Where Is God In This? by Landra Young Hughes is a self-help book with roots in Christianity and the Bible. After quoting John 16:33, Mrs. Hughes starts out with, “I’m not really OK.” This pushes the reader straight into the life of struggle, difficulty, and suffering we each face by putting her own life under the magnifying glass to help us see better. Mrs. Hughes approaches struggles in life through her lens of seeking God and finding the truth in His words and the example of Christ. She has had many struggles of her own, as well as family struggles, that she shares openly and honestly in her chapters. This gives the application of the information she shares some real-life experience.

Mrs. Hughes looks at the adversity, suffering, isolation, surrender, burn out, expectations, hurt, pain, failure, fear, judgment, and cravings that are par for the course for humans. But she doesn’t just say “yes, they are there.” She helps see God’s will and way through them so that arrival on the other side of them is possible. “God does not want you to fail. He wants what is on the other side of that failure.” (chapter 6)

There are many strong, good parts of this book. I found much to be considered in it. The Bible is not a typical translation that I read and thus was difficult for me to follow along with. (Scripture is from the NIrV.) I had my own Bible out alongside of it so that I could read and understand the passages included in something that was not so much like a paraphrase. I found the second half of the book to be much more engaging and helpful than the first half but there was plenty there to consider.

If you are in the “hard” of life right now, you might really resonate with what Mrs. Hughes has included here. I encourage you to check it out.

"Where Is God in This?" by Landra Young Hughes and Holly Crawshaw is a refreshing and honest book that tackles addiction, loneliness, judgementalism, rejection, burnout, fear, and temptation. The author's vulnerability and transparency make the reader feel like they have a friend walking alongside them as they navigate the storms of life. The book reminds us that struggles are a part of life, but God is always faithful and is with us through it all. The chapter on surrendering control as an act of worship was a personal favorite. The book is a quick read, but its impact is long-lasting. It offers a sense of hope and direction to those who are struggling and grieving. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an honest and open conversation about life's struggles and the faithfulness of God. The authors' willingness to share their failures and issues in these areas makes the book relatable and comforting. "Where Is God in This?" is a reminder that failure is not the end, and that God has something better on the other side. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it. All opinions expressed are my honest views.

“I’m not really OK.“ What a refreshing way to start a book! It’s a simple statement but one that resonates with everyone, and really set the tone for this book. Where is God in This is written from a place of healing as the author continues to deal with the effects of the loss of her older sister LeeBeth. Her sister and her personal struggles are brought into the narrative, as well as personal experiences from the author herself, showing that even being the daughter of a preacher doesn't make you perfect. It’s a wonderful reminder that we’re all flawed, but we’re also not in this battle alone.

There were parts that were triggering for me because it mirrored several of my own struggles but with God’s Word being spoken throughout, as well as the encouragement from author, who has also dealt with the same struggles, was a soothing balm to my soul.

There is nothing really new spoken in this book, yet many of the author’s points resonated deeply with me. I highlighted a lot, and I also pondered a lot. It was a quick and easy read that brought me deeper. I felt God speaking to me on so many points it was almost overwhelming. It helped open my eyes to parts of my life that I have not truly surrendered to God’s will, something that is painful, but necessary to experience the freedom that God promises.

Each chapter has a focus that is applicable to every human life, something we can all relate to, which instantly ties you to the author’s voice. Pair that with her tellings of personal experiences that identify with that chapter’s main focus, and you’re hooked. It was like listening to a friend tell me about the disasters from a recent road trip while also ministering to me as I confess my own shortcomings.

This was just the read that I was needing in my time in the desert, and I am truly thankful to God for blessing me with this resource, and to Landra for pouring her heart onto the pages.

Where is God in This? by Landra Young Hughes is an excellent resource if you're in a dark season and looking for a ray of hope. Landra meets you in your hard places with honest words and powerful scripture. She's a friend—a fellow soldier. And a sister in Christ who desperately wants you to find healing where ever you are. A few years ago, I navigated through a challenging season of grief and doubt, and these words would have been a comfort and a compass during that time. Even now, I found chapter after chapter of wisdom to help me as I continue my journey. And Landra makes it easier to figure out how to start changing things in your life by giving you practical applications to her teaching that encourage you to move away from the unhealthy routines of your life and closer to the calling God has for us.
Overall, I felt like this book is an excellent resource for anyone struggling through hard times in life while trying to cling to their faith. If you find yourself asking Where is God in this?, then I’d highly recommend reading the advice Landra has gained by walking through her own heavy seasons.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Where Is God In This? written by Landra Young Hughes with Holly Crawshaw is nonfiction Christian living that examines a dozen hard aspects of life, including suffering, isolation, failure, fear, and judgment, through a spiritual lens.

While being vulnerable and honest in sharing what she's learned after experienced difficult life events (including her battle with disordered eating and the death of her sister), Landra Young Hughes infuses her writing with humor and a conversational style that's easy to read and and held my interest.

While these concepts weren't new to me, it was reassuring to be reminded of God's promises in life's most challenging times. I'd recommend this title to anyone struggling to find the presence of God in their lives, whether their faith is 'new' or a source of strength for many years.

Thank you to JustRead Tours, Baker Books, and the author for the review copy of this book.

I think we have all asked ourselves at times, Where Is God In This? No stranger to heartache, Landra Hughes has asked God this question many times. In Where Is God In This?, Landra shows the reader how to look for God's goodness in the midst of our struggles.
See, I'm in the middle of what has to be the most soul-draining season of my life.
When reading Where Is God In This, I felt like I was sitting across from Landra and having a conversation. I felt her struggles, frustrations, and heartaches. Landra writes from a voice of experience and does not sugarcoat our struggles or try to might light of them.
Some of the most difficult tensions we encounter as Christians (and humans) involve the desire to control.
Sharing personal stories along with lessons learned along the way, we can all relate to Landra. She tackles common issues that we all struggle with. I found this book very relevant and highlighted many things. Where is God in This is another book that caused me to pause and think.
Surrender is an act of worship. It's a holy sacrifice.
Thank you to JustReads and the author for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was amazing and just what I needed! We had a rough summer this year, with miscarrying, and I didn't realize just how much I was grieving that loss until I started reading this book. Highly recommend picking this one up!

In Where is God in This, Landra Young Hughes gets real as she discusses topics such as addiction, loneliness, judgementalism, rejection, and temptation.

After reading this book where Hughes exposes some of her failures and issues in these topics, I feel like I have a new friend. The author doesn’t stick to surface discussions. No, she opens her heart and her home and invites you in, mess and all, and I think we Christians need more of this transparency with each other.

My church has a saying that is used often: Exposure is an act of grace. I can’t imagine a better example of this lived out than in Hughes’s writing. Grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and spend some time getting to know the author better as you also learn more about yourself.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.