empty.: Living Full of Faith When Life Drains You Dry

by Cherie Hill

We all find ourselves living with the harsh reality that life is hard and life hurts. We continually demand that life be fair, yet we’re well aware that it’s not. Life can leave you at a loss for words. It has a way of suddenly casting you into the darkness of doubt. In these desperate moments, you find your soul being drained dry . . . you’re empty . . . and faith just doesn’t seem to matter anymore. Faith loses out when you realize that God could have done something . . . and He did nothing. Your life is further emptied when you realize that even if you live the “Christian” life, things don’t always turn out the way you’d like them to . . . and that’s not the way you hoped faith worked. You don’t want God to comfort you in your troubles . . . you want Him to take them from you. As God continually frustrates our faith with His constant inconsistency and ridiculously draining unpredictability, we resolve in the truth that He is the only one who understands our hurting hearts, empty lives, and searching souls. We find the ongoing trials of life continually draining us and . . . we’re thirsty. Yet, through our endless efforts to quench our undying thirst, nothing satisfies. Our souls seem to be insatiable, and we know we desperately need something to fill us, completely . . . but it’s not what we think. You’ve been waiting for God to show up, yet He’s actually been waiting for you. He’s ready to meet with you . . . one on one . . . at the well.

Genres: Faith, Self Help, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Religion, Christian, Christianity

209 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 16, 2012

About the author

I'm just a sinner, saved by God's AMAZING grace, with one desire: for my life to be poured out as a servant to Christ, in order to bring glory to God.

God has given me the great joy of spreading His Word around the world through Scripturenow.com And even though I have a BA in Psychology and I'm trained in Biblical Counseling through the AACC . . . it is truly God who has qualified me, through my daily surrender, as I walk intimately with Him one day at a time.

In the most amazing journey of my life, God has seen fit to make me an International Bestselling Christian Living author. More miraculously, I've been ranked #6 in Bestselling authors for Amazon in the Religion and Spirituality category. Truly, God still does miracles. (It's ONLY by the grace of God that I am who I am. 1 Corinthians 15:10)

My published works are:"Waiting on God," "Be Still: Let Jesus Calm Your Storms," "Beginning at The End: Finding God When Your World Falls Apart, "The Ways of God: Finding Purpose Through Your Pain," "Hope Being Gone," "empty. (Living Full of Faith When Life Drains You Dry)," and my latest releases:

FAITH Under Construction
From the Heart of GOD

CONNECT WITH CHERIE: Get a personalize autographed message for the book you're reading HERE: http://www.authorgraph.com/authors/ch...


I have the great privilege of writing the Christian Women's column, "FAITHLIFT" for CWAHM.com and I also write for several other online Christian Magazines.

Recently, due to author demand, I've developed my own publishing services which publishes paperbacks, ebooks, and CDs through Amazon.com You can visit me at: http://www.writesourcepublishingservi...

I also enjoy the privilege of being the #1 Book Reviewer for Thomas Nelson, as well as an avid reviewer for Zondervan, Amazon, Bethany House, Tyndale, Waterbrook/Multanomah and Revell Books. I dedicate my time to serving God through my church, several non-profit organizations, and my local animal shelter. I diligently pray that the fullness of God will pour out through my life into the lives of others.

My greatest joy: Living out my Lord and Savior's command, "When you have repented and turned to Me again, strengthen your brothers/sisters" (Luke 22:32). It is my passion to encourage others in their faith and lead them into a deeper relationship with the One who paid it all.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another very well done book by Cherie Hill on allowing God to quench your thirst when you are at the low point of life or at the point of your life being "empty."

A couple of quotes really got my attention:

"The most famous last words before God shows up are: I have nothing. Put many other ways: I can't go on. My pain is too deep. I am empty."

" As long as we're empty God can flow through us. Grasp this truth: Emptiness is not the end. It's the beginning."

This is a good book to start with if you've never read anything by Hill. If you have read some of Hill's other works, I recommend you read this one too.

[Vickie Jameson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Live by Faith

I think that most people will agree with the phrase "life is hard at times". As Christians, we have the benefit of knowing that our faith in God will sustain us at all times, but especially during hardship and struggle. However, we need to have an ACTIVE faith, not just the knowledge that it exists. This book encourages and reminds the believer to put our faith in God and know that He is with us all the way, even when we feel alone.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

[Kellye · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give this a resounding meh. Not that she didn't have good information and insight, because she did. But there were some writing errors that were distracting to me (possibly because I read the e-version), and I also felt like she repeated herself. I will read the author again, though, because she does have insight into scripture and how to apply it to your life. I just hope the next thing is a little better edited.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very insightful in it's ideas, but I felt it to be quite redundant. The book seemed to reiterate again and again the importance of being empty so that God can fill you up. I also found the numerous puns about the "well" rather irritating, but for me, that is just a matter of taste. I did take something from this book though, which is why I give it three stars.

[Walter Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but tedious

This is a rare book. The content makes you want to keep reading. But it is so drawn out that you have to take a break. To much repetition. Saying the same thing over and over in a different way. The length could have been cut in half without sacrificing any content. But that would have made it less tedious and more readable. And gotten a higher rating.

[tami kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really inspired me to pursue a genuine relationship with God. I have gone through life with a lot of self doubt because I knew I could never be perfect. This book really spoke to my heart and gave me hope. My goal is to just take it day by day. Thank you Cherie.

[Ang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read. Gives enough for reflections and how to seek Jesus in our empty times, and how we must be open venues for Him to flow through. A good book.

[Lauren Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good spiritual book. I really enjoyed it, especially since my mom is dying of cancer

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read! I liked how this book made you think differently about the times when you feel dry in life and "empty". I liked all the Bible verses in it, as that made it more impactful.

[April Blocker · Rating 4 out of 5]

great read