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Beautiful People Don't Just Happen: How God Redeems Regret, Hurt, and Fear in the Making of Better Humans
Find the freedom from regret, hurt, and fear that God wants for you while discovering joy, relief, and hope as you become the beautiful human he created you to be.
We all carry regret, hurt, and fear. These are burdens that weigh us down and make us feel trapped.
In twenty-five years of pastoral ministry, Scott Sauls has come alongside countless individuals and communities through weary seasons and circumstances. From his own seasons of regret, hurt, and fear--including battles with anxiety and depression--he knows what it's like to be unfinished and on the mend under Jesus' merciful, mighty healing hand.
Beautiful People Don't Just Happen reads like a field guide that can help
Find hope in how God is drawn toward you, not appalled by you, in your sin and sorrow.Practice emotional health with joy, gratitude, and lament.Quiet shaming, wearying thoughts with God's divine counter-voice.Discover how the defining feeling of faith is not strength but dependent weakness.Learn what the Bible calls "the secret of being content" in every circumstance.Dare to embrace the contentment, hope, and fullness God wants for you--offered to all who will receive it.
We all carry regret, hurt, and fear. These are burdens that weigh us down and make us feel trapped.
In twenty-five years of pastoral ministry, Scott Sauls has come alongside countless individuals and communities through weary seasons and circumstances. From his own seasons of regret, hurt, and fear--including battles with anxiety and depression--he knows what it's like to be unfinished and on the mend under Jesus' merciful, mighty healing hand.
Beautiful People Don't Just Happen reads like a field guide that can help
Find hope in how God is drawn toward you, not appalled by you, in your sin and sorrow.Practice emotional health with joy, gratitude, and lament.Quiet shaming, wearying thoughts with God's divine counter-voice.Discover how the defining feeling of faith is not strength but dependent weakness.Learn what the Bible calls "the secret of being content" in every circumstance.Dare to embrace the contentment, hope, and fullness God wants for you--offered to all who will receive it.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2022
187 people are currently reading
3227 people want to read
About the author
Scott Sauls
21 books206 followersScott Sauls is a pastor and author living in Nashville, Tennessee. Scott has served as senior pastor of Nashville's Christ Presbyterian Church, lead and preaching pastor of New York City's Redeemer Presbyterian Church, and was founding and senior pastor of Oak Hills Presbyterian Church in Kansas city and Riverside Church in St. Louis. Scott is also a frequent keynote speaker at conferences, leadership retreats, and to university students. He writes regularly on his blog at scottsauls.com and can also be found on Twitter at @scottsauls.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
July 30, 2022
A beautiful book that reads like a balm for the weary. A book you want to simultaneously savor and devour. For fans of Gentle and Lowly. Loved!
July 29, 2022
Goodness! Sauls always writes such helpful and caring books. This one spoke to me as if he and I were sitting down together talking about all the things that haunt me, while being reminded of all I believe and hope for. You may need some tissues with this one but I highly recommend it.
April 12, 2023
The title for Scott Sauls’s “Beautiful People Don’t Just Happen” was taken from a quote from the renowned grief therapist, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. She said, “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
We all know just how right Kubler-Ross is. The dearest, most beautiful saints I know are those who have suffered much. Sauls says, “Many of the world’s greatest souls became their best selves not in spite of but because of their distress.”
And yet, there is a rub, isn’t there? Who among us wants to endure suffering? How many of our prayers are that God would spare us from suffering?
We want to be beautiful: loving, kind, gentle, faithful, and kind. But we resist the very means by which God often forms those attributes.
Sauls reminds us that, “the greatest strength comes through the avenue of weakness, the greatest wisdom through the avenue of disorientation, the greatest joy through the avenue of sorrow, and the greatest worship through the avenue of doubt.” Sauls gently invites us on this journey of becoming beautiful through weakness. The trouble is that we so often don’t believe this. Our hearts chafe at our imperfections. “We don’t really believe that to err is human, because our hearts tell us we should be perfect—as if the law of God were somehow already written on our hearts.”
It's not surprising, though, that when we look at the company of saints, we find a band of the broken. Sauls points out, “Almost every book of the Bible was written by a sufferer. Slaves from the misery of their oppression, prisoners from the stench of their jail cells, refugees from the vulnerability of their homelessness, exiles from the haunting memory of their captors’ brutality, adulterous and murderous and found-out kings from the horror of their guilt, and wealthy, successful, lacking-for-nothing kings who have been awakened to the harsh reality that everything is vapor.”
Significant on our journey is to learn how to hear God’s voice that speaks truth, grace, and forgiveness and not our own voice of shame and self-hatred. He says, “The shaming voice of regret can be silenced with the countervoice of divine forgiveness and grace. The dehumanizing voice of hurt can be silenced with the countervoice of divine compassion and presence. And the immobilizing voice of fear can be silenced with the divine countervoice of a Savior who will never leave us, a love that will not let us go, and future promises that will never let us down.”
Sauls encourages us to be those who learn to attune our hearts and eyes to beauty. It’s so easy to miss beauty, isn’t it? “How true this is, that we miss out on the best things because we prefer the lesser things. We miss out on the wondrous things because we prefer the humdrum things. We miss out on the adventure because we prefer the safe, contained, controllable things. Gazing at beauty is its own reward. Looking away from beauty is its own punishment.”
In God’s mercy, he not only meets us in grace in our brokenness, but he forms us into community. We are bound together not in our strength, but in our weakness. Sauls encourages us, “Sharing in one another’s suffering binds us together in the deepest form of fellowship.”
I love this concluding thought from Sauls, “There is no shortcut past Good Friday to get to Easter. There is no joy without a sorrow, no rejoicing without mourning, no comfort without distress, no rest without weariness, no gain without loss, no songs of joy without songs of lament, no rejoicing from Philippians without the vapor from Ecclesiastes.”
I encourage you to pick up “Beautiful People Don’t Just Happen.” Sauls is wise, gentle, and an authentic guide. There are a couple of theological missteps (such as setting the wills of the Father, Son, and Spirit at odds with one another), and Sauls doesn’t get into the theology of suffering (I would recommend Keller or Alcorn’s books on that subject if that is what you are looking for), but he is an excellent pastor and he shepherded me well through his book.
For more reviews see thebeehive.live.
We all know just how right Kubler-Ross is. The dearest, most beautiful saints I know are those who have suffered much. Sauls says, “Many of the world’s greatest souls became their best selves not in spite of but because of their distress.”
And yet, there is a rub, isn’t there? Who among us wants to endure suffering? How many of our prayers are that God would spare us from suffering?
We want to be beautiful: loving, kind, gentle, faithful, and kind. But we resist the very means by which God often forms those attributes.
Sauls reminds us that, “the greatest strength comes through the avenue of weakness, the greatest wisdom through the avenue of disorientation, the greatest joy through the avenue of sorrow, and the greatest worship through the avenue of doubt.” Sauls gently invites us on this journey of becoming beautiful through weakness. The trouble is that we so often don’t believe this. Our hearts chafe at our imperfections. “We don’t really believe that to err is human, because our hearts tell us we should be perfect—as if the law of God were somehow already written on our hearts.”
It's not surprising, though, that when we look at the company of saints, we find a band of the broken. Sauls points out, “Almost every book of the Bible was written by a sufferer. Slaves from the misery of their oppression, prisoners from the stench of their jail cells, refugees from the vulnerability of their homelessness, exiles from the haunting memory of their captors’ brutality, adulterous and murderous and found-out kings from the horror of their guilt, and wealthy, successful, lacking-for-nothing kings who have been awakened to the harsh reality that everything is vapor.”
Significant on our journey is to learn how to hear God’s voice that speaks truth, grace, and forgiveness and not our own voice of shame and self-hatred. He says, “The shaming voice of regret can be silenced with the countervoice of divine forgiveness and grace. The dehumanizing voice of hurt can be silenced with the countervoice of divine compassion and presence. And the immobilizing voice of fear can be silenced with the divine countervoice of a Savior who will never leave us, a love that will not let us go, and future promises that will never let us down.”
Sauls encourages us to be those who learn to attune our hearts and eyes to beauty. It’s so easy to miss beauty, isn’t it? “How true this is, that we miss out on the best things because we prefer the lesser things. We miss out on the wondrous things because we prefer the humdrum things. We miss out on the adventure because we prefer the safe, contained, controllable things. Gazing at beauty is its own reward. Looking away from beauty is its own punishment.”
In God’s mercy, he not only meets us in grace in our brokenness, but he forms us into community. We are bound together not in our strength, but in our weakness. Sauls encourages us, “Sharing in one another’s suffering binds us together in the deepest form of fellowship.”
I love this concluding thought from Sauls, “There is no shortcut past Good Friday to get to Easter. There is no joy without a sorrow, no rejoicing without mourning, no comfort without distress, no rest without weariness, no gain without loss, no songs of joy without songs of lament, no rejoicing from Philippians without the vapor from Ecclesiastes.”
I encourage you to pick up “Beautiful People Don’t Just Happen.” Sauls is wise, gentle, and an authentic guide. There are a couple of theological missteps (such as setting the wills of the Father, Son, and Spirit at odds with one another), and Sauls doesn’t get into the theology of suffering (I would recommend Keller or Alcorn’s books on that subject if that is what you are looking for), but he is an excellent pastor and he shepherded me well through his book.
For more reviews see thebeehive.live.
April 8, 2023
A balm for the weary kind of book. My fave except -“How about you? Would you dare to believe that God does not hate you? That he sees you at your worst and loves you no less? That if you confess your sins, sorrows, and fears to him right now, you will not be cremated but healed? Would you dare see the fiery coal of God not as a threat that will dangle you over hell but as a cure coming straight from the heart of heaven? Would you dare to believe that God does not expect you to meet him on the level of his superlativeness (not possible) but wants only to meet you on the ground where the hem of his robe awaits you?
Would you dare believe that your own regret, hurt, and fear-your not-enough-ness-is not a barrier to God's healing mercy but the very occasion for it?”
Would you dare believe that your own regret, hurt, and fear-your not-enough-ness-is not a barrier to God's healing mercy but the very occasion for it?”
August 27, 2023
2.5 stars.
Honestly, I was pretty excited to read this book but was just left disappointed. I appreciate the stories he shares & his vulnerability with some of his struggles. However, the writing was sporadic at times and I didn’t feel like I could really connect with the author.
Honestly, I was pretty excited to read this book but was just left disappointed. I appreciate the stories he shares & his vulnerability with some of his struggles. However, the writing was sporadic at times and I didn’t feel like I could really connect with the author.
January 8, 2023
Scott Sauls was once a great athlete and performance-based pastor. He struggles with anxiety and depression. In this book he courageously talks about the focus we gain from enduring hardship. What separates compassionate and genuine people from the world is struggle and self-awareness.
The Big Idea: It is normal not to feel comfortable in your own skin. This doesn’t prove that something is WRONG with us, it proves that there is something RIGHT with us.
The Big Idea: It is normal not to feel comfortable in your own skin. This doesn’t prove that something is WRONG with us, it proves that there is something RIGHT with us.
January 3, 2024
The tender words of Scott Sauls were just what my raggedy, weary, can’t-get-it-right soul needed. It helped me to see that I need to hear the gospel story every day, not just every once in a while, especially as someone who has been following Jesus for 27 years (it turns out I forget easily). This book inspired a fresh hope, and I felt deeply identified with in my reoccurring struggle with depression and anxiety. I highly recommend this book to any Christian.
July 18, 2024
Jesus loves people with unbearable regrets, hurts, and fears, and He’s committed to grow us into people who are not controlled by anything that haunts us. He is making us beautiful. Thankful to Scott Sauls for this needed reminder.
“Mercy reveals itself through weariness.”
“When we bring our sorrows out of hiding, hope follows closely behind.”
“Mercy reveals itself through weariness.”
“When we bring our sorrows out of hiding, hope follows closely behind.”
September 7, 2023
All the stars 🌟 Cannot recommend this book enough! Similar to “Gentle and Lowly” by Ortlund, but even more accessible.
July 18, 2022
3.5 stars at least. I think I struggle to write a review just because I read this so close to reading Gentle and Lowly which is in a similar vein. This was less dry than the latter so I’m not sure why I’m giving it a lower rating? Perhaps need to digest it a bit more.
July 16, 2022
Sauls tears back the wrapping we often see on Christian leaders and gives us a glimpse into the world we all experience. His deep and honest sharing is a beacon of hope for those who struggle with emotional issues. Sauls points to Scripture and Christ’s example, yet not in a flippant way, but with passion and helpful words. It’s a book of hope for the tired and weary. It’s a blueprint and map for those that are lost. After all, ‘I am bound for the promised land’.
August 8, 2022
I finished this book and immediately flipped to the beginning to start reading it again with a highlighter in my hand.
July 28, 2022
Certified banger. Experiencing hurt and pain doesn’t make you less of a Christian or disqualify you from being an ambassador for Christ…perhaps that pain forces you to lean on the Savior and makes you an even better ambassador.
August 6, 2022
I was disappointed in this book. For me, it was just average. Nothing jaw-dropping throughout the pages, but it was encouraging.
I didn’t like how the author set up the book and didn’t have a clear vision or thesis for the book as well.
All in all, it was a fine read.
I didn’t like how the author set up the book and didn’t have a clear vision or thesis for the book as well.
All in all, it was a fine read.
January 20, 2023
This book contained a lot of Biblical truth that is important for all Christians to remember and repeat to themselves. I need to preach the Gospel to myself daily, and this book was certainly a good reminder of the good news that Christ came to save us. But in the meantime, Scott Sauls clearly outlines, He's making us better people.
Sauls shows many hardships that we all face. Some of us have very unique circumstances, but each one of us needs to lean on Christ. I particularly enjoyed the personal anecdotes of his own struggles, which humanized the author and validated my own regret, hurt, and fear. I often feel as though my struggles are nothing to complain about because others have it much worse, but Sauls reminds us that all of us face our own struggles that draw us closer to God. "Sometimes God permits what he hates in order to accomplish what he loves" (pg. 174).
Overall, this is a pretty easy read and I would definitely recommend it to any believer who is feeling weighed down by the suffering endured in this life. At some point or another, we all experience this. This book helps us to remember that we must turn to the Cross in these moment. He will make us into better servants through these trials.
Sauls shows many hardships that we all face. Some of us have very unique circumstances, but each one of us needs to lean on Christ. I particularly enjoyed the personal anecdotes of his own struggles, which humanized the author and validated my own regret, hurt, and fear. I often feel as though my struggles are nothing to complain about because others have it much worse, but Sauls reminds us that all of us face our own struggles that draw us closer to God. "Sometimes God permits what he hates in order to accomplish what he loves" (pg. 174).
Overall, this is a pretty easy read and I would definitely recommend it to any believer who is feeling weighed down by the suffering endured in this life. At some point or another, we all experience this. This book helps us to remember that we must turn to the Cross in these moment. He will make us into better servants through these trials.
April 5, 2025
Beautiful People Don’t Just Happen offers a heartfelt and empathetic perspective on life's struggles, reminding readers of God's grace in the midst of pain. Sauls has a way with words that feels like a comforting conversation with a trusted pastor—honest, relatable, and grounded in faith.
That said, while I enjoyed the book and appreciated the themes of grace and redemption, it felt more like a compilation of sermon excerpts rather than a cohesive narrative or structured work. Each chapter seemed to echo fragments of messages he has likely preached over the years, which, while inspiring, lacked the fresh insights I hoped for in a standalone book.
This is not to discount the value of the book. I still thoroughly enjoyed it and was often both convicted and encouraged. It offers gentle reminders and relatable anecdotes for those in need of encouragement.
That said, while I enjoyed the book and appreciated the themes of grace and redemption, it felt more like a compilation of sermon excerpts rather than a cohesive narrative or structured work. Each chapter seemed to echo fragments of messages he has likely preached over the years, which, while inspiring, lacked the fresh insights I hoped for in a standalone book.
This is not to discount the value of the book. I still thoroughly enjoyed it and was often both convicted and encouraged. It offers gentle reminders and relatable anecdotes for those in need of encouragement.
June 11, 2023
I finished this book today. I found out yesterday that Scott had been removed from his pulpit for leadership problems. I hope he believes what he wrote in this book, and that he comes back from this season of counseling and repentance more in love with and dependent on Jesus. I don’t know the details and don’t really want to, but I’m praying that this all leads to restoration and forgiveness, accompanied by great love for Scott and for the folks at Christ Pres.
December 22, 2023
I had the pleasure of hearing Scott Sauls speak and knew I wanted to read his book. Not only do beautiful people not just happen, beautiful books don't just happen. Sauls' insights emerge from his own stumbles on the human path of suffering and regrets. This isn't written by a pastor preaching from a mountaintop; it's from one who's been met by his God who loves and redeems humans in their hurts and fears.
December 19, 2022
I really enjoy Scott Sauls’ books, and this was no exception. He writes with an earnest voice, and he does not shy away from the truth—even if it is difficult. This is a great read full of hope and encouragement….
January 16, 2023
Big idea: God is near to the most dejected, broken-hearted, suffering, and struggling-with-sin of his people. And our best days are still future. Very pastoral & hope-giving. Scott Sauls writes with vulnerability, gentleness, truthfulness, & insight.
June 30, 2022
Some good truth. The authors theology limits his address of this topic, it could have been much more beautiful.
November 23, 2022
Well thought out & written. Excellent!
January 22, 2023
Probably a good popular level read for those new to the topic of Christianity and suffering. IMO the book shines when Sauls shares personal stories. Other than that can come across as a copy and pasted of others ideas/stories (which he cites of course!).
July 25, 2023
This has a similar message to "Gentle and Lowly" - with a more folksy tone and more secular quotes thrown in (but is also deeply biblical) - I love these kind of books and recommend this one.
December 23, 2023
I enjoy & appreciate Scott Saul’s perspective and way of relating human experiences to Scripture truth. Very encouraging book.
November 19, 2025
Grace-filled, realistically humble, and hopeful.
December 25, 2025
Wow this was so good!! Highly suggest
October 15, 2022
Encouraging, hopeful, authentic, true
August 31, 2022
Although I probably prefer Max Lucado by quite a bit, this book by Scott Sauls is still a good read. Inspirational. Sauls relies on his experiences as a pastor to remind readers of what it means to be a Christian today and to offer hope.
August 16, 2022
Goodness this book knocked my socks off. I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s like a shot of hope and helpful persptective for the weary, the doubting, the suffering. Sauls helped me put into perspective the suffering in my own life over the past few years and see more clearly what God is already helping me to see, namely that suffering is the pathway through which the Lord weans us off our idols and draws to Himself for the true living water of life. Suffering and failure do not define us, they shape us. It is the love of God that defines us and covers us as we walk through this life. And the best is yet to come. I put down this book with a deep yearning for heaven where “He will wipe away tear from our eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4). In a clearer way than I’ve seen in a while, I am reminded that we are to be a people whose hope and joy rest not on our present circumstances, but our certain future. As St. Paul said, “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Cor 15:19). It is the perspective of heaven and the God of heaven, who loves us and has called us His sons and daughters that should shape our perspective of today, of this life, of our current joys and sorrows. Great book. Can’t recommend it enough.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews