Tough Times

A review of:

For These Tough Times:
Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope and Healing
by Max Lucado

I have enjoyed reading books by Max Lucado in the past, and this little book was no exception. Mr. Lucado is a master with words and uses simple language to paint word pictures showing how much God loves and cares for us. This book encourages readers to focus on God and to trust that the one who rules the universe is not affected by our problems. It reminds us that although Satan is powerful, he is not as powerful as God, and only has the power that God permits. It emphasizes that God listens and acts when we pray, and reassures us that when our loved ones die, they go to be with God. The book ends with a prayer citing examples from the Bible of good things that God made come from bad situations and the plea to God to “Do it again.”

The copyright page of this book states that “Most of the material for this book has been adapted from America Looks Up, The Great House of God, In the Grip of Grace, and When Christ Comes.” I have not read some of these books, so I cannot comment on how much of this book contains ideas repeated from the other books.

At first I was surprised at the small size of this book, but I realized that when I am experiencing tough times I don't always have the time or energy to read a lot. This little book is the perfect size to slip in my purse for a quick dose of encouragement when I need it.

I gave this book four stars out of five on Amazon.com.