Relentless—a book review

Everyone has faced hard times. It is a part of living in this broken down world. As Christians, we are told we can count on hard times, in fact. I think sometimes I forget that.

Relentless, by John Bevere is written to us. It is a book of challenges and encouragement to not just “get by” but to face these hard times head on, knowing that we are more than conquerors through Christ. We are meant to excel, and to finish this race strong in Christ.

Mr. Bevere explores deeper meanings of grace. He talks about the roots of our lack of courage, and about how to grasp the strength that Christ offers us and to live our lives well and to step out and do great things for Him in that strength. He shares some of his own journeys, and struggles and the way that God has answered prayers and provided for him and his family time after time.

Relentless is aimed at encouraging. It is meant to inspire us to embrace hard times as opportunities to grow stronger, to not just endure them but to say with Paul, “I delight in difficulties”.

If I had read this book with a pen in hand, I could have highlighted quite a few key phrases, but one of the quotes that best sums up this book is the quote that is also on the back of the fly cover, and a quote that I think is worth remembering.

“God doesn’t author hardship but uses it to strengthen us for greater conquests. He never leads us into a storm that he doesn’t give us the power to overcome.”

The 18 chapters of this book are broken up in an easy to follow way, with helpful comments inserted and bible verses at the beginning of each one. It wasn’t a book I could speed through. There’s a lot to think about and honestly I haven’t yet digested it all to the point where I know if I agree with every idea and thought expressed. Still, I found more than once, portions that spoke to my heart in the season I’m in right now. I found places that said what my experiences have been trying to teach me in words I couldn’t find. And I was encouraged to keep embracing each moment of this life and striving to live it well—to live it as I believe Jesus wants me to, with gratitude and hope.

If you would like some practical encouragement in facing the hard times that life gives us with courage and boldness, you may want to try to pick up a copy of Relentless  somewhere and read it. No matter what your background is, I think there are things in this book that everyone could learn from.

thanks to waterbrook press for sharing a copy of this book with me to review. the thoughts and opinions expressed are mine.