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In the Eye of the Storm

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Follows a turbulent day in the life of Jesus, during which He experiences a range of emotions that includes both joy and doubt in His faith, in a guide that seeks to help readers relate to the humanity of Christ. Reprint.

304 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 1991

377 people are currently reading
1421 people want to read

About the author

Max Lucado

1,201 books5,418 followers
With more than 150 million products in print and several NYT bestsellers, Max Lucado is America's bestselling inspirational author. He serves the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and their mischievous mutt, Andy. His most recent book published in August 2024 and is titled What Happens Next.

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5 stars
1,206 (51%)
4 stars
763 (32%)
3 stars
299 (12%)
2 stars
54 (2%)
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16 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
Profile Image for Gavin Abdollahi .
262 reviews
September 14, 2017
“It does little good to make the trip and miss the journey!”

Wow. This was nice. Very, very nice.

First off, I'd like to say that Mr. Lucado is a very good author. His descriptions are very well done.

Oh. Someone else wants to use this tablet (it's not mine). Will continue this some other time.

P.S. Go read this. It's great.

Back to the review.

Mr. Lucado is a very excellent writer. He is a seasoned chef with a good taste of words.
He is also a wise and God-loving man who isn't afraid to share his failures and insights.
Mix these two traits together and you're bound to get a great book (you do).

My Dad asked me about what In the Eye of the Storm's about.
If you stick to the official summary, the answer would be something like, "It's about how Jesus, like us, also went through a very stressful time, yet still kept his calm; and that we can also do the same".
Yet... I wasn't able to answer Dad.
Why?
I like giving the right answers, and that just didn't seem right.
The book isn't just about keeping calm in the face of great peril; no, it's much more than that.
It's a way to get closer to God; a way to get to know him more, an eye-opening book that will help you improve in life.
It reminds you about what God did for us; it reminds us that though Jesus was God, he was also human. It shows you that God isn't just a stone-faced entity without a care for your life, and that he really cares for you. It will give you new insights, and hopefully, it'll also change your view of God.
Whether you've been a Christian for all your life, or you're just starting out and are eager to feed on something to help you grow, or you just want something to read, I recommend this book to you. Perhaps it will help you grow, perhaps it will remind you of forgotten revelations, perhaps it will lead you to eternal happiness, satisfaction, and life.
Whatever the case, I recommend this book to you.
May it open the door to... well, hopefully you'll see, for you.
Profile Image for Katie Casey.
816 reviews23 followers
May 6, 2012
Love how Max Lucado makes God so REAL.

One of my favorite chapters was "Why God Smiles" in which Lucado writes "I'm not one who easily envisions a smiling God. A weeping God, yes. An angry God, OK. A might God, you bet. But a chuckling God? .... What do I think he was doing when he stretched the neck of the giraffe? An exercise in engineering? What do I think he had in mind when he told the ostrich where to put his head? Spelunking? What do I think he was doing when he designed the mating call of an ape? Or the eight legs of the octopus? And what do I envision on his face when he saw Adam's first glance at Eve? A yawn? Hardly."

Throughout the book, Lucado gives examples of Jesus' interaction with people to show us that our almighty God really does understand us and that no matter what we are facing - even in the eye of the storm - He is there with us and has been there before.

So here's to a smiling God that loves us more than we will ever understand this side of heaven!
Profile Image for Patricia.
41 reviews3 followers
January 21, 2023
Good uplifting book. I could listen again. Worth reading for anyone going through tough times.
Profile Image for Phillip.
335 reviews
February 17, 2012
Max Lucado has a gift for finding the eternal in the commonplace. He spots the inspiration in the historic. He can take the divine and make it personal. The thrust of "In The Eye Of The Storm" is to give his readers comfort and direction in times of adversity, especially those times when we are hounded by demands, filled with doubt, or facing failure. To the heart ready receive, the impact of this unrelenting trio dwindles before the prospect of perspective, endurance and choice. This book is designed to bolster the flagging spirit.
Profile Image for Sue.
1,320 reviews
November 7, 2017
The subtitle on this is “A Day in the Life of Jesus” and the focus seems to be how Jesus responded on a day when it would be easy for us to crumble under the pressures and emotions. Jesus’ response: turn to the Father. My struggle with this (not that solution, the book in general) was that it seemed like that was said in the first few chapters and I couldn’t see how the remainder of the book continued to develop that theme.
Profile Image for Amanda.
181 reviews24 followers
January 3, 2018
It started out so promising, but after a few chapters I just could not figure out where Max was going with the rest of it. I didn't see how these little stories had anything to do with how Jesus handled that very difficult day, nor did I glean any advice for how I might do the same. I closed the book feeling confused. It might've worked better as a devotional with different topics than one cohesive lesson. It seemed like Max went on a bit of a tangent and just had so many things to say.
46 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2018
I couldn’t finish the book. I was disheartened to read about things of my religion that he equated with prostitution and pornography. I have thought long and hard about writing this. I saw a lot of one and two stars and wondered if they thought the same thing. So I’m hoping my review is understood by other readers. I’ve loved many of his other books so I hope this was simply a one-time issue. I hope someday I can pick up another of his books and not have a sour taste.
Profile Image for Michelle Korting.
130 reviews14 followers
November 16, 2025
Another excellent book by Max Lucado! 2025 is coming to an end and Society is not what it was in the 80’s. So many have turned from God and our World is turned upside down.
For those of us who thirst for God’s word Max delivers. We are living in a tumultuous storm and those of us who seek his face or fear we have lost our way in this evil World need to be reminded God is with us always we just need to stand with him.
Continue feeding your soul the good word of God and you will survive these storms we are riding on daily.
Profile Image for Liza Lehman.
286 reviews3 followers
November 29, 2022
It is rare that I can read a chapter by Max Lucado without crying, and this book was no different. He truly has a gift to inspire hope, to show the love of our Father in very real and personable ways, and to weave words that bring me to worship.
Profile Image for Ashley.
98 reviews
January 29, 2012
This book was given to me as a gift; and although initially I was intimidated I decided - why not? Let me give it a fair shot.....so.....I read it and my eyes were opened to just how "easy" I had it. Just when I thought I was drowning in a quagmire of problems, and challenges - I see that what I can't "seem to bear" is completely doable! It was a book that I hold dear to my heart & am eternally grateful to my friend.....who I will always hold in a special place in my heart.
Profile Image for Gena Webb.
Author 9 books56 followers
February 28, 2023
great book!

One of Lucado’s best. Like all of them, easy to read and understand. He always speaks to us and not down to us.
Profile Image for April.
549 reviews
February 16, 2021
Like I do with so many books, I picked this one up a while back at a library sale, and it just made it's way to the top of my to read pile. Like most bibliophiles, the pace at which I acquire books is much faster than the pace at which I can actually read them. I am so glad that this one has made it's way to he top and I've read it. This is the third or fourth book by Max Lucado that I've read, and I really enjoy his writing style. I like the way that he mixes scripture with anecdotes that relate to the scripture. It blends in a really relatable and insightful way. He also makes excellent points. My favorites were about how the Lord looked at people and had compassion on them, even though he was tired, and wanted to relax, and they kept making demands on Him. But he looked at them and saw their need and kept giving. I also liked that fishermen get frustrated when they can't fish. Those two points were very relevant to my professional life, because it reminded me that my purpose is to serve my students and always look at them with the compassion my Savior has for us. I will be most happy when I'm focused on my students and serving my purpose, and not trying to please others. I also related to looking at God through the broken pieces, and how faith often comes out of fear. The entire book is filled with wisdom, though and well worth the read. I highly recommend this one for people of faith who want some advice on how to deal with stress and chaos, with our Savior as our example. If you're not a person of faith, its still a good read for how to deal with those issues.
Profile Image for Sue.
Author 1 book40 followers
December 15, 2019
A devotional book by a popular American Christian writer, inspired by one of the busier days of Jesus' life. The author uses personal anecdotes and some extrapolation of ideas to inspire and encourage readers, in three broad sections covering demands, doubt and failure.

It's light-weight reading, not really offering anything new, but some interesting insights. In some places it was so US-centric that I was either lost (for instance in sports references) or bewildered; and in some places there was too much repetition, presumably to try to make a point more strongly.

Still, it made a good start to the day to read two or three brief sections each day for a couple of weeks, and I would recommend it in a low-key way. Three and a half stars would be fairer.

Full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
Profile Image for Perssis Namour.
339 reviews3 followers
July 31, 2017
Max Lucado knocks hits another gram slam out of the park! There are some people when you meet them for the first time they make you feel so comfortable like they are your best friend. They befriend you quickly as they open up about themselves showing you the raw side of their dysfunctional life or of their practically perfect life, regardless you now know they will be a life long friend. "Max is a writer who preaches or a preacher who writes" as it says on the inside jacket of the book and that one quick intro says it all about Max. He is a man searching for more of God in every day life. They he takes you along for the enjoyable ride. He is a son, husband, son, writer, preacher, and a man after God's own heart. If you decide to read this book YOU ARE IN FOR A REAL TREAT!
Profile Image for Sandra.
50 reviews
August 3, 2018
I enjoy Christian books that serve as a reminder that the bible is full of history with true stories that left so much detail out. It is easy to listen to the same stories since childhood and not truly reflect on all the things unsaid. Unfortunately the stories just become familiar. But to dig deeper and really think about every detail, every character, the times, culture of the event/s and all that was happening, and relate as humans, brings exciting new interest to these stories we might of heard hundreds of times.
Jesus was here on earth and it is our human nature that sometimes allows us to forget that He truly does know how rough it is for us. In our storms we can call out to Him and He will save us.
Profile Image for viktoriia.
21 reviews
August 9, 2024
на книгу я натрапила у вересні в пінтересті, мене зацікавив коментар: «мне нужна она была именно сегодня. именно в этом сезоне - полного служения людям. с усталостью, колкими словами в личные сообщения и просто обычными привычными «фе», которые все желают высказать. рекомендую всем, кто даже не думал в эпицентре бури. кому просто необходимо получить неимоверно вкусную книгу, наполненную золотыми истинами».

тож я собі її завантажила, а потім придбала. вона приїхала до мене 13 грудня, за день до кінця спілкування з р. ще через 2 тижні я її прочитала. починаючи з третьої частини…

книга описує один із найважчих днів Христа. вона поділена на 3 частини.
(далі - російською)

1. гнет требований

«Иисус знает, что вы чувствуете»

«для того чтобы мы с вами поверили, что Целитель знает наши раны, Он добровольно стал одним из нас. Он поставил Себя на наше место. Он переживал нашу боль и чувствовал наши страхи. (…) но зачем Он это сделал? по одной причине. чтобы, когда вы почувствуете боль, вы шли к Нему, к своему Отцу и Целителю, и позволили Ему исцелить вас»

«Он осознавал ценность людей. Он знал, что каждым человек - это сокровище. и поэтому люди для Него не были источником стрессов, но источником радости»

«когда Иисус видел людей, Он видел возможность проявить к ним любовь и подтвердить их высокую ценность. когда ученики видели людей, они видели тысячи проблем»

«что знал Иисус, что позволило Ему сделать то, что Он сделал? Он знал невероятно высокую ценность людей. Он знал, что люди чувствуют, и Он знал, что они все - особенные»

«когда в следующий раз у вас возникнет искушение запереться внутри от проблем и тягот жизни, оставайтесь внутри достаточно долго, чтобы отогреться. но потом выходите наружу. когда люди, призванные ловить рыбу, этого не делают, они начинают воевать с ближними»

«нет никакого смысла отправляться в путешествие, если ты намерен его пропустить»

«необычных вещей намного больше, чем мы замечаем»

«я смогу справиться с образом жизни странника, пока знаю, что в любую минуту могу позвонить домой»

«когда программы занимают приоритетное место вместо людей, страдают именно люди»

«Он сказал «нет» важным вещам, чтобы сказать «да» жизненно необходимым. Он сказал «нет» добрым намерениям, чтобы сказать «да» лучшим возможностям. и Его решение не было эгоистичным. это был осознанный выбор почтить приоритеты. но если Иисус считал необходимым говорить «нет» требованиям толпы, чтобы помолиться, неужели мы с вами не должны делать так же?»

2. бури сомнений

«обратите внимание на Божий пункт назначения и преопределение для нашей жизни - спасение. главное Божье желание в том, чтобы мы достигли пункта назначения. проложенный Им маршрут включает остановки, помогающие преодолеть весь путь. Он морщится, когда мы решаем выйти на незапланированной остановке, которая задержит наше продвижение. когда Его суверенный план и наши земные планы не совпадают, нам нужно принять решение и напомнить себе, Кто руководит нашим путешествием»

«главные решения принимай на кладбище»

«прежде всего добейся успеха в своем доме»

«не чувствуй вину за Божью доброту»

«если иов когда-нибудь задумывается над тем, почему Бог не вернул ему детей, которых Он забрал, он не спрашивает об этом. может, он не спрашивает, потому что знает, что они не могут быть счастливее нигде в другом , месте, кроме как в присутствии Того, Кого он видел краткие мгновения.
что-то мне подсказывает, что иов готов снова пройти через ту бурю, если в конце нее он снова сможет услышать Божий голос и стоять в Его Присутствии. и даже если бы на этот раз Бог оставил его с болячками и неоплаченными счетами, он снова прошел бы через все это.
ибо Бог дал иову много больше того, о чем он мечтал.
Бог дал иову Самого Себя»

«период страданий - небольшая плата за возможность ясно увидеть Бога»

«когда вы признаете Бога как Творца, вы будете Им восхищаться. когда вы признаете Его мудрость, вы будете у Него учиться. когда вы откроете для себя Его силу, вы научитесь полагаться на Него. но вы будете поклоняться
Ему только тогда, когда Он спасет вас»

3. жало поражения

«что делает Бог, когда я падаю?»

«спасение - это Божье внезапное и успокаивающее присутствие во время штормового времени в нашей жизни. мы слышим Его голос, и мы делаем шаг»

«джон не заслуживал милости, но он ее получил»

«думаю, Его воодушевило, что она просила Его сделать именно то, ради чего Он пришел в наш мир, - ради великих даров недостойным детям.
как странно, что мы не позволяем Ему делать подобные вещи как можно чаще. может, самая удивительная реакция на Божий дар - наше нежелание принять его.
мы его хотим. но на наших условиях. по какой-то странной причине мы чувствуем себя лучше, если можем его заработать. поэтому мы создаем религиозные петли и прыгаем через них, превращая Бога в дрессировщика, себя - в дрессированных собачек, а религию - в цирк»

«она [хананеянка из мт 15] прекрасно осознает, как и все остальные, что Иисус ей ничего не должен, но она просит у Него все»

«чадо Царя проснулось»

«этот утренний момент священным делает как раз его честность и отсутствие притворства. утреннее отражение в зеркале становится священным именно потому, что вы смотрите на то, что видит Бог. и вы смотрите на того, кого Бог любит. никакой краски. никаких выглаженных рубашек. ни модных галстуков. ни подобранных по стилю и цвету туфель. никаких слоев имиджа. ни соответствующих ювелирных изделий. простая и непричесанная честность.
просто вы. если люди любят вас в 6:30 утра, верно одно: они вас действительно любят»

«шедевр зашевелился»

«Он умер за Свое творение еще прежде, чем сотворил его»

«воспринимайте жизнь, как путешествие на шхуне. наслаждайтесь видами. исследуйте судно. подружитесь с Капитаном. ловите понемногу рыбу. и когда придет ваше время, отправляйтесь домой».
Profile Image for Mel.
142 reviews
June 1, 2024
Having worked inside a Christian church and been a follower of Jesus for a long time, I find that this book speaks to everyone—whether you're an atheist, agnostic, or a follower of Jesus. The author is authentic in his statements about what the reader means to Jesus, avoiding trite commentary and flowery language. Instead, he provides real examples of real people. The book doesn't just tell constant stories of tragedy followed by miraculous outpourings of God's blessing; it is honest about the stories and the realities of the world.

Lucado, outside of this book in 2004, made remarks about homosexuality that he later apologized for in 2021 when people objected to him acting as guest pastor at Washington National Cathedral.

I include this information in this review because I believe it's important to consume media knowing the whole picture of the creation and creator.
Profile Image for Monica.
982 reviews2 followers
February 24, 2019
Sad to see this one come to an end. I read this book in high school and out of all the Max Lucado books I’ve read, this one stuck with me. Not in the way that I could ever have told you what the main point was or why it struck me. I just remembered it covered a day in the life of Jesus and it made a significant, positive, impact on my life at that time. So when it showed up in like new condition in a box of donated books I knew I had to read it again.

There is no one outstanding theme besides the love of God. That Jesus came down from heaven and walked among us. That He loves us through our densest times, extends unfathonable grace, and would do it all over again for just me. Even me.
Profile Image for Doug.
81 reviews4 followers
February 18, 2018
I'm not sure what I expected to read in Max Lucado's books; maybe a retelling of Bible stories that I grew up with as a child, maybe a book of life lessons. What I got was both; and it was neither. His story telling makes these verses cope to life like they never did for me as a kid. His insights of the Biblical passages don't lay on the guilt, but they do reflect the love. I feel like Im talking and listening to a friend one on one when I read his books. i also feel like there's a third Person in the room.
Profile Image for Helen.
97 reviews6 followers
November 4, 2020
Pastor Lucado has a wonderful God-given ability to take the holy and make it every day for anyone to understand. He has taken God's perfection and brought to us so we can experience the holy, the meek, the gracious, and the glorious. Jesus' humanity is clear, along with his divinity. I am grateful for this brief view of God's humanity. There is much to learn from Christ, his experiences, and his choices of one day. Who he was and who he is all tied together in a heavenly bow for all of the world to see. Yes, definitely worth the read.
1 review
January 20, 2018
Max Lucado is a gifted writer. He pulls you in instantly with his descriptive and inspiring words. I am left feeling closer to the Lord because of his bones-deep understanding of the Gospel. He has a way of making the Bible come to life. Jesus really does understand, literally, how we feel when we are going through a hard trial! If you are going through something really tough right now, I highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Rudy Gutierrez.
168 reviews2 followers
June 30, 2017
The first half of the book was excellent! I was moved, cried, reflected, I was engaged with every word. Sadly the 2nd half was not as profound. There were very good sections and some which lost my attention altogether. Overall, a good read and if you've gone through some stuff like I have it is therapeutic.
Profile Image for Ione.
52 reviews
September 10, 2018
I’ve read a couple of Max Lucado’s books and have enjoyed them. I typically do not care for this genre of books but this author has a way of telling a story about a very human Jesus while avoiding the typical “bible-thumping” and fear-based approach many preachers feel the need to use. Religion might not leave such a bad taste if more preachers used this approach.
Profile Image for Jenna.
Author 12 books27 followers
February 16, 2018
I have been searching for some sort of technology based book to work through each morning during my devotionals. I've heard of Max Lucado many times, but haven't picked up a book of his before. I was very impressed with this particular book because each chapter had something new. It gave me a new perspective on the incredible God I serve.
115 reviews2 followers
December 7, 2020
Another great book by Lucado

Enjoyable and easy to read and cogitate on. His study guides at the end provide ample references for deeper study.

I feel in the eye of a storm right now, but am reminded that Jesus will walk thru hell or high water to save. It’s the best message of all time and so needed in 2020.
4 reviews
January 25, 2021
Este libro fue mi acompañante mientras me encontraba con COVID. Entendí que Jesús sabía lo que yo pasaba por que el fue hombre, y lo hizo para entender lo que pasamos. Cada página fue ilustró a un Dios comprensible y atento. También me ayudo a entender como pasar mi tiempo y en que cosas enfocarme.
Profile Image for Katherine Weaver.
221 reviews
July 16, 2021
Max Lucado is one of my favorite Catholic/Christen writers. We all face storms. Max reminds us there is hope and answers in our storms! My favorite chapter lest we forget who’s who in this relationship. It say chapter 17 but the numbers say chapter 18. Some times we just need a reminder of all God is, does, and does not do! I loved this book!
Profile Image for Ryan.
19 reviews1 follower
January 28, 2023
Max Lucado is a brilliant and beautiful author. I loved gentle thunder so I thought I would this to keep reading his work. I definitely love Jesus more after reading this. Yet there wasn’t much theme. It was filled with beautiful stories and counsel but I couldn’t find the main theme as much as I thought I would. Still overall a wonderful work from Lucado.
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