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Even If: Trusting God When Life Disappoints, Overwhelms, or Just Doesn't Make Sense
How do you worship God even if life isn’t going the way you had hoped? “Even If is not some bumper sticker to display, but a daring commitment to live.”—Kyle Idleman, senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church“I believe we will see more resilient people in the face of suffering because of this great book.”—Bryan Loritts, teaching pastor at The Summit ChurchWhat happens when the test comes back positive? The relationship ends? The dream goes unfulfilled? The plans don’t move forward? Amid confusion, hurt, and anger, we wonder where we went wrong. What is God doing? In Even If, Mitchel Lee reminds us that while God does not promise a pain-free life, he offers something his presence in the pain. No matter our circumstances, God is worthy of our worship, and he can meet us even in our greatest difficulties. Drawing on his own journey, Mitchel explores the compelling story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. These three men chose to worship God even if God didn’t rescue them from the fire. From their example and countless others, we can do the same. Maybe you are stuck in regret, grieving a loss, or unsure of how to take your next step because there is no promise of success. Even If offers the courage you need to move forward, declaring devotion—not in spite of life’s fires but because of them—to a God whose goodness never changes.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 17, 2021
31 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 9, 2021
There is so much good stuff in this book. I wanted to highlight chunks of it. Not a feel good book, but refocuses the reader on the goodness of God in the midst of the fire.
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February 20, 2022I don’t want to rate a book by a pastor who has taught me. There are 2 sermons I’ve heard in my life that I can remember almost every point, verse and illustration to this day. This book gave much more detail than the 30-40 minute sermon! and I appreciated how well he has paid attention to the lesson God was teaching through his life. How he kept his eyes and heart open even through the most trying and difficult times. How his position as father, husband, friend and pastor opened him to the even ifs of his family and congregation. Thanks for continuing to learn so you can teach.
October 27, 2025
Even If was good, and had content I needed to hear. The constant connection and mention of Covid - 19 became irritating to me, and took away desire to keep reading. I’m sure if we were still in the midst of the epidemic it would feel more relatable, but it felt repetitive to me.
September 27, 2022
How can you trust God in trials? In Even If, Mitchel Lee talks us through trusting God when life disappoints, overwhelms, or just doesn’t make sense.
Daniel 3
While writing about his own testimony and invoking a variety of illustrations, Lee brings us primarily to Daniel 3 to show how we can worship God even if God doesn’t rescue us from the fire. Lee is excellent at storytelling, and the 220-plus page book is a quick, compelling read.
I was most challenged when Lee wrote on resignation versus resolve. When we are faced with the fire, we must learn to preach to ourselves about God’s goodness and his great love for us. In many ways, this is a book about endurance and perseverance, holding on to the fact that God does not change.
Regret and Contentment
I was most moved to see how Lee wrote about regret. “Regret over a golden past is fed by discontentment with our present circumstances compared with where we believe we once were.” When we try to live out our imposter selves, we fail to remember that God is still good to us even now.
The connection between gratitude and contentment is explored, and we see that our current culture is programmed to make us discontent. As ads and marketing campaigns tell us we are incomplete, we need to trust that God is enough. These are sobering realities that must be confronted, even if our situations of suffering do not change.
God Can Handle Our Brokenness
Towards the end of the book, we are reminded that God can handle our brokenness. Asian Americans will find plenty of relatable content in the pages of this book, mostly from the stories of his Korean immigrant parents. But Lee writes with openness about his own disappointing job losses and broken relationships. He is relatable and writes with wisdom.
Fittingly, the book ends with prayers penned by Lee to help you when you can’t find the words to say to God. In this way, Lee doesn’t claim to be able to solve all of your problems. And he doesn’t promise that God will change your situation. But by the cross, we know God is merciful and gracious, and we wait for the day when he will make all things new — our hearts and the heavens.
I received a media copy of Even If and this is my honest review.
Daniel 3
While writing about his own testimony and invoking a variety of illustrations, Lee brings us primarily to Daniel 3 to show how we can worship God even if God doesn’t rescue us from the fire. Lee is excellent at storytelling, and the 220-plus page book is a quick, compelling read.
I was most challenged when Lee wrote on resignation versus resolve. When we are faced with the fire, we must learn to preach to ourselves about God’s goodness and his great love for us. In many ways, this is a book about endurance and perseverance, holding on to the fact that God does not change.
Regret and Contentment
I was most moved to see how Lee wrote about regret. “Regret over a golden past is fed by discontentment with our present circumstances compared with where we believe we once were.” When we try to live out our imposter selves, we fail to remember that God is still good to us even now.
The connection between gratitude and contentment is explored, and we see that our current culture is programmed to make us discontent. As ads and marketing campaigns tell us we are incomplete, we need to trust that God is enough. These are sobering realities that must be confronted, even if our situations of suffering do not change.
God Can Handle Our Brokenness
Towards the end of the book, we are reminded that God can handle our brokenness. Asian Americans will find plenty of relatable content in the pages of this book, mostly from the stories of his Korean immigrant parents. But Lee writes with openness about his own disappointing job losses and broken relationships. He is relatable and writes with wisdom.
Fittingly, the book ends with prayers penned by Lee to help you when you can’t find the words to say to God. In this way, Lee doesn’t claim to be able to solve all of your problems. And he doesn’t promise that God will change your situation. But by the cross, we know God is merciful and gracious, and we wait for the day when he will make all things new — our hearts and the heavens.
I received a media copy of Even If and this is my honest review.
August 10, 2021
Mitchel Lee's book Even If: Trusting God When Life Disappoints, Overwhelms, or Just Doesn't Make Sense is a powerful read which will no doubt touch and help thousands. Lee's down-to-earth, easy to read writing style paired with a topic that virtually everyone can relate to makes this a must read for all Christians.
The author writes about how we can rest in God's goodness, promises, and never-ceasing love for us even when (especially when) going through some of life's darkest and most challenging times. It is in these times that we may find ourselves feeling alone, questioning, doubting, and/or angry with God, yet most in need of Him. Lee reminds us there is no need to doubt or worry, He is with us, working on our behalf, even if the outcome of our dark time is not the outcome we wanted.
These painful times offer the chance to strengthen and/or redefine our faith and relationship with God. Do we worship him "only if", "if only", or "even if"? Are we putting conditions on our relationship with God, or are we faithful to Him "even if" things don't go as we hoped?
This is an interesting and thought-provoking read, and I highly recommend it.
My thanks to NetGalley and Mulnoman for allowing me to read an ARC of this book which is scheduled for publication 8/17/21. All opinions (and any errors) expressed in this review are my own.
The author writes about how we can rest in God's goodness, promises, and never-ceasing love for us even when (especially when) going through some of life's darkest and most challenging times. It is in these times that we may find ourselves feeling alone, questioning, doubting, and/or angry with God, yet most in need of Him. Lee reminds us there is no need to doubt or worry, He is with us, working on our behalf, even if the outcome of our dark time is not the outcome we wanted.
These painful times offer the chance to strengthen and/or redefine our faith and relationship with God. Do we worship him "only if", "if only", or "even if"? Are we putting conditions on our relationship with God, or are we faithful to Him "even if" things don't go as we hoped?
This is an interesting and thought-provoking read, and I highly recommend it.
My thanks to NetGalley and Mulnoman for allowing me to read an ARC of this book which is scheduled for publication 8/17/21. All opinions (and any errors) expressed in this review are my own.
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September 23, 2024Bill and Cathy Sparks mentioned this book last week. He gave a talk to us and it was to be informal but I took notes. He mentioned this book. Trusting God when life is disappointing. He starts the book off with the stories of the 3 guys in the fire in the book of Daniel and that is where the title comes from.
I liked the focus of the chapter on the Goodness of God. "Recall" is like putting together a timeline. "Remember" is more meditative. A good reminder to look around and wonder at what God has created and done. Besides "remember," "resolve to worship God even if. I really like that.
I liked the focus of the chapter on the Goodness of God. "Recall" is like putting together a timeline. "Remember" is more meditative. A good reminder to look around and wonder at what God has created and done. Besides "remember," "resolve to worship God even if. I really like that.
December 31, 2022
If Only < Even If
I really enjoyed this book.
This was an excellent way to look at life's ups-and-downs with positive light.
Trusting God in all things.
I thought the book had a great message, and Mitchel Lee was a great author.
If you are living for "if only I get this job, then I will be happy". Think instead. "even if I get this job, I will always be happy living for God". Even if I stay single forever, I will always be satisfied knowing Jesus.
Great!
4.5/5
I really enjoyed this book.
This was an excellent way to look at life's ups-and-downs with positive light.
Trusting God in all things.
I thought the book had a great message, and Mitchel Lee was a great author.
If you are living for "if only I get this job, then I will be happy". Think instead. "even if I get this job, I will always be happy living for God". Even if I stay single forever, I will always be satisfied knowing Jesus.
Great!
4.5/5
October 28, 2021
Even If was very helpful to me during a time when I felt overwhelmed and afraid of failing. It was an encouragement and reminder to trust God who is faithful.
I have more books that I want to read than I have time to read them, but Even If might be a book I come back to and read again because its message is one that I need.
I have more books that I want to read than I have time to read them, but Even If might be a book I come back to and read again because its message is one that I need.
September 12, 2022
Five stars without question!
Mitchell Lee has a way of communicating truth that sometimes lies just beneath the surface, and sometimes has been in plain sight all along. I found this book to be exactly what I needed at this stage in my life, proving to me once again (for the umpteenth time!) that God is a God of the details, and that He cares for me.
Mitchell Lee has a way of communicating truth that sometimes lies just beneath the surface, and sometimes has been in plain sight all along. I found this book to be exactly what I needed at this stage in my life, proving to me once again (for the umpteenth time!) that God is a God of the details, and that He cares for me.
August 17, 2024
This book was so encouraging to me.
I’ve heard the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s faith despite their knowledge that Nebuchadnezzar would throw them into the furnace. I’ve never seen or heard it explained so well. This book is full of wonderful teaching and beautiful stories. I want to have a stronger “even if” faith - worshipping and trusting God through all that I will experience.
I’ve heard the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s faith despite their knowledge that Nebuchadnezzar would throw them into the furnace. I’ve never seen or heard it explained so well. This book is full of wonderful teaching and beautiful stories. I want to have a stronger “even if” faith - worshipping and trusting God through all that I will experience.
October 25, 2021
I thought for sure this book was destined for the “just another Christian living book” shelf. I was wrong. Perfectly situated for my life circumstances and deeply diagnostic for my heart patterns… can recommend. I cried a few times.
February 5, 2022
Powerful message that has made me ask at every point -- am I willing to trust God even if this doesn't turn out the way I want it or expect it to? I know that God is only good; therefore, I can trust him through suffering and hardship. I will want to reread this book to remind me of that message!
May 12, 2022
Not going to lie I'm glad I didnt stop at the beginning when I thought he was whining. He was not. So many good points. The perspectives were interesting. Even non believers could find muxh value in this book.
December 18, 2021
Amazing revelation of living a life of purpose in waiting and trusting
December 31, 2021
Incredible insights and lots of humor. Easy to read and even easier to apply to your life.
August 9, 2024
Absolutely love all the insight and feels this book gave me. God is good, EVEN IF we don't always agree
June 11, 2022
This book left me with things that I hope I remember for the rest of my life. To realize that God has already given us all we truly need and to be full off of this, with all the blessings afterward being the dessert. It showed me to live in accordance to Gods will because he knows what truly best for us. Most importantly this book shows us that disappointment should not determine our faith but rather give us a chance to strengthen it. This book is different from many Christian books I’ve read in the past because this one is real, it’s not based on feel-good Sunday school preaching but rather the truth of why it is like to walk life alongside God through all the ups and downs.
August 17, 2021
I feel alone,
struggle, lost hope, don't think I can take another step, go another way.
Declare our "Even If" through recognizing the counter "ifs" and
surrendering them to God who is with us through all of it.
Pastor Lee guides us through steps to
Trust God
Resolve to worship God and His Goodness
struggle, lost hope, don't think I can take another step, go another way.
Declare our "Even If" through recognizing the counter "ifs" and
surrendering them to God who is with us through all of it.
Pastor Lee guides us through steps to
Trust God
Resolve to worship God and His Goodness
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews