A Book Review

Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain by Paul Meier and David Livingstone Henderson

Uncovering the hidden potential in life's most common struggles.

If you are the type of person who writes notes in margins and uses a highlighter, this is the book for you. I promise you will have something on every page. It has taken me a long time to review this book because it is just packed with excellent information that comes to you straight from scripture. I love scripture and I really love it when someone gives me their example of how to apply it to life-now in this place and time. If you are not a Christian and you have wondered what exactly Christians believe, this book will tell it to you in the very beginning. If you are a Christian and you want to impact someone's life who is struggling, recommend this book to them.

Whatever your pain, whatever your struggle-this book will address it. AND, it will guide you in the right steps to move past it and find the purpose and calling God has for you. It encourages you to explore the things God means for you to accomplish for the Kingdom-once you can move beyond the pain that cripples you.

My favorite part of the book, because I am a grown up middle schooler, is where he compares our lives to a toilet. Sin is the nastiness in the toilet. Why do we let it collect and stink and be disgusting when God will flush it away if we allow Him? Okay-that is not a direct quote, but you get the idea. AND, it is a really good analogy.

This one joins "How to Love Someone You Can't Stand" in my constant re-reading status. One of those books you need to read, wait a while and then come back and read it again.