Holding On to Hope: A Pathway through Suffering to the Heart of God

by Nancy Guthrie

A healing book for those in the wake of life’s devastating storms.
We can never plan for the unexpected turns of this life that sometimes lead to great personal suffering. Sometimes that suffering can overshadow everything and threaten to pull us under. Nancy Guthrie knows what it is to be plunged into life’s abyss. Framing her own story of staggering loss and soaring hope with the biblical story of Job, she takes you by the hand and guides you on a pathway through pain―straight to the heart of God. Holding On to Hope offers an uplifting perspective, not only for those experiencing monumental loss, but for anyone going through difficulty and failure. (Includes an 8-week study on the book of Job for readers who want to dig deeper into what the Bible says about dealing with suffering and grief.)

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Grief, Christian Living, Christianity, Christian Non Fiction, Counselling

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2002

About the author

Nancy Guthrie teaches the Bible at her home church, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Tennessee, as well as at conferences around the country and internationally, including through her Biblical Theology Workshops for Women. She is the author of numerous books and the host of the Help Me Teach the Bible podcast at The Gospel Coalition. She and her husband host Respite Retreats for couples who have faced the death of child and are co-hosts of the GriefShare video series.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little volume is a thoughtful dissertation on the book of Job and how we can all learn from his example. Nancy Guthrie speaks from experience and I so appreciate her candor and humble approach to this issue. A source of encouragement for folks in all sorts of troubling circumstances.

[R.F. Gammon · Rating 4 out of 5]

No words. Wow.

[Karen Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

After losing our daughter, this book was a great encouragement to me. It challenged me to examine myself and my circumstance in light of who God is, as examined through the life of Job. I am very thankful for Nancy's candid writing that brings honesty and humility to one of the hardest challenges a person can face.

[Megan Bouma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biblical truths surrounding suffering. I learned and grew a lot in this study.

[Allison Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

An encouraging read that wrestles with grief and loss but encourages us to surrender our questions and grief to the Lord, trusting him even when we don't understand.

[TransparentFilter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since my husband went Home suddenly in 2020 I began reading books about Heaven and grief. My dad followed him five months later in April 2021 then my mother in September 2021. Even knowing that they all were with Jesus and they were beyond the pain and suffering in this world, my heart was broken. Looking at the future of life still here while they are there seemed too much to bear.
While reading books on grief, I have found some lights of comfort in a few of them but none have touched on what I truly have felt going through this valley. If you are looking for a book on suffering and the actual why of suffering, I can't recommend another book more highly than this one. As the author parallels her journey with the book of Job, I could feel her put into words my own journey. When it comes to grief and loss, no two people actually share the same story. We can find comfort with talking to others who have been down the road but everyone travels the road in their own way.
Each short chapter of this book deals so well with the subjects of loss, suffering, and despair but she moves into the meat of the whys. Worship, gratitude, submission all lead to the purpose: intimacy with God. You might know about Him and have a relationship with Him but to experience the darkness that you say you would trust Him with takes your relationship with Him to a much deeper level. You realize, like Job, that you actually knew about Him through His Word but now you know Him through the experience of His manifestation to you. My longings for Heaven go far beyond seeing my loved ones and getting away from the wickedness of this Earth. I long to be with Him continually. He is my goal and all else there with Him is extreme gain.
I did not do the study on Job that fills the second half of this book. I can about guarantee from the first half that the study would be well worth the time though. I might go back to its pages another time.
If you are looking for a book on Heaven the only one I can really recommend is the one by Randy Alcorn. I don't even pick up the books about what people have "experienced" in dying and coming back. The apostle Paul said after being there that it was absolutely amazing and mere human words couldn't describe it. Randy's book gives ideas of what it will be like and what we will be doing according to Scripture. I just know that it is going to rock. I've got a mental list of everyone to see and things I want to do. Jumping off the face of a mountain without fear of dying is right near the top.

[Casey Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful book teaching about suffering and how to Trust God through trials. If you are suffering, you will find a friend to relate and come alongside you as Nancie has suffered greatly through loss of her daughter at six months old. If you haven't yet suffered, the teaching in this book will help lay a great foundation to stand upon whenever storms do come.

[Kimberly Myhren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this just a few weeks after my baby passed. I liked some of her thoughts on grief, parts of it I soaked up as a balm. It could have been that my wound is so new, but when reading other parts of this book I felt guilty that my honest prayers were filled with such questions and doubt (which the Psalms, Job, Lamentations are filled with), especially given Nancy Guthrie’s incredibly difficult circumstances/loss. I don’t think there could ever be any one author or any one book on sorrow and hope that meets everyone where they are at (besides Christ himself).

I don’t know if the “purpose” question can ever be answered this life, which Guthrie seems to encourage. My favorite part of the book of Job has been that God answers Job’s questions with who He is, not God’s specific earthly purpose in Job’s suffering.

It’s clear that Nancy Guthrie has sought to use her experiences/pain for God’s glory, which is remarkable, and my heart goes out to her. Maybe someday, at a later stage in my faith and grief, I would see her suggestions and steps in healing differently.

[Meredith Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little mislead by the title and thought this book would dive deeper into the actual topic of hope but it’s mostly centered around suffering and how to experience suffering while holding onto your faith. For the topic it discusses it’s a 5/5. Short concise and practical, based on the authors own experience of grief and loss over her daughter Hope (hence the name). This isn’t the only focus and it can be applied to any and all forms of suffering. I took off a star simply because I was looking for something different than what I thought it was.

[Jane Dotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has helped me put descriptions to my grief. As I read through, many times did I have to stop and think, “yes! that’s exactly what I’m thinking, feeling, struggling with, praying” etc.

I’ll definitely be coming back to this book at a later time.
Half the book is…well…the book and the other half is a week by week Bible study on Job that I skipped for now.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is excellent if you are stuck in grief or don’t understand the purpose of grief in our lives. The book I used had a study involved with it so you could read the book, then study bible verses, then respond.
I have a better understand of my refining and how to use my experiences for God’s purposes.

[Shanereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy Guthrie went through exactly what we are going through with our baby and she did a really beautiful job writing this book. I am looking forward to reading the companion bible study.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The BEST book I've read since losing our baby earlier this year. A deep an helpful book on processing grief, whether because of death or hard experiences in life.
I've read it three times in the past six months, and every time I find more truth and hope to hold onto. I have quotes from this book posted in my car and around my house to help me focus my thoughts when I start to spiral into despair.
I highly, highly recommend this book!

[Mary Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a gift from a dear friend after the death of our day-old daughter. It held many of the exact feelings and experiences we were going through, and it addressed the perspective that helped us to come to grips with perhaps never completely understanding God's purpose in her birth and death. I would highly recommend this book!

[Mary Rachel Fenrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read a few years ago during a women’s Bible study on Job and it felt like a good time to pick it up again. Still just as good as the first time and left me with lots to consider about suffering and the heart of God.

[Julianna True · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a helpful, empathetic, and theologically rich book telling the story of one woman’s journey through immense grief and suffering after the loss of two children due to rare genetic disorders. Her candor about the struggles in her faith as she walked through multiple stages of grief multiple times over is just so encouraging. This work balances personal experience with general truths as the author has been in the trenches of loss herself and therefore knows and dares to ask the hard questions out load that most grieving people are too ashamed or scared to verbalize publicly. Then, Guthrie does the even harder job of taking her readers by the hand and walking with them through the valley of the shadow of death—Bible open—showing them the Shepherd’s comforting rod and staff every step of the way. This is a story of the Lord being worth every ounce of faith we trust Him with, even when faith feels out of reach.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book 6 stars I would.
Nancy breaks this book into a few pages per chapter (which makes it easier to get through) with each chapter emphasising a different biblical point in the book of Job and an application.
I recommend this book to anyone who is disappointed, hurt, confused, or angry with what God has allowed to happen in their life. Even though I have not experienced the intense grief she has, I can very much apply and relate what she writes.
This book really does make you contemplate, cry, and challenge you to hold onto hope in Jesus in the midst of every kind of suffering.

[Malin Friess · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author uses Job’s suffering to remind us that even in our darkest moments, God is present. I found three lessons meaningful: first, Job’s honesty in crying out to God shows that we don’t have to hide our pain; second, Job’s friends remind us that being present is powerful, but their mistakes also show the harm of speaking too quickly or offering shallow answers; and third, Job’s endurance teaches us that hope is not the absence of suffering but the decision to keep trusting God through it.

Lastly, bad things happen in a fallen world. We can not control the uncontrollable--we may never get the answers to why?

[Sarah Bowling · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you sat down with this book as an accompaniment to a Bible study on the book of Job, I think it could be really helpful. But as I was just reading the book, I found the jumping from Bible version to Bible version confusing and distracting. I understand not everybody is going to use the version I prefer, but at least pick one and stick to it. I think it could be good for somebody who is strong in their faith to read while grieving, but it might be too "tough love" for somebody who is really struggling in their faith because of their grief.

[Rithun Regi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding purpose in life is tough.But finding purpose in life through God in your darkest moments of despair is what this book is all about. Nancy has written about pain,tears and suffering in such a meaningful way that only people who have undergone real suffering can write.There is a chapter called Comforters in the book which should be made a chapter in every school so that our kids can grow into adults knowing how to be real comforters.A beautiful book!

[Deannamand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tender look at enduring great loss and trusting God in the process. I especially appreciated Guthrie’s comments about pursuing God for healing with the obligatory “If it be your will” tagged on at the end. She asks, “…shouldn’t we switch that around?” Are we seeking first our will or trusting that His will and Purposes are always best? In our sorrow and pain, can we rest in His care no matter what? These are hard questions that shape us in ways ease and comfort cannot.

[Victoria Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully written book weaves biblical truth with personal story as Nancy Guthrie shares her journey of loss and faith. She offers encouragement and hope for anyone who’s experienced deep suffering, helping readers see how grief can draw us closer to the heart of God. What makes this book especially helpful is how it combines rich Bible study with practical insight and includes Scripture references on specific aspects of loss. Nancy, who also co-hosts GriefShare, writes with honesty and wisdom that feels both tender and grounded. It’s a deeply comforting and biblically rich resource for anyone walking through sorrow.

[JPaul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Guthrie writes from the difficult but unique perspective of having had two children die in infancy. She is transparent with her grief and the struggle of faith in the midst of her suffering. Like Job, she comes to know God more intimately and her faith is sustained and strengthened. This book is a helpful, biblical resource for those dealing with their own grief or seeking to minister to others.

An excerpt:
"So many people are afraid to bring up my loss. They don't want to upset me. But my tears are the only way I have to release the deep sorrow I feel. I tell people, 'Don't worry about crying in front of me, and don't be afraid that you will make me cry! Your tears tell me you care, and my tears tell you that you've touched me in a place that is meaningful to me-- and I will never forget your willingness to share my grief.'"
Chapter 2, Tears

#vtReadingChallenge 2018 "A Book by a Female Author"

[Michelle Ule · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book was recommended to me after we lost a grandchild to stillbirth. It's a look at the book of Job within the context of personal grief.

It was helpful, poignant and--in my case--marked by a number of tears. The Guthrie's tragic loss of two infants shortly after birth made me cry--but I needed to cry and I'm thankful.

[Cyndy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful reminder of God's faithfulness through the trials of life. Nancy Guthrie is truly one of my favorite bible study authors. She shares her story and draws parallels to Job's story. I've done this study twice (6 years apart) and found I learned different things each time. I would highly recommend this study.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in managable 3-6 page chapters, this simple book cuts to the heart of grief and all that we question while in times of suffering. The Biblical framework Guthrie used (looking at the book of Job) was not just helpful but shed new light on a story I thought I already knew; I found it helped me reframe some of my grief issues.

[HisPresence MyHome · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy Guthrie brings an important, difficult & ultimately needed message about Gods purpose & our response in suffering through book of Job. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has gone through a loss of any kind, & especially for those who have lost kids, infants or miscarried. It is a paradigm shifting book that I will be referencing & returning back to for many years to come.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seeing this woman try to justify the tragedies she believes God has purposely put her through is like seeing a battered woman try to justify her significant other beating her.

I'm an atheist, but my mind is always open, so I occasionally read a Christian book. Nevertheless, I am always left more appalled than inspired.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hanging on to Hope was a beautiful exploration of the Book of Job as Nancy Guthrie and her husband navigated their way through the death of their daughter. She shared her journey of grief while explaining the Book of Job in such as way that touched me deeply and helped me think differently. It gave me hope during a time of hopelessness.

[Chloe Burch · Rating 5 out of 5]

After suffering through two miscarriages, three months apart, I was encouraged by Nancy Guthrie's book. I cried a lot while reading the chapters because her words were thoughts and questions I had from my miscarriages. She writes about Job throughout the book on his suffering and how he responded to all of his losses. What a beautiful reminder to cling to God during difficult times.