and good right now.
Stop feeling alone in your struggles by spending guided time with God each day alongside Lysa, a friend who will bear witness to your hurts but also help you move on.
While there's no denying there are parts of our story we'd love to edit out, what if those circumstances are the unlikely ingredients God is using to weave together a greater good we'd never want to miss out on? Together we'll discover the indescribable gift of our God, who breathes life into even the shattered pieces of our stories, creating something new and more beautiful than ever before.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Devotional, Faith, Self Help, Spirituality, Christian Living

Audio CD

Published March 30, 2021

About the author

Lysa TerKeurst is President and Chief Visionary Officer of Proverbs 31 Ministries. She is also an 8x New York Times’ bestselling author of I Want to Trust You, but I Don't, Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, Forgiving What You Can’t Forget, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, Uninvited and more. Her devotional Embraced won the ECPA book of the year for 2019. Lysa was also recently awarded the Champions of Faith Author Award and has appeared on the Today Show many times as one of the leading voices in the Christian community.

Each year, Lysa is a featured keynote presenter at events all across North America and online, including the Global Leadership Network. She also tours state-to-state regularly with TPR. She has a passion for equipping women to share their stories for God’s glory through Proverbs 31 Ministries’ annual She Speaks Conference and her writer training program called COMPEL Pro. Connect with Lysa on social media @lysaterkeurst or at lysaterkeurst.com.

Reviews

[Isabel Hinen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book was just not the right timing for me. Most of Lysa TerKeurst's books are written from the point of view from total emotional devastation- when you've had such a life-shattering catastrophe happen in your life in some way, that you can't begin to pick up the pieces on your own. So if that describes you right now, by all means delve into all of Lysa's books- they will be great help to you.

Otherwise, if you are in a time in your life where you have peace and joy, I don't recommend this book. By the third chapter I was having a hard time reading it due to the depressive mood it set. I don't want to rag on this book too much, but all I will say is you would expect a more uplifting tone from the title and even the cover of the book! Granted, I didn't finish it, so maybe I didn't give it a fair chance. I just didn't feel like this message was something I needed to hear at this point in my walk with Christ. I hope this reaches the target audience, it just wasn't for me. :)

[Melany · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book full of wise words and devotions to help you through most tough situations you may be facing. I love Lysa's approach to this with her raw honesty, showing her own experiences or mishaps and showing how the Lord has worked to help her better handle those situations. The scripture included helps remind me to turn back to God instead of run from Him during these times, that I may not feel Him or feel like he'd be proud of my actions. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, I had so many Aha! Moments and I plan to utilize these to help me through future moments!

[Tabitha Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one to read again & again. Each devotion, Lysa’s words and reflections were just the truth I needed for the day. Her writing is relatable, applicable, and comforting.

[Caitlin Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much truth packed into these devotionals. This book is exactly what my heart needed in this season of my life—reminders of God’s goodness in my pain, His faithfulness in my doubt, and His redemption in my messiness. So many takeaways, so good! 🥲🤍

[fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's a devotional but it's so good & encouraging!!
definitely recommend.

[Keely Powley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came into my life at a time I desperately needed to hear God. I didn’t see Him in my pain and sadness and fear. I didn’t feel like He cared and I felt like He had abandoned me. This book didn’t magically fix my situation or erase my doubt, but it did make me feel seen. Many days the devotional I read left me In tears because it somehow was exactly how I was feeling or a though I has that day. It made me aware that I’m not a bad Christian because of my doubt nor am I the only one who has been angry at God. Instead it made me realize it’s okay to have an honest relationship with Him - come to him in good and bad times. It helped me to see that God is here, even in this terrible situation, I just can’t always see him. And most of all, this book gave me hope, that one day I will be out of this fog, and be able to see beautiful things again.

[Wendy | Wendy’s Inspired Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a word this was “beautiful”!
So much wisdom, so much grace, so much knowledge that I believe will bring people peace in their trials of all kinds. Even knowing what ended up happening with her marriage I still believe this is so valuable. Forgiveness, grace, relying upon Gods direction is the ultimate way to live.

[Mackenzie Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this devo before I went into work each morning 10/10 recommend

[Charity (Booktrovert Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

These devotions have good intentions. But didn't really speak to my season. She would talk about experiencing lost....and then go into the lost of her marriage. Which to me, I was grappling for an answer to my situation and all she talked about was her broken marriage she experienced. I didn't like how she was vague in some of her devotions. As if you had to read her other books to understand what she is talking about. Which made it difficult to connect to what she was writing. She did start getting into more details on those situations but it was towards the last 15 devotions and by then I was struggling to want to read these devotions every day. Also struggling to see the point she was trying to deliver to seeing beautiful again.
Like I said, good intentions. I know this can speak to people who are heartbroken in that area of their life. Just wasn't for me.

[ali wynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Declare with me: ‘When difficult circumstances shout loud in my ear, I know exactly what I need to do. I need to get loud in return. Turning up my praise. Boldly declaring the truth of who my God is out loud for the enemy and my own shaky soul to hear. Because He is a God who deserves all glory and honor and praise. He is holy and wholly good. A promise-keeping God through and through. And no matter what my circumstances may say, He is forever worthy of my adoration and praise.’”

I feel like that’s all that needs to be said.

A re-read of this one will certainly be happening— likely in the near future. So good for my soul.

[Aubree Chavez-Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this devotional, second one I’ve done from this author and can’t describe how I look forward to listening and reading what she wrote everyday.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Devotional

Love Lysa’s ability to unpack hard emotions and give new perspective to difficult moments in life. She’s extremely relatable; and her devotionals are both comforting and full of hope. I’ll definitely revisit this book again; and will recommend it to people in my path who are walking through difficult moments.

[Anna Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful

[Hallie | halsbooknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love that lysa doesn’t shy away from the tough topics. 🫶🏻 truly so encouraged by her words of starting over + seining beautiful again!

[Amelia Rose Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this devotional. I’m so sad I’ve finished it. It was encouraging and spoke right to my heart. Highly, highly recommend!!

[Jen Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has helped me so much. I've been able to delve deeper into the bible, and Lysa has a great perspective on things.

[Kimberly Patton]

She’s such a dependable author. I so appreciate her.

[Lisa Jacobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very encouraging devotional!

[Abigailė · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book of devotions for anyone going through a season of pain, brokenness, sadness and anger. It really helped in my healing process and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to someone desperate to see beautiful again too.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful devotion to help you when going through really hard times. I have come to really love this woman and her books.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lysa has always spoken into my heart the truths of God. This is a wonderful devotion for someone who may be feeling jaded by life’s unexpected occurrences of that will never happen to me moments. I love how she shares we can still be strong but moldable for the things Jesus needs in our lives.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book to read slowly through, absorbing the truths and working through the pain in your life and allowing it to deepen your trust in God. Down to earth, real, encouraging, and helpful, this book is highly recommended. I'm going to hang onto it and read it again in my next tough season of life.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a fan of Lysa. I’ve read a few reviews, I think the loss and grief she refers to could apply to any circumstance that causes those emotions, not necessarily in a marriage. The devotions are beautifully written, for me it’s not one I want to read daily. I want to read, meditate on it and read again.
*** more to come after I finish
I spent about five months reading, studying and reflecting on the 50 devotions. Lysa has the ability to connect with other women. She reassures me it’s okay to hurt, struggle, be mad at God, question my faith, it’s all okay. I love the fact that her books are filled with scripture, they’re biblically sound. Through all the ugly in our lives God’s still God, He loves us and as believers we will be okay. I’ll definitely be taking this off my shelf again.

[Bek · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded. The good ones were so, so good. However the author had gone through a marriage breakdown and a lot of the devotions felt aimed towards that even though the book wasn’t advertised that way. The first part of the book also alluded to things without being clear which made me a bit confused at times.

I would probably recommend this one for marriage issues specifically over general trauma healing

Some of the stories also felt slightly self serving? Particularly the purple heart story. Not sure if it was just me but I got a bit of a strange feeling reading that one.

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this devotional. But it was so similar to her book "It's Not Supposed To Be This Way" that I felt I was re-reading that book.

[Sarah Schurman · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were several wonderful and though provoking statements in this book but there seemed to lack a little more emphasis on God’s Word and foundation of who He is.

[Finnely · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's difficult to find devotionals that aren't full of toxic positivity or the mindset that God never gives you more than you can handle. It drives bonkers and I'm not that much fun to have in bible studies because I don't let it fly. That said, Seeing Beautiful Again faced those things as being toxic and reframed them in a really good way. I learned and grew a lot from this study.

I think it's interesting to note that a few years ago I became really frustrated at bible studies and how so many give examples of frustrating daily things like coffee order being wrong. It got to the point of pushing toxic positivity while ignoring real life hurts and pains. It was Lysa TerKeursts studies Uninvited and It's Not Supposed to Be This Way that actually pushed me over the edge of just giving up on studies.

The interesting part is that those were written to complete obligations while going through tough life things and trying to put on an everything is ok mask really came through as disingenuous and hard to connect with. So when God kept putting it on my heart to pick up Seeing Beautiful Again, I was really hesitant because yikes no. I'm really glad that He didn't stop nudging me, because this study undid all of those things in the previous two books.

I'm now looking forward to starting Forgiving What You Can't Forget, which is coming at the perfect time because I've just recently learned that I've gone through life with undiagnosed autism and the resurging memories are plentiful and fierce.

[Lghiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you going through a hard time, something that is devastating and you have no control over? Do you wonder if you’ll ever “see beautiful” again? Lysa TerKeurst experienced three of those, two physical and one relational, in a short period of time. She has written several books that describe her journey. In Seeing Beautiful Again, she has drawn from her experiences and writings to compose a devotional book to guide readers through fifty days of their struggle. The goal is to give hope and demonstrate that by clinging to God’s promises, readers can stay the course and trust God.

Seeing Beautiful Again is divided into sections and each section begins with a letter to the reader from author Lysa TerKeurst. Each devotional begins with Scripture and ends with a prayer. In between Lysa shares her thoughts on the topic. These passages sometimes include parts of her personal story and always draw the reader to God’s truth which can be applied to a personal situation.

Terkeurst’s other books like Forgiving What You Can’t Forget examine in depth our response to hurts. This devotional is a daily dose of encouragement to fight the good fight and to remember God’s love and His promises in the middle of the trauma.

I would like to extend my thanks to Edelweiss and to HarperCollins Christian Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather Racey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Hurting but still hoping— that is the human journey.”

Despair is en vogue. I listened to a podcast from the Village Church a while back that discussed the uptick in young adults who were proud pessimists. Many weren’t ashamed to say they were jaded. Call it what it is— despair— and the theme rings out everywhere. Believing the worst in everyone to protect yourself is actually seen as strength. To be honest, I live in that space, still.

Now, I’m married to a man brimming with joy and hope every day, and clinging to my jaded, angry fears to protect myself has— honestly— caused problems. This is one of many books I’ve reached out to to try and help me see another way of living.

“It’s hard when we are living in that space where our head knows God can do anything, but our heart is heavy because He’s not doing what we are hoping for.” These quotes from the devotional summarize well the countercultural message Lysa has for us. Bad things can happen to you, and you can still believe God is good, find peace, and live with joy.

I’m thankful for the audiobook version of this devotional because, as life has gotten busier, it was nice to turn this on in the car for long drives. At first, I found her reading style a bit campy, but it grew on me. Personally, it’s hard to practice speaking truth to myself, so this audiobook was like a friend I could turn on to remind me of the truth I’m forgetting on a daily basis.

[Rebecca J. Larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a few good lessons in this book. There were a number of times where I felt like God was showing me a theme throughout the day and that also showed up in the book. However this just wasn't what I was looking for. I understand what the author was trying to do but when I picked up this book I was looking for one that would meet me me where I am. Essentially in emotional rehab not the emotional ER. I've been there I've been devastated but I'm at the point where I am starting to and actively pursuing "seeing beautiful again" I would say maybe 7 out of 50 devotions in this book spoke to that. I honestly felt like this book was trying to drag me backwards rather than allow me tools and a space to look forwards.

I also just didn't feel that this was spiritually or intellectually stimulating. There are some good nuggets but most everything in here I did already learn either when I was in third grade or through my own personal journey. Now I don't fault the author in this she definitely is writing to all people and not assuming that they have biblical education, however this just wasn't for me.