God is incredible. I have felt that I owe a big thanks to Bo for writing and sharing you and your family's testimony with all of us. So thank you so much for allowing God's love and work in your lives. I do not think I have really thought about what to do when I face that Really Big Battle. I feel like I am better equipped, and know that when I start to drown or feel overwhelmed-- I can close my eyes and ears to the sounds of the raging storm and just know that God has me and I can ever rely on Him.
A few Christians I know have gone through some serious hardships in their lifetime. I tend to question--How is it that they still claim God loving or good? Or Why did they withdraw from God whom they used to call good and all loving? It seems that we all have tough situations in our lives that are momentous, life changing, and even tragic. Author Bo recounts her Really Big Battle that changed her and her family's life forever, and I feel like one can see how God can make your pain, suffering, situation regardless of what it is...beautiful. Where instead of bitterness, hatred, misgivings---one will find the Balm of Gilead right there with you every step you take.
If you are facing some hard situations, I highly recommend this book. If you ever really want to find out how God is good in the good times and in the rough patches of life--I'd recommend this book for you. This book is a testimony of how God uses all things to glorify Him and for His purposes. In the back of my mind there was a gnawing thought of why God would ever choose to use the tool of suffering to "glorify" Him especially since it just doesn't seem right. Through reading this book, I found my answer and that gnawing thought is silenced by the awe of God's bigger and greater picture, to save lives. How we respond to the battlefields we face and trials can determine how little or how much God can use you! Bo offers some really practical and very insightful strategies to help guide us along as we fight our daily battles.
One of the Strategies I found very helpful is making a list of close friends and family members that I could call on when I feel like I need a pick me up or I'm losing it. When I feel down and out I know that my tendency is to just crawl up in a ball and shut out the world. But I am challenged to call out to my life lines so to speak--that others can bring help and offer their support and prayers when I need it! Or even a meal or something. It is such a good point because the enemy wants to divide us and single us out as easy targets.
Another one of my favorite points that has stuck in my mind is knowing that God has gone before us. He has been there in your future. He has walked through our hardships, our good times, etc. He knows what you need. He knows what you face or will face. He will provide for you in your time of need. (Easier typed out and remembered but walking in faith knowing He will provide is a work in progress for me too!)
In short I loved this book, and feel like any believer in any walk of life would benefit greatly from reading this. I feel so honored to have read this book and that she was sharing her struggles with me--I feel like through her sufferings I am enabled to face my own struggles and battles and come out "better" instead of bitter, closer instead of farther from God, and my life fruitful and full of life because of surrendering to Him
Ready to dive into this book?
Check it out here: Beautiful Battlefields
And read more reviews and more about Author Bo Sterns!
Disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book via Litfuse Publicity Group for the purposes of this review. All opinions are my own.
