Get excited about this book! I sure was when I got the email that this book was up for review. I enjoyed several of John and Stasi Eldredge's previous books and was interested to hear what they would write about marriage. They did not disappoint.
In Love & War, the Eldredges candidly explore the great adventure of marriage. In fact, they often discuss adventure. As they discussed in their previous books about men longing for adventure and a beauty to rescue and women longing for beauty and shared adventure, in this book they take a look at what that means when these two come together in marriage. There is the potential for something great, something powerful, something beautiful.
Too often, however, the adventure gets lost in the mundane and the Enemy of our souls tries to take us out by playing up our insecurities, by whispering lies about ourselves that we choose to believe, and by pitting us against the one we love. The Eldredges attempt to call us back to the battle with renewed hope and strength. They encourage us that this is war and we must fight, but that we are equipped for battle and the cause is worth every effort.
John and Stasi share stories and experiences from their own marriage and how they have fought their way back to each other and to God over 25 years of marriage. They assert from the start that marriage is hard....but it's worth it.
I was so encouraged and so energized from reading this book. I plan to pass it to Josh next so that we can talk about how we can move forward on our adventure together. I am reminded that there is a real enemy who is doing everything he can to destroy what God is doing in and through our marriage. I am motivated to choose love everyday (or at least try to do so) instead of frustration or annoyance.
I highly recommend this book. If you are sometimes frustrated that marriage is hard, read it to be encouraged that while that's true, there is joy and hope to be found, beauty to be discovered, adventures to share. If your marriage is blissfully happy and exceedingly unconflicted, read it to be reminded of the battle you must fight alongside (not against) your spouse. If you are a newlywed and haven't yet found out that marriage is hard, read it to start off on the right track on this amazing adventure. If you want to know about the potential of marriage in God's great story, read this book.
Just in time for Valentine's Day, too.
(Click on the book for ordering info)
This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.
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