Wow, this book. I’ve followed TerKeurst’s journey and read her books for the past several years, and the raw, vulnerable honesty and elegance with which she writes are unmatched. I knew this book would be one written from a place of pain, but one that would bring hope, and I wasn’t wrong. It’s a lifeline, one from a person in deep pain to a person in deep pain. Its honesty is unparalleled and so, so appreciated. I admire the courage and authenticity it took to write such a manuscript, and even more so to write with such hope and faith. It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way is a moving read, one that I would recommend to anyone who has ever experienced pain or disappointment in their lives, so, to anyone. There are parts that made me laugh out loud, and parts that spoke to the deepest parts of my soul. I loved that the chapters ended with a recap, some questions to apply the material to the reader’s personal life, and verse references to read. It was practical, helpful, and beautiful.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and were not required to be positive. I received a copy of this book for free. I was not required to post a positive review and the views and opinions expressed are my own.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

My thoughts... The tagline of this novel couldn't be more relevant to myself or my family. We've been through a lot of difficult circumstances: cancer, loss of loved ones, financial debt, difficult job situations, isolation, depression, sadness, fear....and the list goes on. Sometimes it's hard not to feel like we live in a never ending survival mode. There are so many truths presented in this amazing book, I couldn't begin to unpack them all in a short summary. I literally felt like it was so personal, and I know other readers will as well. Lysa's compassion, honesty, hope, and trust in God really reached across the pages right into my heart...because she's not just giving us her word that everything is going to be ok. She's using her heart-wrenching experiences to share God's Word and His promises.
In one chapter Lysa talks about a physically painful situation she went through. For several days she begged God to relieve the physical pain she was experiencing. She didn't understand why God was not giving her relief from her suffering. Later, after doctors discovered the problem and did surgery, her surgeon came and spoke with her. Basically he said that Lysa's survival was a miracle, as her body had already started to decay on the inside. The truth God revealed to her through that situation was that if He had answered her prayer for relief, she would've given up trying to find the solution to her issue. She would've died thinking that the problem was solved, when in fact it was killing her. God uses our pain, our suffering, for our good. We may not always know the reason at the time, but with time we will see that He truly does "work all things for the good of those who love Him."
Lysa has an amazing testimony, and she openly shares it with her readers as an encouragement through the very difficult circumstances of life. I'm recommending it to everyone I know...because I think we've all whispered the words, "it's not supposed to be this way" in our hearts in one season or another.

**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in order to give an honest review, which I did.**

What an amazing read! This book spoke to me so powerfully about the nature of suffering, disappointment and God's place in it. Lysa weaves her personal story with Scripture and solid teaching to make impactful points about God being at work in our disappointments. Reading this book feels more like sitting and having a coffee with a dear mentor than being lectured or preached at or taught. I recommend this book to anyone facing a trial or difficulty or who has... it will be refreshing and encouraging.

Hooray for another Terkeurst book that’s become a favorite of mine!

This book focuses on difficult, grief-filled seasons of life that it seems as if you’ll never pull through, and bring to it the light of Christ and how his plans, purposes, and ways are for you, for your good, and because he loves you. The author mainly speaks of her failed marriage as the talking point of her own grief while writing the story, and this brought to it an authenticity that I could 100% stand by and glean from. Though let me say, I don’t think you have to be going through a particularly hard situation to appreciate the wisdom and take to heart the encouragement that fills these pages.

I love Terkeurst for the realness and honesty, humor and heart, and overall grace with which she writes. She isn’t afraid to lay it all out and say the hard stuff in her books... so while it isn’t always easy to hear, but is always truth-filled and 100% needed. Whenever I finish one of her books, my highlighter is almost spent because there are so many great nuggets to walk away with, and this one was no exception.

If you’re into Christian non-fiction, this is definitely a book you’ll want to tuck away on your TBR!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the free review copy.

Grab some tissues and join Lysa as she opens up her heart. She lets you in on her struggles with her marriage and health, but with the comfort of God. I was personally so touched by her book and how she is open and just so raw and real. I love that she writes from her personal experiences knowing that she is touching other people's hearts, even through her own heartbreak. I wasn't able to keep a dry eye!

I am so grateful this book exists. Lysa has walked an incredibly difficult road with her family, facing her husband's betrayal, his addiction, and his restoration. Lysa absolutely has stake in this game and I think it only enriches her content. If you'r life looks different than you designed... if God didn't come through the way you thought He would, this book will be balm to your soul.

Brave and brutally honest, this new book deals with "oh crap" moments from a faith perspective. I'll give the author a lot of credit for writing this book as she went through both a relationship crisis and a health scare. The theme of the book is how God uses bitter disappointments to re-mold us and turn us into better people, eventually. I found the book tremendously helpful, both in getting through difficult times and in making sense of past disappointments and heartbreaks.

Progressive Christians may find Terkeurst's language about temptation a bit too conservative for their tastes, but hear her out. Whether you attribute temptation to the devil or not, her points about sinfulness and the slippery slope of giving into temptations are both sound and based in reality.

Highly recommended, especially for those going through a tough time.

Lysa Terkeurst books always seem to speak to me. Lysa has gone through some hard things in her life yet always trust in God. Reading her books help me to learn to trust also. i am so glad I was able to read this book. It was needed in my life right now. I will purchase this book for the library.

I'm going to be honest, I rarely read Christian books and I'm a Christian, but I took a chance on this book and am I ever glad I did. I did not expect this book to affect me like it did. I loved the author's honesty and I found myself relating to almost everything she said. Thank you Lysa for using your pain to encourage others and to let them know that God hasn't forgotten them in their disappointing circumstances. I highly recommend this book. Thanks to Netgalley an publisher for this ARC.

This book is an honest and vulnerable teaching on walking through hurt, disappointment and pain. It is not just trite words that it “will be okay”, but rather how to wrestle through those deep valleys with the Lord. This book came at just the right time for me. It’s words and reminders are truly water for my dry soul.

If you feel like you are going through hell on earth and there is no hope, PLEASE read this book. It is so raw and full of emotion. This book is for anyone who has experienced the total heartbreaking pain of rejection or deep trauma of any kind. Lysa TerKeurst has been there and this book proves it. Reading this book is like having a best friend who has felt the same pain you are going through and holding your hand along the way to recovery. God is the only one who can take all of your brokenness and make you whole. This is a book I will be reading again and again. In my opinion this is the best book she has written. I ordered the hardback when it came out, but the writing was to small for me to read and I found it on NetGalley and requested a copy. A huge thank you to Nelson Books Thomas Nelson via NetGalley for the free copy.. This is my honest opinion and I highly recommend this book.

I always enjoy picking up one of Lysa’s Books. This one was no different, really enjoyed!
I would recommend this, and this is a book I would buy for a friend or family member. Enjoy!!

I have read and enjoyed many of Lysa TerKeurst's previous books. It's Not Supposed to Be this Way might be her most personal story yet. This book came about as she was going through a number of personal trials, including the adultery of her husband as well as very serious personal health crises. This book is long study on the truth of Romans 8:28, that God wills all things for the good of those who love him. Lysa labors the point that trials as used by God to refine us and that we are not promised a perfect life here on earth. One quote from the book exemplifies this. "God isn't ever going to forsake you, but He will go to great lengths to remake you."

This book is recommended for any Christian who is going through trials and trying to make sense of them. Bible study resources and questions are included at the end of each chapter and this book would be ideal for a small group study.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Undeniably one of the best nonfiction books I've read all year. Truly raw and as uncensored as a woman can get without swearing. It was so amazing to read the nitty gritty of a terrible, dark situation yet see God through it all. Taking into consideration the bigger picture and the Love of God even when you can't see. Definitely will go in my re-read pile- and will be cycled through at least yearly. Truly eye-opening and comforting.

I loved Lysa TerKEurst’s Uninvited so much I purchased, the audiobook, paperback and study guide. It’s a book I will turn to again as needed. One of the things I loved about it were the detailed scenarios which were relatable and then the scriptural applications she provided for them which I found stayed in my heart.
With this book I understood the delicate balance she had to take out of respect for her husband, family and privacy. She could not provide too many detailed scenarios. With her cancer diagnosis, she didn’t turn it into a cancer story. She did provide an abundance of scriptures which are greatly appreciated to the devastation both can bring. This said, I found a certain bit missing that was in Uninvited or maybe I missed it? The anecdotal portions, felt glossed over and while I understood this, it made it for me less relatable. I still respect Lysa and her work greatly and give it 4 Stars.

In her latest non-fiction book, IT"S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THIS WAY, Lysa TerKeurst discusses what it means to be disappointed in life's developments and how Christians can deal with setbacks--even pretty major ones. The catalyst for this discussion is the dissolution of Lysa's longtime marriage, a personal incident she shares with grace. Some readers may want more of Lysa's personal story while others may quibble with some of the anecdotes she shares (mold in her basement? really?) But overall this is one of her strongest books. Biblically-based and full of inspiration, encouragement, and sound thinking TerKeurst manages to give guidance for how to build a better life. This book should find wide appeal.

Lysa TerKeurst does it again. She always manages to speak to the hearts of women in a way that no other author (in my opinion) can. In her most recent book, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, Lysa tackles dealing with disappointments head-on, and looks at them from a Biblical perspective. She encourages women to look at their lives and the disappointments they encounter not as setbacks, but as building blocks to a better life. This is an excellent book!

Lysa is an extraordinary author, no doubt. This book propels her to a different level of authorship that not many have stood upon. Her writing is beautifully poignant and raw and authentic. It is impossible to walk away from this book without some degree of inner healing in your soul.

I have read just about all of Lysa TerKeursts' books before and this one spoke to me the most. I have been dealing with a few things in my life and thought nothing could get any worse, but I know God has put those obstacles in my life for a reason. A lot of people who I follow on social media like to show everything they have but never show what really happens in real life. We all have disappointments and we all struggle if not daily with things that goes on. This book hit the nail on the head when Lysa wrote this. We all expect for our lives to be perfect, but it's not and I love how she has written that into this book. Even though there are things that we expect to happen, we have to know that life is so unexpected in general. If you feel that you have been personally struggling with life or just need a book to help you get through the struggles, this is the book for you. Now I'm going to get this book in hardcover format for me to give as a gift to a few people I know.

Hands-down one of the best non-fiction books I read in 2018. Vulnerable, authentic and so very relatable. I appreciate that the author gave us just enough of her own story to let us know that she's not just writing this in hindsight...she was living it as she wrote much of it. And somehow, that just made it all the easier for me to trust her, to connect with her and best of all, to soak in the truths she shared. Learning to trust God--really trust Him--in seasons that are hard and even heartbreaking...that's probably the greatest uphill battle of my life (and I'm guessing perhaps most of us). I'm grateful for this book and to this author for speaking truth into my own journey!