Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee sunny skies and smooth sailing. In fact, the waters of life are often tumultuous, crashing over us. Sometimes we can feel that we’re drowning in a sea of confusion, division, frustration, complacency, or disillusionment. We need more than a shallow faith to survive these deep waters.Into the Deep is an invitation to dive headfirst into a life of courageous faith. … life of courageous faith. With endearing warmth and authenticity, Lauren Gaskill shares how she and others have learned to swim with Jesus in the deep waters of life—facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, and chronic illness—only to discover a more authentic, enduring faith that cannot be shaken by circumstances. In addition to examining the character of God and the lives of women and men of the Bible who chose to dive deeper with God, she provides practical examples and tools that help us take our faith to the next level by learning to make decisions by faith alone, control our reactions to overwhelming situations, and live a life rooted in love.
Get ready to exchange fear and frustration for the boldness, courage, and holy confidence that lead to a life of deep faith and joy!
more
I never learned to swim and as I read the beginning of this book , I thought oh no I may be in trouble. The author asks which group you fall in comparing faith to swimming. I may be the one who hesitantly exercises faith. Whenever we go through a difficult time, that is the perfect time to lean on our faith. Sometimes we don’t and then wonder what happened. For me it was hitting the bottom of the barrel in my life before I truly understood about faith. The anger that had built up inside of me was too much and I was on the brink of walking away from God. I can’t pinpoint the moment but I know that at some time, I surrendered and said “God, I have little faith but I need you.” It was a turning point in my life.
i really enjoyed this book and how it is set up. Each chapter is about a topic which the author gives great examples that help you apply it to your life.. At the end of each chapter is a Going Deeper section, followed by a prayer. I loved how the author used biblical and real life stories in the book. There are a few chapters I want to touch on. The first is learning to trust. That is a big one for me. I am guilty of wanting to be in control. That does make it hard on God, if I take the reins and leave Him out. When I began to really trust Him, I felt this big weight lifted off me. Now God is in control and I can feel confidant that He has my back.
The other chapter that really caught my attention was about overcoming fear. I have lived with fear all my life and have PTSD. My day is filled will anxiety, depression and fear of everything. It is a hard journey but after reading this chapter, I feel more confidant and assured that my faith will see me through.I enjoyed the example of Job. He really went through so much, yet he showed no fear. His faith was so strong he overcame what the enemy tried to do. God doesn’t want to see us suffer. “He may allow it and use it to purify our faith and draw us deeper into relationship with Him.”
I hope you will grab a copy of this book and let the words soak in has you go deeper into His presence. He is always there waiting with open arms. “He who is strong to save us once is strong to save us for the rest of our lives.”
I received a copy of this book from Read with Audra Blogger Program. The review is my own opinion.
“Into The Deep” is a stirring story of triumph over the challenges of health concerns, all while finding joy in the middle of it all. Lauren Gaskill is the founder of She Found Joy ministries and her story is one that will stick with you long after the read is over.
Lauren shares her journey with chronic pain and Ehlers Danlos syndrome throughout the book. She explains how her walk with Christ has been pushed into the deep waters because of this disease, yet manages to survive the challenges.
Each chapter has a theme that ties to the title, and the book is split into two parts :”Out of The Undertow” and “Swimming With Jesus.” The chapters end with a set of questions for deeper reflection, along with a prayer. Lauren is relatable, honest and her sweet spirit is evident in her writing. She is always edging the reader towards a more optimistic, Christ-centered outlook, no matter how bleak things may be.
I enjoyed the book immensely, learned a lot about my walk with Christ, and found myself using the suggestions Lauren gives to enrich my journey. This book would be a perfect gift for someone who is struggling with facing health challenges, grief, or chaotic time in their lives.
I received an early reader copy from Abingdon Press and chose to review. All opinions are my own.