Sheryl Giesbrecht

This book truly is an excellent way to become more intimately acquainted with God. Some names were ones I already knew well; others, not so much. It has been powerful, learning more who God is through learning the meanings of His various names. This makes a great little daily devotional, which can last a month long (well, 31 days; perfect for months like October, or, better still, December).

May I offer a challenge? Purchase this book, and read it daily during the month of December. I am sure it will cause you to view the Christmas season in a fresh, new way.… (meer)

Have you ever suffered for doubt and wondered where God was in the midst of it? If you have then this is a book you should read. Sharing her own experiences, Sheryl Giesbrecht Turner illustrates how it is okay to doubt as long as you look to God and the Bible for answers.

I think one of my favorite quotes from the book says, “God is not threatened by our questions, logic, science, or emotion.” It is hard to sometimes believe God loves us when we feel like He is not listening. So if you are suffering from doubts or questions, you should definitely check out this book.

When you have doubts, it is easy to get caught up in the lies Satan wants you to believe. But that is precisely when you need to see and believe God’s truths. It is important to reach out and lean on God.

So if you have doubts and wonder if God sees you or hears you, check out this book for yourself.

I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review.… (meer)

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but I read it with anticipation of getting nuggets of wisdom from God's Word. I can say that I have doubted God at times. I have even questioned why things happened and He didn't stop it. It doesn't mean I fell away from Him, it only means I couldn't see what His plan was.

The author talks about people who don't have a father in their life and how it affects us on a spiritual level. My relationship with my father was horrible and I know what it feels like to be abandoned by a father. I have never heard the saying, " Spiritual fatherlesness," before reading this book. I'm not sure I totally agree with the author and her point of this but I continued reading the book.

I did like the chapter about depression and her visit to seek help from a psychologist. Many of us have deep rooted hurts that have overtaken our feelings. We have anger issues, depression, rejection and the list goes on. Through all the things I have been through I would not change one thing about my life. Why, you ask? It is because it has made me the person I am today. If my testimony can help one person, then it has all been worth it. I believe that God knows the right time for each of us to start healing from our past and will guide us when the time is right.

The author quotes many well know people and I did like some of the things she shared through them. The problem I started having was the way she came across in the book. I felt as though she was bragging almost at times and I was put off by her attitude. The statement, "I feel empowered; I was given amazing opportunities to share hope and healing with individuals and groups in my local community and eventually overseas," hit a nerve for me. Yes God opens doors for us but we don't need to brag or feel as if we are saving the world.

There are many points the author makes in the book that for me don't agree with what the Bible says. I was confused at some things she wrote and uncomfortable with others. Some readers may see the book as helpful and that is why we each get to decide what we allow to minister to others and what we decide is not aligning with our beliefs.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.… (meer)

Sheryl Giesbrecht Turner’s “It’ll Be Okay: Finding God When Doubt Hides the Truth” is a short but powerful work of nonfiction that addresses the doubt that we all feel at one time or another. As with the fact that trees grow deeper roots when they are exposed to winds and storms, so it is with our faith in God. Trials may cause us to doubt, but as long as we continue to talk with God and spend time in the Bible, doubt can make our faith grow. “Life offers opportunities to doubt or believe God through many unwanted circumstances, and you will find him present, faithful, and true in all of them.” God will never let us down, and He will work all things for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28), even if we can’t see it. He understands our emotions, and He desires for us to discuss our doubts and fears with Him and to read His Word; doing both will ensure that doubt does not become unbelief, a distinction that the author makes in this book. Furthermore, she makes the point that never doubting is dangerous because it means that you are not connecting with God and His Word.

Part of what makes this book so relatable to readers are Giesbrecht Turner’s personal anecdotes. Through the hard times of her own life, she demonstrates how she has learned to draw closer to God despite tragedy and seemingly overwhelming situations. Because, she affirms, “Disruptive moments are opportunities for God to strengthen us and deepen our faith if we let him. They are opportunities to place our trust in an all-knowing God rather than rely on our limited human perspective.” While this book does not have any particularly revelatory information, it serves as a ready reference for times of spiritual drought, when God seems distant and our problems appear magnified. When we choose to confront doubt, faith moves to the forefront and becomes more resilient. “As believers, a Christ-centered hope must be the foundation of our lives”, so start doubting your doubts and leaning into the Lord and you truly will be okay.

I recommend “It’ll Be Okay” to everyone who is facing doubts, big or small, in their lives. It is an easy book to understand but still contains plenty of insights into life’s nadirs. Each chapter opens with a relevant quotation and concludes with a “Can you relate?” section that includes discussion questions for individual or group study. The only real issue I had was that, throughout the book, “He” and other personal pronouns referring to God are not capitalized, but because this is a work of nonfiction, it is clear Who is being referenced. I do love the “Love Letter to My Readers” that Giesbrecht Turner includes at the end; it summarizes the main tenets of the Christian faith and offers a prayer for devoting (or recommitting) your life to Jesus.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.… (meer)