Shattered Dreams: God's Unexpected Path to Joy

Larry Crabb's book came by way of a friend I respect and whose Christian walk is beyond my own. I have not been disappointed. His insights are quickly broadening mine. I am sure to reread and reread again. This book promises to be significant to my own growth in Christ.

Excellent book that helped me navigate a very difficult time in my life.

In 2007 I prayed to God for a deeper relationship with Him. I knew that might involve trials since we move closer to The Lord not in times of plenty and happiness but in times of sadness and loss. Later that year in 2007 my husband and I learned that our precious only child and daughter, a Christian, was addicted to drugs and alcohol. She was a National Merit Scholar, a National Honor Society student , a dancer and had a beautiful singing voice. Our perfect little world as we knew it was changed forever. In addition at this time my husband and I began caring for my terminally ill beloved Mother, and beloved Father who had recently had a stroke. I describe it as a time when the roof collapsed and the sides of our home caved in. At that time I tried to read the book "Shattered Dreams", but wasn't ready to hear the truth. I was afraid. Afraid I would never get out of this pit. I wanted God to fix my world and fix it fast. He didn't. I stopped reading the book after about two chapters. I wasn't ready to hear the truth. I still wanted God to answer my prayer that my daughter would be miraculously healed of her addictions. My Mother and Father are in heaven with Jesus now and my daughter who is now 21 is still fighting her addictions. It is now 2015. My husband and I are still together holding tightly to one another but my siblings and Christian friends have grown tired and distanced themselves from us. Friends and family want to help to an extent but sooner rather than later they move on. The other day I finally admitted to God that I was really mad at Him for allowing these horrible things to happen in my life. So silly. God already knew how I felt. It was no surprise to Him. The next day I asked God to forgive me for my outburst to Him. I then remembered Larry Crabb's book, "Shattered Dreams." I just finished reading the whole book. I recommend this book to everyone. To those with seemingly perfect families, and those Christians who are in the pit. God has not changed our circumstances but through the trials I have grown closer to The Lord even though it seems I cannot always feel His presence. God was not created to meet our every need and demand for a perfect care free life. We were created to worship God no matter our circumstances. I know He is with me.

I was particularly moved by the review below rejecting the premise of Dr. Crabb's most recent book. This book is a fearful thing. But I have been blessed to know those who have lived and are living the life described in Shattered Dreams. I, too, have lived through the process, and know first-hand its truth. This great book is the answer to the "Why do bad things happen to good people?" nonsense of the secular world. Our life is not about us being healthy, wealthy and wise. God gave all of that to Solomon and look what he eventually said about his use of these blessings: Meaningless!, Meaningless!...Everything is utterly meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 1:2 NIV). The secular culture we Christians dwell in rejects and fears the truth of Dr. Crabb's book. Many perceive life as about comfort, success, and happiness; perfectly content, disinfected and deodorized lives. The "Prayer of Jabez" is misread by that same group in the Christian community as "my letter to Santa". We rightfully fear the news Dr. Crabb gives. Some may indeed escape the suffering Dr. Crabb elucidates, but woe to those that do. We Christians are much like the Children of Israel: stiff-necked. Yes, Jesus has promised to answer our prayers, but they are to be asked as we are obedient to His commands and in His will, not ours. If the Lord allows us to give birth to a profoundly birth-defected child, or live through the hideous torment of painful cancer, how are we going to reconcile these pains with the amazing hymn "It is well with my Soul"? Are we going to curse God, or praise Him in our pain as our role model Job did? This book is a life raft for those in the midst of having their dreams shattered. It is a primer for those living smugly well in the glow of God's costly (to Him) mercy and grace. For He Himself knew the shattered dreams of having to give His only begotten Son as a ransom for you and me. But the good news is, the end of the story is WONDERFUL. Be sure to read this book. It will explain how living the joyous life of being broken to God is the only way to really experience heaven on earth. This book is about God's blessing, not about His curse. It is our secular culture that rejects the premise; read it and trust God. There really is nothing to fear.

Good read for the mature Christian. Would be totally depressing for someone new to the faith. My small group read this and while it presented difficult scenarios, we all felt that it was thought provoking and heart felt.

Every once in awhile, we get a gift of a book from a talented author genuinely inspired by God. This is one of those books. Larry Crabb in Shattered Dreams has the courage to tell us that God is not supremely interested in our being happy. This disturbs people, but it is 100% true. God wants us close to him, and to act like His son Jesus. Larry Crabb uses powerful imagery to explain how God wants us to be holy and set apart to Him, and will let our lesser happiness shatter when he wants to grow us up in His Joy. Joy and happiness are not synonymous, and Crabb argues when we genuinely are more interested in pleasing God and spending time with him that getting our way, we will experience the Joy of God like never before. This book is a must read for anyone who is serious about their faith and understanding the struggle between our own happiness and living out the will of God; once we "offer our bodies as living sacrifices" and "be not conformed to the pattern of this world", God will reveal His "good, pleasing and perfect will", and at that point, we experience the genuine Joy of God!

This book was a lifeline for me when I was in a long term wilderness experience. The wisdom and insight the author displayed by his use of biblical examples was so helpful. I found it to be gripping from beginning to end, and it kept me clinging to my faith when I had lost the sense of God's presence. Looking back at this from the other side, I have recommended it to others who are having their own time of famine of hearing from God.

When I was in the midst of deep grief, I knew the Bible taught God was powerful and in control. God is not helpless when bad things happen. He answers us when we pray. He chooses to do miracles for some, so why not for me? I was angry. I’d obeyed. I’d sacrificed. I’d prayed, but I did not get the miracle others had. God might be powerful, but how in the world was he loving to me? God used this book to speak to my soul in a very dark time. I don’t necessarily comprehend his ways, but I can rest in his love and find joy again. If you are hurting and wondering how a good and loving God allows his people to endure such pain, this is a fantastic resource. The Lord has used the truths in it to transform how I live and pray.

If you are looking for something that will help you towards mending your own heart... this will take you a few steps closer.

Das Buch ist schnell angekommen. Ich habe es noch nicht gelesen. Daher kann ich den Inhalt leider noch nicht bewerten.

Firstly this is not a quick fix book. Larry Crabb uses the story of Naomi to beautifully illustrating the journey God takes us to joy from absolute devastation to hope to joy. I particularly liked the image Jesus as the bridegroom in Boaz' preparation for his wedding to Ruth. Naomi said "my daughter. The man will not rest until the matter is settled today". We may not always feel Gods presence but He is always working to bring us closer to Him. Very challenging and freeing book.

Dr. Crabb gave me understanding of what my hearts issue is and how to begin making a change. Thanks to God for giving us people like Larry Crabb!

Loved every part of this book. It is truly Inspirational and anointed. But what l loved most was it draws its readers to focus on the thing that really matters, an on going encounter with the living God. Thank you this is a truly life changing book.