Courage to Live

"Though God tells us clearly in His Word that we, as believers, do not grieve as the world grieves, like people without hope, the reality is that we do still grieve. In the pages of Courage to Live: Learning to Live Again After Loss, Julie Fillinger testifies in the heart-wrenching pages of her story to the comforting nearness of God as well as the hope He provides in the midst of our deepest valleys. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 we read that when the Lord compassionately ministers to us in our most profound troubles, He equips us to one day comfort others with that same comfort we ourselves received from Him. Needless to say, there is no one better equipped to comfort and encourage you as you journey through the valley of grief and confusion than Julie. Wendy Speake, author of The 40 Day Sugar Fast, The 40 Day Feast and other books ***In his classic work The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis said that ""...courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point."" In the pages of this beautifully written book saturated in a faith refined by fire, Julie Fillinger models what courage in the face of trauma looks like. You will discover where the roots of courage are planted, and you will see how one can maintain hope for the long haul of life, whatever twists and turns you may face. As you read her story, as you listen in on her process of grief and recovery, you will be accompanied by a wise, vulnerable and trustworthy guide. I was deeply impacted by this book, and believe you will be, as well. Jeff Crosby, author of The Language of the Soul: Meeting God in the Longings of Our Hearts ***It takes courage to be a participant rather than an observer of life. In this riveting account, Julie details her lowest valley through the shadows and the step-by-step process of embracing life while experiencing incredible pain and loss. Chris Fabry, author and radio host ***Losing a child is devastating and heartbreaking. The grief is so intense that no words describe the mourning that goes on and on without relief. Breathing is difficult and thinking is nearly impossible. For those whose child took an early journey Home, author Julie Fillinger understands how it feels to say goodbye too soon. In Courage to Live, this mother recounts the loss that forever altered her life, her journey through grief to grace, and the life-giving hope found in Jesus Christ. PeggySue Wells, bestselling author of 40 books including: The Patent; Homeless for the Holidays; and The Ten Best Decisions A Single Mom Can Make ***New authors are often encouraged to ""write what you know."" In Courage to Live, author Julie Fillinger writes candidly on a topic no parent wishes to experience - the loss of a child. With both tenderness and full transparency, Julie shares the story of the life and death of her teenage son, Nicholas, and the ways - both painful and slow - she has learned to live with his loss. Though deep grief has been her uninvited companion on the journey, Julie invites others to walk with her through suffering as she offers faith-infused hope and practical help to others navigating this path. Maggie Wallem Rowe, author of This Life We Share"