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The Hard Good: Showing Up for God to Work in You When You Want to Shut Down
Hard things are a part of life--but they don't have to have the final word. Join bestselling author Lisa Whittle as she teaches us how to learn how to see the good again. What does it feel like to come back from something hard, to be able to hope again? Instead of running away from the obstacles we face and the growth we crave, Lisa teaches us that our challenges can become the keys to our greatest usability in the kingdom of God--that is, if we let God make good of them. In The Hard Good , Lisa guides us on a powerful path to progress as we learn Your hard place is never too hard for God. Allow it to change you, help you, and ready you for the greatest comeback you have ever known. Praise for The Hard Good : "I can't think of a person better equipped than my friend Lisa Whittle to tackle the hand-in-hand partnership of the title of this The Hard Good . She knows the angst of hard in deeply personal ways. She knows the choice of good because her heart purely seeks Jesus, and she truly wants to make a holy difference by helping others. Settle in. Dare to crack open these pages. You can, as I do, trust her with your heart. Let's do this. Together we can do the hard good." --Lysa TerKeurst, New York Times bestselling author of Forgiving What You Can't Forget
272 pages, Paperback
Published September 7, 2021
295 people are currently reading
2077 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Whittle
37 books171 followersLisa Whittle is the author of 7 books, and a sought-out Bible teacher for her wit and bold, bottom line approach. A pastor's daughter and long-time ministry leader in issues relevant to the Church, Lisa is the founder of Ministry Strong and the popular Jesus Over Everything podcast. Her love runs deep to see people pursue Jesus for life, grow deep roots of faith, and walk strong in the midst of a world that so often seems to have gone crazy. She has done master's work in Marriage and Family Counseling, been featured on numerous media outlets in print, online, radio, podcast and TV through the years, and advocated for Compassion, International. Lisa and her husband of 24 years live in North Carolina with their 3 mostly-grown children who still (mostly) come home for dinner.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
September 6, 2021
Just because we know who Jesus is doesn't mean we will live a life without trials or tribulations, those struggles come with a purpose, but not only is there purpose in our pain God is always good! Lisa Whittle has written another heart changer. This book will change the way you view the struggle.
Lisa gets vulnerable about her own pain, grief and struggles leads us back to biblical principles and helps us learn how to appreciate The Hard Good. This book has allowed me to process and heal from pain that I didn't even realize I was still carrying around!
Grab a copy of this heart changer today, and while you're at it grab one for a friend as well!
Lisa gets vulnerable about her own pain, grief and struggles leads us back to biblical principles and helps us learn how to appreciate The Hard Good. This book has allowed me to process and heal from pain that I didn't even realize I was still carrying around!
Grab a copy of this heart changer today, and while you're at it grab one for a friend as well!
November 6, 2021
Get your highlighter out for this one!
November 25, 2021
There were many things I highlighted in this book. There were many great lessons. But it was a 236 page book that felt like a 600 page book. Every time I thought a chapter was over it just kept going on and on.
September 13, 2021
I liked this book! I read Jesus Over Everything and this one might be even better.
There are some very heavy topics: grief, death of a loved one, comparison, but it's so real raw and honest and Biblical. I listened to it on audio then bought the physical copy so I can read it and mark it up.
I love the line from her stepfather: Never make anything possible that you aren't willing to have happen. I also love her quote: Getting what we want will never be what we want if we aren't okay without it. So many more insightful passages!
What makes this a four star book instead of five star is her constantly going on and on and on about her dad. I knew things were about to get annoying when she referred to her dad as "Daddy". I was like "okay, you're an adult but you're still picturing him as you did at six years old. Got it." A good editor would have cut half of the references to her dad out of this book.
Apparently, he was a pastor who had to resign in disgrace because of tax fraud, but we're supposed to feel sorry for him for some reason.
He also had an affair when he was a pastor, and again, we're supposed to feel sorry for him - not the woman he manipulated, the wife he lied to, nor the congregation who trusted him.
Yes he was "flawed" as we all are, but that doesn't make any of his actions excusable and doesn't mean he shouldn't have been held accountable. Her "church hurt" was because people in the congregation weren't willing to look the other way. WOW. If you've ever dealt with a toxic pastor, this book will be extremely triggering.
The worst though was when he died, her mom moved on and Lisa admitted she was VERY upset. First of all, this man treated her mom terribly - moving her across the country multiple times, cheating on her, and ultimately losing his business over shady illegal practices, then he DIES. Her mom has been devastated over and over and over. She finally finds a sliver of happiness and Lisa Whittle (the author) who is in her own happy marriage at this point, talks about her mom like she committed a crime.
Just...no. This is what's wrong with this faction of the church. But that's another book in itself.
If you can look past all the "my Daddy" stuff, then it's actually a very good book!
There are some very heavy topics: grief, death of a loved one, comparison, but it's so real raw and honest and Biblical. I listened to it on audio then bought the physical copy so I can read it and mark it up.
I love the line from her stepfather: Never make anything possible that you aren't willing to have happen. I also love her quote: Getting what we want will never be what we want if we aren't okay without it. So many more insightful passages!
What makes this a four star book instead of five star is her constantly going on and on and on about her dad. I knew things were about to get annoying when she referred to her dad as "Daddy". I was like "okay, you're an adult but you're still picturing him as you did at six years old. Got it." A good editor would have cut half of the references to her dad out of this book.
Apparently, he was a pastor who had to resign in disgrace because of tax fraud, but we're supposed to feel sorry for him for some reason.
He also had an affair when he was a pastor, and again, we're supposed to feel sorry for him - not the woman he manipulated, the wife he lied to, nor the congregation who trusted him.
Yes he was "flawed" as we all are, but that doesn't make any of his actions excusable and doesn't mean he shouldn't have been held accountable. Her "church hurt" was because people in the congregation weren't willing to look the other way. WOW. If you've ever dealt with a toxic pastor, this book will be extremely triggering.
The worst though was when he died, her mom moved on and Lisa admitted she was VERY upset. First of all, this man treated her mom terribly - moving her across the country multiple times, cheating on her, and ultimately losing his business over shady illegal practices, then he DIES. Her mom has been devastated over and over and over. She finally finds a sliver of happiness and Lisa Whittle (the author) who is in her own happy marriage at this point, talks about her mom like she committed a crime.
Just...no. This is what's wrong with this faction of the church. But that's another book in itself.
If you can look past all the "my Daddy" stuff, then it's actually a very good book!
November 9, 2021
There were some excellent parts of this book, and when seen through a descriptive rather than prescriptive lense the book rates higher for me. For the positive, Whittle shares how God has taken the hard aspects of her life story (namely her father's life and death and it's impact) and turned them into good and 'useful'. I was definitely challenged by many of the early chapters, and deeply appreciated the truth spoken therein. But as the book continues, I disagreed with Whittles growing emphasize on usefulness as the ultimate point of the Christian faith. It was very western leaning/productive/performative language and I felt landed the reader weighing their life's worth on their ability to overcome 'hard' mostly to cause it to produce for them. While the language DID emphasize Christs work, most of it was only referenced as an after fact and not focused on in a tangible way. It was mostly writings such as 'outside of Christ, I couldn't have accomplished x,y,z"
I would have loved to see the HOW of her journey from a more theological perspective. But again, when taking it as more of a memoir rather than a guide, it was a thought-provoking read.
I would have loved to see the HOW of her journey from a more theological perspective. But again, when taking it as more of a memoir rather than a guide, it was a thought-provoking read.
December 6, 2021
I felt a little like this book dragged on, and it felt reductionistic at times but I found a LOT of helpful insight in reframing difficulties in life. Some thoughts/quotes that stood out to me:
God is good, therefore hard things that lead you to God will be for your good.
Growth is good. That means you can’t be good without process and progress
Please don’t miss out on the someone right in front of you because you’re too busy wishing for someone else
As you accept what you didn’t ask for or didn’t want, it changes you for the good. It does NOT affirm an unwelcome decision. In that way, disappointment and pain become a strange gift.
Be willing to eliminate these words from your life: “WHAT IF.”
Your defeating “what ifs” will turn into joy over “what is” as you release expectations of controlling what is uncontrollable.
Acceptance is about COURAGE not concession.
A lot of things broke my heart, but fixed my vision.
David said in psalm 5:3, “in the morning I lay my request before you, and wait expectantly.” ….
Would you wait differently if you knew God would use it for His glory?
Would you wait differently if you knew healing was coming?
Would you wait differently if you knew you would more clearly see Jesus through it all?
Would you wait differently if you knew your story of faithfulness would shine a bright light on Jesus for years to come and inspire others?
God is in THIS (trial, healing, wrestle)
Your methods of self protection have not protected you - you’re still hurting
Let God renovate and restore you.
God is good, therefore hard things that lead you to God will be for your good.
Growth is good. That means you can’t be good without process and progress
Please don’t miss out on the someone right in front of you because you’re too busy wishing for someone else
As you accept what you didn’t ask for or didn’t want, it changes you for the good. It does NOT affirm an unwelcome decision. In that way, disappointment and pain become a strange gift.
Be willing to eliminate these words from your life: “WHAT IF.”
Your defeating “what ifs” will turn into joy over “what is” as you release expectations of controlling what is uncontrollable.
Acceptance is about COURAGE not concession.
A lot of things broke my heart, but fixed my vision.
David said in psalm 5:3, “in the morning I lay my request before you, and wait expectantly.” ….
Would you wait differently if you knew God would use it for His glory?
Would you wait differently if you knew healing was coming?
Would you wait differently if you knew you would more clearly see Jesus through it all?
Would you wait differently if you knew your story of faithfulness would shine a bright light on Jesus for years to come and inspire others?
God is in THIS (trial, healing, wrestle)
Your methods of self protection have not protected you - you’re still hurting
Let God renovate and restore you.
June 13, 2023
⭐️2.75
I had trouble deciding a rating for this book; never a great sign. It wasn’t awful, but it is one I will not remember much from as time passes and I wouldn’t really recommend either.
I read this book with a neighborhood Bible study group; we spaced it out over months. Every so many weeks we would get together and discuss a chapter.
The book reiterates that while we may not understand, want, or know what to do with the hard things life throws at us, good can come from the hard when we trust God. That is absolutely true; God works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). But this book made that Truth feel a little cliche; like when people tell you “everything happens for a reason”. We had a couple new-to-Christianity ladies in our group and I did not like that it watered down Truth for all of us, but especially for those who are just starting to learn about it.
God is good - all the time, but not everything will make sense or end up turning from hard to good on this side of heaven. There were some good nuggets interspersed throughout the book; enough for our group to jump off from for deeper discussion. However, the overall writing style (countless long sentences) and personal stories that were supposed to help make a point (which I usually enjoy in this type of book) lost me at times.
I had trouble deciding a rating for this book; never a great sign. It wasn’t awful, but it is one I will not remember much from as time passes and I wouldn’t really recommend either.
I read this book with a neighborhood Bible study group; we spaced it out over months. Every so many weeks we would get together and discuss a chapter.
The book reiterates that while we may not understand, want, or know what to do with the hard things life throws at us, good can come from the hard when we trust God. That is absolutely true; God works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). But this book made that Truth feel a little cliche; like when people tell you “everything happens for a reason”. We had a couple new-to-Christianity ladies in our group and I did not like that it watered down Truth for all of us, but especially for those who are just starting to learn about it.
God is good - all the time, but not everything will make sense or end up turning from hard to good on this side of heaven. There were some good nuggets interspersed throughout the book; enough for our group to jump off from for deeper discussion. However, the overall writing style (countless long sentences) and personal stories that were supposed to help make a point (which I usually enjoy in this type of book) lost me at times.
January 30, 2022
4.5: This book was just what I needed. It was one big, helpful counseling session. The author acknowledged hurts and losses and the ways we choose to not deal with pain. And then she spoke beautiful, scriptural truth into the pain. It was practical, personal, humble, respectful, and even a little humorous at times. I'm excited to read more by this author.
September 6, 2021
It is common to hear, “This is the hardest time that I have ever been through in my life!”. Could it be that hard is good? Lisa Whittle answers this question in her book, The Hard Good.
The Hard Good shows how to see challenges with a new God trusting perspective. While reading her book you will learn how challenges can help you find more of God.
“A good life is one where frequent escapes are no longer necessary, not where we find a better escape route.”
And another great quote:
“It’s hard when you lose yourself. But it’s good when your loss helps you find more God.”
In Lisa’s bold yet loving style, she lays out reasoning for why the church is weakening and divisive. She pinpoints “group think” as a key problem. This concept means conforming to please people over what God wants. By passively resorting to “group think”, we are compromising our spiritual obedience for hearing and responding to the Lord. I was encouraged by her insight and convicted for what I need to change in my own spiritual walk. She encourages readers to do what God wants, even when it disappoints others. That is hard, but it brings good.
I highly recommend this book for small group Bible studies and to share with friends.
The Hard Good shows how to see challenges with a new God trusting perspective. While reading her book you will learn how challenges can help you find more of God.
“A good life is one where frequent escapes are no longer necessary, not where we find a better escape route.”
And another great quote:
“It’s hard when you lose yourself. But it’s good when your loss helps you find more God.”
In Lisa’s bold yet loving style, she lays out reasoning for why the church is weakening and divisive. She pinpoints “group think” as a key problem. This concept means conforming to please people over what God wants. By passively resorting to “group think”, we are compromising our spiritual obedience for hearing and responding to the Lord. I was encouraged by her insight and convicted for what I need to change in my own spiritual walk. She encourages readers to do what God wants, even when it disappoints others. That is hard, but it brings good.
I highly recommend this book for small group Bible studies and to share with friends.
June 29, 2022
One of the best books I’ve read in a loooooong time. It challenges the idea that once we are Christ followers that everything will be perfect/God will make everything good. In fact, she challenges that myth with both scripture and personal life experiences showing that in fact the hard things in life often (not always) turn out to be the best things in life because “God works all things for the good of those who love him.” A scripture which I believe is often taken out of context horribly. She starts the book off with the AA prayer as an example, learning to control what we can, let go of what we can’t, and the wisdom to know the difference. But beyond that, she really presses in to the tension we humans feel between something being hard and being good, because things can in fact be both. Wow. I took a long time to get through it because somethings needed to be chewed on a processed. But I also highlighted more from it than I have another book in a long time! Well worth the read!
April 22, 2023
⭐4.75⭐
"Hard good ... End on the good. The hard is part of the journey, but the good is where we will land"
"Culture has a loud voice and it's hard to hear truth over it""
"My deep desire for normalcy is sometimes hijacked by choices that aren't my own and yet affect me so deeply I just want to hide."
"We reject our lives because they are not perfect. We don't really believe, deep down, that we can be ok with a less than perfect job, marriage, house, kids, church, etc so we stay on a constant hunt or in constant dissatisfaction"
"We can fix a lot of things in the modern age, but we can't fix a broken past we are trying to out run"
"Many of us get stuck because we aren't willing to shift to things we can change and instead stay stubbornly convinced (for years) that our willpower can work miracles. Acceptance is not giving up on something. It's making a decision to do what works. Being courageous enough to move to something better"
"Everyone wants to be someone - someone who matters, someone who counts and leaves a mark on this world. But we don't become "someone" by chasing purpose"
"Legacy and DNA are powerful. And confusing .....
1). You are not merely your DNA or your family's legacy.
2). You will never be able to completely wash away that part of your story"
"You are going to be okay"
"In the meantime things will be very earthly and very human. So please expect those complications"
"I can't explain to you in perfect words how God makes hard things good. What I can tell you is somehow He does"
I greatly enjoyed this book. It spoke to my soul on so many accounts. I related so deeply and personally. Definitely a book I will go back to many many many times. 💕
....listened to audio while traveling😀
"Hard good ... End on the good. The hard is part of the journey, but the good is where we will land"
"Culture has a loud voice and it's hard to hear truth over it""
"My deep desire for normalcy is sometimes hijacked by choices that aren't my own and yet affect me so deeply I just want to hide."
"We reject our lives because they are not perfect. We don't really believe, deep down, that we can be ok with a less than perfect job, marriage, house, kids, church, etc so we stay on a constant hunt or in constant dissatisfaction"
"We can fix a lot of things in the modern age, but we can't fix a broken past we are trying to out run"
"Many of us get stuck because we aren't willing to shift to things we can change and instead stay stubbornly convinced (for years) that our willpower can work miracles. Acceptance is not giving up on something. It's making a decision to do what works. Being courageous enough to move to something better"
"Everyone wants to be someone - someone who matters, someone who counts and leaves a mark on this world. But we don't become "someone" by chasing purpose"
"Legacy and DNA are powerful. And confusing .....
1). You are not merely your DNA or your family's legacy.
2). You will never be able to completely wash away that part of your story"
"You are going to be okay"
"In the meantime things will be very earthly and very human. So please expect those complications"
"I can't explain to you in perfect words how God makes hard things good. What I can tell you is somehow He does"
I greatly enjoyed this book. It spoke to my soul on so many accounts. I related so deeply and personally. Definitely a book I will go back to many many many times. 💕
....listened to audio while traveling😀
April 6, 2025
I loved this book!! Self help books are a huge hit or miss for me and this one was definitely a hit. The book explored so many different topics from forgiveness, to self acceptance, to how to handle the hard times in life. I loved the authors writing style and how she shared personal stories to relate to the topics she wrote about. The book had a perfect mix of scripture and real life practical application tools. I loved that the chapters had breakdowns of different things you could put into practice. One of my favorite quotes of the book was, “Never make anything possible you aren’t willing to have happen.”
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June 18, 2025This book ebbed and flowed for me but the topic was good and sometimes what you need to hear to do hard things. I loved how candid the author was and willing to say she struggles and had pain. It felt real.
October 13, 2021
This is a great reminder that hard doesn’t mean not good. Sometimes God used the hard things to change us for the good things that he promises us. Lisa shared her personal hard goods with grief, loss, disappointment. God can and will change us with the hard good. Thank you Lisa for your wisdom and your perspective :)
September 7, 2021
This book came at a critical time in my life and I am the better for it.
Admittedly, I cried through the introduction of this book, as it related to my current season of grief and sorrow. Though Romans 8:28 clearly states, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose," I have to believe that good comes our "bad." With the loss of a loved one; I found hope and faith in Lisa's stories of losing her father and her acknowledgement of going through the hard good. I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of the book launch wherein this book has been a huge asset and resource for me.
Admittedly, I cried through the introduction of this book, as it related to my current season of grief and sorrow. Though Romans 8:28 clearly states, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose," I have to believe that good comes our "bad." With the loss of a loved one; I found hope and faith in Lisa's stories of losing her father and her acknowledgement of going through the hard good. I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of the book launch wherein this book has been a huge asset and resource for me.
January 25, 2022
I first heard Lisa speak on Susie Larson's podcast, "Susie Larson Live." After listening I went and ordered the book! It didn't disappoint. Lisa talks about the hard things we face in life and how to look at them in light of who God is. She weaves a lot of her own personal story into the chapters which helps bring the truths to life.
Some of her great chapter titles:
Accepting Something You wish Were Something Different
Showing Up When You Want to Shut Down
Finding Joy in the Waiting
Making Peace with Life When It's Brought Loss
Welcoming Change. . . and others
This quote in the foreword captures the essence of the book: "Hard good. End on the good. The hard is part of the journey, but the good is where we will land."
There are so many lines in her book that are quote worthy, but I especially love this one from her chapter, "Finding Joy in the Waiting" where she draws from the account in Matthew 14 where Jesus walks on the water toward the disciples during a fierce storm:
"It is good not to use our eyes to gauge how well we are doing: the storms of life will blind us to the power of God. Every. Single. Time. Believe your Bible, not your eyesight. Believe what He says to be true in Jeremiah 29:11: 'I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Don't let a verse you have perhaps heard many times before fail to hold the weight it deserves."
This is a book where you can go back and reread a specific chapter if you need fresh encouragement.
Ugh. I just realized this edition says "kindle," and I'm afraid to change the edition for fear I'll lose my review. I own a paperback copy. This is a book I want to continue seeing physically on my shelf!
Some of her great chapter titles:
Accepting Something You wish Were Something Different
Showing Up When You Want to Shut Down
Finding Joy in the Waiting
Making Peace with Life When It's Brought Loss
Welcoming Change. . . and others
This quote in the foreword captures the essence of the book: "Hard good. End on the good. The hard is part of the journey, but the good is where we will land."
There are so many lines in her book that are quote worthy, but I especially love this one from her chapter, "Finding Joy in the Waiting" where she draws from the account in Matthew 14 where Jesus walks on the water toward the disciples during a fierce storm:
"It is good not to use our eyes to gauge how well we are doing: the storms of life will blind us to the power of God. Every. Single. Time. Believe your Bible, not your eyesight. Believe what He says to be true in Jeremiah 29:11: 'I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Don't let a verse you have perhaps heard many times before fail to hold the weight it deserves."
This is a book where you can go back and reread a specific chapter if you need fresh encouragement.
Ugh. I just realized this edition says "kindle," and I'm afraid to change the edition for fear I'll lose my review. I own a paperback copy. This is a book I want to continue seeing physically on my shelf!
January 1, 2023
I started this book in January 2022, and had 29 pages left when I DNFed it. Not because it wasn’t good. But because it was destroying me.
I cried so much and my heart ached like it was being broken all over again. I couldn’t handle it.
Today I chose to finish it. And by finish it, I mean completely start over and read it all. I cried just as much, but I could handle it now.
Some chapters didn’t relate to any experience at all and so they had no impact. Her words are amazing though, and easily understandable. I truly think no matter what season you’re in or trauma you’ve experienced, this book will hit you hard.
I want to read this again in five years and see how much I’ve changed. Maybe it won’t impact me so much or maybe it’ll be a struggle to read because of new situations that arise.
My life is nothing but hard. “Good” is so rare I can’t even describe so to read a book that instructs you how to find the good in every hard situation was challenging. But I do think some good will come out of this hard.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
I cried so much and my heart ached like it was being broken all over again. I couldn’t handle it.
Today I chose to finish it. And by finish it, I mean completely start over and read it all. I cried just as much, but I could handle it now.
Some chapters didn’t relate to any experience at all and so they had no impact. Her words are amazing though, and easily understandable. I truly think no matter what season you’re in or trauma you’ve experienced, this book will hit you hard.
I want to read this again in five years and see how much I’ve changed. Maybe it won’t impact me so much or maybe it’ll be a struggle to read because of new situations that arise.
My life is nothing but hard. “Good” is so rare I can’t even describe so to read a book that instructs you how to find the good in every hard situation was challenging. But I do think some good will come out of this hard.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
November 19, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. I read this book at the perfect time. Navigating challenges is often something we wouldn't ask for but it strengthens our faith along the journey. In this book, Lisa details many personal experiences that represent the "hard good" seasons in life. While Lisa's voice was very warm and relatable, some of the writing and stories seemed to be a bit… cheesy. I would have loved to see more scriptural analysis and depth in these pages, but all in all, it was a worthwhile read.
September 14, 2021
What does it feel like to come back from something hard, to be able to hope again? Hard things are a part of life. Yet they don’t have to have the final word. They can become the keys to our greatest usability in the kingdom of God—that is, if we let God make good of them, rather than running away and refusing the growth we truly crave.
If we’re weary of being bossed by our emotions, the hard good can help bring a new way of living with healthy, managed emotions. Where we were once stuck in a place of what if, the transformational process God takes us through provides a compelling shift of perspective to what is. It is the way we not only come back from hard things but also emerge with a richer life.
In The Hard Good Lisa Whittle guides us on a powerful path to progress as we learn to:
accept things we wish were different,
apologize and forgive first,
cheer for someone who gets what we want,
open our hearts again when we’ve been hurt,
find joy in the waiting,
and show up when we want to shut down.
Written for those who desperately want to move forward, The Hard Good gives voice to the hard places we all have lived and Lisa’s clear directions as to where to go next.
Your hard place is never too hard for God. Allow it to change you, help you, and ready you for the greatest comeback you have ever known.
I think this is such a timely book for today. There is so much hard right now. God is still at work. He is weaving all the things in my life together. Jesus is the only way through the hard to the good. No hurt is too small for God’s attention; no hurt is too big for God’s healing. Lean into God during the hard.
I think this book is everyone who is learning how to accept what God has for them, people who are struggling to move past what has in the past and anyone that needs to know that just because something is hard, doesn’t mean it isn’t for good.
If we’re weary of being bossed by our emotions, the hard good can help bring a new way of living with healthy, managed emotions. Where we were once stuck in a place of what if, the transformational process God takes us through provides a compelling shift of perspective to what is. It is the way we not only come back from hard things but also emerge with a richer life.
In The Hard Good Lisa Whittle guides us on a powerful path to progress as we learn to:
accept things we wish were different,
apologize and forgive first,
cheer for someone who gets what we want,
open our hearts again when we’ve been hurt,
find joy in the waiting,
and show up when we want to shut down.
Written for those who desperately want to move forward, The Hard Good gives voice to the hard places we all have lived and Lisa’s clear directions as to where to go next.
Your hard place is never too hard for God. Allow it to change you, help you, and ready you for the greatest comeback you have ever known.
I think this is such a timely book for today. There is so much hard right now. God is still at work. He is weaving all the things in my life together. Jesus is the only way through the hard to the good. No hurt is too small for God’s attention; no hurt is too big for God’s healing. Lean into God during the hard.
I think this book is everyone who is learning how to accept what God has for them, people who are struggling to move past what has in the past and anyone that needs to know that just because something is hard, doesn’t mean it isn’t for good.
November 5, 2021
The Hard Good
Showing Up for God to Work in You When You Want to Shut Down
by Lisa Whittle
Pub Date 07 Sep 2021
Thomas Nelson--W Publishing, Thomas Nelson
Christian
I am reviewing a copy of The Hard Good through Thomas Nelson—W Publishing and Netgalley:
In The Hard Good you will learn that you can see the good again after hard times.
Lisa Whittle poses the question What does it feel like to come back from something hard, to be able to hope again? it’s inevitable that we are going to face hard things, it’s a part of life. But they don’t have to have the final word. They can become the keys to our greatest usability in the kingdom of God—that is, if we let God make good of them, rather than running away and refusing the growth we truly crave.
if we grow tired of being bossed by our emotions, the hard good can help bring a new way of living with healthy, managed emotions. Where we were once stuck in a place of what if, the transformational process God takes us through provides a compelling shift of perspective to what is. It is the way we not only come back from hard things but also emerge with a richer life.
Lisa Whittle guides us on a powerful path to progress as we learn to:
accept things we wish were different,apologize and forgive first,cheer for someone who gets what we want,open our hearts again when we’ve been hurt,find joy in the waiting,and show up when we want to shut down.
The Hard Good is written for those who desperately want to move forward. The Hard Good gives voice to the hard places we all have lived and Lisa’s clear directions as to where to go next.
I give The Hard Good five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
Showing Up for God to Work in You When You Want to Shut Down
by Lisa Whittle
Pub Date 07 Sep 2021
Thomas Nelson--W Publishing, Thomas Nelson
Christian
I am reviewing a copy of The Hard Good through Thomas Nelson—W Publishing and Netgalley:
In The Hard Good you will learn that you can see the good again after hard times.
Lisa Whittle poses the question What does it feel like to come back from something hard, to be able to hope again? it’s inevitable that we are going to face hard things, it’s a part of life. But they don’t have to have the final word. They can become the keys to our greatest usability in the kingdom of God—that is, if we let God make good of them, rather than running away and refusing the growth we truly crave.
if we grow tired of being bossed by our emotions, the hard good can help bring a new way of living with healthy, managed emotions. Where we were once stuck in a place of what if, the transformational process God takes us through provides a compelling shift of perspective to what is. It is the way we not only come back from hard things but also emerge with a richer life.
Lisa Whittle guides us on a powerful path to progress as we learn to:
accept things we wish were different,apologize and forgive first,cheer for someone who gets what we want,open our hearts again when we’ve been hurt,find joy in the waiting,and show up when we want to shut down.
The Hard Good is written for those who desperately want to move forward. The Hard Good gives voice to the hard places we all have lived and Lisa’s clear directions as to where to go next.
I give The Hard Good five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
January 22, 2022
Lisa Whittle makes me cry. There. I said it.
Lisa's words flow with grace and truth.
She's not hesitant to share pain from her past because she's seen how good the Lord is to redeem it.
She's not hesitant to show her weaknesses and how God converts them to His strength showcased in her life.
She's not hesitant to step on your toes because she loves you enough to be honest with you, even when you really don't want to hear it.
I was supposed to be on her launch team in late August/early September. It was then that my world, much like a building set for demolition, imploded upon itself and I was left under all the rubble. I had no daylight by which to read. I barely had air to breathe.
As the destruction began to clear, the light crept in, and I could take full, deep breaths again, I picked up Lisa's book and began to read.
"God's timing is perfect" can sometimes come off as a trite phrase, yet time and again, I have seen it proved true. The events of my life coinciding with the release of this book are no coincidence. The pages are filled with the truth of Romans 8:28. They are filled with hard. And they are filled with good. They are filled with how God uses the two in tandem to bring about His purposes.
I cannot say I fully understand why God chooses to do things the way He does, but somehow I get it. Lisa gets it for sure. The hard and the good are contained in the words she shares and they are balm for a weary soul.
I'd wager you have your own hard you're working through. Allow Lisa's words to tend to your wounds and watch God make it for your good and His glory.
Lisa's words flow with grace and truth.
She's not hesitant to share pain from her past because she's seen how good the Lord is to redeem it.
She's not hesitant to show her weaknesses and how God converts them to His strength showcased in her life.
She's not hesitant to step on your toes because she loves you enough to be honest with you, even when you really don't want to hear it.
I was supposed to be on her launch team in late August/early September. It was then that my world, much like a building set for demolition, imploded upon itself and I was left under all the rubble. I had no daylight by which to read. I barely had air to breathe.
As the destruction began to clear, the light crept in, and I could take full, deep breaths again, I picked up Lisa's book and began to read.
"God's timing is perfect" can sometimes come off as a trite phrase, yet time and again, I have seen it proved true. The events of my life coinciding with the release of this book are no coincidence. The pages are filled with the truth of Romans 8:28. They are filled with hard. And they are filled with good. They are filled with how God uses the two in tandem to bring about His purposes.
I cannot say I fully understand why God chooses to do things the way He does, but somehow I get it. Lisa gets it for sure. The hard and the good are contained in the words she shares and they are balm for a weary soul.
I'd wager you have your own hard you're working through. Allow Lisa's words to tend to your wounds and watch God make it for your good and His glory.
September 5, 2021
If you've ever felt overcome by your history, whether it's of your own making or not, The Hard Good will offer hope for your soul as you see the masterful way Lisa Whittle reminds us that we can trust God with everything. Even when it's hard, even when we can't see the way through, God is weaving together all the pieces of our life in a good way. This is the hard good. We can take that to the bank. Lisa's words speak truth to my spirit. I hope it will for you too, friend.
There have been so many times I wished things were different in my life. From the time I was a little girl growing up in California; to the reality that I could never call anyplace home; to the devastating loss of my father; to the antics I created for myself in graduate school; to the darkest moment of my life afterwards; to feeling like I had my identity taken away by someone else's actions; to the burdensome weight of living with addiction; to the path leading to my mom's death.
Over and over, round and round, there's been a pressing weight as I've worked to get past the trouble I've experienced. Yet through it all, I truly believe God's sovereignty reigns. I've been hurt, but my faith has endured. I believe His good has shown up all through the hard. He's had His way, whether I've caused my own trouble, or been the recipient of someone else's issues. God literally has caused all things to work together for good as I've loved Him.
You can find this same strong truth for your life friend and The Hard Good will remind you how to find your way!
There have been so many times I wished things were different in my life. From the time I was a little girl growing up in California; to the reality that I could never call anyplace home; to the devastating loss of my father; to the antics I created for myself in graduate school; to the darkest moment of my life afterwards; to feeling like I had my identity taken away by someone else's actions; to the burdensome weight of living with addiction; to the path leading to my mom's death.
Over and over, round and round, there's been a pressing weight as I've worked to get past the trouble I've experienced. Yet through it all, I truly believe God's sovereignty reigns. I've been hurt, but my faith has endured. I believe His good has shown up all through the hard. He's had His way, whether I've caused my own trouble, or been the recipient of someone else's issues. God literally has caused all things to work together for good as I've loved Him.
You can find this same strong truth for your life friend and The Hard Good will remind you how to find your way!
September 23, 2021
We all know that life is hard and we all know that life is good. But how do we navigate accepting that the hard is also the good? Lisa Whittle shares her personal experience in reconciling these in her new book, The Hard Good. Using her own life lessons in conjunction with the truth of God’s Word, Lisa leads the reader to a new space of understanding and acceptance when dealing with the hard things of life.
If you asked me before reading this book, I would have told you my “Hard Good” was a specific situation from my past. While reading through this book, Lisa reminded me that there are still some hard good things in my present that I have yet to acknowledge (chapters 2 & 5). She reminded me that “Life isn’t fair, but that’s not the problem. The problem is we believe God owes us.” and that “Cheering for someone costs you nothing.” These things are the hard good in my current stage of life. Lisa’s words encourage me to look past my personal desires and focus on the good God is doing for me and in the lives of those around me. Five, ten, and even twenty years from now, I know other chapters in this book are going to help me navigate the hard good for those seasons.
Whatever your current situation in life, The Hard Good provides encouragement, Biblical wisdom, and even a bit of tough love to help you move through the hard. Because Lisa knows to “End on the good. The hard is part of the journey, but the good is where we will land.”
If you asked me before reading this book, I would have told you my “Hard Good” was a specific situation from my past. While reading through this book, Lisa reminded me that there are still some hard good things in my present that I have yet to acknowledge (chapters 2 & 5). She reminded me that “Life isn’t fair, but that’s not the problem. The problem is we believe God owes us.” and that “Cheering for someone costs you nothing.” These things are the hard good in my current stage of life. Lisa’s words encourage me to look past my personal desires and focus on the good God is doing for me and in the lives of those around me. Five, ten, and even twenty years from now, I know other chapters in this book are going to help me navigate the hard good for those seasons.
Whatever your current situation in life, The Hard Good provides encouragement, Biblical wisdom, and even a bit of tough love to help you move through the hard. Because Lisa knows to “End on the good. The hard is part of the journey, but the good is where we will land.”
September 7, 2021
If you feel like life is one difficult journey after another, then The Hard Good is just what your heart needs. Jesus made it clear that “in this life we will have trouble”, and The Hard Good helps the reader open their minds and soften their hearts to the fact that no matter how hard life is, God is good. Lisa Whittle uses her straightforward, quick wit, no nonsense language to show the reader that showing up in life will always bring about good no matter how hard it is.
I wish I would have had this book as a guidepost and source of inspiration four years ago when I went through a dark season of anxiety and depression. I wanted to give up, shut down. I felt hopeless, lonely, scared, and ashamed. There was no “reason” for my mental health struggle, it just was. Life was hard during that year long battle, and I did not want to show up. My faith, love of my family, and stubborn personality keep me from shutting down. And my Dad. My dad was my rock through this tulmutous time. He reminded me to look for the good, see the good- even in the hard. This book can be that reminder and source of motivation for anyone struggling through life’s problems or for a loved one serving as the supporter to the one struggling.
Lisa shows the reader how God will use all things for good. She reassures the reader that one’s greatest challenge or struggle can and will most likely be their greatest strength. The Hard Good epitomizes how our messes become our messages and our tests our testimonies.
I wish I would have had this book as a guidepost and source of inspiration four years ago when I went through a dark season of anxiety and depression. I wanted to give up, shut down. I felt hopeless, lonely, scared, and ashamed. There was no “reason” for my mental health struggle, it just was. Life was hard during that year long battle, and I did not want to show up. My faith, love of my family, and stubborn personality keep me from shutting down. And my Dad. My dad was my rock through this tulmutous time. He reminded me to look for the good, see the good- even in the hard. This book can be that reminder and source of motivation for anyone struggling through life’s problems or for a loved one serving as the supporter to the one struggling.
Lisa shows the reader how God will use all things for good. She reassures the reader that one’s greatest challenge or struggle can and will most likely be their greatest strength. The Hard Good epitomizes how our messes become our messages and our tests our testimonies.
March 17, 2024
This book encaptures what it is that we may live through we are not alone. God is with us in all our struggles. All about keeping our eyes on God, regardless of the circumstances we are currently in. We are not guaranteed a life free of struggle,trials, and hard things. Lisa reminds us to reach out to God instead of shutting down in these hard trials. I loved how Lisa talks about how we must listen to our bodies and surrender to God in those moments. We show up in hard moments only because God guides us. We must have the willingness to let God heal our minds.
I really liked this book and how much it talks about turning to God. The bible verses in this book are spot on and should be our guidance for our lives. Lisa writes from her own truths in a raw and powerful way! Such great wisdom and practical applications to live by. I loved the part about not comparing our ‘hard times’ to others ‘hard times’. To not minimize our own pain ‘pain is pain’ and stop comparing to ourselves or others. Living our pain and accepting that helps us empathize with others. Very accessible to new believers, as encouragement in these hard things we walk through. As well as to those that have walked with Christ many years, great reminders to continue to turn to God.
Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson Publishing, and Lisa Whittle for this digital copy.
I really liked this book and how much it talks about turning to God. The bible verses in this book are spot on and should be our guidance for our lives. Lisa writes from her own truths in a raw and powerful way! Such great wisdom and practical applications to live by. I loved the part about not comparing our ‘hard times’ to others ‘hard times’. To not minimize our own pain ‘pain is pain’ and stop comparing to ourselves or others. Living our pain and accepting that helps us empathize with others. Very accessible to new believers, as encouragement in these hard things we walk through. As well as to those that have walked with Christ many years, great reminders to continue to turn to God.
Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson Publishing, and Lisa Whittle for this digital copy.
October 18, 2021
As a fan of all things paradoxical, I was captivated by both the title and the concept behind The Hard Good. Lisa Whittle frames her story around her rich and complicated relationship with her father through which she received the gift of a biblical definition of goodness—“centered not on us or our strength or capabilities but on God.” She challenges readers to view the events of our lives through the lens of our ultimate usefulness in his kingdom.
Since hard and good can live side by side, we become empowered to accept the things we wish could be different, we can be honest about the struggles that we’d rather hide, we can accept and extend forgiveness, and we can welcome whatever change God wants to initiate in our story.
Following God through the hard and the good leads us, according to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “along the best and straightest paths to [God] himself.” As we trust for faith to embrace the hard things in life as part of God’s design for good, we discover that our deepest longings often find their way to reality on the road that runs through the hard good.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
Since hard and good can live side by side, we become empowered to accept the things we wish could be different, we can be honest about the struggles that we’d rather hide, we can accept and extend forgiveness, and we can welcome whatever change God wants to initiate in our story.
Following God through the hard and the good leads us, according to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “along the best and straightest paths to [God] himself.” As we trust for faith to embrace the hard things in life as part of God’s design for good, we discover that our deepest longings often find their way to reality on the road that runs through the hard good.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
September 6, 2021
Scripture tells us that, as believers in Christ, we have the capacity to keep our emotions from ruling our lives—even through the worst of times. But when chaos does hit and we feel "stuck," the question comes: Now, just how exactly am I supposed to do this?" In The Hard Good, Lisa Whittle aims to energize those of us who have set our hearts on going all the way with God, no matter what. She illustrates through Bible truth and experiences from her own life how we can get free from the feelings and thought patterns that have been holding us back. In the process, we learn how to re-engage when everything within us is telling us not to. To re-commit to making godly choices so we can become the kind of women through whom God can accomplish great things for the kingdom. What I've found here is help for letting go of long-held desires and goals that have nothing to do with the true and good life God has for me, and would have taken me far away from it. The Hard Good can help you, too, to respond to life's difficulties in a way that will bring you closer to God and to the kind of satisfaction that endures.
May 9, 2023
This book is really eye opening, convicting, and hard to process, and that is coming from someone who hasn't had a lot of "hard" in life (we all have hard, I definitely have a few, but I have not experienced death of loved ones or infidelity, which I know would be even more difficult for me personally). But I love that this book also doesn't glorify some peoples' "hard" over others. We all have struggles and trials to bear, and she meets you right where you are at.
She uses Scripture well to build her arguments. I didn't catch anything heretical. This is not a theology book, but more of an application study - how do we move forward with hard in our lives, still be like Christ, and see the good God works in it? I think every Christian should read this book because there are definitely some lessons we can all glean. It can be tortuous to hear some of these things, but we'll worth the sharpening of our souls so we become more like Christ in the hard.
She did quote Beth Moore once which was super annoying, but I can let it slide.
Excellent book for anyone trying to process any difficult circumstance.
She uses Scripture well to build her arguments. I didn't catch anything heretical. This is not a theology book, but more of an application study - how do we move forward with hard in our lives, still be like Christ, and see the good God works in it? I think every Christian should read this book because there are definitely some lessons we can all glean. It can be tortuous to hear some of these things, but we'll worth the sharpening of our souls so we become more like Christ in the hard.
She did quote Beth Moore once which was super annoying, but I can let it slide.
Excellent book for anyone trying to process any difficult circumstance.
September 5, 2021
I am already making plans to host a book club to discuss “THE HARD GOOD”.
This book invites the reader to examine the struggles they face in light of the God who is always good. While this book will challenge the Christian reader to dig deep in areas that “feel hard to face”, it offers both hope and instruction on how to show up in light of what might feel impossible, difficult, or painful. The book itself is packed with solid scriptural truth and at same time, Lisa Whittle reveals to the reader they are not the only ones who have struggled as they come face to face with “the hard good” God wants to do in them. Each chapter shares a raw and vulnerable story (most are to personal to the author) which create a safe space for the reader to consider what God is asking them to do. I found the chapter on forgiveness to be incredibly healing in my life where there was a painful situation I hadn't beeen able to forgive. While I am looking forward to the Bible Study version of the book, I believe the book itself would make a great resource for a small group to go through.
This book invites the reader to examine the struggles they face in light of the God who is always good. While this book will challenge the Christian reader to dig deep in areas that “feel hard to face”, it offers both hope and instruction on how to show up in light of what might feel impossible, difficult, or painful. The book itself is packed with solid scriptural truth and at same time, Lisa Whittle reveals to the reader they are not the only ones who have struggled as they come face to face with “the hard good” God wants to do in them. Each chapter shares a raw and vulnerable story (most are to personal to the author) which create a safe space for the reader to consider what God is asking them to do. I found the chapter on forgiveness to be incredibly healing in my life where there was a painful situation I hadn't beeen able to forgive. While I am looking forward to the Bible Study version of the book, I believe the book itself would make a great resource for a small group to go through.
September 7, 2021
This book is like sitting down with a friend for one of those long, heart-to-heart therapy type conversations. Lisa invites the reader to sit down and find Jesus and hope in the midst of really hard things: acceptance, jealousy, showing up, disappointing others, waiting, grief, tough conversations, opening up again after hurt, apologizing first, and change. For each of these, she walks the reader through ways to find Jesus in the midst and to both feel emotions and not let them rule. For me personally, her discussion about “mismanaged vulnerability” in chapter 3 and opening up again after hurt were especially insightful chapters. This book is not one to quickly read and set aside, it’s one I will be returning to for the long, slow read as I marinate on the areas I find sticky and need working through. If you are wanting to deepen your walk with God and be pointed to Jesus as your hope and see how the hard things can lead to good things because of Him, this is an excellent book to begin or continue that journey.
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