Grace in Grief by Tina Akridge
Daily Devotional. 223 Pages. 4 Stars
Synopsis:
Are you wrestling with your faith amidst profound loss? Do you find yourself adrift in heavy sorrow, unsure of where God is in your pain? Grace in Grief offers solace and understanding, addressing the heart-wrenching questions that arise in times of trial.
In this poignant 100-day journey, join Tina Akridge as she shares her own struggles and revelations during her husband’s decade-long battle with cancer. Through the highs and lows of diagnosis, treatment, and, ultimately, loss, she sought to cling to her faith in God’s sovereignty and unwavering love.
In Grace in Grief, you will discover:
- God’s Tender Response: Explore how Abba Father’s love reaches into the depths of our sorrow, offering solace and companionship.
- Guidance Through Sorrow: Find comfort and direction as you navigate the complexities of grief, knowing that God sees your pain and hears your cries.
- A Companion in the Darkness: Experience the assurance that even in the darkest moments, God is present, offering His grace and healing touch.
- Renewed Faith: Allow this journey to reignite your faith and trust in God’s faithfulness, even when His presence feels distant.
As you journey through these pages, may you find strength and reassurance in our Savior’s unfailing love. Let Grace in Grief be a beacon of hope in your times of deepest need, reminding you that you are never alone.
My Review:
This gentle, encouraging, and truth-filled devotional is clearly written out of deep grief, but it doesn’t dwell in the darkness. Instead it meets us where we are and points us consistently back to the light, hope, and truth of God’s Word.
I love that this is a 100 day devotional because grief comes in waves. It’s not something we can just “overcome” through willpower and check off and be done with. It comes and goes. But this sweet book is an excellent resource for those who are (or have) grieving to come back to. Each devotional is in a bite-sized piece, which if we’re honest is all we can get down some days in deep grieving seasons. But there are enough devotionals here to carry you through at least a couple of months – and sometimes what we really need in grief is a consistent anchor to hold on to. This book serves as an easy to digest way to anchor ourselves to Truth that brings us peace in times of trouble.
I deeply appreciate the way the devotions not only empathized with grieving readers with such kindness, but again, how every single one points lovingly and gracefully back to the comfort we can draw from our loving Father. Tina’s words are like having a loving, gentle companion to sit beside when things get tough. In a time that can be so easily isolating, depressing, and lonely, this little book can serve a great need in so many people.
Although the book is written from a grieving widow and mother, as an unmarried woman with no kids, I still found such beauty and comfort in this devotional. Tina shares from her own places of grief, including pieces of her story with her husband fought cancer for years and the ways that impacted not just the two of them, but their kids, too. She also shares some of the grieving she’s dealt with as a mother, not just a wife and widow. But even with her vulnerably specific examples, the stories always point to a shared element of grief that carries across endless situations.
It doesn’t matter who you are, you either have or will experience grief at some point in some way. It’s a symptom of our fallen world. Losing loved ones, jobs, hopes and dreams, homes, etc. can happen in so many different ways – and death isn’t the only way we can lose spouses, kids, friends, and family. Grief manifests in so many ways and we all react differently to it. But this book isn’t telling us how to react or what to do. It’s a delicate and loving reminder to breathe and that even on the days when breathing feels impossible, there is an Almighty God who will never leave us. He will see us through.
The only thing I didn’t really love was some of the formatting. Most of the devotionals were like a page and a half, and that half (or sometimes more) page of whitespace just made me think there could have been a better way to arrange the text to fill some of that space. But formatting has nothing to do with the message and truth encased in the book, which is all solid and sound. I just imagine the book could have been way prettier, but alas, that is the publishing nerd in me XD
Such an encouraging read and one to go back to when the need arises. Thankful for Tina’s heart and story, for her faith and perseverance. This book shines a light in the dark place of grief that we’ve all lived in. May it be an encouragement to you.