"When Words matter Most" (Cheryl Marshall and Caroline Newheiser)

TITLE: When Words Matter Most: Speaking Truth with Grace to Those You Love
AUTHOR: Cheryl Marshall and Caroline Newheiser
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021, (224 pages).
 

Jesus has said that we shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set us free. This is in the context of God's Word, to abide in Jesus, and to follow Him. In a world that has been devastated by the coronavirus, many are not only struggling with basic needs, but they also needed a greater dose of human interaction and encouragement. Words matter and they matter even more in times of need. With many stories of how different people have impacted them, authors Marshall and Newheiser share with us stories of how family, friends, and fellow believers had blessed them with hope, strength, and faith. There was a mother of five who gave them a friendship anchored on transparency and unconditional love. There was a teacher with a servant's heart who engages them with Truth and loyalty. There was also one with a pillar of faith that even in the midst of difficulties, one can exuberate joy in service. Calling these people gifts, they share with us how in times of acute need, these people were there for them. With gratitude, the authors are expanding their scope of encouragement through this book of stories and Truth-Telling about how words can make a difference, especially during this pandemic. Written in two parts, Part One explains the impact of words, and how the Word of God reminds us about our calling to speak words of Truth to one another, especially in crucial moments we discerned in the Spirit. We are called to build up the body not with our human wisdom but with the counsel of God through His Word. We are given three goals when we interact with one another:

1. Build unity in the Faith
2. Increase Knowledge in the Son of God
3. Grow in Christlike maturity

We can lean on God's Word such as Ecclesiastes when we need wisdom. We obey Galatians 6:2 when we carry one another's burdens. From time to time, we need to learn admonishment as well as Truth is not limited just to being nice. Love binds one another together in the unity of Christ. Grace helps us recognize the depth of gratitude of receiving so much that we do not deserve. When friends come together, some of the best starting points to remember is to affirm one another's unity in Christ. I find the chapter on "When Grace is Tested" quite powerful as it shows us that love can also mean tough love. In a world infatuated with the need for praise and nice words, Truth in Love needs to be upheld at all times. How do we deal with hidden anger or defensive situations? What should we do when a friend is stuck with sin? Going back to the teachings of Jesus, the authors remind us of the gentle but firm approach toward spiritual correction of a fellow believer. We also learn of the five ways that Scripture can transform us, and how the Word can guide us in that process. 

Part Two of the book shows us the different unique situations where we can apply God's Word. There are tips about speaking to situations where people are weary, worried, wayward, or weeping. With Bible references and brief explanations, we see how the Word of God can speak into these challenging situations. For instance, worry is one of the most troubling aspects of daily living, especially during this pandemic. Ever wonder why Jesus spends time telling us not to worry? Perhaps, there is something we could learn more intently here. It forces us to reflect on God's promises and love for us. Think about it. If our earthly fathers are so willing to give us good things, how much more would our Heavenly Father gives? For the weary, we learn about the stress of young parents, mothers, and other working people. These and many more make this book a timely welcome booster to our spiritual lives. 

My Thoughts

It has been said that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Many depend on inspirational quips like this to go through any tough situations. Leaning on positive thinking and new thought, there is a sizable percentage of people depending on motivational words to go through the day. Nothing comes close to what the Word of God can do to our hearts and minds. This is where this book is anchored on. The Word of God is Truth and this Truth will set us free from a world of falsehood. The more we know of the Word, the better we are in leaning toward the Truth. As for motivational speeches and positive thinking, they work, albeit only for a little while. That is why many motivational gurus continue to make money from repeat conference attendees, who consume these speeches like a chronic prescription. The Bible however is not only free for us to read and to live by, the Word is eternal. Proverbs 25:11 tells us that a word spoken at the right time is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Jesus' teachings continue to bring life to our souls daily. That is why we pray "Give us this day our daily bread," which is essentially the Word of God. Marshall and Newheiser have gifted us with this book that focuses on God's Word and helps us grasp God's Word for our daily needs and inspiration. Words matter. The Word of God matter. God gives us His Word because we matter.

As a resource, this book gives us lots of pointers. The bibliography list has been carefully categorized for ease of reference. This work is a labor of love which reminds me of our calling to care for one another by carrying one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ (Gal 6:2). I find the reflective questions at the end of each chapter not only helpful for groups to discuss, they highlight key points we might have missed. As our daily struggles drive us to read this book, may this book eventually lead us to the Word of God more. If that is done, I believe it would have worth every cent.

Cheryl Marshall (MM, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is a wife, mom, counselor, and Bible teacher. She has over twenty-five years of experience teaching and discipling women, and she currently serves as director of women’s ministries at Founders Baptist Church in Spring, Texas. You can connect with her at cherylmarshall.com.

Caroline Newheiser (MACC, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte) is an ACBC-certified counselor. She has been a pastor’s wife for over thirty years and is currently the assistant coordinator of women’s counseling at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte. Caroline’s ministries include counseling, blogging, and speaking to women’s groups. You can connect with her at carolinenewheiser.com.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Crossway Publishers and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.