Clinging to Hope: What Scripture Says about Weathering Times of Trouble, Chaos, and Calamity

by Charles R. Swindoll

Overview

Respected Bible teacher Chuck Swindoll opens God’s Word to help you understand how you can find hope in times of crisis.

All of us are in desperate need of strength to endure and hope to carry on. Life is difficult and demanding. It’s often filled with pain, heartaches, setbacks, and detours. Disappointments in others sadden us, scandals among those we respect shock us, and disputes in our families, churches, or workplaces demoralize us. When such troubles strike, they can be downright devastating. But they don’t have to be!

In Clinging to Hope, Chuck Swindoll reassures us that we can endure unexpected calamities. How? By taking our stand on the strong foundation of God’s Word. When trials and tribulations rumble in like a fleet of bulldozers to demolish our lives, we can emerge from the rubble with a strong resolve to recover and rebuild. Not just to survive, but to thrive.

In Clinging to Hope, Chuck will help you answer questions such as:

• Why is there so much suffering?
• Why did my family member or friend succumb to health issues?
• How can I carry on when I have no strength left?
• Why is there so much conflict in the world?
• Where can I find hope when there is none to be found?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781496435392
Publisher:	Tyndale House Publishers
Publication date:	11/01/2022
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	412,541
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Charles R. Swindoll is the founder and senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. But Chuck's listening audience extends far beyond a local church body, as Insight for Living airs on major Christian radio markets around the world. Chuck's extensive writing ministry has also served the body of Christ worldwide, and his leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus of Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation for ministry. Chuck and his wife, Cynthia, his partner in life and ministry, have four grown children, ten grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 When Troubles Come and Stay 5

Chapter 2 When Suffering Leaves Its Mark 21

Chapter 3 When God Heals Body and Soul 41

Chapter 4 When Unexpected Tests Rattle Our World 61

Chapter 5 When Calamity Crashes In 79

Chapter 6 When God Gives Grace to Endure 97

Chapter 7 When the Giants of Life Attack 117

Chapter 8 When Thorns Rip Our Pride 137

Chapter 9 When God's Discipline Strikes 155

Chapter 10 When Doors Slam Shut 175

Chapter 11 When Solitude Drives Us Deeper 193

Chapter 12 When Adversity Leads to Humility 211

Concluding Thoughts 231

Questions for Reflection and Discussion 235

Acknowledgements 249

Notes 251

About the Author 255

Editorial Reviews

09/05/2022

In this uplifting manual, Swindoll (Good Morning, Lord... Can We Talk?), host of the radio program Insight for Living, shares recommendations for remaining hopeful in the face of hardships. “We can endure unexpected calamities... by taking our stand on the strong foundation of God’s Word,” he contends, by looking to scripture for guidance. Swindoll suggests that the book of James acknowledges the inevitability of adversity in its counsel for “when troubles... come your way,” “not if,” and he encourages readers to view hard times as trials that strengthen one’s faith. Positing that “closed doors are a gift from God,” he tells of how his wife’s boss was barred from boarding an overbooked flight only for the plane to crash, killing all aboard. Swindoll encourages readers to see loneliness as an opportunity to contemplate what God wants to teach them and observes that Jesus, in the book of Mark, makes time in his busy schedule to pray in solitude. The author writes with the casual tone of an erudite dinner guest speaking on his favorite subject, masterfully distilling advice from the stories of Jesus, Joseph, Job, and David. Christians will find this a salve. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

09/01/2022

It would be difficult to find an 88-year-old more actively involved in professional ministry than Swindoll (What If…God Has Other Plans?). He still serves as senior pastor of a megachurch in Frisco, TX; contributes to his radio program, Insights for Living; and writes the popular "Great Lives" series. He has written about such subjects as biblical figures, personal or religious issues, and spiritual disciplines. His new book addresses the significant challenges and difficulties people are facing, particularly given worldwide crises like COVID and climate change; he sees these chaotic times as a particular challenge for Christians. The book has 12 chapters, including "When Troubles Come and Stay," "When Suffering Leaves Its Mark," and "When Doors Slam Shut." Each chapter addresses a problem or concern and the biblical insights and interpretations (plus encouragement) that can help resolve it. He also includes questions readers can reflect on either individually or as a group. VERDICT Those with an interest in Swindoll or in works written from a biblical perspective will find this book to be useful.—John Jaeger

Library Journal