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When Life Is Hard
"Life is hard right now, and I just don't know what to do." When life is hard—really hard—we often spend all our time pleading, begging, yelling, refusing, and questioning. While none of these things are necessarily unusual, they are missing the ultimate point. When life is hard, when things get ugly, when all hope seems to be lost… that is when we are able to display the superiority of God by leaning on His promises and truths.
Working his way through five questions we've all had run through our heads, trusted pastor James MacDonald helps us understand what we should do in the midst of God told us to expect trials, so don’t be surprised when they come. Grow when they come. Find hope when they come.
Working his way through five questions we've all had run through our heads, trusted pastor James MacDonald helps us understand what we should do in the midst of God told us to expect trials, so don’t be surprised when they come. Grow when they come. Find hope when they come.
204 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2009
38 people are currently reading
292 people want to read
About the author
James MacDonald
260 books105 followersJames MacDonald (D. Min. Phoenix Seminary) is married to his high school sweetheart, Kathy, and both are from Ontario, Canada. He is the father of three grown children, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and grandfather to four amazing grandsons. James’ ministry focuses on the unapologetic proclamation of God’s Word. In 1988, along with a small group of ministry partners, James and Kathy planted Harvest Bible Chapel which has grown to 13,000 people each weekend, meeting in six locations.
In 1997, a Bible-teaching broadcast ministry called Walk in the Word was established, now reaching more than three million people weekly. In 2002, a church planting ministry called Harvest Bible Fellowship was born and has established more than 70 churches across North America and around the world. James’ vision is that God will use him to help plant 1,000 churches in his lifetime.
James’ extensive ministry also includes a training center for pastors, a year-round camp, a biblical counseling center, a disaster recovery organization, and a Christian school—all used to reach more people with the life-changing message of the Gospel.
Now impacting millions of lives annually, God’s favor upon these ministries has been described by James as “abundantly baffling.” The MacDonalds’ view their ministry as proof that God still uses broken vessels to pour out His grace.
In 1997, a Bible-teaching broadcast ministry called Walk in the Word was established, now reaching more than three million people weekly. In 2002, a church planting ministry called Harvest Bible Fellowship was born and has established more than 70 churches across North America and around the world. James’ vision is that God will use him to help plant 1,000 churches in his lifetime.
James’ extensive ministry also includes a training center for pastors, a year-round camp, a biblical counseling center, a disaster recovery organization, and a Christian school—all used to reach more people with the life-changing message of the Gospel.
Now impacting millions of lives annually, God’s favor upon these ministries has been described by James as “abundantly baffling.” The MacDonalds’ view their ministry as proof that God still uses broken vessels to pour out His grace.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 6, 2011
This is the perfect book for those who feel that they are somehow failing in their faith, or that God is somehow failing them, when they encounter seasons of suffering and difficulty in life. When I hear Christian teaching that promises that everything will be sunshine and rainbows if you have enough faith, I wonder two things:
1 - Where on earth do they get this idea in the first place, since Christ suffered and died and most of the apostles were martyred after living lives of persecution and imprisonment?
2 - Even if they believe it, how do they reconcile it with day to day reality in a suffering, broken world?
The book outlines a solidly biblical perspective on suffering and pain, one that will help you abandon distorted images of God that can plunge you into despair when the storms of life inevitably show up. No book can give a tidy, comprehensive answer to the problem of pain (you might even argue some theological points with MacDonald), but there are some liberating foundational principles and essential truths in this book that all Christians should be able to agree on.
1 - Where on earth do they get this idea in the first place, since Christ suffered and died and most of the apostles were martyred after living lives of persecution and imprisonment?
2 - Even if they believe it, how do they reconcile it with day to day reality in a suffering, broken world?
The book outlines a solidly biblical perspective on suffering and pain, one that will help you abandon distorted images of God that can plunge you into despair when the storms of life inevitably show up. No book can give a tidy, comprehensive answer to the problem of pain (you might even argue some theological points with MacDonald), but there are some liberating foundational principles and essential truths in this book that all Christians should be able to agree on.
October 17, 2012
I attended a bible study conducted by my friend/co-worker at the time and this book was used as our study material. It also had a video that went along with the book. We would watch the video one week and the next week go through a chapter. I really miss these bible studies.
The workbook was amazing as was the video. Its been a while since I did this workbook, but I learned so much about trials and how to get through difficult times. It really helped me to understand the bible more in depth as well. I went to church since I was very little, but I think I learned more about the bible just from this workbook than all my years at church. One of the best parts of this workbook was just that.....it's a workbook. You not only read the chapters, but you have to fill in certain things that pertain to your life. I was going through my divorce while I was reading this book and dealing with some other big issues in my life.
I highly recommend you read this workbook. I recommend actually that you start up a bible study group and do this workbook together!
The workbook was amazing as was the video. Its been a while since I did this workbook, but I learned so much about trials and how to get through difficult times. It really helped me to understand the bible more in depth as well. I went to church since I was very little, but I think I learned more about the bible just from this workbook than all my years at church. One of the best parts of this workbook was just that.....it's a workbook. You not only read the chapters, but you have to fill in certain things that pertain to your life. I was going through my divorce while I was reading this book and dealing with some other big issues in my life.
I highly recommend you read this workbook. I recommend actually that you start up a bible study group and do this workbook together!
May 11, 2010
MY REVIEW:
No matter if your life is hard or easy or somewhere in between right now, this book is for YOU. As the back cover says: "Find Hope. Right Here. Right now."
I picked up this book to read for review knowing that it would be good, but completely unaware of just how good it would be. James unpacks 4 scripture passages and what they each mean to us when we face various trials - big or small. Not only does this book open up new thoughts and understanding on timeless passages, but it also gives practical ways of applying what you are learning and ideas for processing and dealing with the trials you are or will face.
When Life Is Hard is real and despite the hard subject, this book is refreshing, uplifting, and incredibly challenging in an invigorating way. It is deep stuff explained in simple terms. It is biblical truth in a format that is easy to follow and read. You will be encouraged by this book no matter what you reading level or skills are. James MacDonald ministers to you from personal experience and a relationship with Jesus Christ. This messages hits home no matter where home may be. It is a must-read and must-own for any Christian, but especially for anyone in full-time ministry.
* * * * *
This book was provided for review courtesy of Moody Publishing. However, the opinions expressed in this review are solely that of the reviewer - Mandy.
No matter if your life is hard or easy or somewhere in between right now, this book is for YOU. As the back cover says: "Find Hope. Right Here. Right now."
I picked up this book to read for review knowing that it would be good, but completely unaware of just how good it would be. James unpacks 4 scripture passages and what they each mean to us when we face various trials - big or small. Not only does this book open up new thoughts and understanding on timeless passages, but it also gives practical ways of applying what you are learning and ideas for processing and dealing with the trials you are or will face.
When Life Is Hard is real and despite the hard subject, this book is refreshing, uplifting, and incredibly challenging in an invigorating way. It is deep stuff explained in simple terms. It is biblical truth in a format that is easy to follow and read. You will be encouraged by this book no matter what you reading level or skills are. James MacDonald ministers to you from personal experience and a relationship with Jesus Christ. This messages hits home no matter where home may be. It is a must-read and must-own for any Christian, but especially for anyone in full-time ministry.
* * * * *
This book was provided for review courtesy of Moody Publishing. However, the opinions expressed in this review are solely that of the reviewer - Mandy.
March 4, 2010
Definitely one of the best biblical books on this subject, as its author wrote it while going through cancer and other issues. Good for keeping things in perspective.
July 8, 2019
This book got me through some tough times. If anybody is going through a trial or storm and they feel like God is far away then this book is for you.
October 10, 2017
This book has no easy answers, just like there are no easy answers in life or an escape from the hardships of life. But MacDonald offers insight to how God wants us to respond and cope when we are suffering and how He uses the difficulties to shape us for own benefit. I recommend this book to anyone as a friend did to me even though it is a very challenging book to read (think of it as tough love).
July 18, 2019
A really good book even if your life isn't hard. Every trial you will face is allowed by God for our ultimate good. Trials don't have to steal our joy. God is never more present than when His children are suffering. Until we embrace our trials in unwavering submission to God, we will not reap the good. Read it. You won't be sorry.
October 25, 2020
Every person needs to read this book whether life is hard right now or not. If you haven’t gone through a serious trial you will and this book will help bring you back to the center and heart of God.
May 21, 2021
It is hard to call it a trial of the Lord when you over extend your finances instead of being a good steward of them. Trials of the Lord of illnesses you didn't cause and things like that, so it was really hard to dig into the book...
June 14, 2018
If you are going through a struggle, want no holds approach on how to handle it from Godly biblical perspective. This book will help you.
December 17, 2018
The author lovingly presents Gods answers when your life is not just hard but devastated by an event
Listen to the CDs as well
Listen to the CDs as well
February 25, 2017
There are times in life when we all need a little bit of help. When this happens, some turn to medication, others turn to friends/family, while still others may see counselors. All are valid methods of coping. There is another group, however, who prefer to turn to the printed page (ie "self help books") in order to find some comfort. "When Life Is Hard" is one of those self-help books, written from a Christian perspective.
The basis of the book is to help those struggling with one poor life situation or another find comfort in the scriptures and try to reconcile a world in which bad things happen. In this sense, "When Life Is Hard" provides some good words of wisdom about the subject. Of course, as human beings, we are not entirely privy to God's overall plan, so this book is obviously going to be short on "proof", so to speak. Author James MacDonald, as helpful as he may try to be, does not "have all the answers". Instead, he provides some of his own personal insights mixed with scripture that deals with the subject.
The one problem with this book? I really feel like it could have been organized better. Though each chapter gives good advice and food for they, they kind of seem like non sequiturs, without an overall goal of tying everything together. Also, I think the book struggles with what type of text it wants to be. At times, it is a workbook with exercises, while at other times it is author MacDonald relaying his information. Perhaps both of those things do have a purpose in this book, but I wish they could have been separated out a bit better. Every time I felt like I was really "getting into" MacDonald's train of thought about something, it would get broken up by a prompt to do an exercise (perhaps those could have all been put in the back or something?).
Overall, though, "When Life Is Hard" is generally a great resource for people who are struggling with something. All too often, struggles lead to emotional retreat instead of acceptance and growth, so it is always nice to have these kind of books around to provide some support in a time of need.
The basis of the book is to help those struggling with one poor life situation or another find comfort in the scriptures and try to reconcile a world in which bad things happen. In this sense, "When Life Is Hard" provides some good words of wisdom about the subject. Of course, as human beings, we are not entirely privy to God's overall plan, so this book is obviously going to be short on "proof", so to speak. Author James MacDonald, as helpful as he may try to be, does not "have all the answers". Instead, he provides some of his own personal insights mixed with scripture that deals with the subject.
The one problem with this book? I really feel like it could have been organized better. Though each chapter gives good advice and food for they, they kind of seem like non sequiturs, without an overall goal of tying everything together. Also, I think the book struggles with what type of text it wants to be. At times, it is a workbook with exercises, while at other times it is author MacDonald relaying his information. Perhaps both of those things do have a purpose in this book, but I wish they could have been separated out a bit better. Every time I felt like I was really "getting into" MacDonald's train of thought about something, it would get broken up by a prompt to do an exercise (perhaps those could have all been put in the back or something?).
Overall, though, "When Life Is Hard" is generally a great resource for people who are struggling with something. All too often, struggles lead to emotional retreat instead of acceptance and growth, so it is always nice to have these kind of books around to provide some support in a time of need.
January 6, 2013
This is the first book that taught me about my suffering from a Christian perspective. I had troubles in life but nothing like I was facing at the time I got this book. It helped me to understand why I could possibly be suffering and lead me down a path to uncover wisdom and discernment in my life...
September 13, 2017
A great read for someone who is in a trial,or has came out of a trial. A great book for understanding the Lords purpose for a trial for growth and to become more like Christ ( The refiners fire ) I Highly recommend this book.
December 9, 2012
This book is very encouraging especially for the trial we are on and facing. James shares with the reader his heart, failures and struggles through his trials. I absolutely encourage those struggling to pick up this book!
February 19, 2010
Very good and thorough instruction on facing hardship. I love Dr McDonalds writing!
April 12, 2011
LOVED IT! I was deeply moved by this well-written book on suffering.
March 30, 2011
Great concepts that show the promises of God and how those concepts bless our lives.
September 1, 2011
Good book to read if you are going through I tough time.
April 19, 2012
Read with stephen's ministry group. it's ok
September 2, 2012
Definitely helped get me through some rough times.
February 18, 2014
One of the best books on suffering that I've ever read!
February 2, 2016
Another top twenty book for me. Love what it says about God using suffering to sanctify us in our walk with HIM and grow us into HIS likeness.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews