Sometimes a book finds its way to you, and when that happens its best not to be ignored. Often times we have an idea of what the topic of a book is about, and we think “that doesn’t apply to me” so I don’t need to read it. This is even more true for non-fiction. More than likely, we are going to get to the root of a situation or feel the emotions come back from a real life experience or simply think this isn’t applicable when reading non-fiction or self help labeled books. To be honest, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way fell into the category of “not applicable” in my mind based on my following the author Lysa Terkeurst’s on social media and knowing what hardships she was facing. Before I go any further, I also must mention that she is a favorite author and speaker of mine, so I really shouldn’t have discounted the idea that the topic or what I thought was the topic (unfaithfulness in marriage & restoration) was not happening in my life or something I wanted to read about at the moment. I WAS VERY WRONG about the book!
Be aware that if you are under the impression that it is about a cheating spouse and how to find restoration in your marriage, it is NOT. It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way is a book on how to deal with any life situation that “is not supposed to be this way” and more importantly how to cope with Jesus by your side. While I did follow along with an online Bible Study group when reading the book both in hard cover and e-book, I found myself wanting to read ahead because the information was so rich and relatable and I didn’t want to wait until next week. Lysa walks you through dark circumstances with understanding and grit because she truly has experienced and is fighting the battle of painful situations while putting the words on paper. A book has so much more depth and speaks loudly when the author has been or is going through what they are writing about. You can feel the emotion and power in the words.
Also, it points you to truth and uncovers how to live with the life you were given and not the one you expected. In our current world where expectations and perfection are put in front of us daily as if they are the norm, it is comforting to have a book that exposes reality and what is probably the “real” norm which is disappointment and imperfectness. Behind all of the pretty images and curated posts, there are real people going through very real struggles and you can find help in this book to deal with them. At the end of each chapter, there is a section called Going to the Well and it gives you practical application of what you have read and breaks it down into simple segments labeled – Remember, Receive and Reflect. After absorbing the pages in the chapter instead of setting the book down with a swirling mind, you have the tools to piece it together and apply it right away.
I am so thankful that I took the time to read It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way that I thought wasn’t relevant to my life. It was not only relevant but it turned out to be a book I highly recommend to others to read!