Review: It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way

Lisa TerKeurst is a significant voice in Christian literature. She’s president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, a popular speaker and the author of more than 20 books on faith.   

She takes a deeply personal turn in “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered,” revealing her deepest hurts — particularly her unstable marriage and her fight against breast cancer. She teaches readers how to endure life’s most disappointing moments by trusting in God’s promises. 

Lisa TerKeurst. It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered. Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson, 2018. 256 pages.

TerKeurst articulates common thoughts and feelings of doubt and disillusionment with a refreshingly bold and honest voice and offers pointed guidance rooted in scripture to challenge readers to consider their disappointments as a way of encountering God’s goodness.

Her strength lies in her transparency. She discusses the moment she learned of her husband’s affair and the following years of heartbreak and uncertainty with compelling sincerity. She doesn’t shy away from painting a real picture of her life for the reader, no matter how ugly or sad. 

Despite the serious nature of this book, TerKeurst knows how to employ humor at just the right time. Readers will enjoy anecdotes like waking up during a colonoscopy or getting severely stuck in a shirt while trying clothes on at the store.

TerKeurst does not dwell on her story; she merely uses her experiences as a gateway to explaining God’s truths and offers practical advice applicable to every reader. 

Each chapter closes with a section called “Going to the Well” that outlines key concepts, related scripture, reflective questions, and a prayer. TerKeurst continually points to scripture to back up her claims. 

Mandy Nevius | What We’re Reading

Perhaps the most effective example of this appears in the 10th chapter, which offers a dozen pages of first-person declarative truths that are designed for readers to speak to weaken the Enemy’s lies and attacks. Interspersed throughout are related scriptures that support each statement.

A study guide and a six-session video series are available to accompany the book, making this a great option for small-group study or for individuals seeking a more extensive personal study. 

For anyone currently navigating through a devastating season of life, “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way” is a hopeful place to start.

Mandy Nevius worships with the Park Church of Christ in Tulsa, Okla. 

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Filed under: It's Not Supposed To Be This Way Lisa TerKeurst Opinion Reviews What we're reading