What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

This book is essentially an edited, abbreviated version of their earlier book, “God Will Make a Way,” outlining eight principles to help one begin again: begin your journey with God, choose your traveling companions wisely, place high value on wisdom, leave your baggage behind, own your faults and weaknesses, embrace problems as gifts, take life as it comes, and love God with all you are. Their earlier book applied these principles to 12 common dilemmas, and the recent version addresses three.

The eight principles encapsulate some of the best work of Cloud and Townsend. For example, the chapter on companions lists nine important characteristics in others: support, love, courage, feedback, wisdom, experience, modeling, values, and accountability, which to me is a deep and thoughtful look at how to evaluate potential friends.

This book is well written and easy to read. As usual, Cloud and Townsend present biblical truth effectively, citing Scripture appropriately and frequently.

If your life requires change, this little book is a great starting place. If your life requires deep, comprehensive change, I recommend “God Will Make a Way” simply because that earlier book provides more information and help.

Where is God? Finding His Presence, Purpose, and Power in Difficult Times By Dr. John Townsend

This book addresses the heart’s cry—“Where is God?”-- when God’s power or presence seem absent or when the question is really a protest, exploring the question’s faulty bases in our circumstances or in our perspective.

Chapters address where God really is—suffering with me, working behind the scenes, transforming me, connecting me with others and present when there are no answers.

This book is thorough, encouraging, practical, and helpful. Townsend lives in the real world, rubbing shoulders with people who face the difficult question, “Where is God?” in trying times. He carefully addresses the question from every angle, giving encouragement and solid suggestions based on Scripture. Biblical passages are woven beautifully into the principles and suggestions.

Anyone in any circumstances would profit from reading this well-written book.