In Finding Gods Path Through Your Trials, author Elizabeth George discusses the theme of trials and shares ideas she developed during a Bible study she led at her church. Her main purpose is to convey to women that trials are not hopeless traumas, but they are life episodes used by God to strengthen all believers and to prepare them for the future.
George divides her book into five sections, labeling them by the different qualities that can be gained by learning to analyze a trial from a biblical standpoint. The conversational style she maintains throughout her writing creates a visitation environment that allows the reader to be comfortable and relate to Georges personal experiences. Her background also enhances her understanding. Elizabeth George has written several books, including A Woman After Gods Own Heart and Loving God with All Your Mind. She is also a renowned speaker at many Christian womens functions, her ministry years totaling more than 30.
The five sections of Georges book correlate with five of the qualities she believes godly women possess. Becoming a joyful, stable, mature, mighty, and enduring woman is accomplished, according to George, by having faith through trials and overcoming them. She uses a different Bible verse to accompany each section, but she constantly returns to her first reference, James 1:2, Count it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials. George makes it clear that choosing to be joyful about lifes trials, along with extensive prayer, is paramount to overcoming problems and growing spiritually.
Overall, George presents some much needed, but seldom discussed material. Her examples relate to the reader in more personal way, allowing women to know that she truly understands. Her need to include steps toward improvement at the end of every section, though, may cause some women to be overwhelmed, especially if they already have overloaded daily agendas. Nevertheless, this book could still be recommended for a small group womens Bible study. Georges storytelling and her testimony allow a lot of room for discussion and sharing of ideas.
Reviewed by Nicole Miller.
