Where is God when life is filled with so much suffering? How can I be sure of God’s presence and affection, even in my pain? Can you believe in God and still wrestle with questions and doubt? These are the questions honestly explored in Relentless. Whether in struggle, illness, death, or failure, the presence of pain causes us to question the presence of God. We pray and watch the sky, crossing … crossing our spiritual fingers for hardcore proof of God’s nearness. And in the silence, we sense something more sinister: perceived abandonment.
But what if we could collect evidence that God hasn’t left us? What if we could be absolutely certain of God’s presence and affection, strengthening our faith against any assault?
Woven throughout Scripture sits a single, extraordinary theme: God is with us. Ours is a God who speaks through burning bushes and leads through pillars of fire, who responds to a broken world by giving himself.
Like the Old Testament story of Joshua’s altar of twelve stones, Relentless delivers twelve key biblical stories that demonstrate God’s unfailing presence. Each chapter offers an invitation to identify a “stone” in your own life as tangible evidence of God’s nearness. With the turn of the last page, you will have discovered twelve markers of your own, an altar of memory to carry you through questions and losses, even ones yet to come.
For the truth-seekers, those drowning in impossible questions, and those who find themselves swallowed up by the dark, Relentless is an invitation to search for divine presence in our everyday stories. With Michele Cushatt’s engaging narrative style, this transformational journey reassures us that God, indeed, is with us.
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Transparently, cautiously, Michele Cushatt invites us along on her search for God’s presence, mining the Bible as well as reliable spiritual mentors for help along the way. To anyone who experiences pain, depression, confusion, or simply a nagging sense of life’s unfairness, I recommend Michele Cushatt as a trustworthy guide.
Gosh, I love this book.
I read “Undone,” also by Cushatt, at its release and absolutely adored it, so jumped at the chance to read this one. Her writing style is captivating, raw, honest, and always, always pointing back to Christ—even in the moments where it is impossibly hard to do so.
Cushatt’s story is so powerful, I can’t do it justice here. Just…pick up a copy and discover her heart and God’s power for yourself. She writes so approachably and honestly, it helps me to know I’m not the only one that has asked questions or wondered things. (Hi, I’m Type A and fixed-mindset for most of my life, so I often need permission, or don’t want to do something if it’s not guaranteed success from the get-go.) this book makes me feel more human and normal, I guess you could say, lol!
I also love that Cushatt read the audiobook version herself. When i started reading “Relentless” and seeing what she went through in her cancer battle, I immediately wondered how her voice would sound…couldn’t help it. Curiosity. And it’s just so…powerful. That’s all I got. Crazy power from a crazy-awesome God. He is good, and that goodness is written all over this book, both audio and print. What a fantastic read.
I received a copy of the book from the author. All opinions are my own.
I wept as I read this book. I thought I’d skim it, but it wouldn’t let me go. It is brutally honest and achingly human. If you have ever struggled to find God in your pain, Michele has given us a roadmap. Relentless will shake your faith to the core, and what you will be left with will be real and pure and hope and Jesus.
Cushatt has written a very personal narrative with details of the struggles she’s faced as a result of experiencing oral cancer as well as other challenges.
Frank, real and sometimes raw, Michele shares from her heart the story of God’s faithfulness and His presence, even in the midst of trial and turmoil.
Michele is honest about her questions and fears, yet clings to the unchanging God. She weaves biblical stories into this narrative, for example, connecting the dots between the cultural significance of Joshua’s 12 stones and how habits of remembrance can still impact our lives now.
She writes in a way that is humble, yet candid. You can’t rush through this book–trust me. There’s too much good stuff here!!
This would be an amazing book to share with anyone in your life who has conquered a giant or two in their life. God is faithful, even in the hard.
That’s the story, really, of “Relentless.”
I read an early review copy, thanks to the publisher. All opinions are my own and I chose to review.
Michele explores God’s utter faithfulness amid unrelenting pain and inexplicable circumstances. Pretty much everyone I know is walking through a storm or loves someone who is. Which means everyone needs this book. Read it slowly. Take it in. Your soul will be richer for it.
Michele Cushatt is a rare gem, courageously honest about the raw anguish of her reality while declaring the steadfast beauty of her savior. Michele’s vulnerability strips away every Christian cliche and dives into the gutwrenching search for a God who never leaves us. This book will challenge you and change you!
In Relentless, Michele Cushatt invites us to lay bare our fears and disappointments, our emotional heartaches and physical struggles, so the sweet balm of truth can do its healing work. No pat answers or easy solutions here. Only hard-earned wisdom from a woman who longs for us to experience the presence of a God who never lets go.
With a deep understanding of the questions that arise in the mind and heart of the person who wants to believe God but is struggling to do so, Michele provides a firm path of faith, plowed by her own wrestling and smoothed by the answers she fought to find. If the pain you’ve experienced has caused you to question God’s power or His love, Michele knows. And she’s written this book for you.
A wonderful, faith building book! I cannot recommend it enough.
I’m still trying to get my thoughts together about this book, but it is one that I will think about for a long time to come. Michele graciously pulled back the curtain on her life and asked us to come in as she processed her difficult story and nagging questions, yet each chapter ends with great hope and faith-building truth. She gets to the heart of the question: Can I believe in and trust a loving God when life feels tremendously unloving. Her gentle answer echoes to my heart’s core.
While I listened to Michele read this book on Audible (a wonderful treat), I will follow up and purchase a paperback to keep on my shelves. This is a book I not only know I will share with others but will return to myself. Thank you, Michele, for fighting through to pen the words that so lovingly ministered to my heart in the midst of my own difficult journey.