Fear Not Tomorrow, God Is Already There: Trusting Him in Uncertain Times

Ruth Graham, Billy Graham's daughter, could not have chosen a better time to publish this book. Many people are living in fear. Fearing what tomorrow may bring now that they've lost their jobs, homes, a loved one, marriage or they've been diagnosed with an illness. She explains passages in the Bible like when Jesus didn't go rushing to help his friend Lazarus and Lazarus died. She writes, "God is never in a hurry. His goal is not to meet our expectations but to point us to the larger, eternal purpose in what He chooses to do - to shift our focus." (page 61) The book helps readers trust God, to feel His comfort, peace, power, presence, forgiveness, restoration, affirmation, hope and to anticipate His plans. After each chapter, she has a "Point of Focus" - a Bible verse pertinent to the chapter's theme. The idea is to mediate on that verse to really understand what it is saying. How do you that? Read it over and over again. Read it out loud. Ask yourself, "What does God what me to know from this passage?" "What is He saying to me?" and "What does He want me to do?" She also offers a very nice list of God's attributes in an "ABC Praise List" as well as an additional reading list and call to accept Jesus. "Fear not tomorrow - God is already there! Hallelujah!" (page 255)

This book tackles the fear we face during times of change, uncertainty, and crisis, and reveals how to replace our fears with hope and anticipation. This book is special to me personally because, God being God brought this book to my door step one day before a big event. I was stepping out of my comfort zone wondering if God was going to catch me. When I opened the mail and read the title, God spoke directly to me. When I actually opened the book and began reading Fear Not Tomorrow, God Is Already There God reminded me once again how I should not fear the next day or the next day or the years to come because God is in control. In a time of uncertainty, with the economy, job lay offs, families hurting, this book offers an important reminder to us all. I highly recommend this book.

In "Fear Not Tomorrow, God Is Already There", Ruth Graham challenges us to take our focus off our current situation and focus on Jesus. As she says, "He [Jesus] challenges Martha to shift her focus, to take her mind off her loss and to consider who He is - to affirm who He is." She continues, "That is the ultimate comfort. Jesus, the resurrection and the life, is with us in our suffering." In a very personal way, this book encourages you, the reader, to place yourself in Biblical texts and see how God has been faithful in the past, and to realize He will continue to be faithful in the future. We are encouraged to remember, "Comfort doesn't mean the absence of grief. Grief is something we have to work through; it is a normal, healthy expression." So often in our culture we become accustomed to saying everything is "fine". This book acknowledges our pain and fears are real, but rather than wallow in our concerns, we are encouraged, and given specific tools, to place them with Jesus. Often we are given the simplistic "give it all to Jesus" without knowing exactly how to do that. However, Ruth Graham shares specific tools which have helped her in the past and will bless you as well.

I met Ruth Graham a few years back and could sense her presence as I read this book. She is honest and frank as she talks about stories from her life where God became real. Ruth also tells of her struggle with fear and other issues. Some of the chapters in this book are titled Trust at My Doorstep, Discover His Trustworthiness, Experience His Presence, Know His Comfort. In each chapter Ruth gives a story from her own life and one from the bible that helps describe yet another aspect of God which helped her grow in His love for her and the plan He has for her life. I liked how Ruth described fear. "Fear takes the air out of life. When we live with fear, we lose our capacity for fun and spontaneity. We struggle to love others whole heartedly....Sometimes we experience fear as torment. Torment is not God's will for us. God is committed to our peace." Ruth also says, "When I am willing to be myself, when I am willing to let God work through my insufficiency, incredible things can happen. Through my weaknesses God can work and show His greatness. Paul caught this truth. I liked how Ruth helped us apply scripture to our lives. In the back of this book God's attributes in ABC order. This can be used as a tool in prayer. It's also a starting point for praising God. I was really encouraged by the message and hope in Ruth's story. It's easy to understand and refreshing. I've received a copy of this book to review and these are my words about how Ruth's book inspired me. Nora St.Laurent Finding Hope Through Fiction

Not surprisingly, Ruth Graham has written a thought-provoking book that affords glimpses into her life. Chocked full of antidotes and snippets from her experiences, as well as insights into the Bible, the reader discovers a fallible person--not much different from anyone else--who has learned how to lean on God and get to know Him better, even through difficult times. I chose to read it slowly--a chapter each day--so that I had time to digest the truths. However, it certainly could be read straightforward as it flows nicely. At the end of each chapter is a Point of Focus. Graham's ABC Praise List is included in addition to a list of resources and notes.