Mike Fabarez - Lifelines for Tough Times: Gods Presence and Help When You Hurt

Today, when Christians are broadsided by suffering, they are often counseled to avoid negative thoughts, buffer themselves with time off, exercise, and seek out supportive relationships. Sadly, the God of the Bible and His counsel is often left out of the treatment plan. Thats why I love Mike Fabarezs new book Lifelines for Tough Times. He writes not only from decades of hard study, but from the heartache of personal experiencethus, his words carry weight. If you are looking for the right perspective when things go wrongvery wrongthen Lifelines is a must-read. I highly recommend this powerful and insightful book!

Joni Eareckson Tada

Founder, Joni and Friends International Disability Center

Why is there so much pain and suffering in the world? Why do Gods people suffer so much, even while it seems the wicked prosper? How can we trust God through times of torment and painespecially when it seems as if He is impervious to our prayers? And why does He sometimes delay answering?

The Bible gives answers to those questions and many others like them. Better yet, God Himself has made rock-solid promises that give us ground to stand on even when our questions cant be answered. Mike Fabarez carefully, thoroughly expounds the biblical principles and promises that offer help in those times of oppressive darkness. If you are seeking ways to encourage friends in turmoil, and especially if you are in the throes of some trial in your own life, you will find this book a wonderful and welcome resource.

John MacArthur

Pastor-Teacher, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, CA
President, Masters College and Seminary

Pastor Mike speaks with such clarity and helpful insights on the subject of suffering and pain. Why am I suffering? Does God really care? Is He really in control? How should I live in the midst of my pain? The biblical wisdom and concrete examples in Lifelines for Tough Times will bring encouragement and hope to those who are having to navigate their own season of suffering.

Josh McDowell

Christian Apologist; Founder, Josh McDowell Ministry

Pastor Mike Fabarezs new book is rich in biblical insights on the problem of pain and suffering in the Christian life. Writing with the sensitivity of a pastor, Fabarez shows us how to attain an empowering spiritual perspective to help us rise above lifes tough times. I heartily recommend his book and pray that it finds a wide audience.

Ron Rhodes

Author, President of Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries

Mike Fabarez writes with a perfect balance of heart, soul, and mind. He understands the hurts and hopes of the human experience, while providing real biblical solutions to our deepest needs and most profound struggles. Dont miss this powerful, helpful, and insightful book. God will use it to stir your soul and change your life.

Dr. Ed Hindson

Assistant Chancellor, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

It has been said that life is ten percent what you make it, and ninety percent how you take it. If that is true then how one handles suffering will determine to a great extent the quality of ones life and legacy. Lifelines for Tough Times by my friend Mike Fabarez is a book that will help you do just that. Written by someone who knows his Bible and the subject of suffering firsthand, this book teaches you how not to waste your sorrows. The blessing of this book is that it is God-centered in its focus, biblical in its content, real in its approach, and eminently practical in its use. Buy it, read it, and learn how to remain whole in a broken world.

Philip De Courcy

Senior Pastor, Kindred Community Church, Anaheim, CA
Teacher on daily radio broadcast Know the Truth

People have struggles. This book has answers. Not easy, pat answers, but answers that have been forged from years of time in Gods Word and its application to trials Mike and his family have faced. Lifelines for Tough Times comes from the heart of a pastor and strikes a beautiful balance between biblical content and pastoral comfort. In these pages you will find biblical truth for your head and thoughtful application for your heart. Nothing is more important in times of trial than keeping the faith. In this book you have the opportunity to sit at the feet of someone whos been there and done it by Gods grace.

Mark Hitchcock

Senior Pastor, Faith Bible Church, Edmond, OK
Associate Professor of Bible Exposition, Dallas Theological Seminary

We all face seasons of great difficultywith sometimes overwhelming and almost crushing trials. For some, these last longer than a season. What matters is how we respond to what we face. How can we experience Gods presence, help, and encouragement as we walk through a long, dark valley? How can we be faithful to God? How can we simply hold on? Pastor Mike Fabarez gives us biblically rooted perspective on facing tough times. This is not merely theoretical. Mike has lived this and shares candidly from his own life experience. What he says will resonate with your soul and will help keep you centered in Gods loving arms and purposes as you face lifes issues.

Clinton E. Arnold

Dean and Professor of New Testament, Talbot School of Theology (Biola University)

Mikes book is sorely needed today as people inside and outside of the church are struggling to make sense of the suffering that seemingly slams into our lives unannounced. Mike unravels some of the mystery by taking a bigger step back from our immediate pain and helping us to see what the real purpose in life is. And Mike is not writing from the safety and comfort of his theological ivory tower. He shares his own journey of pain and confusion through the birth of his severely handicapped daughter that forced him and his wife to wrestle through the questions of pain and Gods sovereignty. The book lovingly and biblically lays the foundation for making sense out of suffering while avoiding superficial clichs that only rub salt in the wound. His explanation of what it means that the Spirit groans with us in prayer in Romans 8:26 is worth the price of the book. This book gives real comfort, as it connects us to a real God and His purposes.

Brad Bigney

Senior Pastor, Grace Fellowship Church, Florence, KY

Mike Fabarez is one of my favorite Bible teachers. When it comes to tough times, Mike writes as an expert and fellow traveler. If youve ever wondered, Where is God, and what is He up to? Lifelines for Tough Times is the book for you.

Hal Seed

Author; Founding Pastor, New Song Community Church, Oceanside, CA

There is only one thing that can be said about a book dealing with this subjectit is timely.

All of us have tough times and need to be able to handle them Gods way. Sothe message is always timely. But there is a greater problem for our countryand Christians in particularat present: the growing opposition to the faith, and the likelihood of persecution spreading throughout our land. Who knows how this will pan out? But it is not too soon for believers to begin thinking about the possibilities and how they will face them.

In both personal difficulties and in those which might come to the church in general, we must be prepared. This book is designed to helpand it will.

Jay Adams

Author; Founder, Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are 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.