She wanted to die. God had other plans.Kristen Anderson thought she had the picture-perfect life until strokes of gray dimmed her outlook: three friends and her grandmother died within two years. Still reeling from these losses, she was raped by a friend she thought she could trust. She soon spiraled into a seemingly bottomless depression.
One January night, the seventeen-year-old decided she no longer wanted to deal with the emotional pain that smothered her. She lay down on a set of cold railroad tracks and waited for a freight train to send her to heaven...and peace.
Miraculously Kristen's story doesn't end there.
In Life, In Spite of Me this remarkably joyful young woman shares the miracle of her survival, the agonizing aftermath of her failed suicide attempt, and the hope that has completely transformed her life, giving her a powerful purpose for living.
Her gripping story of finding joy against all odds provides a vivid and unforgettable reminder that life is a gift to be treasured.
About the author(s):
Kristen Jane Anderson has been featured on Oprah and is a popular speaker at colleges, women's and youth events, churches, and suicide-prevention outreaches. A graduate of Moody Bible Institute and the founder of Reaching You Ministries, Kristen seeks to help those who are hurting, hopeless, lost, suicidal, and depressed.
Tricia Goyer is the author of hundreds of articles for national periodicals, as well as more then a dozen novels and several nonfiction books, including Blue Like Play Doh.
My Review:
Life, In Spite of Me was a wake up call for me. Most of my life I've heard of people who battled with depression or bi-polar disorder or just sadness in general - but, rarely understood what I was hearing. Kristen and Tricia present Kristen's story in a way that really helps the reader understand what it's really like to live your life captured by depression, sadness and a feeling of hopelessness. Many times I felt like I was there with Kristen as she fought her sadness. I felt myself cheering her on through her long recovery and rejoicing at the end when... well, you'll have to read that for yourself.
As a youth leader and youth pastor's wife, I appreciated Kristen's side notes to those battling depression or suicidal thoughts themselves. She is personal and got right on the level with where so many of our teens are today in this society. Best of all - the Gospel is CLEAR and evident and she speaks of it unashamedly! There is hope for those struggling and I've been challenged to wake up and be more alert to the teens I'm surrounded by, who might be battling this quiet demon. Kristen's story will encourage you, challenge you and motivate you to get on board with helping people. If you have any kind of interaction with people, at all, this book could be a helpful tool for you in identifying the needs of people suffering with depression.
You can purchase this book HERE.
So, whattaya think? Interested? Wanna win a FREE copy of Kristen's book? All you need to do it leave a comment! Tell your bloggy friends to enter, too, the more the merrier! One winner will be chosen on Friday! So, you have a day to enter! Hurry and comment now!
As a youth leader and youth pastor's wife, I appreciated Kristen's side notes to those battling depression or suicidal thoughts themselves. She is personal and got right on the level with where so many of our teens are today in this society. Best of all - the Gospel is CLEAR and evident and she speaks of it unashamedly! There is hope for those struggling and I've been challenged to wake up and be more alert to the teens I'm surrounded by, who might be battling this quiet demon. Kristen's story will encourage you, challenge you and motivate you to get on board with helping people. If you have any kind of interaction with people, at all, this book could be a helpful tool for you in identifying the needs of people suffering with depression.
You can purchase this book HERE.
This book was provided for review by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
So, whattaya think? Interested? Wanna win a FREE copy of Kristen's book? All you need to do it leave a comment! Tell your bloggy friends to enter, too, the more the merrier! One winner will be chosen on Friday! So, you have a day to enter! Hurry and comment now!
15 comments:
It sounds like a great book to read! It's amazing how the Lord takes pain from someone's life to bring them closer to Him, and to help other people!
Both my mother and sister battle with severe depression. I'm thankful that God is using Kristen to reach out to those like my family. Depression is a silent demon and often those in the lives of the people that suffer from it don't realize the pain there loved one is facing.
Sounds like a good book! Put my name in the hat :)
It sounds like a book I could learn a lot from!
Wow what an amazing thing God did with this young girl - a great reminder that God always has better plans for us than we can even imagine
Put my name in the running. Ever since the divoice after 37 years I am sometimes depressed and I don't want to go on. But The Lord always drawes me back and says He has a plan for my life.
This was a *fabulous* review! I would love to read it!
Yes, yes, I want to win!! :) sounds intriguing!!
wow... sounds like a powerful story... would love to read it!
I am in the hat too, sounds really interesting. I was interested in the book by the first paragraph. I like how you didn't tell us the end.
we just found out that my father in law is bipolar. Any insight into severe depression would be so helpful at this point. Your book sounds great!
To the person who signed Anonymous... LOVED that you entered- but, will need a name (at least)so that if you win I know who to contact! Will be drawing in a few hours! :)
Sounds like a good book to read for personal reflection and friend relationships!
It's amazing how God can use struggles and devastating situations in our lives for His glory!
sounds interesting, I'm excited that you are doing book reviews too!!
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