Constant help in the time of trouble

By Thomas Guenther and ChristianWeek | May 11, 2011

Hitting the Wall is not an everyday self-help soft cover lining the shelves of the local bookstore; it's not really a self-help book at all. This book deals with the sorrow of life: the death of loved one, loss of a job, financial crisis or whatever trouble you may be going through.

This is a guide, like a friend who tells you exactly what you need to hear when life is hard and who will lead you through whatever "swamp" threatens to engulf you.

It begins with complaining. Author David Payne encourages his readers to whine to God because emotions at least deserve voicing and God won't be scared away by anger, resentment or confusion. True to the book's title Payne uses the wall motif to describe and explain different stages of suffering while maintaining a clear view of who provides the only reliable and constant help in times of trouble: Jesus.

Throughout these pages, Payne acknowledges God as the healer, and often the one who begins our troubles in the first place. Whether through a call to obedience or the administration of discipline, Payne makes the reader aware that pruning is more than necessary; it's vital to our survival as Christians.

Hitting the Wall, while written for those currently slogging through life's mud, offers practical biblical wisdom for everyone. It provides a rich perspective on supporting a friend, spouse, colleague or child who is in trouble, or dealing with an emotional mess.

The book's basic premise echoes the words of Jesus: trouble will come. It's a lifetime guarantee. Understanding that makes this book a good read for everyone because problems are coming, maybe not today or tomorrow but eventually clouds will form and the rain will fall. Absorbing these captivating lessons written in Payne's honest, reassuring style is excellent preparation for any coming storm.

I was wary when I first read this book. I figured this guy was just another vendor hawking the "feel-goods" under a catchy title. But, my suspicions were unwarranted as I found the book helped to address even simple problems. Payne references the Master Counselor and reminds the reader every few pages that nothing is too big for God. He'll never let you go.

My faith was strengthened and my resolve to face life's curve balls is stronger than ever. Your problems won't go away after you read this book but maybe you'll remember that the sun, and the Son, never stays hidden for long. I highly recommend this book.