Life, In Spite of Me

Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice

Written by Kristen Jane Anderson
As told to Tricia Goyer

 

 

 

 

About This Book

She wanted to die. God had other plans.

Why does my life have to be so painful?
What’s wrong with me?
It’s not going to get better.
It could all be over soon, and then I won’t hurt anymore.

Kristen Anderson thought she had the picture-perfect life until strokes of gray dimmed her outlook: three friends and her grandmother died within two years. Still reeling from these losses, she was raped by a friend she thought she could trust. She soon spiraled into a seemingly bottomless depression.

One January night, the seventeen-year-old decided she no longer wanted to deal with the emotional pain that smothered her. She lay down on a set of cold railroad tracks and waited for a freight train to send her to heaven…and peace.

But Kristen's story doesn’t end there.

In Life, In Spite of Me this remarkably joyful young woman shares the miracle of her survival, the agonizing aftermath of her failed suicide attempt, and the hope that has completely transformed her life, giving her a powerful purpose for living.

Her gripping story of finding joy against all odds provides a vivid and unforgettable reminder that life is a gift to be treasured.

Includes notes of encouragement Kristen wishes she had received when she was struggling most.
“Life, In Spite of Me is a remarkable story of life beyond despair and hope that triumphs over tragedy.”
   —Louie Giglio, pastor, Passion City Church/The Passion Movement

“Suicide is a liar and a thief. It promises peace to those who are escaping but delivers unimaginable pain and rejection to those left behind. Kristen Jane Anderson’s riveting story unmasks the thief and gives hope a face.”
   —Dr. Dennis Rainey, president, FamilyLife Ministries

“When I first met Kristen, I was overwhelmed with her smile, and then I saw her wheelchair. It was a defining moment for me. I had not heard her story or why she’d ended up at Moody. But it was her smile—and it is still her smile—that dismantles me. Kristen has something. It is something otherworldly. She had every reason to die, but now she has every reason to live. I hope you’ll read her story, see her smile, and know why she lives.”
   —Michael Easley, former president, Moody Bible Institute


My Review:
Kristen's story starts off telling us that she had a fairly normal childhood up until her father experienced depression and she suffered loses and had been date rape as a teenager.As she struggles through these time which are difficult for many, especially teenagers, she sees no other way out an attempts suicide.
She should not of survived but by the grace of God, His Amazing Grace, she does survive.Kristen continues to struggle as she does come to the Lord.God works both in her and her family lives as time goes by and this is the story told by Kristen with the help of  Tricia Goyer.
I believe this is an amazing story but not sure I would recommend this book to just anyone. I am concern that someone struggling in their life might take some wrong steps like not taking their medicine or stopping counseling before they are ready just because the author did so. I would not recommend this book to just anyone due to these concerns.This is a tough topic but a real problem we see in teens and others.



I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.