"WHEN THINGS DON'T GO AS PLANNED," by Jack R. Christianson, Covenant Communications, $11.99, 70 minutes (nf)
Setbacks, challenges and disappointments are an unavoidable part of life. Jack R. Christianson, a former mission president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, author and speaker, addresses how to get through difficult times by having faith in Jesus Christ in his latest audio CD titled “When Things Don’t Go as Planned.” This recording of one of Christianson’s presentations carries the full weight of his message and testimony to a wider audience.
Through touching personal stories of loss and trials as well as the use of scriptures from the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants, Christianson effectively shows that God is aware of everyone. Many people struggle because they feel like their prayers are not heard, he said. Christianson faces the difficult question of unanswered prayer head on.
With a firm testimony that all prayers are heard, Christianson poses that if prayers remain unanswered it is for a good reason only known to the Lord. With the knowledge that past, present and future are fully visible to the Lord, trust should be placed in the Lord’s will, he said. Christianson relates how experiences from his time in church service and as a parent have given him a strong testimony of the Lord’s power to place people in the right place at the right time.
Weaving scriptures in and out of powerful personal stories of battling cancer and losing an adopted son, Christianson relates to the reader in a thoughtful way. Not everyone may have the same challenges, but at one time or another, everyone experiences loss and heartache.
Because it is recorded as Christianson speaks, the full intention and emotional power of his words are beautifully communicated. The takeaway message is challenges may not be welcome but they are meant to help everyone improve, become humble and find strength beyond their own.
Stacey L. Nash is a freelance writer/blogger and full-time kid wrangler. Her website is at staceylnashwrites.com.