Michele Cushatt - Relentless: The Unshakeable Presence of a God Who Never Leaves

Transparently, cautiously, Michele Cushatt invites us along on her search for Gods presence, mining the Bible as well as reliable spiritual mentors for help along the way. To anyone who experiences pain, depression, confusion, or simply a nagging sense of lifes unfairness, I recommend Michele Cushatt as a trustworthy guide.

Philip Yancey, bestselling author

In Relentless, youll be reminded of the only one who never falls short but meets you in your darkness and gives you hope. Through Micheles remarkable story of survival, youll encounter the real Jesus, who is near to the brokenhearted and is faithful and true in our weakness and need.

Kelly M. Rosati, CEO, KMR Consulting; child advocate

Michele explores Gods utter faithfulness amid unrelenting pain and inexplicable circumstances. Pretty much everyone I know is walking through a storm or loves someone who is. Which means everyone needs this book. Read it slowly. Take it in. Your soul will be richer for it.

Susie Larson, talk show host; speaker; author, Fully Alive

I wept as I read this book. I thought Id skim it, but it wouldnt let me go. It is brutally honest and achingly human. If you have ever struggled to find God in your pain, Michele has given us a roadmap. Relentless will shake your faith to the core, and what you will be left with will be real and pure and hope and Jesus.

Sheila Walsh, author, Praying Women

Michele Cushatt is a rare gem, courageously honest about the raw anguish of her reality while declaring the steadfast beauty of her savior. Micheles vulnerability strips away every Christian cliche and dives into the gut-wrenching search for a God who never leaves us. This book will challenge you and change you!

Dr. Juli Slattery, psychologist; author, Rethinking Sexuality

Cushatt takes our hand and walks with us through the big question many of us dont dare ask while suffering, but think all the same: Why have You forsaken me? Along the way, she deftly interweaves her testimony with an examination of Scripture, guiding us to recognize, remember, and rest in Gods relentless presence.

Alia Joy, author, Glorious Weakness

In Relentless, Michele Cushatt invites us to lay bare our fears and disappointments, our emotional heartaches and physical struggles, so the sweet balm of truth can do its healing work. No pat answers or easy solutions here. Only hard-earned wisdom from a woman who longs for us to experience the presence of a God who never lets go.

Liz Curtis Higgs, author, Bad Girls of the Bible

With a deep understanding of the questions that arise in the mind and heart of the person who wants to believe God but is struggling to do so, Michele provides a firm path of faith, plowed by her own wrestling and smoothed by the answers she fought to find. If the pain youve experienced has caused you to question Gods power or His love, Michele knows. And shes written this book for you.

Chrystal Evans Hurst, author and speaker

OTHER BOOKS BY MICHELE CUSHATT

I Am: A Sixty-Day Journey to Knowing Who

You Are because of Who He Is

Undone: A Story of Making Peace with an Unexpected Life

ZONDERVAN

Relentless

Copyright 2019 by Michele Cushatt

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ISBN 978-0-310-35299-0 (softcover)

ISBN 978-0-310-35820-6 (audio)

ISBN 978-0-310-35302-7 (ebook)

Epub Edition September 2019 9780310353027

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version). Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version. Public domain.

Scripture quotations marked RSV are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Copyright 1952 [2nd edition 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Cover design: James W. Hall IV

Cover photos: Tara Romasanta Photography / Kelly Knox / Stocksy

Interior design: Denise Froehlich

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I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

JOHN 14:18

CONTENTS

1. 1. A GARDEN:
   A GOD WHO HAS ALWAYS WANTED TO BE WITH YOU
2. 2. A SMOKING FIREPOT AND A BLAZING TORCH:
   A GOD WHO PROMISES TO BE WITH YOU
3. 3. A LADDER AND A LIMP:
   A GOD WHO MEETS YOU WHERE YOU ARE
4. 4. A PILLAR OF CLOUD AND FIRE:
   A GOD WHO IS WITH YOU WHEN YOU WANDER
5. 5. A TABERNACLE:
   A GOD WHOSE MERCY CARRIES YOU
6. 6. A CLEFT IN A ROCK:
   A GOD WHO IS WITH YOU WHEN YOU REACH THE END OF YOURSELF
7. 7. AN INCARNATION:
   A GOD WHO IS WITH YOU IN YOUR HUMANITY
8. 8. A PRISON:
   A GOD WHO IS WITH YOU IN YOUR DOUBT
9. 9. A TRANSFIGURATION:
   A GOD WHO IS WITH YOU IN YOUR TRANSFORMATION
10. 10. A MEAL:
    A GOD WHO IS WITH YOU IN YOUR HUNGER
11. 11. A CROSS:
    A GOD WHO IS WITH YOU IN PAIN, SUFFERING, AND DEATH
12. 12. AN INDWELLING:
    A GOD WHOSE PRESENCE LIVES IN YOU
13. CONCLUSION: LIVING STONES:
    A GOD WHOSE PRESENCE IS EXPERIENCED WITH EACH OTHER

This is a dark world. There are many ways we keep that darkness at bay, but we cannot do it forever. Eventually the lights of our liveslove, health, home, workwill begin to go out. And when that happens, we will need something more than what our own understanding, competence, and power can give us.

TIMOTHY KELLER, WALKING WITH GOD THROUGH PAIN AND SUFFERING

APRIL 2015

DENVER, COLORADO

The last of the light glinted off the glass.

Makers Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky. Handmade.

A gift to my husband months before. From whom? That guy from work, maybe. Didnt matter.