Beyond Our Control
Let Go of Unmet Expectations, Overcome Anxiety, and Discover Intimacy with God
- Christian Living
- Publisher: Nelson Books (Thomas Nelson)
- Published: 2024
FritzSearch.com earns a commission on purchases made through Bookshop.org links.
Publisher's Description
Realizing how little control we have over our lives can make us fearful and anxious--or it can lead to greater intimacy with God, a richer prayer life, and a joyful eternal perspective. Seasons of grief, pain, and loss of control are inevitable. Despite our best efforts and steadfast faith, reality rarely matches our expectations. In an unpredictable and broken world, how do we cling to a foundation that provides purpose for today and hope for the future? In their new book, Beyond Our Control, Michael and Lauren McAfee show us how trusting God brings greater contentment than the illusion of control. With deep and abiding faith, the McAfees draw on their experiences with adoption, infertility, illness, and loss to help readers navigate unexpected circumstances. Offering biblical insights and their powerful story of pain and providence, Michael and Lauren know that no matter what happens--to their family, work, or ministry--everything is as it should be because God is in control, and he is good. The McAfees help us: recognize the illusion of control and how it leads to greater anxiety; understand why glorifying God is the richest expectation we can have for our lives; realize that Jesus' pain on the cross brings hope and healing to the pain we experience now; practice the profoundly comforting spiritual discipline of lament, which makes room for us to process grief; and use times of loss to make more room for God's work of growing and sanctifying us. If you struggle to embrace the life you have rather than the life you wanted, this book invites you to find a deeper peace in God than you could have imagined.
Endorsements (9)
“Michael and Lauren McAfee have walked through trials that could have broken them, but instead they felt their way to Jesus. They will help you do the same. If you or someone you know is walking through a season of grief, this is the book you need.”
“Lots of us in our scariest and darkest moments want to talk to someone who ‘gets it,’ someone who’s been where we are and who can point us to life on the other side of the grief. Lauren and Michael McAfee wisely guide us through what it’s like to live through confusing or sorrow-filled times without losing heart. If you’re hurting, or if you love someone who is, this book is here for you, maybe at exactly the right time.”
“If you’ve ever been looking for a path for developing greater trust in God, Michael and Lauren have provided the resource for you in this book. As they walk through their own struggles, they share the invaluable lessons they’ve learned to find deeper connection with God on the other side of their pain.”
“Michael and Lauren McAfee offer real and insightful encouragement to those who find themselves in seasons of anxiety, loss, and disappointment. They draw from personal pain and deep reliance on the Lord through each trial. We recommend this book to anyone whose life hasn’t turned out like they thought it would.”
“This book is a gem. We were captivated by Michael and Lauren’s poignant personal story of waiting, adoption, and loss. They wrestled and held on to the goodness of God amidst their grief. They encourage readers that God is able to do something immeasurably greater than we can imagine through the pain. We strongly recommend this book for anyone wrestling to make sense of suffering and powerlessness in light of the cross.”
“Michael and Lauren’s story is utterly gripping. Their willingness to talk so openly about the struggles they have faced with childlessness, adoption, and loss is a gift to others. Their story of encounters with God through these trials is a challenge and encouragement to us all.”
“This book is a thoughtful and touching resource for anyone struggling with the problem of pain and suffering. Michael and Lauren are uniquely qualified because of their own life experience. But more than that, their insights come from a deep sense of faith and a strong commitment to and love for God’s Word. This book tackles some of life’s most perplexing questions with honesty, grace, and wisdom.”
“Lauren and Michael offer their grief as a guide to anyone who has stared in the face of deep disappointment, powerless vulnerability, and unspeakable sorrow, and had the courage to ask, ‘Why?’ Their raw, emotional honesty, hemmed in by the soul-protecting truth of Scripture, presents the freedom of trusting the promises and power of God with all that is beyond our control.”
“Lauren and Michael combine personal experience with biblical truth to walk through their moments of deep despair, yet still find hope in the providence of God. Michael and Lauren show a pathway for relinquishing control and trusting God’s higher ways. This book should be read by anyone going through a tough period or helping others through difficulty, but it is also a great reminder of God’s plans and ways for all Christians.”
See something wrong on this page? Report a problem