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Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts

by Jerry Bridges, Jerry Bridges, Eugene H. Peterson

4.29 of 5 stars 4.29 · rating details · 1,095 ratings · 142 reviews

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, he 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,...more

Paperback, 240 pages

Published April 22nd 2008 by NavPress (first published 1988)

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Nov 14, 2012 Lydia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

I want to tell you a story. It's about this book. I started it several years ago. A friend and I thought that we should read a book together over summer break, because we were going through a similar and painful experience. She finished it....I did not.

Fast forward a dozen or so calendar pages, and I'm half way through my senior year. Placerita Baptist Church was my "home away from home" church for 3 years, and I was pretty involved with the college group there. A discipleship opportunity came u...more I want to tell you a story. It's about this book. I started it several years ago. A friend and I thought that we should read a book together over summer break, because we were going through a similar and painful experience. She finished it....I did not.

Fast forward a dozen or so calendar pages, and I'm half way through my senior year. Placerita Baptist Church was my "home away from home" church for 3 years, and I was pretty involved with the college group there. A discipleship opportunity came up, and I jumped at it. I was to meet with Rebecca once every other week and guess what book she picked??

My first reaction was, "Ok...I tried this one before. I'd rather read something else." But then I thought, "Why not? It's your last year...I'm sure there's bound to be something that this book has to say that will blow your mind." Little did I know...

Fast forward a few weeks and I'm so overwhelmed I'm not sure how to see straight. My brother's dying in the hospital...I have no idea what I'm doing with my life...and finals are coming. With all the uncertainty, I wasn't sure how to feel.

Through all of that, this book hounded (with constant repetition) into me the idea that all things happen for the glory of God and my absolute good...and it stuck. That meant that even if I failed my finals....even if I was without a job and without funds to continue my schooling...even if the Lord decided to take my precious brother home...it was good...and even more amazing, God was good too.

The point of this story: I recommend this book...it may get tedious at times...but I am certain that the Lord wanted me to read it when he wanted me to read it...and for that I'm very thankful.
___________________________

Update November 14, 2012

As Thanksgiving is a week away, I am reminded of the many blessings of our Lord. He has His purposes in life that are sometimes beyond us. Often, we can get lost in the "why's" and "how's" of His plan. Yet, He never leaves our side, and He is still worthy of our trust. And He is always eternally good.

I wrote the above post in a time of uncertainty. Finals were looming. I didn't know how God would provide for me financially. My relationships were uncertain. My brother was very ill. There were so many unanswered "why's" and "how's"...

Now some of those circumstances seem comical. I passed all my finals. God gave me a great job teaching at a Christian School, and I met the love of my life, James.

But God in His goodness had different plans for my brother. On May 19, 2012, he breathed his last breath on earth and saw the Savior. As painful as that was and still is, it's good. It always was good. It always will be good. God never left His throne, and my brother is happier where he is than than the happiest day you can imagine on earth. For that, I am thankful and blessed, and I could not ask for more.

AND...The story is not over. There are still chapters to be written. But the Lord is still powerful, faithful, and good...worthy of our trust. Keep the Faith!!(less)

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Jun 03, 2013 Jon Cardwell rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian

Anyone who has read the best-selling The Pursuit of Holiness will recognize the very familiar, plain-English style and sense of Jerry Bridges. In the 20th Anniversary paperback edition of Trusting God, Dr. Bridges takes the very deep and extremely important doctrine of God's sovereignty and lays it out clearly, simply, and not only well within the grasp of the newest convert to Christ, but also presents it logically and thoughtfully so that the most mature theologian can appreciate this work and...more Anyone who has read the best-selling The Pursuit of Holiness will recognize the very familiar, plain-English style and sense of Jerry Bridges. In the 20th Anniversary paperback edition of Trusting God, Dr. Bridges takes the very deep and extremely important doctrine of God's sovereignty and lays it out clearly, simply, and not only well within the grasp of the newest convert to Christ, but also presents it logically and thoughtfully so that the most mature theologian can appreciate this work and glean many great things from it.

In his Preface to the treatise, he writes, "The purpose of this book is twofold: First, I desire to glorify God by acknowledging His sovereignty and His goodness. Second, I desire to encourage God's people by demonstrating from Scripture that God is in control of their lives, that He does indeed love them, and that He works out all the circumstances of their lives for their ultimate good" (pg. 9). In this, Jerry Bridges accomplishes his goals most triumphantly.

Trusting God is categorized as "Christian Living" or "Spiritual Growth" for the very good reason that its approach to the circumstances daily faced by the individual believer is both practical and personal. Yet, the truths that Dr. Bridges presents concerning the attributes of God, especially in His sovereign goodness, would make this book equally at home on the shelf in the Theology section.

Those whose theology tends toward an emphasis upon the free will of man will most certainly gain a better understanding of how Reformed thinkers generally view the blessedness of God's sovereignty; and those of us whose theology stands firmly on the doctrines of grace will find a very compassionate presentation of this doctrine, which by God's grace, may temper us away from a tendency to approach God's sovereignty like the proverbial bull in a china shop, just because we see the urgent need to proclaim this truth in American pulpits today.

The doctrine of God's sovereign grace is so neglected today that this book is a must-read for those who have never read it; and it is also a must-reread for those who have already read it too many years ago. Trusting God, and the sovereignty of God this book proclaims, is more culturally relevant today than it was twenty years ago during its first publication. Therefore, I highly commend the reading of Trusting God to anyone that has a desire to worship God more deeply and commune with Him more intimately. (less)

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Feb 07, 2012 Alexis Neal rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: audio, religion

Jerry Bridges walks the reader through the three bases for trusting God: His sovereignty (6 chapters), His wisdom (1 chapter), and His love (2 chapters). There are also brief discussions about contentment with self, growth in adversity, and the importance of thanksgiving in hardship. The focus here is primarily on the sovereignty of God, which makes sense since the book was essentially a result of Bridges' own personal bible study on that subject. His discussion of God's sovereignty is beyond th...more Jerry Bridges walks the reader through the three bases for trusting God: His sovereignty (6 chapters), His wisdom (1 chapter), and His love (2 chapters). There are also brief discussions about contentment with self, growth in adversity, and the importance of thanksgiving in hardship. The focus here is primarily on the sovereignty of God, which makes sense since the book was essentially a result of Bridges' own personal bible study on that subject. His discussion of God's sovereignty is beyond thorough, while the sections on God's wisdom and God's love feel a bit like an afterthought. The closing chapters feel a bit tacked on as well.

I think Bridges would have been better served to limit his book to the subject of God's sovereignty. That is clearly the subject he spend the most time researching, and the area where he seems to have struggled most with trusting God. However, for those of us who struggle more with trusting the love or wisdom of God, this extended treatment of God's sovereignty--over circumstances, people, nations, and nature--does not really address our issues. And to those of us who believe that God is loving, wise, and sovereign, but who simply (and sinfully) do not want to endure His plans for us (they look so hard!), Bridges seems to have nothing to say.

As the subtitle suggests, the focus here is on trust in tribulation. Bridges is speaking to those who are undergoing painful circumstances, those who need to be reminded to trust God despite the horrible situation in which they find themselves. However, the need to trust God also extends to those times that cannot accurately be described as 'tribulation', but which nonetheless call into question our faith in God--most notably those times when we are waiting on the Lord to reveal His future plans for our lives. After all, uncertainty, like suffering, can tempt us to doubt God.

So while Bridges is full of encouragement for those struggling to trust God in the face of cancer or unemployment or grief, he does not offer much guidance to those seeking to trust God as they await the outcome of a job application or an offer on a house. The flip side of trust is often worry, and worry runs rampant where hardship has not yet struck. A mother grieving the loss of her child needs to trust God, but so too does the pregnant mother of a thus-far healthy baby, or the young single woman who hopes to be married one day with kids of her own, but who is not yet actively suffering in her singleness. As someone whose life has been mercifully free of large-scale hardship, I would have appreciated the incorporation of less catastrophic opportunities for trust.

All of which concerns would, I think, have been alleviated by confining the scope of the book to God's sovereignty. Indeed, Bridges later authored a book entitled Is God Really in Control? Trusting God in a World of Terrorism, Tsunamis, and Personal Tragedy, which I suspect was the book he intended to write in the first place.

Bridges knows his stuff, and he gently but firmly points the reader to God's Word as the ultimate source of information about Him. Bridges' tone is appropriately humble--he is well aware that others have suffered far more than he has--but his confidence rests not on his own experience as the basis for his conclusions, but on the Bible. (Not that he lacks experience in suffering--his wife died of cancer while he was writing this very book.)

All in all, it's a solid book, particularly for those looking for a thorough meditation on the sovereignty of God over all circumstances. The audiobook version is rather lackluster, so you're probably better off with a print copy.(less)

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Jan 29, 2012 Nicki M rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, bible-study, christianaudio, christian, for-review

I've struggled with this audio and almost gave up halfway through as it is very repetitive. I don't agree with the sovereignty of God theology as there are far too many anomalies with it. At times this audio came across as very fatalistic although the author does warn against that himself. It didn't hold my attention at all but thoroughly annoyed me whilst listening.. One thing I have taken away from it though, is that you can't trust God completely until you get to know Him, which is very simpl...more

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Jan 12, 2013 David Toma rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-living

This was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed, and found great benefit from.

Jerry Bridges begins this book by arguing that there are three key truths that can help us trust God in any circumstance: that because of His love, He wills what is best for us, because of His wisdom, He knows what is best for us, and because of His sovereignty, He has the power to being about that which He wills and knows is best for us. He then unpacks each of these themes in the rest of the book. While most of the focus i...more

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Dec 11, 2010 Jeff rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010-book-list

Great book on God's sovereignty in the midst of difficult circumstances. A great answer to the popular book "Why bad things happen to good people?" The very title of that book reveals the lack of theological foundation needed to explore this topic.

Chapter 7 which deals with God's sovereignty and our responsibility is worth the price of the book alone.

Some takeaways:

"Prayer is the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and of our dependence upon Him to act on our behalf. Prudence is the acknowledge...more

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Oct 02, 2009 Kelly Belvis rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-interest

This book is a good resource for anyone struggling with the complicated issue of God's sovereignty verses man's freedom of choice. Though this will always remain an issued that I do not fully understand this book pushed me a bit further down the road of understanding.

I appreciate Bridges' use of scripture to back up his points. This is a book you could return to again and again as circumstances lead you to ask why God has allowed something to happen or allowed someone to affect you adversely.

As...more

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Mar 29, 2012 Greg rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

RECOMMENDED

Another great work by Jerry Bridges

A great book, that every Christian should read, especially if they are having difficulty trusting God, but not only then, as the content of this book helps us to be prepared to trust God when the trails come, and shows us how to trust in God to come through them.

Not only a book that has benefit for Christians, but also for the curious non-Christian who does not understand how or why Christians can trust God, or indeed 'why' they should trust God.

The...more

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Aug 11, 2011 Jared Totten rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Trusting God by Jerry Bridges turned into something I was not expecting, and I was all the happier for it. I have read enough defenses for the sovereignty of God, both philosophical and apologetical. Instead, Bridges presents a biblically-grounded celebration of the sovereignty of God in all things.

His central theme asserts that we can only trust God when bad things happen if He is totally sovereign, wise, and loving. This in response to the age old question of evil: either evil came about becau...more

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May 05, 2012 Bret rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: judeo-christian

For me, this book has been such a blessing. When life doesn't make a lot of sense, it can become easy to start thinking about God in human/fallible terms. We may think God doesn't care, or that He isn't involved with the details of this world or our lives, or that He isn't in control, or that He doesn't love us.

Jerry Bridges reviews three of God's traits: He is all powerful, has perfect knowledge and wisdom, and has perfect love. He uses these traits to frame a perspective which one can then use...more

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Dec 06, 2012 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-doctrine

This book came to me at a particularly relevant time in my life, as I am struggling with several difficult circumstances. God's sovereignty is something I struggle to understand in light of tragedy. In this book, Bridges makes an excellent case for, and backs with scripture, the totality of God's sovereign control over ALL of the goings on in the world. He also carefully explains why it matters that we accept this tenant and addresses the typical pitfalls Christians fall into in their thinking o...more

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Mar 10, 2013 Jillian Leigh rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I not sure what I was expecting when I picked up this book, and it wasn't something that kept my interest. Well written from what little I read (but just not for me). This book seemed to be for people who struggle with their faith in God's love even during the hard times. Those people who are asking, "Where was God when this happened?" That sort of thing.

All I need to remember ...and you can pretty much sum the book up this way.... is a quote I took from Love Comes Softly (which was far more en...more

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Dec 17, 2012 Noah W rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? ~ Psalm 56: 3-4

As I was finishing this book, the Newtown, CT shooting occurred and the Friday before we had a fire at our house. In many ways God put this book in my hands at a very good time in my life. While the book didn’t introduce any new “big” ideas, Bridges made several thought provoking statements on the subject on God’s sovereignty and goodness that I f...more

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Jan 20, 2011 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian

Jerry Bridges did a wonderful job putting God's sovereignty into perspective. He shows us, through Scripture, that all the adversity that comes into our lives as believers, is used for good. Romans 8:28. God's main purpose is for His Glory and for our good. Knowing that in troubled times and hardships, God is there, in the midst of it all watching over us. And He is in control!

One of my favorite passages is:
"Looking upward we see God in all His majesty, power, glory, and sovereignty as well as...more

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Jun 14, 2013 Angie added it · review of another edition

Can you trust God? Why is it easier to obey Him than to trust Him?
This is my favorite book by Jerry Bridges. God is not some mean Master of the Universe with lightning bolts in His pocket. He isn't waiting for an opportunity to hurl one from heaven and zap us with it. He is Sovereign and rules with wisdom, power, and love over all nations, nature, and peoples. The more you know Him, the more you will trust Him as He lovingly guides us along our life's journey. Romans 11:33 " Oh, the depth of th...more

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Dec 13, 2012 Charlotte rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The author repeated his ideas so many times that I found myself yearning for the book to end. Perhaps he thought repeating an idea over and over would convince his readers of the truth of his ideas. His ideas may indeed be true, but I myself do not agree with all of his ideas.

I believe that God will interfere with the physical laws of the world only if we request His interference. I do not believe that everything that happens is in accordance with God's will, but I do believe that God can con...more

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Jan 05, 2013 Pierre H rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Excellent book. While I got it for free on Amazon, I would gladly have paid for it based on its content. This book reminded me that 1-God is in total control 2- He loves us and 3- His ways are higher than what our human minds can comprehend. Based on those 3 key truths we can trust Him with our life. If any of those truths for hog apply to God, God would not be worthy of our trust.

At times the biblical references were a little but repetitive, but because the message it delivers is so crucial, i...more

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Oct 11, 2011 James rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In America's skin-deep style of Christianity, this book deals with an issue that goes to the heart of our relationship with God. To what degree of suffering or loss do you have to go through before your faith begins to erode?

Not only that, but going through rough times even serves as a means to strengthen your faith and build your relationship with God.

This is a great book for anyone who wants to prepare for hards times, who is going through hard times, or who is ministering to those going throu...more

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Mar 17, 2013 Susan M. Baganz rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

know that often I do reviews of fiction, especially romance, because that’s what I love to read and write. But sometimes I come across a book so good, that I have to share it with others.

Trusting God by Jerry Bridges is one such book. Originally published in 1988, and re-released in 2008, it has lost none of its value for the time that has elapsed.

Much of this book is about how we can trust God even when life is painful. In order to do that one has to have a good grasp of the sovereignty of God...more

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Dec 30, 2011 Philip rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-or-christiany, non-fiction

Christian books often frustrate me, which - I guess - is why I don't read as many of them as the people around me seem to.

I end up getting annoyed by analogies that fall apart under the least scrutiny, circular reasoning, and the panacea of faith to handle all other logical conundrums encountered.

I found this book refreshing and candid. It wasn't perfect - I still found myself asking, "yeah, but what if?" And, "would you please tell me where you're getting that information?" (as on p. 177: "Some...more

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Jan 20, 2011 Kara rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fall-reading-challenge-2010, recommended, reviews-all, reviews-navpress, theology

Where is God when horrible things happen? What role does He play when it comes to job loss, the death of a child or loved one, a terminal illness, or other tragedies? Does He actually control all our circumstances, or do these bad things happen simply because we live in a sin-cursed world?

These are questions that I never gave much thought...until I found myself in the midst of my own tragic circumstances. It suddenly became a crucial issue in my life! There seemed to be only three clear choices:...more

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Oct 14, 2010 Dominique rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I walked into this book bound but I walked out free...

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-hea...more

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Nov 01, 2010 Kara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews-all, reviews-navpress

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Jan 23, 2010 Bob Hayton rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-living, reviewed, navpress

In Trusting God, Jerry Bridges tackles some big and important questions. How are we to approach the hurdles life throws our way? How can we trust God in spite of difficult circumstances? How are we to trust him even when life hurts?

These questions all give us pause to think at some point in our Christian life. And there are many books which aim to help us deal with these issues. This book stands apart. Bridges points in an uncommon direction for finding help: the sovereignty of God. Most don't l...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Amanda Boehmler rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

This book changed my life. It changed my focus and my worrying habits. God put it in my life at a time when I really needed to know how to trust Him, and that's exactly what this book did for me. Jerry Bridges is amazing and so good at making seemingly difficult concepts so easy to understand. I would suggest this book to anyone, whether they are going through a hard time in their life or they just want to be prepared for hard times to come.

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Nov 07, 2012 Jeanie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Jerry Bridges is a gifted as a teacher and writer. In this clear concise study of the sovereignity of God, we can begin to trust God when we understand his sovereignity in our lives and this world. Such a timely read because of the elections and the result not what I would desire, however, God ordains all and uses it for his glory. It is a must read for Christians who sturggle with the trusting God in all things. In thanksgiving we can be thankful for the good and evil, not for the evil itself b...more

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Sep 29, 2012 Jessica Weleski rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: faith-development-read

Christians struggling to trust a God who has seemingly caused hurt and pain should read this book. The truths contained within aren't always easy to digest, but they do provide a perspective to help navigate the pains and disappointments of life. Readers looking to park on this theme for some time should read this book; for a more glancing treatment of understanding God in the midst of suffering, try Torn by Jud Wilhite.

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Nov 09, 2012 Deanne Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Outside of Scripture, this book is one that has had a significant impact on me. I would place it on my list of 10 must reads for every Christian. All of us face trials and difficulties in this life, causing us to wonder if God is trustworthy. From a firm foundation of Scripture, Jerry Bridges proves that God is indeed trustworthy as a result of His sovereignty over people, nations, & nature, His infinite wisdom, & His extravagant love for His children. Then, he addresses the heart of the...more

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Dec 24, 2010 Vaughn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Pure Gold - one of the best books I read in 2010! By far, this is the best book I’ve read on the subject of suffering and God’s providence. It teaches that God is in control, He does care, and is intimately involved with and in every circumstance of your (my) life. The many Scripture references are relevant and further support that times of great struggle and hardship, we can trust in God’s infinite sovereignty, wisdom, and love. I look forward to re-reading this book over and over and over agai...more

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Feb 08, 2012 Brian Eshleman rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Bridges provides wonderful Scriptural affirmation of the sovereignty and the love of God. He buttresses it with some outstanding quotes that salt the appetite for more. My one criticism would be that not much of the author's flavor comes through his quoting. Probably telling of his generation, he is willing to talk about his own difficulties but not in much detail.

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About Jerry Bridges

JERRY BRIDGES is an author and conference speaker. His most popular book, The Pursuit of Holiness, has sold over one million copies. Jerry has been on the staff of The Navigators for over fifty years, and currently serves in the Collegiate Mission where he is involved primarily in staff development, but also serves as a speaker resource to the campus ministries.

More about Jerry Bridges...

Books by Jerry Bridges

The Discipline of Grace: God's Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness

Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate

Transforming Grace: Living Confidently in God's Unfailing Love

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“Every day is important for us because it is a day ordained by God. If we are bored with life there is something wrong with our concept of God and His involvement in our daily lives. Even the most dull and tedious days of our lives are ordained by God and ought to be used by us to glorify Him.” — 12 people liked it

“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.” — 8 people liked it

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