It's Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered

Written by Lysa TerKeurst

Narrated by Lysa TerKeurst and Jolene Barto

READ BY THE AUTHOR | Also includes an exclusive interview with Lysa!

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Find hope and assurance in God's faithfulness when it feels like your world is crumbling.

New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst invites you into her own journey, amid heart-shattering circumstances, and shows you how to live assured when life doesn't turn out how you expected.

What do you do when God's timing seems questionable, His lack of intervention hurtful, and His promises doubtful?

Life often looks so very different than we hoped or expected. Some events may simply catch us off guard for a moment, but others shatter us completely. We feel disappointed and disillusioned, and we quietly start to wonder about the reality of God's goodness. Lysa TerKeurst understands this deeply. But she's also discovered that our disappointments can be the divine appointments our souls need to radically encounter God.

In It's Not Supposed to Be This Way, Lysa invites you into her own journey of faith and, with grit, vulnerability, and honest humor, helps you to see your life in the context of God's bigger story. Whether you're dealing with daily disappointments or life-altering loss, you can find unexpected strength as you learn what it means to wrestle well between your faith and your feelings. With refreshing honesty and deep encouragement, Lysa will help you to:

• Stop being pulled into the anxiety of disappointment by discovering how to better process unmet expectations and other painful situations.
• Train yourself to recognize the three strategies of the enemy so you can stand strong and persevere through unsettling relationships and uncertain outcomes.
• Discover the secret of being steadfast and not panicking when God actually does give you more than you can handle.
• Shift your suspicion that God is cruel or unfair to the biblical assurance that God is protecting and preparing you.
• Know how to encourage a friend and help her navigate hard realities with real help from God's truth.

 

Disappointments are an inevitable part of life, but they don't have to be the end of the story. In fact, they are often what must happen for something new to begin. It's Not Supposed to Be This Way, offers you a safe guide, fresh biblical insight, and a reorienting perspective to help you rediscover God's faithfulness and renew your strength when it feels like the world is crumbling all around you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Nov 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781400210947

Lysa TerKeurst

Lysa TerKeurst is president and chief visionary officer of Proverbs 31 Ministries and the author of seven New York Times bestsellers, including I Want to Trust You, But I Don't, Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, Forgiving What You Can't Forget, and It's Not Supposed to Be This Way. She enjoys life with her husband Chaz and her kids and grandkids. Connect with her at www.LysaTerKeurst.com or on social media @LysaTerKeurst.

Reviews for It's Not Supposed to Be This Way

[RJ Bachtold · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A powerful and raw look at the greatest question- “how can a good God Allie suffering?”. Thank you Lisa for your honesty, faith and tears that wrote this book.

[christine haye · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was just what I needed a great read and am blessed to have discovered it. may God continue to inspire you with wisdom to write.

[Mikko De Jesus Ardina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I appreciate the author’s transparency. Her book came just at the right time as I help others struggle and as I struggle myself.

[rojemmal333 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s amazing book. My daughter in law introduced me this book when I’m going thru hard time which is I’m giving up myself, this audio book given my hope to hold on anchor of God. Before I start this audio I’m not in a good place after listening the audio, I get clarity. How should I look at my problem according to Jesus look at the problem.

[Alicia Chapa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love it very helpful book and great story from the author ?

[Sne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is simply an amazing book, I will definitely be reading/ listening to it again. It's so relatable and God-centered. I feel like she knows the struggle, and she is going through it and learning too. Bravo!

[Rose Derogene · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great audiobook! I listened in one day while cleaning my house.

[Nathalia Angeli · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thank God I found this audiobook. God loves me! Thank you Lysa!

[Javier Castillo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an amazing book. She writes from the heart (hurt). You have a magnificent way of communicating such helpful biblical advise. Thank you, Lisa.

[susan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Remembering why God made me and hold onto my hope and trust. This book helped me seeing my daughter suffering from Stage 4 Metastatic Breast cancer. There is no cure but I know that God is the cure. My daughter is none. .believer , but she has asked me to get her a bible to read. She is married has a daughter Avery who is 6 years old. I know God is there for them.
Listening to this book also made me more understanding how to be strong mom to her and her family. I have a lot of anxiety, but Lord I open my hands to you and in trust you with my only daughter.
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[Eve Gilliam · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a good book. I highly recommend for anyone who is experiencing a “life happens” moment in their lives. God is still good, even when people or life isn’t.

[Colbi Crook · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

AMAZING!! Raw and real revelations about the uncertainties in life.

[Jabulile Muguwe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was just what I needed. Thank you for an awesome book! This book offers real encouragement for someone going through a difficult time.

[Philip K · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful book that spoke volumes to me and appreciate His mercies

[Tamika Gilbert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was so inspiring, and relatable! Thank you for sharing the light of Jesus in the darkest of days!!

[Malina Gitahi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A slow moving book at first but as it gains pace with such raw honesty and with shocks in abundance it raises many questions which the author hear self has to battle with. But it feels like together there is a settling into God’s character revealed in his big picture of redemption and topsy turvy grace. At the end of listening to it I felt exhausted and slightly mattered but in a way refreshed. An great choice but stick with it to the end.

[Heather Mitchell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is such an encouragement. It’s filled with so many good reminders and eye-opening analogies; empowering realizations and overall good read.

[Kelly Larsen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lysa T's writing is so relatable and encouraging. It is life-giving to be able to connect with someone on such a heavy topic while still finding moments of light hearted breaks in the seriousness. I would encourage the readers/listeners out there to dive into Lysa's literature!

[Pearly · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book. A must have in the library. I have read it so many times and will always do. Thank you Lysa for your openness and obedience to the Lord.

[Mark Andrew · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

wonderful book must listen its very good in my opinion

[Karina Hurd · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The season of life I'm in, this was just what I needed! Lysa is brave for bringing this to the light. The scripture used was like a balm for my soul.

[Princess Nelson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great! Will have to relisten along with the study guide.

[Sarah · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

All I can say is wow. God has a way of showing up and He has really done it for me this time through this ministry. I really needed every bit of this especially right now.
I highly recommend this if you are unsure or going through turbulent times. It’s a story and ministry of hope, of patience, love and endurance. I will be re-reading/re-listening often!

[Abigail Yoder · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lysa’s situation was the worst of the worst but her consistent faith and hope allowed her to see beyond the pain to something and someone much better. I was so encouraged by her story!

[Ragan Young · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love Lysa and her books, but this one hit different than the others. It was just what I needed, exactly when I needed it. Thank you, Lysa.

[Angela · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Narration by the author make this audiobook so special.

[sboren-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I purchased this book from Amazon to read with my sister and proverbs 31 online bible study. All opinions are my own. ?????It's Not Supposed To Be This Way by Lysa Terkeurst. Sometimes life hands us lemons, sometimes life throws us curve balls we never saw coming, and sometimes life knocks us on the ground and keeps punching and kicking until there is no fight left in us. That is where this book fits in. Whether you've just been handed a lemon or taken more punches than you ever knew existed this book helps you reach a place where you say it's ok to not be ok. When you finally throw up your hands and say ok dust.....I get it. Even when you aren't getting the answers you need, you aren't hearing the words you want said, or you just aren't sure that prayer will ever be answered this book helps you through the messy middle of life. Lysa uses her own tragedies but ties them in a way that no matter what your trials are you can relate. She doesn't minimize any of the pain you feel from disappointment only makes suggestions on how to muddle through the best you can. Review also posted on Instagram @borenbooks, Library Thing, Goodreads/StacieBoren, Amazon, Twitter @jason_stacie and my blog at readsbystacie.com