Together Through the Storms – Biblical encouragements for your marriage when life hurts

(Releasing May 1st, 2020)

Foreword by Robert Wolgemuth and Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

This book helps married couples to navigate the storms of life together. Working through the book of Job, Sarah Walton (author of “Hope when it Hurts”) and her husband Jeff reflect on their own experiences in a marriage that has faced chronic illness, baggage from the past, a child with neurological challenges, disability, and financial difficulties—and show how to cling to Christ and each other.

This is not a “how to” guide on having the best marriage, but, rather, a walk alongside you and your spouse, sharing the realities of suffering and the effects it can have on a marriage. It is an encouragement to lift your eyes above your trials, off your spouse, and onto our all-sufficient Savior.

Pre-order at Amazon, The Good Book Company or 10ofThose.

Endorsed by: Bob Lepine, Greg Smalley, Gary Thomas, Kirk Cameron, Nancy Guthrie, Mark Vroegop, Ed Welch, Laura Wifler, Vaneetha Risner, Colin Smith, Ruth Chou Simons, Mark and Laura Price, Jon and Quina Aragon, Ellen Dykas, Rachel Wilson, Paul and Edrie Mallard, Colin Smith, Mary Kassian, Jonathan Holmes, Cameron Cole, and Dave Jenkins.

Table of Contents

• 1. Our Hope in Life and Marriage
• 2. When Trials Come
• 3. How to Cling to Hope in Loss
• 4. Holding All Things Loosely
• 5. Loving Your Spouse Through Chronic Illness
• 6. Learning to Lead (A Word for Husbands)
• 7. Learning to Follow (A Word for Wives)
• 8. Only God Can Change a Heart: When Your Spouse Fails You
• 9. When People Bring Judgment Instead of Comfort
• 10. Waiting Well When God Seems Silent
• 11. The Strange Gift of Lamenting
• 12. Walking the Valley of Despair Hand in Hand
• 13. When Your Pasts Threaten Your Present
• 14. Who Am I Now? Identity Crisis and Your Marriage
• 15. When You Feel Alone in the Storm
• 16. Suffering and Intimacy (Part One)
• 17. Suffering and Intimacy (Part Two)
• 18. Longing for Kids, Struggling With Kids: When Family Isn’t What You Dreamed Of
• 19. Why Our Family?
• 20. Prayers for Prodigal Children
• 21. Rediscovering (or Keeping) the Joy
• 22. God’s Answers to Our “Whys”
• 23. From Hearing to Seeing: The Fruit of Humility
• 24. The Glue that Keeps You Together: Forgiveness
• 25. The Best Is Yet to Come

ENDORSEMENTS

“What a great gift for any married couple that experiences what one hymnwriter called the ‘frowning providence’ of God. From their own experience, Jeff and Sarah are able to show us that even on dark days God is good, and that he can be trusted.” – BOB LEPINE, Host, FamilyLife Today

“Jeff and Sarah Walton remind you that you are not alone in your storms, and to hold on to hope and stay the course. Your best days are ahead.” – KIRK CAMERON, Actor; Producer

“A beautiful, courageous, and wise book, forged from facing ongoing heartache and pain with an overcoming faith. Whether you’ve had an easy life and marriage or a difficult life and marriage, please read this book! You won’t find easy answers; instead you’ll find something better—the inspiring story of a married couple determined to honor God and love each other through all of life’s hardships.” – GARY THOMAS, Author, Sacred Marriage and Cherish

 “Every marriage experiences storms. For Jeff and Sarah Walton, some of those storms felt more like full-blown hurricanes. How did they survive? How do they continue to survive? Forgiveness, humility, and commitment are all important, but for Jeff and Sarah it’s fundamentally about clinging to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of their faith. If you want your marriage to remain strong, and even thrive, amidst the challenges life throws your way, you’ll find this book encouraging and uplifting.” – GREG SMALLEY, Psy.D. Vice President, Marriage and Family Formation, Focus on the Family

 “A rare gift—empathy, biblical insight, honesty, and practical help for trials. This is a resource every marriage needs.”- RUTH CHOU SIMONS, Author, GraceLaced and Beholding and Becoming

“A phenomenal book that will encourage, challenge, and give hope. Every page will help lift your eyes to Christ and remind you that he is with you through rough waters. We truly believe that every married couple should have a copy!”– MARK AND LAURA PRICE, Four-time NBA All-Star, 1994 Dream Team II

“Together Through the Storms offers sound scriptural wisdom for persevering through the hard things that come to every marriage at some point in the real world. Jeff and Sarah winsomely encourage couples to set a course for long-term joy in spite of sorrow, long-term contentment in spite of disappointment, and long-term hope in anticipation of ultimate restoration.” – NANCY GUTHRIE, Bible teacher; Author, Even Better Than Eden

“Struggles that could destroy even the strongest of marriages have miraculously drawn Jeff and Sarah closer instead. This book does not offer an idealized view of marriage but rather a vulnerable account of failures, fears, and doubts, and a wonderful view of the God who strengthens us through them. This is remarkable wisdom that offers true help and hope for couples walking through suffering.” – VANEETHA RISNER, Author, The Scars That Have Shaped Me

 “Jeff and Sarah have firsthand understanding of suffering and trials in marriage. Like dear friends, they offer words of deep sympathy and understanding for painful circum- stances, yet bring hope through timeless biblical truth. Whether your marriage is in a season of crisis or you’re looking to fortify it for the unknown days ahead, this book is a gift.” – LAURA WIFLER, Co-founder, Risen Motherhood; Co-author, Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments

 “Sarah and Jeff are writing while life is still hard, and they talk about your storms. The only problem is this: you will not be able to give this book to your friends because you and your spouse will keep going back to the prayers at the end of each chapter. If couples pray those prayers together, they will be transformed.” – ED WELCH, Counselor, CCEF; Author, When People Are Big and God Is Small and Side by Side

“I can only imagine the number of marriages that will be saved or strengthened by this helpful book. Grief pummels even the strongest marriage. I’ve felt it. My wife and I battled the waves of sorrow that kept crashing on our home, and I wish we had had this book, with its combination of biblical truth and practical counsel, as a resource during our painful journey.” – MARK VROEGOP, Lead Pastor, College Park Church, Indianapolis; Author, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy

 “Painful circumstances can cause stress fractures in even the strongest marriage relationship. Jeff and Sarah know from experience what it is to walk this path. Their counsel goes beyond empty platitudes and points readers to a true source of help and hope. Wise, solid, and practical, this book is a lifeline for any couple feeling overwhelmed by life’s storms.” – MARY KASSIAN, Author, The Right Kind of Strong

 “I’ve ministered to hurting wives for many years, desiring to encourage them with the gospel in the midst of painful marital storms. I’ve discussed a variety of books with them, but none have accomplished what Jeff and Sarah have done with Together Through the Storms. They have masterfully shared their story of incredible suffering in a way that leads the reader to feel they are trustworthy friends, wise along- side-you encouragers, and humble followers of Jesus. This book is a gem! Don’t just read it; savor it.” – ELLEN DYKAS, Harvest USA; Author, Sexual Sanity for Women

 “Sarah and Jeff invite us into their hearts in the most humbling and helpful way. Be prepared to see yourself in these pages and, more importantly, to see Christ. – JON AND QUINA ARAGON, Co-owner, Native Supply / Author, Love Made

 “A large part of marriage counseling is helping couples journey through suffering. The questions, prayers, and suggested Scriptures make this book a ready resource for anyone needing hope when the light seems dim.” – JONATHAN HOLMES, Pastor of Counseling, Parkside Church, Chagrin Falls, Ohio; Author, Counsel for Couples

 “Fresh, insightful, and engaging. While still in the trenches, Jeff and Sarah have found hope and togetherness where others have been overwhelmed by division and despair. This book will help you to see what’s possible when two people facing troubles sincerely seek the help of Christ.” – COLIN S. SMITH, Senior Pastor, The Orchard Evangelical Free Church, Arlington Heights, Illinois; President, Unlocking the Bible

“Jeff and Sarah know what it is to live life under seemingly constant pressure. In this book they apply hard-won insights and biblical wisdom that will encourage you to cling a little tighter, not just to one another but ultimately to Christ. Reading it was a blessing—there was plenty of underlining going on!” – RACHEL WILSON, Co-author, The Life We Never Expected

“Marriage is a wonderful gift from God, but it can be a place of excruciating pain. Jeff and Sarah know what it is to find hope in the midst of heartache. The fruit of this hope is found in this extremely helpful book. In an honest, sensitive and biblically faithful way, they encourage us to find courage in God. Sooner or later you will face trials. This book will help you to put your faith in the right place.” – PAUL AND EDRIE MALLARD, Pastor, Widcombe Baptist Church, Bath, UK; Author, Invest Your Suffering

“In tragedy and suffering, the pain often consumes our attention. As a result, marriages become susceptible. Jeff and Sarah offer a unique resource to support and strengthen marriages during times of suffering. Their honesty and transparent about the challenges they faced in their own seasons of pain provide invaluable insight to help couples weather the storms better together. This book can be helpful both as a proactive and reactive resource for couples during times of suffering.” – CAMERON COLE, Author, Therefore I Have Hope

“Biblical. Helpful. Real. These three words describe Together through the Storms by Jeff and Sarah Walton. Whatever stage you are at in your marriage, or whatever state your marriage is in today, this book can help you, since it is biblically balanced, personal without going over the top, and is crystal clear on the gospel. Jeff and Sarah have given a gift to the Church in “Together through the Storms” to be treasured and applied by Christian couples for the health and renewal of our marriages today.” – DAVE JENKINS, Executive Director, Servants of Grace Ministries, Executive Editor, Theology for Life Magazine, Host, Equipping You in Grace Podcast

 Jeff and Sarah Walton