I Am Strong - by John S Dickerson (Paperback)

About the Book

Your deepest pain, your ongoing suffering, your unanswered prayers. Could these difficulties become your greatest strengths? Author John S. Dickerson points to life experience and Scripture to say, "Yes!" Studying the verse "when I am weak, then I am strong," learn how to transform your weakness into strength, unlocking God's power in your life.

Book Synopsis

For many, the Christian life looks like this: You call out to God. Your problems get worse. You suffer and wait. Nothing changes. Author John S. Dickerson knows the feeling. A rare health condition drove him to examine the Bible's claim that "when I am weak, then I am strong." As a journalist, Dickerson has seen severe human suffering. As a pastor, he has comforted others through unimaginable grief. He wrote I Am Strong to give understanding, hope, and strength to the hurting.

In its chapters, I Am Strong equips you to:

• Unlock God's strength for your difficulties.
• Understand how a loving God will resolve your pain.
• Know God's plan to repurpose your pain, injustice, and inadequacy.
• Understand why your suffering does not mean God is punishing you.
• Overcome life's circumstances as Christ and Paul did.
• Discover the life-changing power of God's strength in your weakness.

I Am Strong breathes hope and comfort. Much more, it offers daily practices and lifelong vision on which to build an unshakeable life of meaning and peace.

Review Quotes

'As a cancer survivor and hospital CEO, I am all too familiar with the questions, fears, and uncertainties of suffering. This book contains rock-solid hope, not only for patients, their families, and caregivers, but for anyone facing the challenges and questions that suffering brings.'--Jeff Leimgruber, hospital CEO and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives

'As a counselor, I see people who struggle daily with the effects and whys of suffering. In I Am Strong, John Dickerson methodically walks us through the steps of making sense of something that does not make sense and depositing our pain at the feet of Christ. It is a powerful book of truth and hope.'--Kim Kimberling, PhD, leader of the Awesome Marriage Movement and author of 7 Secrets to an Awesome Marriage

'As a grief counselor and pastor, I minister daily to people who are sick, hurting, or discouraged. This book contains the life-changing hope I wish I could give to every hurting person who comes my way.'--Dan Rydberg, Care and Outreach pastor at Cornerstone Church, Prescott, Arizona

'Followers of Jesus cannot escape pain any more than they can escape this fallen world. Seen in the context of the suffering Jesus and the many who have followed him, pain can bring a believer to full maturity and access to the power of Christ. In I Am Strong, John S. Dickerson uniquely combines a pastor's theological training, a shepherd's heart to comfort, and a journalist's question asking and storytelling.'--Cal Thomas, USA Today columnist and author of What Works

'Have you ever felt confused about how a good God can allow the pain in your life? If so, I cannot encourage you enough to read I Am Strong. This message will anchor your soul and give flight to your faith. Most importantly, it will draw you closer to the God who wants to heal your hurts.'--Jim Cymbala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle and bestselling author of numerous books, including Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire and Breakthrough Prayer

'John Dickerson knows how to speak to people's pain. He was there in the small town of Prescott, Arizona, when word came that nineteen young firefighters had just died. He was there that evening when the whole state of Arizona cried themselves to sleep. He brought hope in the middle of a community's pain, and his book I Am Strong will bring hope to you in your pain.'--Dr. Tim Kimmel, author of Grace Filled Marriage

'Life has a way of falling apart just when we least expect it. In I Am Strong, John S. Dickerson reveals the hidden strength that God provides in our darkest moments and shows how to access it daily. If you're walking through a valley or know someone who is, this is a must-read.'--Larry Osborne, author of Thriving in Babylon and pastor of North Coast Church, California

'Pain and suffering often drive people away from God. John Dickerson's I Am Strong takes a different path. In a counterintuitive way and with deep biblical roots, he shows how we can be strong when we allow pain and suffering to take us to God. The path he recommends does not lead to despair but to hope. In fact, Dickerson takes us to the only hope there is in the midst of the deep pain that life often delivers.'--Dr. Darrell Bock, New York Times bestselling author, Humboldt Scholar, and senior research professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary

'There is no place on this planet where hurting men and women cannot be found. The discouraging part is that most of them have no idea how to obtain freedom and healing from their painful wounds and circumstances. God never meant for us to live disappointing and defeated lives. John S. Dickerson's journalistic research ability and gentle shepherd's heart will take you on an extraordinary journey of healing in a miraculous way.'--Linda Penn, host of Today's Living Hope on WDCX 99.5 Radio FM (970 and 990 AM), serving Western New York and Northern Ontario, Canada

'To write a book about hope and strength in the midst of suffering requires that one understands both sides of the equation. John S. Dickerson not only has experienced both sides, but with his heart and pen, he has mapped out a practical guide for the journey to light for all who travel down the dark road of pain and suffering. Read it when you need hope the most; share it with a friend in the midst of their trial; and use it in your small groups because everyone can benefit from this helpful and sensitive work.'--Chuck Bentley, CEO of Crown Financial Ministries and author of The Worst Financial Mistakes in the Bible and How You Can Avoid Them

About the Author

John S. Dickerson is a bestselling author and prize-winning journalist. His work has appeared in The New York Times and USA Today, among others. As a pastor, John has guided individuals and communities through grief and loss. He serves as Teaching Pastor in Residence at Venture Christian Church in Los Gatos, California, where he lives with his wife and children. Learn more at JohnSDickerson.com.