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God Is Still Good: Gospel Hope and Comfort for the Unexpected Sorrows of Motherhood
Where Do You Turn When Motherhood Isn’t What You Expected?
Each mother’s story is unique. While motherhood brings joy and love, it can also bring pain and heartache. It’s often different than expected and it can be hard to know where to turn when difficulty and loneliness rise up. God Is Still Good: Gospel Hope and Comfort for the Unexpected Sorrows of Motherhood invites women to experience God’s comfort and leads moms to put their hope in Christ, despite the unexpected trials of raising children.
Katie Faris knows well the challenges of parenting. As a mother of 5, she has experienced the trials of motherhood but also knows the comfort of our Savior, Jesus. Through 9 chapters, God Is Still Good offers a biblical context for suffering and hope, answers common questions, and addresses prevalent temptations and lies that mothers are likely to face.
Each Chapter Ends with Bible Verses and Questions: Great for individual study or easily adaptable for a women’s ministry or small-group use
Biblical Context for Suffering and Hope: Points to biblical figures who teach readers about grief, suffering, and comfort
Lie and Truth Chart: Appendix includes 10 lies that women are tempted to believe during suffering, with 10 biblically grounded answers to those lies
Each mother’s story is unique. While motherhood brings joy and love, it can also bring pain and heartache. It’s often different than expected and it can be hard to know where to turn when difficulty and loneliness rise up. God Is Still Good: Gospel Hope and Comfort for the Unexpected Sorrows of Motherhood invites women to experience God’s comfort and leads moms to put their hope in Christ, despite the unexpected trials of raising children.
Katie Faris knows well the challenges of parenting. As a mother of 5, she has experienced the trials of motherhood but also knows the comfort of our Savior, Jesus. Through 9 chapters, God Is Still Good offers a biblical context for suffering and hope, answers common questions, and addresses prevalent temptations and lies that mothers are likely to face.
Each Chapter Ends with Bible Verses and Questions: Great for individual study or easily adaptable for a women’s ministry or small-group use
Biblical Context for Suffering and Hope: Points to biblical figures who teach readers about grief, suffering, and comfort
Lie and Truth Chart: Appendix includes 10 lies that women are tempted to believe during suffering, with 10 biblically grounded answers to those lies
161 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2023
29 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
Katie Faris
7 books11 followersKatie Faris (BA, Grove City College) is the author of Every Hour I Need You: 30 Meditations for Moms on the Character of God, God Is Still Good: Gospel Hope and Comfort for the Unexpected Sorrows of Motherhood, He Will Be Enough: How God Takes You by the Hand Through Your Hardest Days, and Loving My Children: Embracing Biblical Motherhood. A pastor’s wife and mother to five, Katie lives with her family in New Jersey. To learn more, visit katiefaris.com.
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February 27, 2023
“My prayer is that this book offers gospel hope and comfort to all moms, but especially to those who feel hurt and bewildered by the unexpected sorrows of motherhood.”
I’ve read a lot of books about grief and how we reconcile our pain and losses with a good and loving God. Why are there so many of these books?
Because one of the Enemy’s best tools to hurt us is to cause us to question God’s goodness. To encourage us to turn away from the very source of hope, healing, and life.
And with every pain, with every unexpected hardship and unmet expectation, we find ourselves asking the same questions and having the same doubts. There are so many books like this, because there is a market for it.
There is a great many people who need to hear these truths, again and again and again. From however many people it takes to write them on our hearts and hands and minds and start living by them.
God is Still Good by Katie Faris is not a book with new philosophies and ideas. What does make it a little different than some books on this topic is that she focuses on the challenges of motherhood.
She does a good job of encompassing all the different journeys that motherhood takes whether it’s waiting, birthing, or adopting. Special needs. Physical, emotional and spiritual challenges, stress and busyness.
By sharing her own sorrows in motherhood and pointing to biblical examples of women grieving and suffering, she validates our pain, encourages us to lament, and points us to the Who that trumps all the why’s that bubble up inside us.
“Isn’t this what our hearts so often desire when life is hard— the comfort of knowing that someone is in charge, that we can trust that someone, and that he cares about us?”
When I went through my miscarriage that led to many questions and bouts of anger, bitterness, and despair, what finally brought me out of that darkness was remembering who God is. That I can trust the Person when everything else seems to be failing me. I had to stop asking why, and start looking at Who. The Bible tells us who He is. He is loving, good, constant— with us. No matter what our circumstances seem to tell us. He sees us.
“Does the sun stop shining when it’s hidden behind the clouds? No, it keeps on shining as brightly as ever. We just can’t see it. Similarly, if we accept God to be who he says he is— gloriously God— then we have every reason to believe that his ways are also glorious and good, even when what he’s doing is hidden from our view.”
While the entire book is good, encouraging, and helpful, I think I liked the second half of the book the best.
She talks about things that come from our trials, how God is doing something. He will not waste our pain. Our pain is not meaningless.
She exposes some of the lies that we may start to believe during these times of darkness. And she combats each lie with the truth based on what the Bible tells us. We need to start talking back to the lies and recognizing what’s behind our questions and our doubts. We need to listen to our Shepherd’s voice.
She also talks about biblical contentment and how when we start comparing our lives to others, our children to others, our motherhood journeys to others, we lose our joy. We lose sight of what God has given us.
“When that happens, there’s one danger that poses particular risk to suffering moms, one that threatens our full experience of the sufficiency of Christ and the discovery and enjoyment of the contentment he offers. This is the danger of sinful comparison.”
“To sum up, don’t look at the ground (at all of your obstacles), but also don’t look around (getting caught in the comparison trap). Instead, keep your gaze fixed on Jesus. Let him write your story, and don’t get consumed comparing yours to someone else’s. Trust him to be enough…”
Formatting Notes: Each chapter ends with a short prayer, a list of relevant Bible verses, and a few reflection questions. I’m not sure if the questions are really made for discussion if you were to do this with a group of people. You may need some supplemental discussion material.
The back of the book includes an appendix of ‘Go-To Bible Verses’ that Faris had accumulated during her struggles that she found helpful to keep her focus on Christ. I think it’s a super helpful list that I know I’ll come back to.
There is also a lie and truth chart.
Recommendation
I would definitely recommend this book. She understands the challenges and pains of motherhood and this book will help you feel seen and will offer hope without minimizing the struggles you face.
I would also recommend some of these other books on the same topic:
- Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop [This expands on the idea of lamenting that Faris touches on and teaches through the Psalms how we can lament biblically. That coming to God with our questions and our pain is actually biblical]
- Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund [This reminds us that the heart of Jesus is for us. That he wants to carry our burden for us. It fleshes out who Christ is and how we can trust him because he truly loves us and desires to comfort us when we are frustrated, weary, and disenchanted.]
- Suffering Wisely and Well by Eric Ortlund [By looking in-depth at Job, he focuses on the type of suffering that is inexplicable and how we can help others who are going through suffering that is just can’t be explained.]
- How Long, Oh Lord?: Reflections on Suffering and Evil by D.A. Carson [Probably best to be read when you aren’t in the middle of suffering, but in preparation for it. Helps put our suffering in the right perspective and has a really good chapter on Job]
Another thing that helped me besides trying to speak truth to myself when I was feeling bitter, was to listen to music that captured the hurt in my heart while also speaking truths that I needed to believe again. HERE is a playlist of those songs that really resonated with me if you are interested.
More Quotes
“God doesn’t give you or me grace to live another woman’s life, and he doesn’t give us grace for the lives we expected to live. But as we fix our eyes on Jesus and find our contentment in him, we can experience greater freedom and increased joy to live the lives we’ve actually been given and to mother the children God’s placed in our homes. We can move forward with songs on our lips and prayers in our hearts as we look to Jesus.”
“The Bible assures believing mothers that our pain isn’t in vain and we won’t always suffer. No matter how confusing the middle parts of our stories seem, no matter how bitter they taste, we look forward to a very good ending. No matter how tangled and rocky, tear-filled and, yes, even bloody, these at his may be, they lead to a glorious place.”
“The afflictions we face as moms— either in our own bodies or as we carry the burden of love and care for our children— include all kinds of losses. Lost sleep, lost time, and lost relationships. Suffering also costs us mental and emotional energy, wearing on our bodies and souls, and it often brings financial burdens. These losses and costs might not all be equal, but we’re right to grieve whenever our bodies and our children’s bodies don’t work the way God originally intended.”
“Even if your suffering hurts more tomorrow than it does today, there’s more to your story… There is purpose to our pain.”
“Do our questions rise from a rebellious heart or a submissive one? Having already judged God, do we now toss our scornful accusations at him in the form of questions? Or do our questions overflow from broken, contrite spirits?”
**Received a copy from Crossway in exchange for an honest review**
Book Review Blog | Facebook | Pinterest
I’ve read a lot of books about grief and how we reconcile our pain and losses with a good and loving God. Why are there so many of these books?
Because one of the Enemy’s best tools to hurt us is to cause us to question God’s goodness. To encourage us to turn away from the very source of hope, healing, and life.
And with every pain, with every unexpected hardship and unmet expectation, we find ourselves asking the same questions and having the same doubts. There are so many books like this, because there is a market for it.
There is a great many people who need to hear these truths, again and again and again. From however many people it takes to write them on our hearts and hands and minds and start living by them.
God is Still Good by Katie Faris is not a book with new philosophies and ideas. What does make it a little different than some books on this topic is that she focuses on the challenges of motherhood.
She does a good job of encompassing all the different journeys that motherhood takes whether it’s waiting, birthing, or adopting. Special needs. Physical, emotional and spiritual challenges, stress and busyness.
By sharing her own sorrows in motherhood and pointing to biblical examples of women grieving and suffering, she validates our pain, encourages us to lament, and points us to the Who that trumps all the why’s that bubble up inside us.
“Isn’t this what our hearts so often desire when life is hard— the comfort of knowing that someone is in charge, that we can trust that someone, and that he cares about us?”
When I went through my miscarriage that led to many questions and bouts of anger, bitterness, and despair, what finally brought me out of that darkness was remembering who God is. That I can trust the Person when everything else seems to be failing me. I had to stop asking why, and start looking at Who. The Bible tells us who He is. He is loving, good, constant— with us. No matter what our circumstances seem to tell us. He sees us.
“Does the sun stop shining when it’s hidden behind the clouds? No, it keeps on shining as brightly as ever. We just can’t see it. Similarly, if we accept God to be who he says he is— gloriously God— then we have every reason to believe that his ways are also glorious and good, even when what he’s doing is hidden from our view.”
While the entire book is good, encouraging, and helpful, I think I liked the second half of the book the best.
She talks about things that come from our trials, how God is doing something. He will not waste our pain. Our pain is not meaningless.
She exposes some of the lies that we may start to believe during these times of darkness. And she combats each lie with the truth based on what the Bible tells us. We need to start talking back to the lies and recognizing what’s behind our questions and our doubts. We need to listen to our Shepherd’s voice.
She also talks about biblical contentment and how when we start comparing our lives to others, our children to others, our motherhood journeys to others, we lose our joy. We lose sight of what God has given us.
“When that happens, there’s one danger that poses particular risk to suffering moms, one that threatens our full experience of the sufficiency of Christ and the discovery and enjoyment of the contentment he offers. This is the danger of sinful comparison.”
“To sum up, don’t look at the ground (at all of your obstacles), but also don’t look around (getting caught in the comparison trap). Instead, keep your gaze fixed on Jesus. Let him write your story, and don’t get consumed comparing yours to someone else’s. Trust him to be enough…”
Formatting Notes: Each chapter ends with a short prayer, a list of relevant Bible verses, and a few reflection questions. I’m not sure if the questions are really made for discussion if you were to do this with a group of people. You may need some supplemental discussion material.
The back of the book includes an appendix of ‘Go-To Bible Verses’ that Faris had accumulated during her struggles that she found helpful to keep her focus on Christ. I think it’s a super helpful list that I know I’ll come back to.
There is also a lie and truth chart.
Recommendation
I would definitely recommend this book. She understands the challenges and pains of motherhood and this book will help you feel seen and will offer hope without minimizing the struggles you face.
I would also recommend some of these other books on the same topic:
- Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop [This expands on the idea of lamenting that Faris touches on and teaches through the Psalms how we can lament biblically. That coming to God with our questions and our pain is actually biblical]
- Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund [This reminds us that the heart of Jesus is for us. That he wants to carry our burden for us. It fleshes out who Christ is and how we can trust him because he truly loves us and desires to comfort us when we are frustrated, weary, and disenchanted.]
- Suffering Wisely and Well by Eric Ortlund [By looking in-depth at Job, he focuses on the type of suffering that is inexplicable and how we can help others who are going through suffering that is just can’t be explained.]
- How Long, Oh Lord?: Reflections on Suffering and Evil by D.A. Carson [Probably best to be read when you aren’t in the middle of suffering, but in preparation for it. Helps put our suffering in the right perspective and has a really good chapter on Job]
Another thing that helped me besides trying to speak truth to myself when I was feeling bitter, was to listen to music that captured the hurt in my heart while also speaking truths that I needed to believe again. HERE is a playlist of those songs that really resonated with me if you are interested.
More Quotes
“God doesn’t give you or me grace to live another woman’s life, and he doesn’t give us grace for the lives we expected to live. But as we fix our eyes on Jesus and find our contentment in him, we can experience greater freedom and increased joy to live the lives we’ve actually been given and to mother the children God’s placed in our homes. We can move forward with songs on our lips and prayers in our hearts as we look to Jesus.”
“The Bible assures believing mothers that our pain isn’t in vain and we won’t always suffer. No matter how confusing the middle parts of our stories seem, no matter how bitter they taste, we look forward to a very good ending. No matter how tangled and rocky, tear-filled and, yes, even bloody, these at his may be, they lead to a glorious place.”
“The afflictions we face as moms— either in our own bodies or as we carry the burden of love and care for our children— include all kinds of losses. Lost sleep, lost time, and lost relationships. Suffering also costs us mental and emotional energy, wearing on our bodies and souls, and it often brings financial burdens. These losses and costs might not all be equal, but we’re right to grieve whenever our bodies and our children’s bodies don’t work the way God originally intended.”
“Even if your suffering hurts more tomorrow than it does today, there’s more to your story… There is purpose to our pain.”
“Do our questions rise from a rebellious heart or a submissive one? Having already judged God, do we now toss our scornful accusations at him in the form of questions? Or do our questions overflow from broken, contrite spirits?”
**Received a copy from Crossway in exchange for an honest review**
Book Review Blog | Facebook | Pinterest
Read
February 26, 2024A great reminder of Gods promises!
“We don’t have to grieve as others who have no hope grieve, because we have the hope of Christ (1 Thess. 4:13). We don’t have to fear, even if we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, because our good shepherd walks with us, and his rod and staff comfort us (Ps. 23:4). We don’t have to worry when the storms beat against our homes. Why not? Because our lives are built on the rock (Matt. 7:25). We don’t have to grieve, fear, or worry, but if and when we do, we look to Jesus. He is our refuge (Ps. 46:1). He is our shield (Ps 84:9). He is the one who speaks calm into our storms. His power is our strength, especially in weakness, and his grace is more than enough and available whenever we need it (2 Cor. 12:9; Heb. 4:16).”
“We don’t have to grieve as others who have no hope grieve, because we have the hope of Christ (1 Thess. 4:13). We don’t have to fear, even if we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, because our good shepherd walks with us, and his rod and staff comfort us (Ps. 23:4). We don’t have to worry when the storms beat against our homes. Why not? Because our lives are built on the rock (Matt. 7:25). We don’t have to grieve, fear, or worry, but if and when we do, we look to Jesus. He is our refuge (Ps. 46:1). He is our shield (Ps 84:9). He is the one who speaks calm into our storms. His power is our strength, especially in weakness, and his grace is more than enough and available whenever we need it (2 Cor. 12:9; Heb. 4:16).”
March 1, 2023
This is a gospel hope saturated book, which is a balm for any struggling Mama. The author starts off by handing you a tissue and grieving with you in your pain/suffering and then gently points you to God, His word and His gospel. I am so thankful I read this book!
January 17, 2023
God Is Still Good is the latest title by mother and author, Katie Faris. While there are many titles available on motherhood from a biblical perspective, there are few that address the sorrow and grief that often accompany this season. We’ve known since sin entered the world in Genesis 3 that motherhood would be hard and painful in more ways than one. Yet in literature available for Christian moms, this reality can often be missing or minimized. I’m grateful to Katie for writing God Is Still Good because it is needed encouragement for Christian moms and for Christians in general as they minister to moms.
The book begins with Katie’s acknowledgment that motherhood often doesn’t go as expected. In the first chapter she wrote, “God’s word speaks to all of us, telling us the pain we experience in labor and delivery—or the adoption process—is only a foretaste of the particular suffering a mother endures. Within the Bible’s pages, we discover truth that is sufficient to explain our suffering as moms and sustain us in it, even when our contexts vary. The Bible assures believing mothers that our pain isn’t in vain and we won’t always suffer. No matter how confusing the middle parts of our stories seem, no matter how bitter they taste, we look forward to a very good ending. No matter how tangled and rocky, tear-filled and, yes, even bloody, these paths may be, they lead us to a glorious place,” (pg. 28).
Katie uses the rest of the book to point readers to Jesus and help them see how He is sufficient for even the hardest trials moms may endure. While reading God Is Still Good, I felt that I had an understanding and compassionate companion in Katie as she is no stranger to hardship in motherhood. She shares her own stories of grief in motherhood as her children were diagnosed with a rare medical condition and she suffered the loss of a baby through miscarriage.
I appreciate that she included all types of moms and various scenarios in her illustrations because it seems that Christian books about motherhood often neglect these realities that are present within the church. My motherhood journey began with postpartum depression and has included miscarriage and I’m thankful that Katie acknowledged these painful experiences within the pages of her book.
God Is Still Good is a lovely primer on how to suffer with hope in the trials of motherhood. If you are a mom who has experienced sorrow in motherhood or even just struggle with the day to day challenges it presents, I highly encourage you to purchase a copy of this book.
I received God is Still Good compliments of Crossway in exchange for my honest review.
The book begins with Katie’s acknowledgment that motherhood often doesn’t go as expected. In the first chapter she wrote, “God’s word speaks to all of us, telling us the pain we experience in labor and delivery—or the adoption process—is only a foretaste of the particular suffering a mother endures. Within the Bible’s pages, we discover truth that is sufficient to explain our suffering as moms and sustain us in it, even when our contexts vary. The Bible assures believing mothers that our pain isn’t in vain and we won’t always suffer. No matter how confusing the middle parts of our stories seem, no matter how bitter they taste, we look forward to a very good ending. No matter how tangled and rocky, tear-filled and, yes, even bloody, these paths may be, they lead us to a glorious place,” (pg. 28).
Katie uses the rest of the book to point readers to Jesus and help them see how He is sufficient for even the hardest trials moms may endure. While reading God Is Still Good, I felt that I had an understanding and compassionate companion in Katie as she is no stranger to hardship in motherhood. She shares her own stories of grief in motherhood as her children were diagnosed with a rare medical condition and she suffered the loss of a baby through miscarriage.
I appreciate that she included all types of moms and various scenarios in her illustrations because it seems that Christian books about motherhood often neglect these realities that are present within the church. My motherhood journey began with postpartum depression and has included miscarriage and I’m thankful that Katie acknowledged these painful experiences within the pages of her book.
God Is Still Good is a lovely primer on how to suffer with hope in the trials of motherhood. If you are a mom who has experienced sorrow in motherhood or even just struggle with the day to day challenges it presents, I highly encourage you to purchase a copy of this book.
I received God is Still Good compliments of Crossway in exchange for my honest review.
March 21, 2023
God Is Still Good: Gospel Hope and Comfort for the Unexpected Sorrows of Motherhood by @katietfaris is a fantastic book for mothers who are struggling with unexpected sorrows and trials.
Katie shares her own experiences as a mother of five and provides comfort and encouragement through the lens of the Gospel.
My favorite thing is that she provided scriptures to cling to when faced with lies.
There is even a chart in the back of the book for you to reference. This really made me enjoy this book so much. That constant replacing lies with truth is essential in the Christian life.
The book is well-written and relatable, and offers hope and perspective to mothers who may be feeling alone or overwhelmed.
I definitely left this book encouraged and empowered. I had my first child during the lockdowns of 2020. My baby shower was canceled, I gave birth alone in a hospital, just my husband and I and those early postpartum days were filled with meals left at our doorstep instead of lots of visitors.
These early moments of motherhood still haunt me even now years later as I raise my daughter. The truths in this book definitely served as healing and encouragement to me.
Highly recommended for any mother in need of support and a reminder that God is indeed good even in our darkest moments.
Thank you to Crossway for providing me a copy to review in exchange for an honest review
Katie shares her own experiences as a mother of five and provides comfort and encouragement through the lens of the Gospel.
My favorite thing is that she provided scriptures to cling to when faced with lies.
There is even a chart in the back of the book for you to reference. This really made me enjoy this book so much. That constant replacing lies with truth is essential in the Christian life.
The book is well-written and relatable, and offers hope and perspective to mothers who may be feeling alone or overwhelmed.
I definitely left this book encouraged and empowered. I had my first child during the lockdowns of 2020. My baby shower was canceled, I gave birth alone in a hospital, just my husband and I and those early postpartum days were filled with meals left at our doorstep instead of lots of visitors.
These early moments of motherhood still haunt me even now years later as I raise my daughter. The truths in this book definitely served as healing and encouragement to me.
Highly recommended for any mother in need of support and a reminder that God is indeed good even in our darkest moments.
Thank you to Crossway for providing me a copy to review in exchange for an honest review
January 31, 2024
4.75🌟
Biblical encouragement for the rough seasons of motherhood be it postpartum depression, a medically fragile kiddo, teenage rebellion, or something else entirely. Even though some of the struggles that I'm having right now don't seem very "big" in comparison to some people's it's a blessing to hear that God cares about our struggles and he uses each and every one of them to draw us closer to Him and make us more like Him.
"Our trials provide opportunities for us to learn things about God and His Word that we might not learn any other way. "
"All God is and all he says is always relevant to all of us. "
"We might think of God's character and His promises as two separate things but it's better to think of them together because what God says flows from who He is. He only speaks what is consistent with his character. "
Biblical encouragement for the rough seasons of motherhood be it postpartum depression, a medically fragile kiddo, teenage rebellion, or something else entirely. Even though some of the struggles that I'm having right now don't seem very "big" in comparison to some people's it's a blessing to hear that God cares about our struggles and he uses each and every one of them to draw us closer to Him and make us more like Him.
"Our trials provide opportunities for us to learn things about God and His Word that we might not learn any other way. "
"All God is and all he says is always relevant to all of us. "
"We might think of God's character and His promises as two separate things but it's better to think of them together because what God says flows from who He is. He only speaks what is consistent with his character. "
January 26, 2023
Exactly the book I need at exactly the right time.
Absolutely fantastic read if you're struggling in ANY way with parenting. (Are you a parent? How can you not be struggling in some capacity or another? I dunno.)
"The Bible assures believing mothers that our pain isn't in vain and we won't always suffer. No matter how confusing the middle parts of our stories seem, no matter how bitter they taste, we look forward to a very good ending."
"In your family's hardships, the Lord hasn't stopped loving you either. He never will. Even if your suffering hurts more tomorrow than it does today, there's more to your story. And a better day is coming. Joy is around the corner. God is working his plan - even if you and I don't see it yet. There is purpose to our pain - yours and mine."
"Let's keep preaching the truths of the gospel to ourselves: Jesus died for our sins. Redemption has started, and it's spreading. Death doesn't have the final say. There's more to these stories- God's, yours, and mine."
Just a few to whet the appetitive.
If you're on the struggle bus of motherhood (adoption? sickness? unexpected incidents?) then I would heartily recommend this book!
Absolutely fantastic read if you're struggling in ANY way with parenting. (Are you a parent? How can you not be struggling in some capacity or another? I dunno.)
"The Bible assures believing mothers that our pain isn't in vain and we won't always suffer. No matter how confusing the middle parts of our stories seem, no matter how bitter they taste, we look forward to a very good ending."
"In your family's hardships, the Lord hasn't stopped loving you either. He never will. Even if your suffering hurts more tomorrow than it does today, there's more to your story. And a better day is coming. Joy is around the corner. God is working his plan - even if you and I don't see it yet. There is purpose to our pain - yours and mine."
"Let's keep preaching the truths of the gospel to ourselves: Jesus died for our sins. Redemption has started, and it's spreading. Death doesn't have the final say. There's more to these stories- God's, yours, and mine."
Just a few to whet the appetitive.
If you're on the struggle bus of motherhood (adoption? sickness? unexpected incidents?) then I would heartily recommend this book!
January 17, 2023
Can we find meaning in the pains of being a mom? In God is Still Good, Katie Faris helps you find gospel hope and comfort for the unexpected sorrows of motherhood.
Good News for Bad Days
In just over 150 pages, this book gives you good news for the bad and sad days of motherhood. At the beginning of the book, Faris shares her own stories of sorrow, gently encouraging you to express your pain through prayer and go to God in your grieving. Faris writes with warmth and wisdom, and as a friend who has been there before.
I was most interested in Chapter 4, where Faris views motherhood through the eyes of Eve and Mary. She is able to relate their stories of suffering and grace, showing how they inform mothers today. And she ultimately shows how they point us to Jesus. Joy and sorrow can mingle in motherhood, and we can hold on to hope because of Christ.
Motherhood by Faith
In Chapter 5, Faris explains how motherhood is by faith. As a father, it gave me courage to go to God with my parenting challenges. I have questions about the future, and I fall into the sins of fear and anxiety. I don’t deal well with change, and I was challenged to find comfort in our God who never changes.
Chapter 6 is the heart of the book, and Faris calls us to remember the goodness of God’s character. Chapter 7 details five ways God works all things, including trials, together for good: (1) Trials deepen our prayer lives, (2) trials increase our knowledge of God’s character and word, (3) trials equip us to comfort others, (4) trials remind us that earth isn’t our true home, and (5) trials test and strengthen our faith.
Trust Christ in Trials
Chapter 8 is practical, with examples on how to slow down and talk God’s truth to ourselves. Faris exposes the lies we believe, and helps us counter them with Scripture. The book ends by sharing the secret to contentment — to know that, in Christ, you have everything you need for your motherhood trials. When you’re caught in sinful comparison with others, you can find comfort by resting and abiding in the love of Christ.
This is a beautiful truth-telling book about the difficulties of motherhood, but it is not depressing or defeating. Instead, it champions the risen Christ, who calls us to trust in him at all times and in all of our trials.
I received a media copy of God is Still Good and this is my honest review.
Good News for Bad Days
In just over 150 pages, this book gives you good news for the bad and sad days of motherhood. At the beginning of the book, Faris shares her own stories of sorrow, gently encouraging you to express your pain through prayer and go to God in your grieving. Faris writes with warmth and wisdom, and as a friend who has been there before.
I was most interested in Chapter 4, where Faris views motherhood through the eyes of Eve and Mary. She is able to relate their stories of suffering and grace, showing how they inform mothers today. And she ultimately shows how they point us to Jesus. Joy and sorrow can mingle in motherhood, and we can hold on to hope because of Christ.
Motherhood by Faith
In Chapter 5, Faris explains how motherhood is by faith. As a father, it gave me courage to go to God with my parenting challenges. I have questions about the future, and I fall into the sins of fear and anxiety. I don’t deal well with change, and I was challenged to find comfort in our God who never changes.
Chapter 6 is the heart of the book, and Faris calls us to remember the goodness of God’s character. Chapter 7 details five ways God works all things, including trials, together for good: (1) Trials deepen our prayer lives, (2) trials increase our knowledge of God’s character and word, (3) trials equip us to comfort others, (4) trials remind us that earth isn’t our true home, and (5) trials test and strengthen our faith.
Trust Christ in Trials
Chapter 8 is practical, with examples on how to slow down and talk God’s truth to ourselves. Faris exposes the lies we believe, and helps us counter them with Scripture. The book ends by sharing the secret to contentment — to know that, in Christ, you have everything you need for your motherhood trials. When you’re caught in sinful comparison with others, you can find comfort by resting and abiding in the love of Christ.
This is a beautiful truth-telling book about the difficulties of motherhood, but it is not depressing or defeating. Instead, it champions the risen Christ, who calls us to trust in him at all times and in all of our trials.
I received a media copy of God is Still Good and this is my honest review.
January 20, 2023
The most accessible book I’ve ever read on suffering. That it applies to the sorrows of a mother’s suffering is incredibly unique. The author avoids turning her book into a memoir, which enables the reader to enter in to the theologically wise and biblical truths and apply them to her own circumstance. The author leads the reader to acknowledge our hard realities, explore biblical lament, see how our story is woven into the story of the Bible, hope in the Gospel and our future, navigate some of our questions, trust in the character and promises of God, and finally battle comparison and pursue godly contentment. Well done and encouraging!
April 13, 2023
If you’re looking for a book that details someone’s personal journey, this isn’t it. Katie shares just enough of her story for you to know she’s walked through hard things, but the book is solely about the gospel.
I really loved this quote from page 63, “…our greatest problem isn’t what motherhood hasn’t delivered, even though it might often feel that way. Just as it was for Eve and Mary, God’s word tells us that our greatest problem is our sin.”
Definitely a good resource to give out to struggling moms or even women facing infertility!
I really loved this quote from page 63, “…our greatest problem isn’t what motherhood hasn’t delivered, even though it might often feel that way. Just as it was for Eve and Mary, God’s word tells us that our greatest problem is our sin.”
Definitely a good resource to give out to struggling moms or even women facing infertility!
September 13, 2025
this was the best book ive ever read on suffering as a mom (and just motherhood in general). it didnt list all the ways motherhood is hard and then throw a few bible passages at you to make you happy. she shows you how to suffer as a christian, and then how that applies to motherhood, saturated in scripture and gospel hope. i feel like it was written for me. and that God brought it into my life exactly when i needed it most. thank you, katie!
June 9, 2024
My favorite excerpt from this book is at the very end, when the author quotes a letter from her mother: "...It doesn't get easier, but the love is greater."
I found a lot of encouragement and hope and appreciated the author's commitment to pointing her readers back to Jesus. Focusing on HIS strength and not ours during very difficult times is crucial to realizing that trials and difficulties are not punishments, but rather opportunities for God's goodness to shine through our lives.
I found a lot of encouragement and hope and appreciated the author's commitment to pointing her readers back to Jesus. Focusing on HIS strength and not ours during very difficult times is crucial to realizing that trials and difficulties are not punishments, but rather opportunities for God's goodness to shine through our lives.
March 14, 2025
Wow, wow, wow! So good! Solid Biblical comfort and truth to address how we approach hard situations we face as mothers. Very timely for me. There is comfort and acknowledgement of frustration & hard times while also calling us to pursue Christ, His ultimate calling and will for our lives even as we grieve. Highly recommend. I will definitely be reading this one again and taking notes next time!
March 26, 2024
Highly recommend this book to any mom who has had loss, pain or deep trial on their journey in motherhood. I loved the passages she chose to focus on and taking the time to answer the questions after each chapter really helped me process through things.
March 3, 2023
Loved this book. So encouraging and scripture based.
January 16, 2023
This concise, highly readable book shares encouragement for Christian mothers who are suffering. Katie Faris shares some about her own experiences, and she includes varied examples about other things mothers might be dealing with, such as raising kids without a spouse, dealing with adoption and foster care struggles, suffering from an adult child's destructive choices, or dealing with racial discrimination against one's children. Faris validates how additional difficulties make motherhood even more challenging than it already is, and throughout this book, she shares encouragement from Scripture for struggling moms.
Faris unpacks stories about motherhood struggles from the Bible, emphasizing that these stories speak to universal themes regardless of one's time period, culture, and specific problems. She also writes about Scripture passages related to suffering and endurance, and helps mothers think through biblical responses to lies that they may believe about God, themselves, and their motherhood struggles. Each chapter is easy to read and concludes with an example prayer, other Bible passages to look up, and reflection questions. The focus on biblical teaching will encourage women who are used to reading fluffier women's ministry books that don't get to the heart of things.
Faris writes some about her struggles raising children with a rare genetic disorder, and about her lament and processing after a miscarriage. She gives the book a personal touch without oversharing, and focuses on core spiritual themes that other mothers can relate to. However, even though I appreciate her desire to focus on biblical teaching over subjective experiences, it could have enriched this book for her to include additional testimonials from women with different struggles. She gave wide-ranging examples of other types of suffering, but just a paragraph or two from another mother at the end of each chapter could have made this book even stronger.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Faris unpacks stories about motherhood struggles from the Bible, emphasizing that these stories speak to universal themes regardless of one's time period, culture, and specific problems. She also writes about Scripture passages related to suffering and endurance, and helps mothers think through biblical responses to lies that they may believe about God, themselves, and their motherhood struggles. Each chapter is easy to read and concludes with an example prayer, other Bible passages to look up, and reflection questions. The focus on biblical teaching will encourage women who are used to reading fluffier women's ministry books that don't get to the heart of things.
Faris writes some about her struggles raising children with a rare genetic disorder, and about her lament and processing after a miscarriage. She gives the book a personal touch without oversharing, and focuses on core spiritual themes that other mothers can relate to. However, even though I appreciate her desire to focus on biblical teaching over subjective experiences, it could have enriched this book for her to include additional testimonials from women with different struggles. She gave wide-ranging examples of other types of suffering, but just a paragraph or two from another mother at the end of each chapter could have made this book even stronger.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2022
What should a mother do and how should she think when motherhood isn’t what she expected—especially when trials cause her to doubt God’s goodness?
While her trials in motherhood have been far different from my own, all that Katie Faris writes is pretty much what I’d say to suffering mothers. She talks about acknowledging the pain, making time for grief and lament, the storyline of Scripture and why motherhood hurts, joy and sorrow in the lives of biblical mothers, wrestling with our questions, assessing our self-talk, and ultimately, looking to Jesus, not our trials, and learning to trust God and being comforted by who he is.
It's applicable to every trial in motherhood, but examples do tend to be from her own experience so that may make it harder to relate to for some (for instance, she references postpartum depression in a list of possible trials, but it doesn’t appear at all in what she actually talked about. Since that’s been my main motherhood suffering and I talk to lots of other moms for whom this is the case, I wish it had received more attention. But what she says more generally is still applicable. Mental illness, and depression in particular, can just add another layer of complexity to how you respond to suffering).
There’s a prayer, scriptures for further meditation, and reflection questions at the end of every chapter.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley for review.
While her trials in motherhood have been far different from my own, all that Katie Faris writes is pretty much what I’d say to suffering mothers. She talks about acknowledging the pain, making time for grief and lament, the storyline of Scripture and why motherhood hurts, joy and sorrow in the lives of biblical mothers, wrestling with our questions, assessing our self-talk, and ultimately, looking to Jesus, not our trials, and learning to trust God and being comforted by who he is.
It's applicable to every trial in motherhood, but examples do tend to be from her own experience so that may make it harder to relate to for some (for instance, she references postpartum depression in a list of possible trials, but it doesn’t appear at all in what she actually talked about. Since that’s been my main motherhood suffering and I talk to lots of other moms for whom this is the case, I wish it had received more attention. But what she says more generally is still applicable. Mental illness, and depression in particular, can just add another layer of complexity to how you respond to suffering).
There’s a prayer, scriptures for further meditation, and reflection questions at the end of every chapter.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley for review.
May 21, 2025
Though she writes more from the perspective of a mama dealing with hard medical diagnoses for her kids, and also one who has gone through miscarriage, Katie Faris shares in her book, He is Still Good, about God's goodness and faithfulness for the mama who is going through some hard things.
Whether it's wanting desperately to get pregnant and feeling like it's never going to happen, whether it's dealing with a teen or adult child who has walked away from their Christian heritage and living in utter rebellion towards God and family, or whether it's worrying about how you're going to be able to manage your child or children's special needs, this book is such a Gospel encouragement for those mamas or those who want so badly to be mamas who are walking a journey of suffering.
In one of the last chapters, Katie takes us through an exercise that helps us to define areas in our life where we're believing lies that Satan tells us, and gives suggested Scriptures for how to combat those specific lies.
I highly recommend this book!
Whether it's wanting desperately to get pregnant and feeling like it's never going to happen, whether it's dealing with a teen or adult child who has walked away from their Christian heritage and living in utter rebellion towards God and family, or whether it's worrying about how you're going to be able to manage your child or children's special needs, this book is such a Gospel encouragement for those mamas or those who want so badly to be mamas who are walking a journey of suffering.
In one of the last chapters, Katie takes us through an exercise that helps us to define areas in our life where we're believing lies that Satan tells us, and gives suggested Scriptures for how to combat those specific lies.
I highly recommend this book!
July 25, 2025
Although written to moms, the biblical wisdom shared in each chapter can easily be applied to a believer at any season of life. I found the connection to scripture throughout was helpful in forming a tangible strategy for walking through trials and difficult circumstances keeping the focus on Christ.
Chapters 8 and 9 are my favorite, because of the tangible nature of the material presented. I resolve to keep these two chapters on my radar going forward, to refer back to frequently. Chapter 8's little exercise could be repeated at various stages throughout life, and the reminders to bring specific scripture to each of my own circumstances is helpful in giving me a strategy for living well; walking in a manner pleasing to the Lord.
I recommend this gentle, compassion-filled book to all of my sisters in Christ, especially moms of young children, who are right in the middle of the battlefield to train up young souls in the ways of the Lord. Equipping moms in this way is a necessary ministry! This book is an essential tool to help on that journey.
Chapters 8 and 9 are my favorite, because of the tangible nature of the material presented. I resolve to keep these two chapters on my radar going forward, to refer back to frequently. Chapter 8's little exercise could be repeated at various stages throughout life, and the reminders to bring specific scripture to each of my own circumstances is helpful in giving me a strategy for living well; walking in a manner pleasing to the Lord.
I recommend this gentle, compassion-filled book to all of my sisters in Christ, especially moms of young children, who are right in the middle of the battlefield to train up young souls in the ways of the Lord. Equipping moms in this way is a necessary ministry! This book is an essential tool to help on that journey.
April 10, 2023
Katie Faris's book 'God is Still Good,' was written in the midst of her suffering. It is written specifically for suffering moms. Three of her four children were diagnosed with a genetic condition with life threatening implications. She reminds us of the treasure of scripture that has the power (literally) to hold us through our suffering. And she shares 'her secret' to living through lifelong suffering - which is actually 'Paul's secret' - which is actually God's good gift to us. These are real tools given by our good Father to hold us in our suffering. ❤️ The subtitle of this gentle book full of life-giving wisdom from a woman in the trenches is 'Gospel Hope & Comfort for the Unexpected Sorrows of Motherhood.' It's like having a conversation with another mom who has experienced .... You fill in the blank: loss, broken relationship, illness, struggle, rebellion, etc. Mom, you will be 'hugged,' strengthened, equipped, and encouraged through the pages of this book.
February 11, 2023
Katie is a trusted friend from the very first page!
I have been desiring a like-minded friend for 7 years, since the diagnosis of a lifelong illness in my son. Katie is that friend. She’s in the trenches with you and me, fighting for faith everyday. I am thankful she’s a step ahead in finding hope to match our sorrows in this world: while reading this book, I’ve been overjoyed again and again to see her put into words exactly what I have been thinking and feeling, but could not express so well.
Each chapter displays her humble and teachable spirit, and her words are a comfort to those of us who are trying our best to fight against fear and what-ifs. Read this book and find solace in the fact that you are not alone, and be reminded of the abundant grace with which Jesus will meet you in every single hardship of this life!
I have been desiring a like-minded friend for 7 years, since the diagnosis of a lifelong illness in my son. Katie is that friend. She’s in the trenches with you and me, fighting for faith everyday. I am thankful she’s a step ahead in finding hope to match our sorrows in this world: while reading this book, I’ve been overjoyed again and again to see her put into words exactly what I have been thinking and feeling, but could not express so well.
Each chapter displays her humble and teachable spirit, and her words are a comfort to those of us who are trying our best to fight against fear and what-ifs. Read this book and find solace in the fact that you are not alone, and be reminded of the abundant grace with which Jesus will meet you in every single hardship of this life!
December 10, 2023
I read this as part of a book study with a group of people gathered together by a friend.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was published by The Gospel Coalition (and thus uses the ESV translation of the Bible) and is written in solid Christianese. Both of these circumstances would usually have steered me clear of the book if I hadn't committed to read it with my friend. I did find that I still appreciated what Katie Faris had to say, after I scraped up all the gunk off the top. And I found her personal philosophy and approach to her Christian faith helpful.
Suffering as a parent is damned difficult especially when social Christianity tells us that belief in Jesus will make our lives perfect. It does not; Jesus himself never said that. Finding ways out of despair is crucial and this book may help some folks to do so.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was published by The Gospel Coalition (and thus uses the ESV translation of the Bible) and is written in solid Christianese. Both of these circumstances would usually have steered me clear of the book if I hadn't committed to read it with my friend. I did find that I still appreciated what Katie Faris had to say, after I scraped up all the gunk off the top. And I found her personal philosophy and approach to her Christian faith helpful.
Suffering as a parent is damned difficult especially when social Christianity tells us that belief in Jesus will make our lives perfect. It does not; Jesus himself never said that. Finding ways out of despair is crucial and this book may help some folks to do so.
March 19, 2023
This is a remarkable book that takes an unflinchingly realistic look at some of the hardest places in motherhood. In a warm style, with plenty of examples, Katie Faris manages to walk the narrow beam of struggle and faith, heartache and trust without falling off into bitterness or platitudes. Scripturally grounded, this book takes the reader on mothers’ journeys through pain, grief, and exhaustion, yet ultimately points to Christ as the source of comfort, meaning, and contentment when struggle seems inescapable. Her thoughts on the centrality of the gospel as sustaining in trials are worth the price of the book. As a Dad of five this book encouraged me. As a counselor I will be recommending this to Moms who are in the thick of it.
January 5, 2025
It took me an extended period of time to finish this book but it was worth it. The Lord used this book to help me through a lot this past year from intense postpartum depression, family, and church difficulties. It brought me into the scriptures and helped me look to Christ. It served as a reminder to me that Christ really is still good. It was used to convict me of my lack of trust in God when it comes to ignoring my trials, depression, anxieties, and difficulties. I try to bury those things when I should be handing them over to God. Christ is our provider, creator, and ultimate comforter.
This book will be read again and I highly recommend it. Even if you aren’t a mother and even if you aren’t going through any trials presently.
This book will be read again and I highly recommend it. Even if you aren’t a mother and even if you aren’t going through any trials presently.
April 18, 2023
Encouraging overall. There's more directed toward parents of children with health issues than parents who are dealing with the ways their own health issues affect their parenting or parents dealing with the aftereffects of external complications (hello, global pandemic), but the same general principles can be applied in various situations so it worked okay for me. I think it might have earned another half star if I hadn't been so exhausted that I kept falling asleep while reading it, which might not sound like the fault of the book, but I didn't fall asleep reading my other nonfiction book so who knows.
August 1, 2023
I listened to this audiobook while on a silence and solitude retreat during a very difficult time. The book was just what I needed. More like a devotional full of Bible verses- I want to go back a journal and take notes because I want to memorize many of the verses.
With clarity and practicality, the author points to Jesus and brings to light how many of the ways that we live don’t align with what we say we believe. This was convicting but helpful. I suggest reading this book if you are struggling through a dark season, if you feel alone and wondering where God is in the midst of your trials, or if you need to be reminded of Gods love.
With clarity and practicality, the author points to Jesus and brings to light how many of the ways that we live don’t align with what we say we believe. This was convicting but helpful. I suggest reading this book if you are struggling through a dark season, if you feel alone and wondering where God is in the midst of your trials, or if you need to be reminded of Gods love.
January 6, 2023
I’m not a mom yet but serve in women’s ministry. I really appreciated how this book focused on so many of the hard aspects of motherhood but was hopeful and founded on scripture more than someone’s personal experience- which is a struggle I have with so many Christian nonfiction books for women. It felt so different than other books out there and I felt encouraged and not overwhelmed by themes of try harder or comparison. Definitely a book I will be recommending.
Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my review.
Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my review.
September 1, 2025
Some quotes that I found really impactful.
“If it's the Lord's will that another woman's child be well and yours be sick, what of it?
If it's the Lord's will that another woman get pregnant easily and it takes longer for you, what of it?
If it's the Lord's will that her path be
smoother than yours, what of it?”
“We may never understand why God says yes to one woman and no to us.”
While I may not be going through the biggest trail ever rn, just having a really fussy baby and no sleep, I find the truths in this book very helpful!
“If it's the Lord's will that another woman's child be well and yours be sick, what of it?
If it's the Lord's will that another woman get pregnant easily and it takes longer for you, what of it?
If it's the Lord's will that her path be
smoother than yours, what of it?”
“We may never understand why God says yes to one woman and no to us.”
While I may not be going through the biggest trail ever rn, just having a really fussy baby and no sleep, I find the truths in this book very helpful!
January 20, 2023
God is Still Good by Katie Faris is a good book for all the mothers in the church. It speaks to the hard seasons of life, reminding the reader of God's love and the hope that we have in Christ. While I felt like a lot of this book's content was "basic", it is the good kind of basic knowledge and wisdom that all mothers in the church should have. This book was mainly based on Scriptures, which is very good. The chapters also had questions at the end, making this a good book to go through in groups, for example.
April 1, 2023
Katie Faris did a great job empathizing with our fears as mothers young or old. But I did feel like she saved the best for last in chapters 8 and 9. Here she encouraged us to write out our fears and worries, then write what they are saying we believe about God, then find scriptures that speak truth into those misconceptions and speak to ourselves truths not lies. Satan is so good at deceiving us and we need to face the lies we are believing and replace with truth from the Bible.
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