When we can’t muster up hopeful thoughts ourselves, we rely on each other. These five reminders from Camille Fronk Olson’s newest book, But If Not: Finding God in Unmet Expectations and Unwanted Detours, might be just what you need during hard times.
1. God Is Close
“In our lowest, most tragic moments we can often feel God’s warm embrace most poignantly.”
2. You Are Learning
“Sometimes the state of our bodies’ health tutors us in our desires to become more like the Savior in ways we couldn’t learn any other way.”
3. Good Is on the Way
“When we view this mortal journey through an eye of faith, the loss of some of our expectations isn’t such an exorbitant price to pay for greater direction, revelation, and wisdom.”
4. Perspective Will Come
“God’s path for us may feel like an overgrown maze of dead ends and roads to nowhere until later in life when, looking back, we begin to recognize beautiful patterns with a clear purpose that were indiscernible when experienced in the moment.”
5. Hope Is Available Now
“By pondering, connecting, and exploring scripture, we can’t help but sense hope for whatever lies ahead.”
Find God in unmet expectations and unwanted detours
Available at Deseret Book, deseretbook.com, and via Bookshelf+.
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