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In an effort to strengthen his own trust in God during a time of adversity, Navigator author Jerry Bridges began a lengthy Bible study on God’s sovereignty. The revelations changed his life. In Trusting God, Jerry shares the scope of God’s power to help you come to know Him better, have a relationship with Him, and trust Him more―even when unjust things happen. Tragedy, grief, loss, and death are part of life. Discover how Trusting God can reveal biblical truths about God. A study guide is also available separately (ISBN 9781600063060).
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: NavPress; New edition (May 6, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1600063055
ISBN-13: 978-1600063053
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (432 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #4,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #56 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Theology #59 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Theology #105 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Christian Living > Spiritual Growth
This is the most comprehensive and best of the three Bridges books I have read. The authors purpose is two-fold. First, he wants the reader to glorify God by acknowledging God's sovereignty and goodness in the midst of tragedy. Second, he wants to encourage God's people by showing that God is in control of our lives. Bridges purpose is limited. It is not a theological exploration into the origin of pain and suffering, but a book to help the reader deal with pain and suffering on a level of faith, of trusting in God that things do not just happen.Although evangelical Christians often give lip service to the sovereignty of God, many are for all practical purposes are Christian deists. They see God as being too distant our unable to intervene in times of trouble. I appreciate that Bridges does not duck the tough issues. He refuses to wrap up all the theological loose ends when discussing the sovereignty of God. Like Tozer, he recognizes that there are some issues to which there are no neat and tidy answers. Unlike many other authors who write on this subject, he does not slavishly follow C.S. Lewis The Problem of Pain. It is refreshing to read a fresh perspective on the subject rather than merely hearing Lewis arguments parroted again.Although I was very impressed with the book, there were a few areas that caught my attention. Bridges does not deal comprehensively with the idea of spiritual warfare. I would have also liked to see a fuller discussion on the passive will of God. In fact, it is not mentioned in the first one hundred pages or so. It would have been good to have a fuller discussion of the alternative views of God's sovereignty, but then, that would have doubled or tripled the lengthy of the book.This is truly a great book.
I first picked up this volume a couple years ago when I was going through a severe spiritual trial. One of the lessons I had to learn at that time was to come to grips with God's limitless sovereignty, and to conclude from His sovereignty that I could trust Him -- not just with the issues I was then facing, but with every aspect of my life. At that time I read only about one-third of the book, which struck me as terribly redundant in its seemingly endless presentation of God's sovereignty. Once I got my fill of that, I put the book aside.In the past month, however, I have had occasion to re-read this book in its entirety as part of a men's discipleship study. I still thought it was redundant, taking over 200 pages to say what could be said effectively in half that amount of space. Nevertheless, when you get past the sections on sovereignty to the chapters on God's love and wisdom, you will see a grand and comprehensive picture (to the extent we are able as finite humans) of God's wise and careful guidance of the whole of His creation for His glory and our good.I must take issue with the review of Rev. Bud Espers (the very first one under this listing). Apparently he didn't read the same book as the rest of us, or at least not the second half of it ... or maybe he simply hasn't read his Bible. If he did, I don't see how he could draw the conclusions that he did about Bridges or this book. Yes, God's sovereignty can be a scary thing, and can come across as "cold and uncaring" (to use Mr. Espers' words) unless you understand the broader teachings of scripture about the nature and character of God. Bridges is also very careful to point out that our "good" is conformity to the image of Christ, not comfort, ease or "happiness" in this life.
I originally got this book because - to be quite frank - because I thought it was apropos after having lost my home, all my possessions and having my health seriously compromised this past July in an environmental accident. A reminder to trust God in the midst of all that seemed ... well ... right. Little did I know how important the message in this book would be for me in this moment of my journey.Warning: this book is not for the faint-hearted. It will challenge you, remind you, move you, undo you, humble you, lift you, convict you and ultimately, change you.When I started reading the book, I thought I lived in a way that allowed God to function in my life unhindered - or out of the box, if you will. However, I quickly learned that I had actually forgotten how big He is and how sovereign He is. In addition, I came to the brutal reality that I had not let Him out of the box but had actually put him back in the box! Sigh...I had climbed back up into the front seat, grabbed the steering wheel from God and had taken over for him, yet again. The sad thing is, I hadn't even realized that I had done that.This book reminded me of so many things: God is sovereign, God loves me unconditionally, God is ALWAYS there even when I can't feel or sense him, God NEVER lies and on and on. I walked into this book,, bound but walked out of it, free.There is a quote that Jerry Bridges writes at the end of the book that perfectly sums this book up. He says, "Trust is not a passive state of mind. It is a vigorous act of the soul by which we choose to lay hold on the promises of God and cling to them despite the adversity that at times seeks to overwhelms us.
Trusting God Study Guide: Even When Life Hurts Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts Even When It Hurts: Seventy Times Seven Mystical Hope: Trusting in the Mercy of God (Cloister Books) The Chase: Trusting God with Your Happily Ever After It Will be Okay: Trusting God Through Fear and Change (Little Seed & Little Fox) Trusting God Day by Day: 365 Daily Devotions Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On: Trusting God in the Tough Times Where Is God When It Hurts? Life's Healing Choices: Freedom from Your Hurts, Hang-ups, and Habits Life's Healing Choices Small Group Study: Freedom from Your Hurts, Hang-ups, and Habits Tell Me Where It Hurts: Humor, Healing and Hope in my Life as an Animal Surgeon Healing Wounded Emotions: Overcoming Life's Hurts (Inspirational Reading for Every Catholic) The Unstoppable Golfer: Trusting Your Mind & Your Short Game to Achieve Greatness Who's Got Your Back: The Breakthrough Program to Build Deep, Trusting Relationships Perfect Husband: The True Story of the Trusting Bride Who Discovered Her Husband Was a Coldblooded Killer Trusting in Christ (Jesus Calling Bible Studies) When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself When Helping Hurts: The Small Group Experience: An Online Video-Based Study on Alleviating Poverty It Hurts When I Poop! a Story for Children Who Are Scared to Use the Potty
