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God's Shelter for Your Storm

Review

God's Shelter for Your Storm

Sheila Walsh, former co-host of "The 700 Club" and bestselling author of over four million books sold, reaches out in her new gift book, GOD'S SHELTER FOR YOUR STORM, in her characteristic warmhearted style. In this lovely hardcover, full-colored book, Walsh addresses what she believes are the 10 most common areas of struggle that people face in life. She opens with an invitation to stop and rest in the midst of life's most treacherous storm and rest quietly in the promises of Psalm 121. As Walsh quotes, God promises that Christ is the shelter; He is the cleft in the rock...not that He will give those things; rather, in Him (through Him), Christ followers are intimately protected and watched over continually.

Understanding from her own personal seasons of "storms," Walsh writes from a place with which she's well-acquainted, and from which she not only survived, but drew closer to Christ. Throughout this 10-chapter text, Walsh leads with a gentle hand, a tender touch, and helps lay out the biblical foundation for trusting God despite circumstances that have individuals despairing of life. Each chapter opens with a brief scriptural quote displayed facing a gorgeous photo and followed up with a personal anecdote by either Walsh or someone she knows. Next, she lays out the biblical principles for readers to mull over and slowly digest in a story-like fashion as she brings the biblical characters to life.

Specifically, Walsh covers these topics: promises of God –-- anchors in life's storms; provision --– believing when it's hard; peace –-- when Christ speaks to storms, they obey; confidence --– God is sovereign; love --– Jesus' love heals, transforms, gives life; grace --– it's not too good to be true; hope –-- God said it, I believe it; strength --– our heavenly Father offers the sacrament of suffering; more –-- why am I settling for less? and home –-- the shelter is complete.

Each of these subjects is so applicable to the struggle of life that men and women alike will find value in every one. However, as is often the case, the chapter on strength is particularly powerful, as Walsh describes her battle with depression. Having been in this pit and clawing her way out of it and into the arms of a freeing Christ, readers will be especially encouraged by Walsh's insights and wisdom.

Walsh, who is completing her Masters in Theology, is heavy on exegeting scripture accurately, and therein lies the power punch of her work. With grace and grit, readers can't disagree with her conclusions that to trust in God is the best and wisest course for every Christian. Like her earlier work, Walsh's ability to hone in on emotional pain is what makes her words so comforting and relatable. Readers instinctively relate to her pain and simultaneously long for the cure she found in seeking Christ.

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Reviewed by Michele Howe on November 13, 2011

God's Shelter for Your Storm
by Sheila Walsh

  • Publication Date: June 21, 2011
  • Genres: Christian
  • Hardcover: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson
  • ISBN-10: 1404190104
  • ISBN-13: 9781404190108