I wrote this book for the encouragement of good-hearted, well-intentioned, God-fearing believers who suddenly find themselves in the middle of crisis and turmoil. Many of these are people who continue to preach sermons, teach Sunday-school classes, train deacons, direct choirs, disciple new believers and lead small groups, yet their hearts have been broken and their dreams dashed.

They read Scripture that they are no longer inspired by, and they sing words to songs they no longer believe. They are merely going through the motions, partly because they are so loyal, partly because they are so numb.

Unfortunately, I know this from personal experience. I am in my early forties and have been a Christian since age eleven and actively involved in ministry since I was a teenager. In my early teens I started leading my friends to the Lord. I have given over a thousand sermons, preached to crowds of tens of thousands, received numerous awards, pioneered a community development ministry and even started a few companies. Yet, none of these accolades mattered to me when my world began to fall apart.

I want to offer a message of hope to those who feel that God just sat there doing nothing while all hell broke loose in their lives. At the same time, I know there are no easy answers to these complex issues. I resented it when people offered simple solutions to me. Instead, I want you to know that I am with you on this very painful journey.