Get Back Up: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down by Sheryl Giesbrecht, ©2013

With honesty and transparency, Sheryl Giesbrecht shares how she learned to trust in God, no matter what life may bring. She says, “Our lives can be a lot like that freefall, but we can survive whatever challenges God puts in front of us if we just get back up.”

Life is not always easy or fair for the follower of Christ. Yet, Sheryl Giesbrecht has learned, from the depths of past pain, it is possible to be raised up. It is possible to heal. Most importantly, it is possible to exchange hurt for hope. In her inspirational new book, Get Back Up: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down, Sheryl tells her own story. She uses scripture to tell the stories of so many other Biblical figures who stumbled before they could be helped up. Sheryl’s message is one of hope. Trusting God in the midst of a life turned upside down is essential to survival. Without Him, life would not be worth living. Climbing out of the pits of despair would be impossible. Yes, with God to lean on, finding hope is possible. Healing is possible. God is capable of taking our losses and mistakes and turning them into something remarkably beautiful. Won’t you let Him?

Sheryl’s own story began with her conversion to Christ more than 30 years ago. Once a rebellious teenager, alcoholic and drug addict, she knows the difficulties that come with overcoming physical addictions. However, that is just the beginning of her incredible testimony of faith and resilience. A cancer survivor, Sheryl fought stage 4 lymphoma and knows the heartbreak of disappointment, discouragement and disease. She encourages others that they, too, can overcome. Recently widowed after 28 years of marriage, Sheryl has walked through the valley of the shadow of death after finding her husband immediately after a motorcycle accident that took his life. From the depths of these experiences, her desire is for believers to be set free from past hurts, to be healed and to be whole emotionally.  Sheryl's radio show, Kindred Moments, can be heard each weekday evening and Sunday afternoons on KAXL 88.3 FM Music for Life, kaxl.com.

“Exchanging hurt for hope” is Sheryl Giesbrecht’s focus. She loves to share how God rearranges loss, bitterness, and mistakes, and turns them into something remarkably beautiful. Find out more about Sheryl at FromAshesToBeauty.com.

I liked what Pam Farrel says in the Foreword of this book: "God is called mighty, and Sheryl lives 100 percent in God's might. Mighty in the Old Testament is often linked to meaning firm, strong, or showing power or force. It is the kind of power that many would perceive as miraculous. When used of God, one could say HE MAKES courage; when used of us, we could say we TAKE courage. God can be the source or provider of the might, strength, or power we need." (xv)

Very accurate! God makes courage, we take courage. As Cheryl shared about the death of her husband, I am reminded too of the death of my son of a heart attack almost two summers ago. I am thankful for the healing God has given me. I trust Him. I value the love we shared and the memories I hold dear. It is important to be transparent. Sheryl has shared insights of heartaches and coming victories. How deeply God loves us. He wants to touch our heart. I have never forgotten what a pastor once said, "He has seen to the end of your life here on earth and has come alongside to walk through it with you." The unexpected is not unexpected with God. I am so thankful for Him. Cheryl shares experiences each of us may have; the choice of forgiveness, releasing a grudge.

Here are some snippets:
   "The event, which lasted only an instant, became her identity. It took her a long time; when she finally did forgive her offender, she allowed God to restore her identity, and it changed her life." (36)
   "Holding onto grudges is self-deception. We believe we can control situations by refusing to let go. This doesn't damage the person we are 'begrudging' as much as it damages us." (37)

Woman-to-Woman, Cheryl shares common self-deceptions that can be healed as we trust God's love and forgiveness for us.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, I will bring you back from captivity."
   --Jeremiah 29:11-12, NIV

There are Study Questions at the end of each of the ten chapters. Reading Cheryl's book is like sitting down together, caring and sharing.

"We are free to get back up, stand tall, and walk in freedom in Christ." (97)

***Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for inviting me to be part of this book tour for Sheryl Giesbrecht's Get Back Up: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down. I received a copy of this book to review. No other compensation was received.***

Sheryl Giesbrecht is celebrating the release of Get Back Up with a Kindle Fire Giveaway. Enter today!

One winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• Get Back Up by Sheryl Giesbrecht

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 28th. Winner will be announced on 4/30/13 on the Litfuse blog.

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