Persevering Power: Encouragement for When You're Oppressed by Life, By Bruce D. Strom

Persevering Power

Encouragement for When You're Oppressed by Life

by Bruce D. Strom
Foreword by Eugene Cho

Persevering Power
paperback
  • Length: 192 pages
  • Dimensions: 5.5 × 8.5 in
  • Published: November 28, 2023
  • Imprint: IVP
  • Item Code: A0847
  • ISBN: 9781514008478

*affiliate partner

Life is filled with challenges. We might be weary and overwhelmed by the world around us. Whether we are facing personal struggles or working against unjust circumstances, it can feel like the odds are against us. Does God care? How can we carry on?

There is hope for us because God is a God of justice who cares for people in distress. Bruce Strom shows how those facing difficulties can receive God's power to persevere. By looking to God's perspective and purpose, we can find direction for what God has in store for us. He transforms our understanding of the past and gives us resources to renew our souls and find fresh strength to continue on. Strom shares how God has been active in his life and in others', encouraging us with examples of how lives can change and things can be different.

If you're running on empty and are tired from the fight, discover the persevering power God has for you.

"If you're feeling down and out, I want you to look up and remember that there is always hope. And if you need some guidance on how to persevere through life's challenges, I recommend my friend Bruce Strom's Persevering Power. Let this book be your guide to a life that is less of you, more of Jesus, and abundantly better than what you had planned."

Tony Evans, president of The Urban Alternative and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship

"Pursuing justice can be wearying. I know—and so does my friend Bruce Strom. If you are weary from trying to make a difference or feeling overwhelmed by injustice, then curl up with this book. Bruce's personal stories along with practical illustrations will refresh your soul and renew your hope as you look up, look back, look in, and look around at all God has for you."

Ken Wytsma, author of The Myth of Equality and The Grand Paradox

"I learned the hard lessons of poverty and brokenness from an early age, growing up in Mississippi. I knew that I had dignity, but I also learned that there were systems in place that denied my dignity. I was invisible . . . voiceless . . . without resources. These are the people that my friend Bruce Strom and Administer Justice serve. Persevering Power shares Bruce's journey of self-sacrifice and service to the least of these. His call to look up, look back, look in, and look around is an invitation to everyone to join in this battle for justice. It's a fight worth living and dying for."

John M. Perkins, founder and president emeritus of the John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation and cofounder of the Christian Community Development Association

"A career of thirty or forty years is a very long time. And every career has its ups and downs, setbacks and dry spells, challenges and crises. Yet God wants leaders who will persevere in their service to him over the long haul. Bruce Strom's new book, Persevering Power, offers us a kind of leadership life jacket—with the spiritual principles that will keep us afloat during life's inevitable storms and make us more productive for God even when the going gets tough."

Richard Stearns, president emeritus of World Vision US and author of Lead Like It Matters to God

"As Bruce Strom shares in the book, justice reflects the character of God. In other words, justice is essential to our discipleship and worship. But if we're not wise, our focus can become misaligned. We lose our sense of purpose and joy, and we may end up worshiping justice, rather than a just God. This is why this book spoke so vulnerably and intimately to me—and I believe it will speak to you."

Eugene Cho, president of Bread for the World and author of Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk, from the foreword

"Persevering Power is a practical, faith-filled guide to trusting, submitting, and following Christ where he is leading you. Bruce Strom's stories throughout the book are relevant and inspiring. His theological insights on the kingdom of God, the justice of God, and the persevering power of prayer are a rich resource for anyone wanting to pursue a life of peacemaking."

Michelle Ferrigno Warren, author of Join the Resistance and The Power of Proximity

"I recently went through a tunnel of pain. It took the culmination of years of input from God's wisdom to come through my 'slough of despond.' Injustices are inevitable (Luke 17), but they can be productive (James 1:2-4). The biggest echoes in our revolving tunnel are guilt and anger. Those who have been with these friends know of their deceptive ministrations. The gift of this book is light—no platitudes or guilt, just a biblical kindred spirit of practical help. Thank you, Bruce."

Alejandro (Alex) Mandes, strategic director of Workforce Hope and board member for the Navigators

"Persevering Power is both simple and revelatory in its message of resilient hope. Bruce Strom comes at his subject from a place of hard-earned experience. Pain, anxiety, and yearning have deepened his faith and changed the trajectory of his vocation. And now he's able to share key lessons from his journey. His soulful blend of memoir, Bible study, and motivational insight is a refreshing reminder of God's faithfulness despite our setbacks and struggles."

Edward Gilbreath, author of Reconciliation Blues and vice president of strategic partnerships at Christianity Today

"Persevering Power is an inspiring, engaging, and practical guide for anyone needing encouragement. Bruce Strom courageously shares personal stories and biblical wisdom on how to navigate the difficult and disappointing seasons of life. As you reflect on each chapter, you'll find yourself equipped with practical tools to reshape your perspective and walk purposefully through life, regardless of the obstacles you may face."

Jennifer McHugh Adams, executive vice president of partnerships and communications for Water Mission
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Read an Excerpt

CONTENTS

Foreword by Eugene Cho
Introduction: Finding Joy

Part 1: Look Up
1. Get Perspective
2. Know Your Purpose

Part 2: Look Back
3. Understand the Past
4. Give Praise

Part 3: Look In
5. Pursue Peace
6. Set Aside Pride

Part 4: Look Around
7. Steward Provision
8. Serve People

Conclusion: Persevering Power
Acknowledgments
Appendix 1: Self-Assessment for Persevering Power
Appendix 2: Truths to Embrace and Pitfalls to Avoid
Notes

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Bruce D. Strom

Bruce Strom (JD, University of Illinois) is the founder and CEO of Administer Justice, a national legal aid ministry, where he invites attorneys, pastors, and God's people to do practical justice in their community through church-based gospel justice centers. He is a pastor, a speaker, and the author of Gospel Justice. Prior to Administer Justice, he was the senior partner of a successful multi-office law practice in the Chicago suburbs. He and his wife, Helen, have twin sons and live in the Chicago area.