Bend: When Life Dares You to Break

Bend: When Life Dares You to Break

You know that moment when you are sure you’ve reached your peak? When one more thing has the potential to crash your world down around you and wreck you? 

We usually call that our breaking point, but what if we chose to bend instead?

What if we flexed with what’s happening to reach toward hope, survival, and joy in every circumstance?

This is Bend.

International Journalist and Author Beth Lueders takes us to the bending points of nine different moments.

Moments that I personally do not know how they found the resolve to bend instead of break, but they did. We all have that capacity. We all have a bending point. 

Beth defines a bending point like this: “In your life, a bending point is that experience where steadiness meets disruption.”

“steadiness meets disruption.” 

Goodness. Those are some resounding words. I have little doubt that we can all relate to this kind of moment, whether big or small. If you haven’t yet…you will. I feel like this describes so perfectly the delicate balance of every day.

Do you know your bending point?

About the Book:

Bend: When Life Dares You to Break takes us to the heart of nine different narratives of various people from all over the globe who walked difficult paths and still found hope, peace, strength, and purpose through extremely difficult times. 

People like Walter, a Holocaust survivor, and mothers whose children suffer extreme medical difficulties, a man (from WV) who endured extreme abuse as a child and post-war PTSD that threatened to destroy his marriage, a former drug dealer who finds new hope while incarcerated, a Wiccan who is homeless and feels broken amid the decay of the world, and a few more stories. 

Beth’s journalistic style pulls you into each story as she offers a perspective that allows you to connect more deeply with each person. 

If you love reading about history or stories of hope, you will enjoy this book. 

BOOK GIVEAWAY: 

Comment below for a chance to win a free SIGNED copy of Bend: When Life Dares You to Break. 

TO ENTER:

Comment about the topic or simply put, “I’m in!” 

One commenter’s name will be drawn at random Wednesday morning, November 4th, and announced on Your Morning Walk during the 7 am and the 9 am hours. The winner will be contacted after the show.

Join the Conversation! 

  • How would you describe “Bending point” as it pertains to you?
  • Was there a time when you walked through a potential breaking point and chose to bend? What helped you through?
  • What advice would you give someone going through tremendously painful or difficult circumstances?

Thank you to all who entered!

Our Book winner is Aja Collins!! Congratulations! 

 

Relatable Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Galatians 6:9

Relatable Songs to Listen for on Walkfm:

Another in the Fire– Hillsong United

I Won’t Be Shaken– Building 429

Eye of the Storm–Ryan Stevenson

 

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Susan E. Greenwood is a wife, a mother, and a mother-in-law :D. She has over 28 years experience in youth and children’s ministries. Susan loves to write blogs, articles, devotionals, and curriculum. She has blogged for bible.org, and authors Mary Demuth, Lynn Cowell and Ruth Schwenk. Susan writes regularly for skitguys.com. Her passion is to help people live their Life In Stride with the Word of God.

15 Comments
  • Susan E. Greenwood
    Posted at 13:19h, 17 November

    Beth,
    Thank you!! And thank you for continuing to encourage and inspire us to Bend. So needed!!

  • Beth Lueders
    Posted at 12:54h, 17 November

    My THANKS to Susan and all of you have shared your insights on life struggles and bending instead of breaking. I wrote Bend to help us all keep digging deep and leaning into God no matter what we face. As you see in the lives of the remarkable individuals and families in the book, we are designed to sway and flex and adapt to adversity and stand stronger in faith as we do. I interviewed people who know Jesus and those who don’t to show a contrast and answer two questions: How do we really come back from tough times? Do we need God to do that? Through Bend, you’ll discover that you too can begin again with fresh strength and resolve and a deeper appreciation for the Creator’s being right there with you.

    Thank you for this inspiring website and messages of steadfast encouragement and hope.
    Bend on, my friends,
    Beth Lueders

  • Susan E. Greenwood
    Posted at 15:43h, 01 November

    I agree, Patty! We definitely need to stand firm in our faith and represent Christ well. I don’t think bending should ever mean going again God’s Word, but that does come with ridicule. The key is definitely to do it prayerfully and with the mind of Christ as our guide. Thanks so much for sharing!!

  • Patty Deeds
    Posted at 21:49h, 31 October

    I struggle with bending at times because I feel like I am expected to compromise my beliefs for fear of offending others. I think Christians as a whole should be more firm and outspoken about their beliefs.

  • Susan E. Greenwood
    Posted at 10:06h, 28 October

    Thank you, Marilyn!!

  • Marilyn Meade
    Posted at 09:48h, 28 October

    I am in
    Would love to read the book

  • Aja Collins
    Posted at 09:17h, 28 October

    I forgot to add that after struggling with anxiety and depression for so long God delivered me of them both, and its because of clinging to Him in my breaking moments.

  • Susan E. Greenwood
    Posted at 08:28h, 28 October

    Hi Christena!
    Thank you for sharing your story with us. I am thankful that you keep bending, and you see the hand of the Lord helping you. I love that you said you had the “faith to start again on a new day.” We all need to remember that. Tomorrow is a new day and His mercies are new every morning. 😀

  • Susan E. Greenwood
    Posted at 08:25h, 28 October

    So true!! Thank you, Jaycee!!

  • Susan E. Greenwood
    Posted at 08:24h, 28 October

    Thank you, Caren!!

  • Susan E. Greenwood
    Posted at 08:24h, 28 October

    Aja!
    Thank you so much for sharing your story! I hate that you’ve gone through so much, but I love that you end this with advice to keep looking to the Lord and to keep trusting. What a great testimony and word of encouragement for us today. I pray that you keep Bending 😀

  • Aja Collins
    Posted at 08:13h, 28 October

    I feel like my bending points are more like turning points sometimes… I have struggled with depression and anxiety since I was a child so its like every storm has forced me to the edge of a cliff. Always varying distances down and reasons why and I had to make the choice to turn from the cliff or go over the edge. Sometimes it was like stumbling down a rocky hill and other times it was like plummeting into an abyss, and eventually I would continue on my way towards the next one, battered and possibly bleeding but still moving. If you’ve never read it, look up Autobiography in Five Short Chapters by Portia Nelson. Its a pretty profound poem which God has used to open my eyes many times. I’m finally in chapter five of that poem, but only by the grace of God.

    My advice to anyone going through tremendously painful or difficult circumstances? Cling to Jesus!! Seek Him out because I know for a fact He is there even if we can’t feel or hear Him! He promised He would be with us to ends of the earth… and He keeps His promises.

  • Caren
    Posted at 08:01h, 28 October

    I think this book would be nothing short of extremely encouraging! I would love to read it!

  • Jaycee Kirby
    Posted at 07:55h, 28 October

    This will be a great read especially after the year we’ve all had. Even if I don’t win the giveaway I am definitely going to check out this book!

  • Christena Karnes
    Posted at 07:46h, 28 October

    Would love this book I have been there many times in my life. I did bend but didn’t break. Life has take me down many roads. But have had the faith to start again on a new day. God has always look out for me and with him I have gotten through the bad times. Christena Karnes

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