Most of us long to be in control–of our schedule, our relationships, and our future. Newlywed Laura Story thought she had control over the great life ahead of her. After all, she followed Jesus and had a promising new job as a worship leader. Why would God not want to fulfill her dreams? But when Laura and her husband, Martin, faced a brain tumor, infertility, and a son’s birth defect, she … defect, she realized she’d been looking for a happiness that comes from circumstances, rather than a deeper joy that comes from God. Again and again, Laura had to surrender her vision for her life so she could embrace God’s vision. And again and again she learned that even in the midst of shattered dreams, God’s plan brought greater joy than she could have imagined.
Now the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter known for such hits as “Blessings,” “Indescribable,” and “Mighty to Save” shares her powerful story of finding blessing in her deepest pain. In, I Give Up, Laura explores:
- How to delight in God’s gifts no matter your circumstances.
- Why waiting on God is a daily decision, not a step-by-step process.
- The strength we find from meditating on God’s Word.
- Why surrendering to God leads to reconciliation with others.
- How the things we consider to be losses are ways for God to display his glory.
As Laura writes, she no longer wants to be in control of her life. She wants to be rooted in the God who is in control. I Give Up will help you Discover a deeper life of worship, a fuller life of joy, and a freer life of true surrender as you open your hands to God. And give up.
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This is not a novel, it is more of a devotional. I read a chapter each day, and thoroughly enjoyed her upbeat style and encouragement. She challenges those of us who are Christians to quit struggling and submit to God’s will in our lives. Although Laura has had more than her share of difficulties, she doesn’t dwell on the hard part, but encourages the blessings of letting God take control.
I like Laura’s song and am thankful God has given them grace through their trials. I do feel her book is answers to questions people might have about their own trials but her answers are not that personal. I would have liked to hear more how God met them in a real way and their trust in Him increased greatly!
This book was a Book Bub special so I took a chance on it. The book is about the realities of surrendering your life to God. In the midst of raising kids, having a career, and partnering with her disabled husband, Story has plenty of challenges. She has a seminary degree, so the book is biblical and insightful.
Memoir….Christian living
I read When God Doesn’t Fix It by Laura Story and absolutely loved it so when I found out she was publishing another book I couldn’t wait to read it.
I will admit it took me a while to read this book despite my excitement, because I felt like I wasn’t in the right place to fully grasp the meaning behind it.
In I Give Up: The Secret Joy of a Surrendered Life, Laura takes us through valuable life lessons that helps us learn how to live a surrendered life despite our circumstances.
My favorite part of the book was how Laura pulled key stories from the Bible to further explain the joys that come with living a surrendered life. By pulling from the Bible she was also able to explain and reference that everyone’s walk with Jesus Christ is different. That some people may be called to walk harder lives than others and it’s not because you or I have done something to deserve it.
It simply means, God has a unique plan for each one of us and it has nothing to do with what you or I have done. God loves us equally and without measure so if I’m called to walk a rockier path than someone else that’s okay, because God loves me.
This book greatly puts into perspective my own life and what living a surrendered life to God will do for me.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.*
Best Christian women’s book I’ve read in eons. The author is real, open, heart sharing. I loved the flags of surrender and the purpose for them. I have never considered surrender as an act of worship, but wow!
I love the down to earth and tell it like it is style of Laura Story! She is an inspiration and so is her story.
I love hoe Laura shares her struggles. It offers hope for anyone in a challenging phase of life.
What I have long appreciated about Laura Story’s songs is what I have come to appreciate about her books. She is transparent and honest and writes from her heart and her life experiences. I Give Up is her story of surrender when life didn’t end up quite the way she expected. When life takes an unexpected turn, it is easy for Christians to just put on a happy face because they think that is what they are supposed to do. Ms. Story’s honesty through her struggles to lead worship in the midst of some dark days is raw and honest. The book is an encouragement to those like me who are living a life with struggles that were not in their plan.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
What a personal viewpoint as you read about Laura Story and personal difficulties she and her family have experienced. But as you travel through the pages, you will be touched by her words, sharing of scripture, and uplifting thoughts. Her stories of her family will touch your heart.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I received a copy of this book through #netgalley, but I think I will likely buy “I Give Up” at some point since this is one that I will need to read and reread again. Surrender is never easy. But by referencing Scripture as well as her own “story,” the words ooze with hope and with truth. This book confirmed to me that I really do want what God wants for my life even when the process is not easy.
“Who sits on the throne of your heart?”
Laura Story has written an insightful book exploring our need to surrender it all to God. Using her own experiences going through heartbreaking personal issues as well as numerous biblical examples, she encourages the reader to dig deep and contemplate what place we have given Christ in our lives. Is he the ruler, do we allow him to be in charge of our lives? When we do, we begin to experience the change inside as well as how we relate to others.
Although we all can use a refresher course, I would particularly recommend this book to newer Christians as the biblical references especially help drive home the author’s desire to teach us how to learn to surrender to Him.
I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Reading this book was like sitting in a small group hearing Laura tell her story. Her writing style is warm, vulnerable, and personal. Her life has not gone as she planned: Her husband is still suffering the after-effects of a brain tumor. They had the sorrow of a failed adoption of a child. They had a daughter; then twins; and a new baby that was born with a cleft lip and the challenges that go along with that. But the author also gives much hope as she tells their story. She describes to us how she has anchored her faith daily in the promises of God. Scattered throughout the book are “white flag” prayers of surrender to God that are thoughtful and encouraging.
Young mothers who are going through their child-raising years will very easily identify with much in this book. However, as a senior citizen, it was a call to me to surrender this new season of my life in a new way to God. I’m glad I read this one.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.