Get Back Up by Sheryl Giesbrecht

Life is not always easy or fair for Christians. Giesbrecht learned this truth firsthand but also discovered that from the depths of pain, it is possible to be raised up. It is possible to exchange hurt for hope. God is capable of taking our losses and mistakes and turning them into something beautiful – if we just let Him.

This book is born out of brokenness. “There may be a swamp in your path of uncertain destination. This book will help you navigate your way through.” (xvi) Sheryl tells her own story, her hard falls: arrested at sixteen, drug addict, alcoholic. While working at a Christian camp, she realized God loved her and accepted His invitation.

She came to understand that God offers an abundant life, that she was radically loved by God.

But life will knock us flat. Sheryl gives the lessons she has learned from

surviving free-fall so we can be prepared when that happens to us. Essential is believing God's will for us is best. We must choose to believe what God says about us. She writes about the importance of forgiveness, gives practical steps to letting go, advises on prayer, and asking for help.

Sheryl survived stage-four cancer and experienced the sudden death of her husband. She knows dealing with pain and fear. She knows that “...understanding our identities in Christ is absolutely essential to our success at living the victorious Christian life...” (81) She includes a list, “In Christ I Am...”

Sheryl interweaves her own story, those of others, stories from the Bible, with biblical encouragement and the truths of our identity in Christ. She has added great personal reflection and discussion questions at the end of each chapter. This would make a good ten week study for Christian women wanting to know how to successfully deal with the pain in their lives.

Sheryl Giesbrecht is a radio personality, author, and speaker. She was a pastor's wife for over twenty-eight years, is the mother of two adult children, stage-four cancer survivor, and widow. She is passionate about sharing how God takes the ashes of our losses, bitterness, and mistakes, and turns them into something beautiful. Once a rebellious teenager, alcoholic, and drug addict, Sheryl knows what it is to overcome physical addictions. Her radio show, “Kindred Moments,” can be heard each weekday evening and Sunday afternoons on KAXL (www.KAXL.com), and her nationally syndicated radio show, “Turn up the Music with Sheryl Giesbrecht,” at www.KERN.com. Sheryl is the Executive Director of International Christian Ministries (www.ICMUSA.org). Find out more at www.FromAshesToBeauty.com.

Wheatmark, 147 pages. You can purchase a copy of the book here: http://ow.ly/jURSs

I am taking part in a blog tour of this book. You can see other reviews here.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through a publicity group for the purpose of this review.