Many women around the world have found hope, encouragement, and inspiration from the messages of Lysa TerKeurst’s numerous books. Her newest release from Thomas Nelson Publishers is entitled “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered”, and is undoubtedly her most raw and transparent book to date. In these pages, Lysa helps us process a question that we all ask at some point in our lives; “What do you do when God’s timing seems questionable, His lack of intervention hurtful, and His promises doubtful?” Sound familiar? Then you’ve come to the right place.

“It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way” is organized into eleven chapters, with topics ranging from Dust (one of my favorites, because “Dust doesn’t have to signify the end. Dust is often what must be present for the new to begin”) to Exposing the Enemy. Each chapter also features a section called Going to the Well, which contains quotes from the chapter to Remember, Scripture verses to Receive, and personal questions to Reflect upon.

The most important aspect of this book comes in the form of Lysa’s deep understanding and empathy for women who have been disappointed by life, in ways big or small. She shares her story of heartache and wondering “why?” not to ask for pity, but to allow it to help others on their journey towards healing. There are so many sections of this book that really came to life for me, illuminating Scripture verses and helping me gain deeper understanding in my walk of faith. I know it will do the same for each woman who picks up a copy, perhaps in different ways, perhaps in similar ones.

“It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way” is a beautiful and powerful place to help guide us towards encountering God in the midst of our biggest hurts and heartaches. I commend Lysa for sharing about such personal and difficult topics in order to ignite healing in the lives of others, and I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to find unexpected strength when disappointments leave us shattered.

I received a copy of this book free of charge from HarperCollins Canada, in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to submit a positive review, and all opinions expressed our my own.