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In Trying Times, Just Keep Trying!
What do you do when the storms of life leave you battered and bruised? When life seems chaotic on every level and there is no relief in sight? When the very worst thing you can imagine happens to you ? One thing is certain. It is in those moments of testing and trial that we truly come to know what we're made of. In our anguish, we discover that certain choices must be made. Choices that can either open or close the door to receiving divine help. Choices that can reveal great opportunities for growth that may be experience in no other way. Choices that can help us develop a plan of attack and find tranquility in the midst of turmoil. Choices that can lead us to paths of humility, of healing, and of letting go. In her most powerful book to date, author Merrilee Boyack examines the essential choices that confront each of us in trying times and offers insight and encouragement to just keep trying.
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 9, 2017
Fascinating book about a woman's breast cancer ordeal and how she got through it by increasing her spiritual strength and striving to keep trying. I can see myself using some of her ideas for my much lighter trying times. Recommend this book to anyone who is having a hard time dealing with their personal trials.
November 2, 2015
I just adore Merrilee Boyack! I go to her class at Education week every year (even tho I'm too embarrassed to actually talk to her). I love that I can hear her voice and see her mannerisms in my head.
I'm not necessarily in a rough stage right now {tho I don't want to broadcast that too loudly and bring on the trials}, but I always love the upbeat, positive messages Merrilee shares. And so I read this, having heard of these experiences in her classes over the years, but still loving the uplifting theme of the book and enjoying the journey. I took several notes and, as always, look forward to implementing what I've learned from her.
This is a great book that I would recommend to everyone!
I'm not necessarily in a rough stage right now {tho I don't want to broadcast that too loudly and bring on the trials}, but I always love the upbeat, positive messages Merrilee shares. And so I read this, having heard of these experiences in her classes over the years, but still loving the uplifting theme of the book and enjoying the journey. I took several notes and, as always, look forward to implementing what I've learned from her.
This is a great book that I would recommend to everyone!
August 8, 2017
Merrilee Boyack wrote this book during one of the most trying years of her life: she was serving in a major church calling, volunteering in her community, and running for political office; her husband was laid off from his job; she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy. I haven't had those same trials, but this year has been a rough one in a lot of ways for me -- so I appreciated the authenticity and real-ness of the author. It's good to see an example of one who has days where they feel like wailing or hiding in bed -- and how they pick themselves up and carry on in faith.
What I enjoyed most in this book were the encouraging quotes from the Brethren that she wove into her narrative. Here are a few:
"The great test of life is to see whether we will hearken to and obey God's commands in the midst of the storms of life. It is not to endure storms, but to choose the right while they rage." -Henry B. Eyring
"We cannot expect to live in a time when men's hearts will fail them except the faithful experience a few fibrillations themselves. We won't be entirely immune from feelings that go with these fibrillations. Though our view of eternity is reasonably clear, it is often our view of the next mile which may be obscured! Hence the need for the constancy of the gift of the Holy Ghost. I think you will see this a number of times in your lives. You have cast your minds forward and are fixed on the things of eternity, and all of that is proper and good, but there is sometimes fog in the next hundred yards. You can make it through, but don't be surprised when it is the short-term obscurity through which you must pass as a result of your faith in the long-termed things." -Neal A. Maxwell
"Inwardly and anxiously we may worry ... that an omniscient and loving God sees more stretch in us than we feel we have. Hence when God is actually lifting us up, we may feel He is letting us down." -Neal A. Maxwell
"Remaining true to our Christian principles is the only way divine influence can help us. The Spirit has a near-impossible task to get through to a heart that is filled with hate or anger or vengeance or self-pity. Those are all antithetical to the Spirit of the Lord. On the other hand, the Spirit finds instant access to a heart striving to be charitable and forgiving, long-suffering and kind -- principles of true discipleship." -Jeffrey R. Holland
"I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us. My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith." -Thomas S. Monson
"Exercising agency in a setting that sometimes includes opposition and hardship is what makes life more than a simple multiple-choice test. God is interested in what we are becoming as a result of our choices. He is not satisfied in our exercise of moral agency is simply a robotic effort at keeping some rules. Our Savior wants us to become something, no just do some things. He is endeavoring to make us independently strong -- more able to act for ourselves than perhaps those of any prior generation. We must be righteous, even when He withdraws His Spirit, or, as President Brigham Young said, even 'in the dark.'" -D. Todd Christofferson
What I enjoyed most in this book were the encouraging quotes from the Brethren that she wove into her narrative. Here are a few:
"The great test of life is to see whether we will hearken to and obey God's commands in the midst of the storms of life. It is not to endure storms, but to choose the right while they rage." -Henry B. Eyring
"We cannot expect to live in a time when men's hearts will fail them except the faithful experience a few fibrillations themselves. We won't be entirely immune from feelings that go with these fibrillations. Though our view of eternity is reasonably clear, it is often our view of the next mile which may be obscured! Hence the need for the constancy of the gift of the Holy Ghost. I think you will see this a number of times in your lives. You have cast your minds forward and are fixed on the things of eternity, and all of that is proper and good, but there is sometimes fog in the next hundred yards. You can make it through, but don't be surprised when it is the short-term obscurity through which you must pass as a result of your faith in the long-termed things." -Neal A. Maxwell
"Inwardly and anxiously we may worry ... that an omniscient and loving God sees more stretch in us than we feel we have. Hence when God is actually lifting us up, we may feel He is letting us down." -Neal A. Maxwell
"Remaining true to our Christian principles is the only way divine influence can help us. The Spirit has a near-impossible task to get through to a heart that is filled with hate or anger or vengeance or self-pity. Those are all antithetical to the Spirit of the Lord. On the other hand, the Spirit finds instant access to a heart striving to be charitable and forgiving, long-suffering and kind -- principles of true discipleship." -Jeffrey R. Holland
"I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us. My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith." -Thomas S. Monson
"Exercising agency in a setting that sometimes includes opposition and hardship is what makes life more than a simple multiple-choice test. God is interested in what we are becoming as a result of our choices. He is not satisfied in our exercise of moral agency is simply a robotic effort at keeping some rules. Our Savior wants us to become something, no just do some things. He is endeavoring to make us independently strong -- more able to act for ourselves than perhaps those of any prior generation. We must be righteous, even when He withdraws His Spirit, or, as President Brigham Young said, even 'in the dark.'" -D. Todd Christofferson
January 11, 2011
The first book I read from Boyack was "Toss the Guilt and Catch the Joy" and thought it was just mediocre...there were things I didn't agree with her on. I never imagined myself picking up another one of her books to read (that's how unimpressed I was with that particular book). However, after hearing her speak this past Nov., I was quite impressed by her insights and perspective that I ended up buying this book (her most recent), "In Trying Times, Just Keep Trying!" She wrote this book while in the middle of some major trials and tribulations (TnT, is what she calls them). She has breast cancer, she's regional director for the Prop.8 bill in CA, she's a part-time lawyer and author and speaker, she's RS Pres. in her ward, she is running for city council re-election, her husband loses his job, and they are unable to sell their home because of some surprise problems...all taking place at once! She cracked me up, made me cry, strengthened my testimony in my Savior, taught how to move forward when in crisis...the list goes on and on. I thought her insignts on familiar scripture stories were fresh and new(particularly Abraham & Issac) as well. She quoted Pres. Monson at the end, "...there will be nothing in this world that can defeat us...the future is as bright as your faith." Her message is- we choose. We choose to learn. We choose to love and live. We choose to fight. We choose to let go and heal. We choose to move forward. We choose to be faithful and have find joy!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2011
I heard Merrilee Boyack speak at Time Out For Women this year. I had read 2 of her other books and I was looking forward to her presentation. After hearing her speak, I think enjoy her as a writer more than a speaker, I'm sure exactly WHY...just the way I feel. I bought In Trying Times, Just Keep Trying! that day. Anyway, this is a really good book if you feel like the person on the cover, trying to push a boulder up a hill. In the past few years I have definitely felt that way.
Merrilee Boyack has gone through some really difficult things, like her husband's unemployment and breast cancer at the same time. She wrote about all the things that came crashing down on her and how she dealt with them. She offers a lot of good advice how to cope with challenges. This was a fairly short book and my only complaint was that I wish it was longer. I own a copy that I'd be happy to loan out.
Merrilee Boyack has gone through some really difficult things, like her husband's unemployment and breast cancer at the same time. She wrote about all the things that came crashing down on her and how she dealt with them. She offers a lot of good advice how to cope with challenges. This was a fairly short book and my only complaint was that I wish it was longer. I own a copy that I'd be happy to loan out.
May 12, 2016
This was a wonderful book that was very uplifting. The author gave real, applicable advice and concrete things to do to help you endure and keep perspective during major trials in life. It inspired me to want to be more positive, cheerful, grateful, and humble as I'm facing difficult challenges and heartaches; and to develop a deeper, more meaningful faith in Christ and relationship with Heavenly Father. It also taught me the importance of continually building up reservoirs of strength, courage, and faith to be readily available for when our trials become unbearable. I highly recommend this book for anyone going through some difficult trials.
October 8, 2011
This is a very inspiring and encouraging book. For one thing, unless you've had a year just like Boyack's year discussed in the book, you will just feel grateful for your own life. :) But, as a Latter Day saint and citing LDS canon and quotes, Merrilee Boyack shares inspiration and strength she received while facing breast cancer, a fight for reelection, the anxiety attending Proposition 8 (as an advocate for Prop 8), and many other personal challenges. This book left me feeling peaceful and hopeful while at the same time remembering again that life is meant to be difficult, and that's really okay. Very nice book! :)
Read
March 23, 2025At the beginning of Boyack's inspirational book she tells us that this isn't a story of how she faced a hard time and overcame the challenge. She admits up front that she's still in the middle of the hard times.
She goes on to tell about all the different things that piled up on her: the request to head the Prop 8 campaign against gay marriage in the area of California in which she lived, a diagnosis of breast cancer, the loss of her husband's job, the inability to sell their home to bring in some much needed income.
This woman's got one phenomenal attitude, however. I really enjoyed her story and wish I could meet her in person.
She goes on to tell about all the different things that piled up on her: the request to head the Prop 8 campaign against gay marriage in the area of California in which she lived, a diagnosis of breast cancer, the loss of her husband's job, the inability to sell their home to bring in some much needed income.
This woman's got one phenomenal attitude, however. I really enjoyed her story and wish I could meet her in person.
September 3, 2010
I don't usually like "rah-rah" books meant to cheer us on, but someone I respect a great deal recommended this book. I really liked Boyack's parenting books and I was interested in her personal struggle of breast cancer and her involvement in the Prop 8 constroversy in CA so I gave this book a whirl. I like that she wrote the book in the middle of her trials rather than waiting until it was over and speaking from hindsight. Moments of this book were worth 5 stars--I got out my pen and underlined parts--but most of the rest of the book was two stars for me. A little to rah-rah.
July 8, 2011
Really touching book, especially since I've read all of her others. Boyack is usually so happy-go-lucky that it was interesting to see her in her darkest times. Like anyone with a rock solid testimony of the Savior, she does rise above her challenges, but not without a little kicking and screaming along the way. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I appreciated seeing how 'real' she is and being able to watch her learn and grow through this difficult experience in her life. She's definitely an inspiration to me.
May 28, 2010
I am actually not quite done with the book, but I couldn't wait to do my review on it. I would give this book a 10 if I could. It is things I have heard so many times, but the way the author says them just hits straight to my heart. I would recommend this to anyone, whether they are in trying times or not. Just a side note, my sister read this book and was so affected by it, she emailed the author and she sent back a personal email to my sister. It was really neat.
February 3, 2011
I love this author because she just puts it out there and tells it like it is and doesn't try to sugarcoat the hard parts of life. She does this thought with humor, hope and optimism for better days ahead. She gave me a few things to think about. Especially the chapter toward the end where she is battling cancer that has wrecked havoc on her body and she prays to feel beautiful and like herself. That is advice I related with.
May 31, 2010
Read this in one sitting. I appreciated Merrilee's willingness to write while in the middle of a lot of hard stuff...a reminder that life is hard at times for all of us. Even as our trials differ, the truths that can help us remain the same. As always, she explores a lot of great ideas and thoughts and truths about getting through hard times and enduring well.
July 1, 2010
I liked this book ok. The author has such a positive attitude even though she has more than her share of trials. She has a wonderful sense of humor (I heard her in person at a Time Out for Women event). There were some real nuggets of wisdom, but overall the book was fairly repetitive and pretty simple. An easy and fast read.
August 7, 2010
Another good book from Merilee Boyack. This one has lots of good ideas for living with trials. Not as light-hearted as some of her earlier books. Merilee talks about her battle with breast cancer and shares he experiences working as a regional representative for the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign in California.
September 2, 2010
This was a good book about overcoming trials from someone who admits she is still in the middle of hers and doesn't have all the answers. Merrilee Boyack uses her strong testimony and sense of humor to explain how she is learning to overcome the challenges in her life and gives the reader hope that they can survive too.
June 14, 2011
I absolutely loved this book. I loved the humor and her testimony as she described how she continued forward in faith through her challenges. I have typed many inspiring quotes from her book and posted them throughout my house to help me as I feel discouraged. I checked this book out from the library but I need to purchase it so I can refer to it.
August 29, 2011
Good book, very uplifting. I didn't really learn anything from it, but I appreciated someone writing a book during a hard time in their life and talking about how they were getting through it. It was probably more of a help to the author than to the readers, but it was good to read just how tough life can get and know that you can still make it through.
February 28, 2012
This was recommended to me by a friend who just went through open heart surgery. This book has some great ideas for surviving the hard things we go through. It's a book for everyone in that we all have trials. Boyack says if you aren't going through something right now, wait a few minutes, something will happen. I didn't find any of the information new; it was just a great reminder.
April 9, 2010
Inspirational!!!! If you've ever gone through adversity this is a great book! Just Keep Trying validates the lessons that you've learned while overcoming extreme challenges. I loved her cheerful, but realistic, way of facing challenges!
August 12, 2010
I am leading a discussion in RS for our Summer Literacy night on this book-so if you have any graet comments, discussion questions or stories about this book or how it effected your life please send them in!
January 24, 2011
I liked this book so much I bought one to give to a friend who is going thru a hard time. Great practical and uplifting solutions to get through the challenges that arise in life with faith, patience and maybe even a smile.
December 28, 2010
This book was a good book for me to read right now. Life has had its ups and downs the past 2 1/2 years. This was just what I needed to , as the book says, to "Just Keep Trying". I would like to blog on this, to go more in-depth, about what I learned from reading this book.
November 15, 2011
Hands down the best book I read in 2011 and maybe even the past decade. It was life changing for me. It's the ultimate book on attitude, trials, enduring, and testimony! I loved it. Definitely a book needed in everyone's home library. I will revisit it again and again.
February 28, 2010
I can't believe what the author went through. I need to buy my own copy of this book to read when I am feeling overwhelmed and challenged. It is a fast read, well worth the time.
June 8, 2010
I'll add my notes for this soon:)
April 1, 2010
We love this author and hearing about her experience with breast cancer felt like hearing it from a friend. She inspires me to be a better woman yet never makes me feel guilty for not being perfect.
June 11, 2010
I love Merrilee Boyack. She has amazing insight. This book drew me in very quickly. She is an amazing lady, with an amazing story to tell.
October 20, 2011
Could not get into this book. The first chapter made me feel like I could never feel like my life was hard at all. Haven't had a desire to pick it back up so I'm calling it.
January 27, 2011
I would like to give this book to every woman I know.
If you aren't in the middle of a crisis right now, you will be by the end of the day. This book gives great insight to dealing with trials.
If you aren't in the middle of a crisis right now, you will be by the end of the day. This book gives great insight to dealing with trials.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews