Stronger: Trading Brokenness for Unbreakable Strength

Jim Daly
David C. Cook (2010)
ISBN 9781434764461
Reviewed by Chad Feight for Reader Views (11/10)

I recently received a copy of “Stronger,” by Jim Daly, from Reader Views and must admit that I wasn’t expecting much.  For some reason, I was worried this was going to be another “bash-the-church-brat” kind of book.  However, what I discovered was a challenging book that strengthened my faith just through reading it.

Daly starts in the introduction by discussing a conversation with a Chinese missionary.  The conversation ends with the missionary stating that he prays “for the church in America to get more persecution…we see you as rather weak.”  From that moment on, God began a journey in my own heart of searching the true depth and fortitude of my faith.

Daly uses stories, including his own, throughout the book to convey his message that trials don’t have to make you beaten or bitter, but instead, through brokenness, they can actually make you, as the title says, stronger.  In fact, Daly even implies that we have the audacity to pray for persecution.  I don’t believe that Daly is suggesting that we ask God to smite us in order for us to have some sort of spiritual bragging rights.  I believe that Daly has realized that most of the time, those who have suffered the most, and pushed ahead, are the ones that many people look up to.

After discussing our choice to take the path of brokenness, Daly encourages us to trust God and accept that God is in control.  Making that decision, Daly says, will lead to authentic joy.  Daly then finishes the book talking about perseverance and character.  Daly says that if we will live our lives with character, God will bless us.

Overall, I enjoyed “Stronger.”  I agree with much of what Daly says, but more than that, I agree with Daly’s presentation.  I have read many books before that are meant as a challenge and simply come across as “everyone’s doing it wrong except me.”  This book, however, has a different tone.  Yes, Daly is clearly challenging Christians to accept troubles rather than whine about them.  However, Daly says it from the perspective of someone who has done just that and sees its value.  Daly then seeks to convey that to others so they, too, can benefit from this insight.  Really, the only reason I didn’t give this 5 stars was because I feel that this topic is over-discussed, albeit typically not as well as this book.  I would definitely feel comfortable recommending this book to anyone in any stage of life.

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