Book Review - Into the Deep by Lauren Gaskill

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Develop enduring faith for the turbulent waters of life.

Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee sunny skies and smooth sailing. In fact, the waters of life are often tumultuous, crashing over us. Sometimes we can feel that we’re drowning in a sea of confusion, division, frustration, complacency, or disillusionment. We need more than a shallow faith to survive these deep waters.

Into the Deep is an invitation to dive headfirst into a life of courageous faith. With endearing warmth and authenticity, Lauren Gaskill shares how she and others have learned to swim with Jesus in the deep waters of life—facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, and chronic illness—only to discover a more authentic, enduring faith that cannot be shaken by circumstances. In addition to examining the character of God and the lives of women and men of the Bible who chose to dive deeper with God, she provides practical examples and tools that help us take our faith to the next level by learning to make decisions by faith alone, control our reactions to overwhelming situations, and live a life rooted in love.

Get ready to exchange fear and frustration for the boldness, courage, and holy confidence that lead to a life of deep faith and joy!

READ AN EXCERPT BY GOING HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lauren Gaskill is an author, speaker and host of the Finding Joy podcast and Finding Joy Ladies Night Out events. After being diagnosed with an incurable connective tissue disorder, Lauren made it her life mission to encourage others to fight for faith and find joy — no matter what life’s circumstances might bring.

Gaskill is a storyteller who believes stories are powerful and loves how God uses them for His good. She writes and speaks to motivate and inspire others to experience abundant life in Christ. She is particularly passionate about encouraging women to fight for faith and go deeper in their relationship with Jesus. Gaskill also writes and speaks about what it looks like to walk with Jesus through pain and suffering.

She lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Find her online at LaurenGaskillInspires.com or on Facebook (lauren.gaskill.inspires), Twitter (lauren_inspires) and Instagram (lauren_inspires).

MY REVIEW:

This book touched my heart and my soul in a much needed place. I really love how Lauren shares so openly and honestly about her life's struggles and let's us know it's okay that we have struggled, too.  What I really love, though, is that she encourages us to move forward with the love and strength of God. She gives us the words of wisdom from Scripture to help us not just know God but believe in Him. There's a huge difference, as she points out, in knowing there is a God and believing in Him. Believing Him and what He says about our lives changes everything.

Lauren has dealt with chronic illness and knowing this, helped me to practice what she teaches in my own life. It's not easy to deal with these things yet Lauren shares how when she started to believe God, He was able to work in her life in very deep ways.

I also loved how she shared about fear and how, through God, we can have a secure faith. This is something I think all of us need in our lives when things get difficult. Since Lauren was a swimmer, she uses the metaphor of water a lot and the deep end of things. How hard it is when we find the deep waters coming over our head as the hard struggles become too much. However, she shows how God will use those deep waters to grow us, and He will keep us above the deep waters in our faith.

This book was so very helpful to me and it's one that I will re-read again and again, especially when I need that extra boost of faith. I love that she keeps this book Biblical and it's filled with the truth of God's Word. I really love this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me by Audra Tours and Abingdon Press. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.

Blessings - Julie