"Have you ever noticed that when people talk about their trials in a public setting, they tend to focus on what happened at the end?" writes Emily Freeman. "They talk about the miracle, the promise, the way it all worked out. It isn't often that people talk about what happened in the middle of the trial."
Sometimes we can't imagine there will be an end to a hard time. But we can find hope and help even when the road seems long and dark. Using examples from her personal life and from the scriptures, Emily shares six lessons that can help all of us make it through the middle moments of our lives.
Emily Freeman and Simon Dewey collaborated on the bestselling book The Ten Virgins. For nearly 20 years, Emily has addressed groups of women as a writer, songwriter, and motivational speaker. Her deep love of the scriptures comes from a strong desire to find their application in modern-day life. Emily and her husband, Greg, are the parents of four children and live in Lehi, Utah.
A timely read for the days we are living in, Making It Through the Middle, shares principles that help us to not only cope, but grow when we are in the midst of trying times. Emily Belle Freeman introduced me to Myrtle Reed many years ago. Her small book begins with these words from Mrs. Reed, "Do not question too much, dear friend, for the God who ordained the beginning can safely be trusted with the end, as well as with all the lies between." Emily shares six lessons for our benefit. 1. Turn to the scriptures 2. Wait patiently 3. Recognize and remember His mercy 4. Rely on the Atonement 5. Continue to minister 6. When you can't see God's hand, trust His heart. In each section she shares scripture, story and life experiences. Lovely!
April 4, 2015 Another re-reading of this wonderful book, proving just as insightful.
May 12, 2014 An inspirational, uplifting little gem. A dear friend gave me this book, saying, "This is one you need to read." How right she was! I've read it twice in the last month, one chapter at a time so I could ponder the wisdom and insight. Each day it was a source of comfort, of encouragement.
Highly recommended! Especially for anyone who is finding life particularly challenging.
Very short book with some valuable insights. Emily Belle Freeman’s advice for when you’re going through the “middle” part of the trial includes:
1. Turn to the scriptures (she includes a list of chapters about “middle moments” in the scriptures: Genesis 6; Exodus 13, 16, 33; Deuteronomy 2, 6, 7; Joshua 2, 3; Jeremiah 26, 29, 31; 1 Nephi 17-18; Ether 2, 3, 6)
2. Wait patiently and remember tomorrow will come (“every day better”)
3. Recognize and remember the mercy of Jesus Christ; His grace will sustain us as our needs increase, each and every day
4. Learn to rely on the Atonement (again, another list of scriptures to study: Judges 7, 1 Samuel 7, 2 Kings 6, 2 Chronicles 20, Matthew 11:28-30, Philippians 4:13, Philemon, 1 Nephi 17, Helaman 5:12, D&C 19:23, D&C 68:6, Mosiah 23-24)
5. Continue to minister and serve
6. Trust in God’s heart (“when you can’t see God’s hand, trust His heart)
Lovely little book and a quick read, too; one you could actually make your way through while in “the middle.”
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is in the middle of a trial, or hard time in his or her life. It is written to help someone who is "In the middle" of a problem. This is a short book, (read in an hour) but it could be used as a study guide. Many references are given and great suggestions for a study journal. The author gives good points and uplifting stories. It could be read over and additional insights gained.
Everyone needs to read this book not just once but several times. This books gives you a different perspective of trials. It gives you faith and hope to endure the middle of any tribulation. Some of my favorite quotes are: “Sometimes He refines is in ways we might not have wanted because He needs to use us in ways we might not have thought.” “When you can’t see God’s hand, trust His heart” “Sometimes we have to be the angel even in the times when we are in need of the angel.”
Her suggestions for enduring the trials when you are in the middle of them rang true to me. She spoke from a place of experience so it felt very authentic, not like a young married couple who comment on your parenting style before they themselves have become parents. I only hope I can remember to draw on them when I'm in "the middle" of a trial. I know if I do, it will bless my life.
Excellent little read. Freeman explores the idea of focussing on the hard middle sections of scripture stories, rather than glossing over them to see the miracle at the end. Her connection and explanation of Joshua’s story was particularly profound to me. I drew great understanding from this simple book.
Sometimes there seems to be too many "middles"! But this book helps put a whole new perspective on challenges and how it is a privilege to have the chance to be molded and shaped by God as we go through our trials. Beautiful book.
This is an excellent read! Probably took me too long to get through, but my life & attention span is such that I read when I where I think to do it. Truly though, audiobooks spoil me. Like I said, an excellent read, gave me plenty to ponder & appreciate! Thank you Sister Freeman! 💕
Good short read. Unique ideas. I liked it enough that I bought a few copies and have given them to a few friends who I felt like are "in the middle" and could use a pick-me-up.
My favorite line from the book. "Sometimes He refines us in ways we might not have wanted because He needs to use us in ways we might not have thought. "
A person who I visit teach let me borrow this little book after I shared with her a talk from the November 2017 LDS General Conference by Bishop W. Christopher Waddell called “Turn to the Lord.” The talk is similar to this book, though a little more Christ centered. He mentions different specific things we can do to help us during those middle moments when we are suffering with challenges. If this book helped you, I highly recommend his talk.
I love the quote in this book from Freeman’s mother, “When you can’t see God’s hand, trust His heart.” I hadn’t heard that before and had forgotten that it’s important to look for God’s tender mercies and grace. I also like how she includes scripture references to stories of people enduring middle moments. I will definitely read those. Waddell tells some of those types of stories also.
It is difficult to trust, be patient, be strong, and have hope when things get difficult in life. The ideas in this book are helpful. Combined with other sources of truth, I feel like I can go forward with faith. This would be a good little book to own and to refer to again and again.
This book was written just for ME! I need this book right now!
For I am in a 'middle'~
I am struggling with this 'middle'~ I am anxious to get out of this 'middle'~
I LEARNED SO MUCH FROM THIS BOOK!
LOVED this question: "Have you ever noticed that when people talk abut their trials in a public setting, they tend to focus on what happened at the end? They talk about the miracle, the promise, the way it all worked out."
It's so TRUE!
"It isn't often that people talk about what happened in the MIDDLE of the trial!"
This book gives us HOPE!
Personal stories and scriptures are taught to bring us lessons that WILL HELP us through the "middle moments of our lives."
Two quotes I really needed to hear:
"Sometimes He refines us in ways we might not have wanted because he needs to use us in ways we might not have thought."
"When you can't see God's hand, trust His heart."
If you or someone you know is going through a "middle" this book will bring you/them perspective and peace.
When I read books like this I sometimes feel like they are written for me. Emily Freeman addresses a topic that interests me greatly. She's right when she mentions that most people talk about trials in the context of the 'end' of the trial, but it's usually the middle that's the hardest part and enduring it can be very difficult. I know for me, sometimes the end is impossible to see. That's when faith is the most important. I really enjoyed this book and the recommendations that she makes. She suggests: Turn to the scriptures (she has some that she specifically references) Wait patiently, tomorrow will come Recognize and remember His mercy Rely on the Atonement Continue to minister Trust God's heart
What a great inspiring book on hope and help when the journey through a trial seems long. Love this! It is what we do when we encounter the unexpected that defines us.
Wonderful quote from the book:
Do not question too much dear friend, For the God who ordained the beginning Can safely be trusted with the end, As well as with all that lies between.
I am usually not into LDS authors but Emily Freeman is one of the exceptions. like her other books this one does not fail. A good friend gave me a copy of this book, during a particularly unhappy time I was having in my life. This little book offered some hope and a little peace. You can't really go wrong with this authors work. Go ahead and read it. You won't regret it.
Making It Through the Middle is a fabulous book by Emily Freeman. I particularly loved the pioneer stories and quotes from the prophets. This quick read is packed with inspirational and uplifting tidbits.