From Faking It to Finding Grace: Discovering God Again When Your Faith Runs Dry

by Connie Cavanaugh

Almost nobody ever admits to going through doubt or spiritual dryness right now. But the truth is, nearly every believer experiences this. Now--in a book endorsed by Richard Blackaby--Connie Cavanaugh, featured columnist for HomeLife magazine, breaks the silence. Because she speaks out of her own ten-year struggle, readers can trust her to lead the way on a step-by-step path out of the wilderness as she speaks honestly to Readers will find new hope as they move from faking it to finding grace from the God who was there all along.

Genres: Christian Living, Christian

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2005

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, because the subject so deeply resonated with me and my own personal spiritual journey.

Throughout the first half or so, there were lots of salient points, but I kept thinking that the overall approach did not align as much with my experience as I had hoped it would. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as the author's personal experience in the spiritual wilderness is something that many (and I would wager most) Christians can relate to at some point in their lives. Then I reached chapter 12, "Unmasking," and virtually every word of that chapter pierced me to my core. It is the standout chapter by far, and I believe it is because it is the experience of almost every person on the planet, Christian or not. To be frank, I have had more experiences described in this chapter within the church than outside of it, something I find monumentally sad.

In the subsequent chapters, it was again as before. Then came the final chapter, which had several statements throughout that I found theologically questionable. This is often the kiss of death (for me, anyway) for books on spiritual matters, but as with several other books I have read over the years, the personal story of the author is compelling and resonant, and one very much worth sharing. I believe spiritual transparency is vital within the ranks of believers, vital for nonbelievers to see in and experience with us, and vital for the relational intimacy that comes from truly knowing one another. On that point, Cavanaugh does deliver.

Finally, the letter at the end of the book...another woman with her own wilderness experience. Completely different, and yet much the same. It gives credence (again) that we are not alone in our experiences, even when it seems like we are.

[Clara Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a book a of couple years ago now. I remember thinking it was so good and so real. I found it so comforting to read about a strong woman of faith who also had a period of spiritual dryness, and to discover while reading this book that God pursues us while we are in “the wilderness.” This book was really beneficial during a turning point in my spiritual walk with God.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book about struggling with faith and finding your way through.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Faking it to Finding Grace - Discovering God Again When Your Faith Runs Dry by Canadian author Connie Cavanaugh, is a book that is as relevant today as it was when it came out in 2005.

Cavanaugh has shared, quite honestly, of her wilderness experience in which she "faked" being a Christian. That is not to say she wasn't a Christian, she was - she just didn't feel like one. So she did what most wilderness wanderers do but won't admit, she faked it. She said and did all the right things (going to church, teaching Sunday School, attending Wednesday night bible study, etc.) but inside she felt empty, alone and far away from God. The good news is, God was never far away, but was pursuing her through the desert eventually calling her to share her experiences with others.

I found this book refreshingly honest. You never hear Christians talking about how they are struggling with their faith. Unfortunately, some wandering Christians leave the church and never come back, because they are too afraid to tell anyone how they feel. Cavanaugh's experiences sound all too familiar and I believe this book will be a blessing to many who are in that dry place right now. Are you doubting God? Do you dread going to church every Sunday? Have your prayer times put you to sleep? Cavanaugh wants you to know you are not alone. Everyone will have a desert experience at some point in their spiritual journey. So, if you are wandering right now - stop by a bookstore and purchase From Faking it to Finding Grace. You won't be disappointed!

[Lynn Dove · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will admit that I had this book sitting on my bookshelf for a very long time. It’s one of the signs of “faking it”…having a library full of great life-changing books that seem to never get read until one day something happens that compels you to blow off the dust from the book jacket and reach for some hope found within the pages. That was exactly what happened to me. Not wanting to admit I was experiencing a spiritual dryness in my life for many years, it was in that reading of Connie’s book that I realized I had found someone who knew exactly what I was going through. I was not alone and like her, I didn’t want to fake it any more. Connie’s book has humour, has depth, and has the kind of insight that asks the reader to journey away from that place of dryness to once again come humbly before the Father and experience His Grace.
(This review was on Amazon.com and my blog: http://lynndove.wordpress.com/book-re...

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book every beliver needs to get through the spiritual dry spells.

[Deb Thorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very down to earth; exploration of what, when, or why we enter into spiritual "dryness" or are in a rut.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about the wife of an evangelical preacher. She goes through a long time where she loses faith in God, and talks about how she recaptured it. Not great literature, but a good read.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really honest look at that barren place so many people live in but so few acknowledge. Offers encouragement on walking it through.

[Kathy Regehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many truths addressed, and I loved the honesty.