Endorsements
Not giving up on ourselves or each other is increasingly crucial in a culture weathering hard things. I love the voices of (in)courage in this book, representing real-life issues and helping us find strength in our shared hope in Jesus.
Lisa Whittle , bestselling author, Bible teacher, and podcast host
In the midst of a world that can often feel fractured and divided, Come Sit with Me is a welcome breath of fresh air. The stories of friendship across political divides and theological differences and despite difficulties touched me deeply. This book left me feeling so encouraged, and it infused me with practical suggestions and ideas on how to be a better friend to others. It is a much-needed message in this hurting, lonely world!
Crystal Paine, New York Times bestselling author, podcaster, and founder of MoneySavingMom.com
Our lives can often seem so disconnected. What I love about Come Sit with Me is it reminds us that God intends for our worlds to collideboth lovingly and distinctively. Our differences, our doubts, and our desires are actually designed to lead us individually and collectively into our destiny. A must-read for all who desire heaven on earth.
Marshawn Evans Daniels , Godfidence coach, TV personality, reinvention strategist for women, and founder of SheProfits.com
Encouraging, inspirational, and practicalthese are the first three words that come to mind as I read Come Sit with Me . If ever there was a time we needed a book on loving through disagreements, living with discomfort, and delighting in our differences, its now. This book is a friend as well as a gentle guide for those of us neck-deep in these struggles. Hearing the stories of others doesnt solve all our problems, but the wisdom of those whove been where we are helps. And the wisdom of those who point us back to Jesus at every twist and bend? Well, that is one way God redeems those heartbreak moments. We all struggle. Im grateful for the storytellers who allow God to use their suffering to minister to others. I needed this book. My guess is you need it too.
Kris Camealy , author of Everything Is Yours and founder of Refine {the retreat}
Come Sit with Me is a beautifully written collection of stories covering relevant and challenging scenarios we face today. A wide range of women from different life stages, experiences, and ethnic backgrounds share from their personal lives in helpful and hope-filled ways. Honest, relatable, and practical, the pages in this book contain Scripture-based principles and perspective to help readers navigate differences, disagreements, and discomfort.
Vivian Mabuni , speaker, podcast host, founder of Someday Is Here, and author of Open Hands, Willing Heart
In Come Sit with Me , incredible women from all walks of life invite us to sit with them as they have hard conversations with Jesus and wrestle through issues of faith that we all can relate to. While reading this book there were several times I simply would say Amen! because someone would speak specifically to an issue of my heart.
Jennifer Lucy Tyler , Bible teacher, founder of SoulCircles Ministries, and national presenter for Logos Bible Software
Half Title Page
Books from (in)courage
DEVOTIONALS
Take Heart: 100 Devotions to Seeing God When Lifes Not Okay
Empowered: More of Him for All of You
TRADE BOOKS
The Simple Difference by Becky Keife
Come Sit with Me
BIBLE STUDIES
Courageous Simplicity: Living in the Simple Abundance of Jesus
Courageous Joy: Delight in God through Every Season
Courageous Influence: Embrace the Way God Made You for Impact
Courageous Kindness: Live the Simple Difference Right Where You Are
Create in Me a Heart of Hope
Create in Me a Heart of Peace
Create in Me a Heart of Wisdom (available January 2023)
Create in Me a Heart of Mercy (available May 2023)
For more resources, visit incourage.me
Title Page
Copyright Page
2022 by DaySpring Cards, Inc.
Published by Revell
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.revellbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2022
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-3877-8
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations labeled CSB are from the Christian Standard Bible, copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible and CSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the (NASB) New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org
Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
To protect the privacy of those who have shared their stories with the authors, some details and names have been changed.
(in)courage is represented by Alive Literary Agency, www.aliveliterary.com.
Baker Publishing Group publications use paper produced from sustainable forestry practices and post-consumer waste whenever possible.
Contents
Endorsements
Half Title Page
Books from (in)courage
Title Page
Copyright Page
Introduction: If Youre Tempted to Give Up on People, Read This
1. Table of One
Jennifer Dukes Lee
2. Mending a Marriage That Was Falling Apart
Grace P. Cho
3. What If Pain Is the Stage for Miracles?
Becky Keife
4. Setting Seats at the Table for My Political Opponents
Michelle Ami Reyes
5. When Forgiveness Is Exhausting
Lucretia Berry
6. From Heartbreak to Grace
Patricia Raybon
7. Staying Friends When You Share More Differences Than Similarities
Kristen Strong
Anjuli Paschall
9. When You Feel Alone in the Struggle
Kathi Lipp
10. How to Deal with Toxic People
Bonnie Gray
11. The Unexpected Gift of an Age Gap
Melissa Zaldivar
12. Tenderness Is the Only Way Forward
Tasha Jun
13. The Messy, Beautiful Power of Speaking the Truth in Love
Holley Gerth
14. The Loving Work of Biting Your Tongue
Mary Carver
15. Exchanging Envy for Celebration
Aliza Latta
16. Will You Be a Flamethrower or a Fire Extinguisher in the Dumpster Fire of Internet Comments?
Jami Nato
17. How to Carry the Weight of Rejection
Simi John
18. The Question That Changes Everything
Robin Dance
19. Staying Curious When You Want to Run Away
Michele Cushatt
Renee Swope