“Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings“
By Author Hadassah Treu, Book Review and Giveaway
“Can something so painful, even tragic, actually be God’s way of blessing?”
Hello Friend!🌻I’m so blessed to share this new book that impacted me this year and to give you the opportunity to win a copy for yourself, along with a few other goodies today!
Last November, Jesus gave me the word JOY as my focus word for 2024. I was excited to receive this beautiful word and was filled with hope and expectation. I had no idea the year would bring incredible loss, pain and brokenness in my heart, my family and in my physical body.
But I love how the Lord goes ahead of us to meet us in those broken moments …
I feel like Jesus had my friend Hadassah write her beautiful book just for me. None of us are exempt from experiencing hardships in this life but when they do come, we don’t always think of the treasures hidden within them, do we? I know I sure didn’t.
Hadassah’s heartfelt words reminded me to draw near to God and seek His heart, presence and hidden spiritual blessings in the midst of the hardships. It has helped me to find the fullness of His joy once again, which is found in His presence (not our circumstances) as Psalm 16:11 reminds me.
I love the following quote from the book which reminds me I am tethered to HIM and never to any of my circumstances …
“The believer’s life on earth is not easy. We will be tempted, tested, and will experience sadness, suffering, and loss. In such a time of deep suffering, we need a hope that doesn’t shake, one that is not tethered to visible, shaky things. We need the assurance that God will satisfy our deepest longings.” Draw Near, Page 22
In hard times, we can be tempted to isolate or self protect when what we really need is to draw close to God and surrender. The Author helps us find the spiritual treasures hidden within 13 life experiences and emotions, which makes her book so relatable. Once again, here is Hadassah’s heart …
“God’s call to surrender is his way and therapy to set us free from any form of repressed anger, resentment, bitterness, and disappointment. Holding on to control and trying to keep things together is the path to panic and anxiety disorder. God’s path to breaking free is learning to surrender and trust him as the one who runs the show and as the controller and manager of all things. It is is his recipe for peace, confidence, and rest. Everything else is just temporary relief from symptoms, but not a real cure.” Draw Near, Page 34
With sweet humility and compassion, Hadassah let Jesus pour her out like a drink offering in her writing so we can be comforted with the same comfort she received. With every page I turned and every word I reflected on and received in my heart, I knew without a doubt that my sweet friend had been with Jesus.
In every book review I do, I like to share the table of contents to give you a sneak peek behind the beautiful front cover:
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- The Gifts Hidden in Adversity – 6
- The Gifts Hidden in Sadness – 18
- The Gifts Hidden in Anxiety – 30
- The Gifts Hidden in Rejection – 41
- The Gifts Hidden in Loneliness – 53
- The Gifts Hidden in Unmet Expectations – 64
- The Gifts Hidden in Disillusionment – 76
- The Gifts Hidden in Grief – 87
- The Gifts Hidden in Betrayal – 100
- The Gifts Hidden in Broken Dreams – 111
- The Gifts Hidden in Hopelessness – 122
- The Gifts Hidden in Failure – 134
- The Gifts Hidden in Pain – 145
Summary of Declarations – 156
At the end of each chapter, Hadassah includes the following content to help us reflect on what we just read and engage our hearts to go deeper still …
- Powerful Declarations …
- Losses when I face “……………..”
- Gains when I draw near to God …
- Reflection Questions …
- Meditation Verses …
- Guided Prayer …
GIVEAWAY TIME:
This book meant so much to me, I would love to bless someone with a copy of their own, along with a $20.00 Starbucks gift card to make this giveaway even cozier during this beautiful season of gratitude and blessings.
<— In addition, Hadassah offered to bless the winner with a complimentary download of her “Reflection Journal.” This is a beautiful accompaniment to her book.
This book makes a wonderful stocking stuffer, so even if you already own this book, please consider participating. You can keep the Starbucks giftcard as our gift to you for helping us get this book into the hands of someone in your sphere of influence who needs a loving touch from God this Holiday Season.
To participate, simply comment below with the chapter(s) listed above that is resonating with you the most right now in this season of life. One winner’s name will be drawn on Monday, November 18, 2024. The book and gift card will be sent to you from Amazon and the link to the Reflection Journal will be sent via the email address you used to comment.
Thank you so much for participating. Hadassah included this Chapter link for you to read the first chapter of her book for free today! Please scroll for her additional free gift to you: a pretty lock screen for your phone.
UPDATE: Arrica Hess, your name was drawn as winner and we will reach out through the email address you used to comment on this post and get these goodies out to you today! Thank you all who participated, I pray you will enjoy a beautiful season of blessings … 🙌🙌🙌
Many blessings to you …
Live Loved Today,
Hadassah Treu is an award-winning international author of “Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings,” poet, speaker, and motivator, living in Bulgaria. She is a contributing author to several faith-based platforms like Proverbs 31 COMPEL Blog, Koinonia and Devotable, and over 12 devotional and poetry anthologies. She has been featured in The Upper Room, (In)Courage, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Today’s Christian Living, Living by Design Ministries, and other popular sites and podcasts. Connect with Hadassah at https://onthewaybg.com.
Hadassah designed this beautiful mobile phone lock screen for you to download today. You can also connect with her at the links below …
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The gifts hidden in anxiety and grief would be my first I’d want to read.
Thank you for stopping by Beverly, grief and anxiety are really hard. I’m praying for you right now and hope you can feel His love and presence very tangibly in this season and into the new year. Your name is in the drawing, hope you are having a blessed week … 🙏🩷
Chapter 8 because I lost my 21 yr old son last summer …
My name is Autumn Hamblin
Hi Autumn, it is so nice to meet you and I’m very thankful you stopped by. I am SO sorry for your incredible loss and can’t even imagine the depth of grief you have been experiencing. God loves you so very much and is holding you close. He is collecting all your tears in a bottle, that’s how close He is to you, my friend. Lifting you up to His throne room right now and praying you can feel His nearness. I have also added your name to the drawing. Sending hugs your way … 🙏💔
In Christ, Donna xx
Thanks so much for this wonderful review, my friend! I am so grateful and honored that you picked up my book and organized this giveaway! What a sweet blessing you are! ❤️🥰
You’re so very welcome, dear friend! Your book has been such a blessing to me, it is an honor to get it into someone’s hands during this beautiful season of gratitude and thanksgiving. Sending lots of love, hugs and prayers your way … 🩷🩷🩷
Thank you for sharing. I love this book and I wasn’t aware there was a journal.
Thank you so much for stopping by Maree Dee, your name has been added to the drawing. Much love to you, my friend … 🩷🩷🩷
Thanks for an amazing review Donna. For me , it is the gift in broken dreams. I loved what she said – “God surely fulfills dreams, but as God, he claims for himself the right to judge how, when, and in what form those dreams are fulfilled.” A reminder to trust God with my life and journey. The dreams I had in my head as a little child may not be where I am currently, but God is leading me by his hand and i will trust him.
You’re so very welcome, and I love this Ufuoma! I am trusting Him with some dreams in my life also and trying not to question when, where, how as much anymore lol. It’s all in His timing. Your name is in the drawing … so glad you stopped by, blessings sweet sister … 🙏💕
Hello, my name is Lisa and I feel the chapter that would resonate w/me the most is “The Gifts Hidden in Loneliness”. I chose this chapter because I have been battling loneliness for the past few years. I am a divorced mother and my children are now teenagers who prefer spending time w/friends than with me. Totally expected….I do not date majorly because my boys keep me busy. Now as they are getting older loneliness has set in
Hi Lisa, I’m so glad you stopped by today! I’m so sorry you are battling lonliness for the past few years, that’s really hard and my heart goes out to you. I am praying for you right now, God sees you and loves you so very much. Your name has been added to the hat for the drawing. Hugs and prayers, Donna xx
Donna. This is an excellent review of an incredible book. I was blessed to read Draw Near during a very painful time in my life. The chapter on gifts hidden in pain is a beautiful reminder that God’s goodness and blessings are often unseen by us when we are hurting, but they are there. He is always good and always working circumstances out for our good. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much, sweet friend! That is the chapter that resonated with me the most as well and you’re so right, pain blinds us to His goodness and blessings but we can be comforted they are there. Thanks for stopping by, I was so glad to see you here. Much love to you … 🥰😘💕
Thanks for sharing such a heart felt review Donna. I need to check this one out. It sounds beautiful.
You’re so very welcome and I’m so glad you stopped by today, Arrica! This is truly a very beautiful book. When you read it, you will feel without a doubt that Hadassah has been with our LORD … 🙌🙌🙌
I love seeing you two teaming up here! I’ve read this book twice now! The first time, the chapter on the gifts hidden in sadness really ministered to me. The second time, I felt like the chapter on anxiety was JUST for me! This book offers healing and hope for every person who reads it! I will be coming back to it for years to come!
Hey Stacey, the same with me, friend – I’ve read this twice this year, it’s so good! I love how the Holy Spirit used different chapters to minister to you at different times. This book will make a great stocking stuffer. Everyone can benefit from its beautiful message of hope and healing.
I love that God is getting this message out through more people!! He led me to present a message series at our Church on Wednesday evenings regarding healing from hard things. Much of what he’s had me share sounds quite similar to the message of this book. I believe this is on His heart for His people! I would love to read this and get it into many hands and hearts. One chapter? I don’t know that I can choose, but let’s say the one on pain.
May this book reach many! 🤍
Oh I would love to hear your message series!! 💕 I love how God is moving and confirming His heart’s intentions for us through multiple Believers. Love this, Lindsey. Thank you for joining us and your heart to get this message into many hands and hearts. Much love to you … 🥰💕