John KoesslerThe Surprising Grace of Disappointment: Finding Hope when God Seems to Fail Us

One of the lessons that I have learned admittedly late is that too often we pray expecting God to answer our requests our way. We get disappointed when His way is different than ours and His timing is longer than our desired end. If we would be honest, we want a way out rather than a way through, even if the way through is God's best for us.The Lord doesn't want us to have faith in an outcome but in a person. Yet we pray fervently for outcomes and get seriously upset with God or disillusioned when He doesn't do as we will. Is it that we forget that Jesus prayed for the cup of suffering to pass by Him and He didn't get what He wanted most? Unlike Christ, have we been insincere in our prayer that "Not my will but Yours be done?"Then there is our life's vocation. We plan, we pray and feel called or led to certain work or ministry. Our expectations are that we will be successful. Within our hearts and minds is an idea of what success looks like. Yet how many of us have come to a point in which we look back with disappointment? What happened to those dreams? Why didn't things turn out as you or I thought they should; as you and I dreamed they would?John Koessler dives deep into our disappointments and into the Word to unlock what is going on and why. He provides answers, encouragements and insights that are much needed when you or I feel like our lives haven't turned out as we expected or our prayers seem to fall on deaf ears.Is it okay to be disappointed with God? Can we complain to Him? What examples of the saints from the Scriptures shed light on our struggles? How do we process our pain and crises biblically to the glory of God and our ultimate good? Is God present and powerful in our disappointments? Do we see things the way He does or is that part of the problem that clouds our vision and fills our eyes with tears?This book is worth the reading. Perhaps it will help you to learn a bit earlier and easier than I did what God is up to with the surprising grace of disappointment. I pray that it is a big help to you and many others. To God be the glory.I have received this book at no cost to me for review purposes by Moody Publishers

This is a very insightful book that helps Christians balance their expectations with reality. It helps readers understand that Jesus is not a force to be manipulated, but the Creator and Ruler of the Universe, who has His own plan and does not have to answer to our demands, yet is attentive to our hearts' cries. Navigating through the sea of disappointments that is the fate of all humans by trusting that Jesus has the answer and IS the Answer is the underlying message that emerges as the author explores the conceptions and misconceptions held by believers.

This author's writing style brought to mind Phillip Yancey and CSLewis. He discusses very difficult and profound topics such as prayer and faith, yet makes them clear and beautifully simple. Lewis has always been the expert on explaining known truths in such a way that they are entirely fresh and new and it's been a joy to find a contemporary theologian who has that ability as well.I had a lot of "ah hah" moments with this book and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be real about the areas in their life where they feel God has let them down. The discussion encourages a fresh perspective and deeper understanding that can lead to a deeper and more true relationship with Jesus. And what could be more important than that??

I was blessed and encouraged by Dr. Koessler and his refreshingly honest, and personal approach to the subject of disappointment in our lives as Christians. This book made me feel "normal" - after being a Christian for 28 + years I am learning that my walk with Jesus is often 2 steps forward and 3 steps back. It seems easy to fall into the "be good" mentality and be burdened with guilt and shame when I give into temptation. C.S. Lewis reminds me that: “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” I am thankful that God is the Author and Finisher of my faith. This book helped me with the "balance" of it all.I think this book is a "must read" for serious Christ followers.

I like Dr. Koessler's thoughtful and honest writing. This is kind of a collection of his essays on how we sometimes feel disappointed with what we thought God ought to do. Thought provoking and no candy coating.

Though-provoking and challenging book - especially in the time of a pandemic. An encouraging closing with the Hope of heaven as the finality of it all!

What is disappointing is the book itself. There hasn't been too much to strike a deep down chord with needs in my life. The author writes in too much of an academic viewpoint rather than addressing heart felt needs.Was also disappointed that he uses a quote from Harry Emerson Fosdick, a very liberal preacher.The intriguing title lured me into getting the book but I can't honestly recommend it.

This was very timely, I recently failed an important exam and was devastated and felt as if God had abandoned me. This book revealed that God disappoints everybody. He never comes the way you may want Him to and He never do things the way you would have Him to do it, but God's way and thoughts are not our own. Trust is easy to say, but very hard to live by when your wants are not met.