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Hope for Hard Times
Are you managing your life or is your life managing you? Get back on track with the perfect dose of inspiration, fresh perspective and
faithful direction in Our Sunday Visitor's brand new 30-Minute Read series.
The 30-Minute Read series touches on a variety of useful topics such as:
--Stress-Proof Your Marriage
--Why Me? When Bad Things Happen
-- Hope For Hard Times
Find a sliver of time at lunch, in the parking lot or just before bed and get started today
faithful direction in Our Sunday Visitor's brand new 30-Minute Read series.
The 30-Minute Read series touches on a variety of useful topics such as:
--Stress-Proof Your Marriage
--Why Me? When Bad Things Happen
-- Hope For Hard Times
Find a sliver of time at lunch, in the parking lot or just before bed and get started today
- GenresChristian
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
9 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Scott Hahn
415 books1,340 followersScott Hahn is a renowned Catholic theologian, apologist, speaker, and bestselling author whose work has had a profound impact on contemporary biblical theology and Catholic thought. A former Presbyterian minister, Hahn converted to Catholicism in 1986 after an intense personal and theological journey, which he details in his popular book Rome Sweet Home, co-written with his wife, Kimberly Hahn. Their story of conversion has inspired countless readers around the world and remains a landmark in modern Catholic apologetics.
Hahn holds the Father Michael Scanlan Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He is also the founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among the laity and biblical fluency among clergy. Through the Center, Hahn leads a wide range of initiatives, including publications, pilgrimages, Bible studies, and the scholarly journal Letter and Spirit.
Educated at Grove City College (B.A.), Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Marquette University (Ph.D. in Systematic Theology), Hahn brings a deep academic foundation to his work. His dissertation, Kinship by Covenant, was later published by Yale University Press and received praise for its theological insight and scholarly rigor.
Throughout his career, Hahn has emphasized the covenant as the key to understanding salvation history, showing how the biblical narrative reveals a divine plan that unites all of humanity into God's family. His works explore themes such as the Eucharist, the role of Mary, the sacraments, and the authority of the Church, often drawing on the writings of the early Church Fathers to bridge the ancient faith with modern understanding.
He is the author or editor of over forty books, including The Lamb’s Supper, Hail, Holy Queen, First Comes Love, Letter and Spirit, Swear to God, Reasons to Believe, The Creed, The Fourth Cup, and Holy Is His Name. Many of his books have become staples in Catholic households, study groups, and seminaries.
In addition to his writing, Hahn is a highly sought-after speaker, having delivered thousands of lectures across the United States and abroad. He appears regularly on EWTN and has collaborated with Lighthouse Catholic Media to bring his teachings to an even broader audience.
Scott Hahn lives in Ohio with his wife Kimberly. They have six children and numerous grandchildren. Together, the Hahns continue to lead efforts in evangelization and Catholic education, embodying a lifelong commitment to deepening faith and understanding through Scripture and tradition.
Hahn holds the Father Michael Scanlan Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He is also the founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among the laity and biblical fluency among clergy. Through the Center, Hahn leads a wide range of initiatives, including publications, pilgrimages, Bible studies, and the scholarly journal Letter and Spirit.
Educated at Grove City College (B.A.), Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Marquette University (Ph.D. in Systematic Theology), Hahn brings a deep academic foundation to his work. His dissertation, Kinship by Covenant, was later published by Yale University Press and received praise for its theological insight and scholarly rigor.
Throughout his career, Hahn has emphasized the covenant as the key to understanding salvation history, showing how the biblical narrative reveals a divine plan that unites all of humanity into God's family. His works explore themes such as the Eucharist, the role of Mary, the sacraments, and the authority of the Church, often drawing on the writings of the early Church Fathers to bridge the ancient faith with modern understanding.
He is the author or editor of over forty books, including The Lamb’s Supper, Hail, Holy Queen, First Comes Love, Letter and Spirit, Swear to God, Reasons to Believe, The Creed, The Fourth Cup, and Holy Is His Name. Many of his books have become staples in Catholic households, study groups, and seminaries.
In addition to his writing, Hahn is a highly sought-after speaker, having delivered thousands of lectures across the United States and abroad. He appears regularly on EWTN and has collaborated with Lighthouse Catholic Media to bring his teachings to an even broader audience.
Scott Hahn lives in Ohio with his wife Kimberly. They have six children and numerous grandchildren. Together, the Hahns continue to lead efforts in evangelization and Catholic education, embodying a lifelong commitment to deepening faith and understanding through Scripture and tradition.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 5, 2016
This is the second book I have read in the 30-Minute Read series from Our Sunday Visitor, and the 7th book I have read by Dr. Scott Hahn. And I must say I am loving this series of quick reads. The two I have read so far are excellent and can be read a few times over in a short period to really help the information sink in. This little volume by Dr. Hahn is an excellent resource. Dr. Hahn reminds us that all people will have trials and struggles in life, but if we persevere in faith, and trust in God we will get through it.
Scott Hahn begins with a quote from St. Teresa of Avila, found on a book mark in her breviary: "Let nothing disturb you; Let nothing frighten you. All things are passing. God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Nothing is wanting to him who possesses God. God alone suffices." And what a reminder it is at the beginning of a book on hard times.
The chapters in this booklet are:
1. Is This How You Treat Your Friends?
2. What Are We Waiting For?
3. How Our Father Loves
4. Testing Our Faith
5. Complaining to God
6. Power Made Perfect
7. The Escape Route
8. The Touch of the Cross
An Act of Hope
Each chapter has a main teaching section and a brief one or 2 line take away. And those take away's can really pack a lot of punch. Of the Take Away's my favorite three at this point are:
"Saints and Scriptures teach us that hardship need not make us unhappy."
"All love requires sacrifice."
"The sacraments provide our way of escape through troubles."
There are many things to love about this little book. First Scott Hahn writes in such an accessible fashion, even with his theological background. Second ever chapter he proves his points from scripture, quotes from saints or quotes from popes. And finally being fewer than 65 pages the book can be reread when trials and hard times come. It can serve as a reminder time and again on our journey here on earth, on our journey home to Heaven.
This book ends with a prayer, an act of hope:
"O my God, relying on your almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of your grace and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen."
And this book helps remind us where that hope comes from, who that hope is in and on what we trust and believe.
An excellent read, thank you Dr. Hahn and Our Sunday Visitor.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Scott Hahn.
(Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)
Scott Hahn begins with a quote from St. Teresa of Avila, found on a book mark in her breviary: "Let nothing disturb you; Let nothing frighten you. All things are passing. God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Nothing is wanting to him who possesses God. God alone suffices." And what a reminder it is at the beginning of a book on hard times.
The chapters in this booklet are:
1. Is This How You Treat Your Friends?
2. What Are We Waiting For?
3. How Our Father Loves
4. Testing Our Faith
5. Complaining to God
6. Power Made Perfect
7. The Escape Route
8. The Touch of the Cross
An Act of Hope
Each chapter has a main teaching section and a brief one or 2 line take away. And those take away's can really pack a lot of punch. Of the Take Away's my favorite three at this point are:
"Saints and Scriptures teach us that hardship need not make us unhappy."
"All love requires sacrifice."
"The sacraments provide our way of escape through troubles."
There are many things to love about this little book. First Scott Hahn writes in such an accessible fashion, even with his theological background. Second ever chapter he proves his points from scripture, quotes from saints or quotes from popes. And finally being fewer than 65 pages the book can be reread when trials and hard times come. It can serve as a reminder time and again on our journey here on earth, on our journey home to Heaven.
This book ends with a prayer, an act of hope:
"O my God, relying on your almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of your grace and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen."
And this book helps remind us where that hope comes from, who that hope is in and on what we trust and believe.
An excellent read, thank you Dr. Hahn and Our Sunday Visitor.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Scott Hahn.
(Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)
January 8, 2020
Very good for what it is--a short, fast book that won't overwhelm someone who may be looking to God for answers and help. Absolutely packed with biblical references. It was only a 4-star for me until the last couple chapters that focus on prayer and the sacraments. It has deep concepts and is a good jump-start. I'd also recommend "Searching for and Maintaining Peace" (Philippe) as another small, hopeful book. Sometimes "small" is all one can manage.
August 5, 2021
Great thirty minute read. Uplifting and inspiring. This was great to carry in my purse to be pulled out whenever I was in a line or sitting before Mass. Love Scott Hahn!
November 29, 2010
Reason for Reading: I picked this book up simply because it was by Scott Hahn, not because I was going through any particular "Hard Time", though I was/am dealing with an ongoing health issues. However just as I had started to read this book I put it down for a short while as it hit too close to home as a health issue became more serious and I was (am) experiencing what the book calls hard times. Then, when I was ready, I picked it up again.
This is a brief little book; small enough to fit in your purse or a coat pocket and believe me it is one you will want to carry around with you as it is filled with little gems of wisdom and advice. Scott Hahn shows us through Scripture and the words of the early saints that life. is. hard. It is supposed to be hard; but we can deal with it because God loves us. The hard times will end and it is even possible to rejoice in suffering as Hahn reminds us with gems of wisdom such as "If we didn't have the hard times, we wouldn't know God loved us."
Hahn talks of the suffering in the Old Testament, God loves us even when he says no, we are often tested in our faith by the hard times, it's OK to complain *to* God,"he can take it", just not *about* God, (over 40% of the psalms are complaining). All this is filled with wonderful quotes from scripture, the saints, and Hahn's own insightful one-liners. Then he tells us where to get our strength from, God's strength, the strength Jesus had, that never leaves us if we are there to receive it. This little gem will be in my purse and is already starting to show wear from how many times I've re-read certain parts. Highly recommended.
This is a brief little book; small enough to fit in your purse or a coat pocket and believe me it is one you will want to carry around with you as it is filled with little gems of wisdom and advice. Scott Hahn shows us through Scripture and the words of the early saints that life. is. hard. It is supposed to be hard; but we can deal with it because God loves us. The hard times will end and it is even possible to rejoice in suffering as Hahn reminds us with gems of wisdom such as "If we didn't have the hard times, we wouldn't know God loved us."
Hahn talks of the suffering in the Old Testament, God loves us even when he says no, we are often tested in our faith by the hard times, it's OK to complain *to* God,"he can take it", just not *about* God, (over 40% of the psalms are complaining). All this is filled with wonderful quotes from scripture, the saints, and Hahn's own insightful one-liners. Then he tells us where to get our strength from, God's strength, the strength Jesus had, that never leaves us if we are there to receive it. This little gem will be in my purse and is already starting to show wear from how many times I've re-read certain parts. Highly recommended.
March 9, 2012
For a small book, this one is anything but superficial. It is perfect for anyone who really want to sink his teeth into the substance of the faith, but who may not have a great deal of time to devote to the study.
I read this while I was at a Bible study concerning 2 Corinthians. I found that these when together exceedingly well, as Paul spoke a great deal about suffering.
I read this while I was at a Bible study concerning 2 Corinthians. I found that these when together exceedingly well, as Paul spoke a great deal about suffering.
June 1, 2024
Scott Hahn - nu cred că poți fi dezamăgit de vreo carte de-a lui. Cartea asta e de recitit oricând, mai ales când treci prin vremuri grele, pentru că capitolele sunt în așa fel alcătuite, încât îți reorientează toată viață spre esențial: comuniunea cu Dumnezeu.
April 18, 2010
GREAT Scriptural based advice for ANYONE! Highly recommend it!
January 2, 2017
This is very uplifting when you are feeling a lot of pain. I continue to refer to it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews