This Beautiful Truth: How God's Goodness Breaks Into Our Darkness
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- Create Date：2021-06-17 06:52:32
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Sarah Clarkson
- ISBN：1540900517
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Summary
We live in a broken world。 Amid the daily realities of sickness and isolation， disappointment and pain， it can be profoundly difficult to grasp the real goodness of God。 But this is where God breaks into our darkness with beauty。 In the wonder of creation， in art or film， story or song， in the kindness of his people and the good they create， God breaks into our pain in a tangible way， teaching us to trust his kindness and hope for his healing。 Beauty is a voice singing into our suffering， beckoning us toward restoration。
In This Beautiful Truth， Sarah Clarkson shares her own encounters with beauty in the midst of her decade-long struggle with mental illness， depression， and doubt。 In a voice both vulnerable and reflective， she paints a compelling picture of the God who reaches out to us in a real and powerful way through the "taste and see" goodness of what he has made and what he continues to create amid our darkness。 "To recognize and trust God's gift in pain，" she writes， "empowers us to create and love as powerful witnesses to God's healing love in a hopeless world。"
If you want to renew your capacity to recognize and encounter God's beauty in your life， this hope-filled book will show you the way。
In This Beautiful Truth， Sarah Clarkson shares her own encounters with beauty in the midst of her decade-long struggle with mental illness， depression， and doubt。 In a voice both vulnerable and reflective， she paints a compelling picture of the God who reaches out to us in a real and powerful way through the "taste and see" goodness of what he has made and what he continues to create amid our darkness。 "To recognize and trust God's gift in pain，" she writes， "empowers us to create and love as powerful witnesses to God's healing love in a hopeless world。"
If you want to renew your capacity to recognize and encounter God's beauty in your life， this hope-filled book will show you the way。
Reviews
Amanda O'Coin
，
Beautiful， rich writing。 A book to ponder！
Desiree
，
I can't even start to explain how beautiful this book is。 Maybe on down the road I'll be able to put it into words， but right now I'm just shaking my head at the gorgeousness of it。 Wow。 I can't even start to explain how beautiful this book is。 Maybe on down the road I'll be able to put it into words， but right now I'm just shaking my head at the gorgeousness of it。 Wow。 。。。more
Ashley
，
Broken things need wholeness and grace in the process of processing challenges both temporary and life-long。 This book offers the perspective of recognizing the beauty that is seen not apart from， but through the eyes of pain。 I highly recommend it， as it brings fresh perspective and life-giving truths in the face of the suffering and brokenness we face in this life。
Kara
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An honest， yet gentle look into the darkness that is part of this world and yet the hope and joy that Jesus brings to our everyday lives。 This is a beautifully written memoir reminding us that God delights to draw us to Himself through the beauty of His creation。 I loved that it has caused me to long to be extra aware of the details around me。 What can seem mundane and ordinary requires only a change in perspective to realize its wonder！ I want joy to continue to become an easier choice in my li An honest， yet gentle look into the darkness that is part of this world and yet the hope and joy that Jesus brings to our everyday lives。 This is a beautifully written memoir reminding us that God delights to draw us to Himself through the beauty of His creation。 I loved that it has caused me to long to be extra aware of the details around me。 What can seem mundane and ordinary requires only a change in perspective to realize its wonder！ I want joy to continue to become an easier choice in my life day by day， and Ms Clarkson’s willingness to share her raw and tender experiences encouraged me as I read her story。 （Of course it helped that I love her style of writing！） I recommend this one if you need a bit of reminding of the beauty that can come out of the ashes yourself。**I received a copy via Netgalley。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more
Julie Joiner
，
This Beautiful Truth by Sarah Clarkson is such a genuine and thoughtful book。 Sarah candidly writes about her struggle with a rare form of OCD and how it impacted her view of God for years。 She describes her conflict with the God of her childhood and the God who allowed such dark thoughts to infuse her mind。 In the telling of her story， she weaves startling moments of experiencing God through beauty。 The loving ministrations of others lent a hand in her healing as she walked through doubt and sh This Beautiful Truth by Sarah Clarkson is such a genuine and thoughtful book。 Sarah candidly writes about her struggle with a rare form of OCD and how it impacted her view of God for years。 She describes her conflict with the God of her childhood and the God who allowed such dark thoughts to infuse her mind。 In the telling of her story， she weaves startling moments of experiencing God through beauty。 The loving ministrations of others lent a hand in her healing as she walked through doubt and shame connected to her mental illness and its effects on her mind， body and soul。 I most appreciated Sarah’s vulnerability in sharing this difficult journey from the darkest place to a place of hope and resiliency。 I loved the detailed descriptions when people stood in the gap for her with their tender love in the form of touch， sweet murmurings， and hospitality。 Her journey weaves back and forth and at times I hung onto the threads she previously shared of her love for great literature until she bound them together with the redeeming story through a deepened understanding of the incarnation。 This is a hope filled book。 I was moved by Sarah’s desperate quest for the truth of God， His redeeming love， and the movement she made towards acceptance and wholeness。 。。。more
Leah Kathryn Venable
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Sarah’s writing is truly a work of art。 Sometimes authors who write poetically can be so ethereal and heavy that it’s difficult to push through and hard to understand what they are trying to say， but this book is not like that。 Even though each sentence is a thing of beauty， Sarah’s writing is still accessible and very easy to read。 One has the option to read it speedily or sit and savor every word。 Her message is timeless as well。 She tells her story of having a specific type of OCD， but even t Sarah’s writing is truly a work of art。 Sometimes authors who write poetically can be so ethereal and heavy that it’s difficult to push through and hard to understand what they are trying to say， but this book is not like that。 Even though each sentence is a thing of beauty， Sarah’s writing is still accessible and very easy to read。 One has the option to read it speedily or sit and savor every word。 Her message is timeless as well。 She tells her story of having a specific type of OCD， but even those with no history of mental illness or depression can still relate to it。 The truths of her story apply to everyone。 I can honestly recommend this book to anyone。 I was given this book for being part of Sarah’s launch team， but the review is my own opinion。 。。。more
Renada Thompson
，
This book deserves a longer review， but let's be honest， I'm probably not going to get around to writing one。 （I would plead motherhood of two small children， but Sarah wrote this book in the same circumstances！） I would put it down at night only to pick it up again first thing in the morning。 I'm so glad Sarah shared her story; it gave me hope and courage and is itself a thing of beauty。 This book deserves a longer review， but let's be honest， I'm probably not going to get around to writing one。 （I would plead motherhood of two small children， but Sarah wrote this book in the same circumstances！） I would put it down at night only to pick it up again first thing in the morning。 I'm so glad Sarah shared her story; it gave me hope and courage and is itself a thing of beauty。 。。。more
Charla Lancaster
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This new book from Sarah Clarkson is just stunning in its honesty and vulnerability。 As an OCD sufferer myself I can’t overemphasize how amazing it is to have someone speak so openly about this terrible disorder。 I know Sarah’s words will be an inspiration for those who deal with the intrusive thoughts and obsessions that go along with OCD， especially those for whom faith is a vital part of their lives。 Sarah has done a brilliant job here of visualizing for the reader the darkness that can invad This new book from Sarah Clarkson is just stunning in its honesty and vulnerability。 As an OCD sufferer myself I can’t overemphasize how amazing it is to have someone speak so openly about this terrible disorder。 I know Sarah’s words will be an inspiration for those who deal with the intrusive thoughts and obsessions that go along with OCD， especially those for whom faith is a vital part of their lives。 Sarah has done a brilliant job here of visualizing for the reader the darkness that can invade our lives and， in response， the beautiful， radiating， life-changing light that God can bring into our very souls。 I am so grateful for this book， and I know it will bring hope and peace to many。 I highly recommend it to anyone who thinks they may be suffering from OCD， anyone who loves someone with OCD， or anyone who wants a deep understanding of the human soul。 。。。more
Brittney
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How someone can describe a tormenting mental illness with such beauty astounds me。 I have never struggled specifically with a mental illness， but I do have cancer and I can relate so much to Sarah’s writing。 It is so encouraging to me that she has wrestled with the dark times and wondered where God is when you’re in the valleys of life， yet she has found his beauty “break in” still。 I could not put this book down！ I can’t wait for more of Sarah Clarkson’s books in the future - fiction or nonfict How someone can describe a tormenting mental illness with such beauty astounds me。 I have never struggled specifically with a mental illness， but I do have cancer and I can relate so much to Sarah’s writing。 It is so encouraging to me that she has wrestled with the dark times and wondered where God is when you’re in the valleys of life， yet she has found his beauty “break in” still。 I could not put this book down！ I can’t wait for more of Sarah Clarkson’s books in the future - fiction or nonfiction， Sarah is a terrific writer！ 。。。more
Amy
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In this lovely book， Sarah Clarkson shows how visible， tangible experiences of beauty have helped her to “taste and see” the goodness of God （Psalm 34:8） during her experience with mental illness。 Her masterful interweaving of her own story with a robust theology of suffering invites readers to dwell in the truth of God’s goodness by living lives that are the complete opposite of the darkness and destruction in the world around us。I love the way Sarah reframes suffering by setting it in the cont In this lovely book， Sarah Clarkson shows how visible， tangible experiences of beauty have helped her to “taste and see” the goodness of God （Psalm 34:8） during her experience with mental illness。 Her masterful interweaving of her own story with a robust theology of suffering invites readers to dwell in the truth of God’s goodness by living lives that are the complete opposite of the darkness and destruction in the world around us。I love the way Sarah reframes suffering by setting it in the context of the narrative of Scripture， a narrative where God created all things good and then， after our selfish rebellion unleashed destruction in the world， sacrificed Himself to redeem and heal a broken world。 She gives us permission to mourn the brokenness in our own bodies and minds because “to lament our pain is to honor the beauty God intended and yearn toward its restoration” （chapter 2）， but she also calls us to the courageous pursuit of beauty， to live lives that reflect the goodness of God in even the most ordinary of ways。This book focuses on the ways tangible beauty reflects the goodness of God， a concept which is supported by Scripture （Psalm 19:1， Psalm 34:8， Romans 1:20， James 1:17）。 I think it’s important to note， however， that relying exclusively on our subjective experience will inevitably fall short and may even lead us into error。 The experiential side of our faith is vital， and Sarah does a fantastic job explaining why， but it must remain grounded in and shaped by the Word of God。 As you read this book， I encourage you to be careful not to elevate created things above the Creator Himself， nor to allow your experience of beauty to replace God’s Word。Sarah’s experiences of beauty made God’s goodness tangible to her， but they also drew her focus back to God and His Word， and the depth of her Scriptural and theological study shines through in every chapter of this book。 Her writing has shifted my perspective on suffering and has helped me begin to translate key theological concepts into practical， tangible actions。 Sarah has given me hope that I can live a joyful and beautiful life in the midst of chronic depression， “not after or in spite of [my] suffering but in the very middle of its tangle and need” （chapter 5）。 Reading this book has challenged me to live out my belief in God’s goodness in tangible ways， and it has inspired me to reflect God’s nature in every area of my life。 I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading it again in the very near future！ 。。。more
Emily Gibson
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I absolutely loved this book！ If you’ve ever wondered why a good God would allow hurt and pain in this world， you should read this book。 It’s a beautiful reminder of all of the beauty in this world， despite the brokenness。
Lori Eby
，
This is a book I’ll be returning to and living with—for its lovely language and literary references， its theology， and its philosophy of beauty and creativity。 Sarah Clarkson puts into words the theology and philosophy of suffering and beauty that I’ve been moving toward but haven’t quite found words for。 In talking about beauty， she summons it， so the reading was for me both the lecture and the lab—the theory and the experience—of maybe not a class but an independent study with a professor whos This is a book I’ll be returning to and living with—for its lovely language and literary references， its theology， and its philosophy of beauty and creativity。 Sarah Clarkson puts into words the theology and philosophy of suffering and beauty that I’ve been moving toward but haven’t quite found words for。 In talking about beauty， she summons it， so the reading was for me both the lecture and the lab—the theory and the experience—of maybe not a class but an independent study with a professor whose kindness and wisdom comes from a deep knowledge of her subject。 The bits of memoir （descriptions of a poignant struggle with mental illness， specifically OCD）， effectively ground the theory， demonstrating her claim that we do indeed come to truth through story， art， experience。 。。。more
Alli
，
I love getting to read a book that changes you and finds you at the perfect time。 It’s one of those “hearing the truth in love” and as I read Sarah’s story I saw pieces of mine written in there too。 Her writing style is beautiful and relatable， feeling what she felt， making this book one of my favorites。 I ended up using a pencil as a bookmark because I wanted to highlight on so many pages。 I， too， was paying too much attention to the story darkness tells but this has left me noticing more of Go I love getting to read a book that changes you and finds you at the perfect time。 It’s one of those “hearing the truth in love” and as I read Sarah’s story I saw pieces of mine written in there too。 Her writing style is beautiful and relatable， feeling what she felt， making this book one of my favorites。 I ended up using a pencil as a bookmark because I wanted to highlight on so many pages。 I， too， was paying too much attention to the story darkness tells but this has left me noticing more of God’s beauty and goodness， appreciating the joy around me。 “And just like the girl at the table next to me， I sat suddenly straighter in my seat。 There I was， reading about another person sheltered in trial by the vision offered by an artist。” 。。。more
Happybigsister
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I was so excited for this book to come out and I was not disappointed！ I felt like I was given an inside peek into Sarah’s life that felt like a gift。 I resonated so much with many of her struggles so to watch her wrestle through these questions and fears gives me strength to wrestle through mine。 I loved her acknowledgment that pain and abuse makes it difficult to see God as good and loving; yet gives us hope that we can find this truth dispute the pain。 Her passion for beauty and the arts rene I was so excited for this book to come out and I was not disappointed！ I felt like I was given an inside peek into Sarah’s life that felt like a gift。 I resonated so much with many of her struggles so to watch her wrestle through these questions and fears gives me strength to wrestle through mine。 I loved her acknowledgment that pain and abuse makes it difficult to see God as good and loving; yet gives us hope that we can find this truth dispute the pain。 Her passion for beauty and the arts renewed my passion to continue my exploration of these things。 Loved this book！！ 。。。more
Courtney
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In This Beautiful Truth， Sarah Clarkson walks readers through her years of OCD and wrestling with her faith in light of that diagnosis。 A wonderful， inspiring read， This Beautiful Truth is a must read for literary minded people walking through their own dark night of the soul。
Harmony Harkema
，
Sarah Clarkson's latest book is a work of deep courage in gorgeous prose。 As she walks us through her very personal journey with OCD， Sarah helps us see how our own pain， regardless of its source， can be overcome if we can simply allow ourselves to be immersed in the beauty of God。 What kind of God， after all， would have given us a world suffused with beauty， with dancing buttercups and loving friends， with feasts spread before us and with the hopeful message of eternity， delivered in the incarn Sarah Clarkson's latest book is a work of deep courage in gorgeous prose。 As she walks us through her very personal journey with OCD， Sarah helps us see how our own pain， regardless of its source， can be overcome if we can simply allow ourselves to be immersed in the beauty of God。 What kind of God， after all， would have given us a world suffused with beauty， with dancing buttercups and loving friends， with feasts spread before us and with the hopeful message of eternity， delivered in the incarnation？ Only a loving God， who made us to create and to love and to hope in his image。 This is a book for all seasons， all ages， all places。 。。。more
Esther
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I will always treasure this book as one of my favorites， after having now read it through three times due to the depth of Sarah's words and the way they feel like nourishment for my soul。 Sarah is a master at her craft， and she shares such a vulnerable yet inspirational story， one cannot help but be touched deeply。 Thoughtful， poetic and achingly beautiful， this book feels like soaking in a bath of embodied light。 I still cry when I read one of my favorite quotes: I saw a star。 So what？ Who hasn I will always treasure this book as one of my favorites， after having now read it through three times due to the depth of Sarah's words and the way they feel like nourishment for my soul。 Sarah is a master at her craft， and she shares such a vulnerable yet inspirational story， one cannot help but be touched deeply。 Thoughtful， poetic and achingly beautiful， this book feels like soaking in a bath of embodied light。 I still cry when I read one of my favorite quotes: I saw a star。 So what？ Who hasn't？ I saw a star and it was like something woven of hope and music。。。the darkness became the false thing and the joy of that light， it was the truest thing I have ever known。 When Sarah writes about how， in a Celtic tune， she would hear the healing of the world or about how reading a novel in which someone hoped or fought or forgave could stir to life something as precious as a newborn child within us or about a loveliness so ancient and pure， the darkness could not touch what is essential and beloved in us。。。。well， reading such encompassing words makes me cry for the depth of their beauty。 These words are life to me。 Sarah's stories about the third gallery Jesus is making of us， the love of strangers on a plane， and the blossoming of her relationship with her then future husband will inspire you， melt and move you。 My copy of this book is full of marks and， though it is difficult to choose just some flower quotes from the breathtaking meadow that is Sarah's mind， here are some of my favorites for potential readers to taste a bit of what this feast of a book has to offer:There was a third gallery waiting for me。 A hall where God was at work creating something I couldn't yet imagine。。。 where weeping could weave with mystery and faith to create an inner space of such beauty that it could defy the story told by evil。 I encountered beauty。。。。a beauty that summoned me to its own truth， that challenged me to journey beyond the flatlands of cynicism into the mountain ranges of a difficult and chosen hope。We are called to courageous creation， for the making of beauty is our gentle and holy defiance of the forces of disintegration and the powers of darkness。 Every kind word spoken， every meal proferred in love， every prayer said can become a feisty act of redemption that communicates a reality opposite to the destruction of a fallen world。。。When beauty breaks into the circles of our suffering。。。it sets us again。。。in the dynamic of the Spirit in which we are drawn out of stagnancy and into the forward gallop of Gods good story telling itself in the world。 In her book ， Sarah vulnerably shares details of her journey battling a rare form of OCD， her wrestle to walk in faith， and how beauty ultimately told her a true story that saved her。 This is not only beauty in creation and art and story and music， but that found in love and relationship and even liturgy。 When beauty heals us， we are in return to offer such healing to the world in the homes we are and make， in the creations we offer our world and in the beautiful truth we ourselves become as saints of light。 Sarah wrote about how， when she started this book project， she had the desire to write something that would crash into her readers world like sunrise and music。 Well， her dream came true。 。。。more
Elizabeth
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I did this with Alan Jacobs' most recent book， too。 I haven't actually finished Sarah's book， but it's giving me all kinds of thoughts already， so I'm going to keep an ongoing list of them here and will rate the book when I have actually finished reading it。 Love pages 114-115。 Pure gold。 Love the last sentence of the chapter on page 119: “Good is always being crafted for us， and we are being led， step by step， into its light。”6/12/21 - In the first chapter， Sarah introduces two narratives that I did this with Alan Jacobs' most recent book， too。 I haven't actually finished Sarah's book， but it's giving me all kinds of thoughts already， so I'm going to keep an ongoing list of them here and will rate the book when I have actually finished reading it。 Love pages 114-115。 Pure gold。 Love the last sentence of the chapter on page 119: “Good is always being crafted for us， and we are being led， step by step， into its light。”6/12/21 - In the first chapter， Sarah introduces two narratives that she observed in the world and in her own life。 The first narrative is that of pain， suffering， and grief。 The second narrative is that of joy， goodness， and beauty。 Sarah knew two narratives were co-existing and yet often the first seemed the more true。 The book is an exploration of how the second narrative comes alongside the first and exercises a redemptive transformation on the first narrative。Funnily， what sprang to mind is the movie Mary Poppins Returns。 In the beginning of the movie， Michael Banks and his children are grieving the loss of their wife/mother and the potential loss of their home to bankruptcy。 The children have taken on adult responsibility and the whole family is lost in the first narrative of overwhelming grief and sorrow。 The story from there is how Mary Poppins re-introduces them to childlikeness （wonder， imagination） and to the healing power of love for each other and for the beloved wife and mother who is "gone but not forgotten"。 Mary Poppins brings in the second narrative to companion the first and the Banks family has a chance to bloom in belonging and in beauty。 Their sorrow is not gone， but it's not the consuming story。 The sorrow becomes redemptive and they learn how to see that which is beyond the senses （rather sacramental！）。I just re-listened to the song 'Where the Lost Things Go' and it is so reminscent of Sarah's story。 The song opens with: "Do you ever lie awake at night just between the dark and the morning light。。。？" The transition between night and day is elusive just like the second narrative is elusive。 It requires us to be awake and attentive。 And when we are， we can see beyond what is right in front of us to the things that need the eyes of faith to see: that love and goodness are the dominating narrative。6/13/21 - I love when my books talk to each other。 I read this today in "The Gown of Glory"， a novel I've been enjoying: "Here was to David and perhaps to others a new idea。 He pondered upon it。 There was a dynamic force in happiness。。。it seemed， indeed， to be implicit in the universe even as was suffering and sacrifice， and perhaps to a greater degree。。。take now the prevalence of laughter。。。He considered now this strangest and commonest of man's reactions to life。 There was in it a link somehow with the spirit， for only man laughed in the face of the universe。 Was it pure mirth or bravado or courage or did it arise from an unconscious conviction that 'all would yet be well'？" -pg 150 。。。more
Brittle
，
What an absolutely beautiful book about mental illness， beauty， and redemption。 I can never read words by Sarah not be deeply moved。
Michaela Jaros
，
Sarah’s writing is infused with living ideas that will grip your imagination and heart。 She wrestles with one of the deepest question of the human experience with a sincere vulnerability and arrives at a （very much needed） nuanced approach to understanding the goodness of God in a broken world。 Her view is a firmly biblical one that interacts with age-old Christian teaching on beauty， the incarnation and the sacramental life - ideas that can be all too easily overlooked in discussions of theodic Sarah’s writing is infused with living ideas that will grip your imagination and heart。 She wrestles with one of the deepest question of the human experience with a sincere vulnerability and arrives at a （very much needed） nuanced approach to understanding the goodness of God in a broken world。 Her view is a firmly biblical one that interacts with age-old Christian teaching on beauty， the incarnation and the sacramental life - ideas that can be all too easily overlooked in discussions of theodicy。 In a world shaped by Enlightenment ideas and of Christians continually susceptible to a gnostic view of human body， Sarah's wisdom was truly a balm to me。 "For beauty is at the heart of our faith。 The Christian gospel is not of an abstract salvation known by doctrine alone， but the coming of divine beauty itself into our 'injured flesh'，。。。the realm of time and space where the bent world groans for healing。" 。。。more
Emma Hinkle
，
Wonderfully beautiful book about how finding beauty in our lives through what God has given us can help us overcome darkness。
Rachel
，
Sarah Clarkson has written yet another beautifully profound book as she shares with us her personal struggles within her own life。 This could never be called a "self-help" book because her depth of insight and keen theological studies only encompass what God Himself reveals to us through His word， His creation， His gifts of Beauty and Presence。 This Beautiful Truth reads almost more as a novel as her examples create poetic pictures for us to take in the depth of feeling and conviction felt with Sarah Clarkson has written yet another beautifully profound book as she shares with us her personal struggles within her own life。 This could never be called a "self-help" book because her depth of insight and keen theological studies only encompass what God Himself reveals to us through His word， His creation， His gifts of Beauty and Presence。 This Beautiful Truth reads almost more as a novel as her examples create poetic pictures for us to take in the depth of feeling and conviction felt with each story。 But it is not merely a well-written and thoughtful biography-it takes the reader along in the search for the Lord。 To know， feel， see， trust Him further; specifically when we are struggling with whatever our particular burden is that's being carried。 Depression， loss， grief， OCD， doubt， the list is endless in the things we struggle with in this world。 Sarah reminds us that we were made for more; God's story for our lives is for the ages。 It is an intricately woven story where He reaches out to us in a multitude of ways to comfort and draw us into His plans for eternity。 Whatever our hardships are， He will use in and through us， and bring us to more than we could have asked for。 What better fitting a summation than a C。S。 Lewis quote， “In religion， as in war and everything else， comfort is the one thing you cannot get by looking for it。 If you look for truth， you may find comfort in the end: if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth。。。" I believe this book is filled with glorious and gracious truth that reaches deep down into our most secret of places。 If we seek only comfort， it will not reach down far enough。 Truth will reach to that innermost hurting place， however， and comfort will follow。 。。。more
Kayla
，
This beautiful truth is a beautiful vulnerable book that makes you feel not alone in the hurt and darkness of this world。 Sarah's story is so honest and she shows you that we go through periods of doubt， hurt & pain。。。 that we aren't alone in it。 There is beauty we just need to intentionally search， so down， notice and focus on it。 I will defintely read this more then once。 This beautiful truth is a beautiful vulnerable book that makes you feel not alone in the hurt and darkness of this world。 Sarah's story is so honest and she shows you that we go through periods of doubt， hurt & pain。。。 that we aren't alone in it。 There is beauty we just need to intentionally search， so down， notice and focus on it。 I will defintely read this more then once。 。。。more
Tina
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Sarah has given a gift to the world through this book。 I have followed Sarah through her family’s ministry for over two decades。 I have seen the beautiful world they create through words， music， and setting。 Only in the past few years did I start to hear that Sarah struggled with the darkness of mental illness and OCD。 In this book we get a longer glimpse at the ugliness that fought for control of her mind。 Sarah walks us through her battle to fight the darkness with beauty and how God faithfull Sarah has given a gift to the world through this book。 I have followed Sarah through her family’s ministry for over two decades。 I have seen the beautiful world they create through words， music， and setting。 Only in the past few years did I start to hear that Sarah struggled with the darkness of mental illness and OCD。 In this book we get a longer glimpse at the ugliness that fought for control of her mind。 Sarah walks us through her battle to fight the darkness with beauty and how God faithfully showed Himself to her in that beauty。Having watched Sarah from a distance for all these years， I have only thought of her as a beautiful soul who creates a beautiful life。 It is a testament to the truth that Sarah shares in this book that when you think of her， you think of the good， the true， and the beautiful， not darkness。 Through her story and her study of theodicy， Sarah has become a faithful guide to all of us who struggle to understand where God is in a suffering world。 Read this book。 Your soul with be strengthened by it。 。。。more
Katie
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At the risk of redundancy， This Beautiful Truth is simply beautiful。 Sarah Clarkson has written words that acknowledge the dark， hard places in this world， but point the reader to the greater truth， the larger hope， and the ultimate beauty of Christ。 The prose is lyrical without being overdone。 It is accessible， yet profound。 This is a book that will have a place on my bedside， and for which I will reach over and over again when I need reminding that beauty exists and hope can be found in our Cr At the risk of redundancy， This Beautiful Truth is simply beautiful。 Sarah Clarkson has written words that acknowledge the dark， hard places in this world， but point the reader to the greater truth， the larger hope， and the ultimate beauty of Christ。 The prose is lyrical without being overdone。 It is accessible， yet profound。 This is a book that will have a place on my bedside， and for which I will reach over and over again when I need reminding that beauty exists and hope can be found in our Creator and Lord。 What a timely book after a difficult， dark year！ 。。。more
Laura Joy
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Ah， this gem of a book。 Sarah Clarkson is a kindred spirit of an author in whose writing I've found much solace and joy over the past few years。 So it has been with much excitement that I've anticipated her latest book， "This Beautiful Truth" - a book about the gift of Beauty in answering the problem of evil。 It surely does not disappoint。 Theologically rich and nuanced， clothed in warm and lyrical language Here's a snippet for your joy。 "Our humblest moments are the spaces in which God’s reign Ah， this gem of a book。 Sarah Clarkson is a kindred spirit of an author in whose writing I've found much solace and joy over the past few years。 So it has been with much excitement that I've anticipated her latest book， "This Beautiful Truth" - a book about the gift of Beauty in answering the problem of evil。 It surely does not disappoint。 Theologically rich and nuanced， clothed in warm and lyrical language Here's a snippet for your joy。 "Our humblest moments are the spaces in which God’s reign returns to earth， and I believe that the beauty we claim and create in response to that in-breaking life can be a radical defiance of evil。 We are called to courageous creation， for the making of beauty is our gentle and holy defiance of the forces of disintegration and the powers of darkness。 Every kind word spoken， every meal proffered in love， every prayer said can become a feisty act of redemption that communicates a reality opposite to the destruction of a fallen world。 （from "This Beautiful Truth: How God's Goodness Breaks into Our Darkness" by Sarah Clarkson） 。。。more
Shanna
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If there are two concurrent stories shaping the world around us--one of beauty and one of everything opposite it--Sarah argues beauty is the true one。 I agree with her。 This is already my own story， the story of Beauty hunting me down and captivating me， over and over， amidst grief and heartbreak， amidst shock and horror。 I loved the way Sarah articulated it in this engrossing， uplifting read。 Also appreciated how the medium agrees with the message: This isn't just a story about beauty but also If there are two concurrent stories shaping the world around us--one of beauty and one of everything opposite it--Sarah argues beauty is the true one。 I agree with her。 This is already my own story， the story of Beauty hunting me down and captivating me， over and over， amidst grief and heartbreak， amidst shock and horror。 I loved the way Sarah articulated it in this engrossing， uplifting read。 Also appreciated how the medium agrees with the message: This isn't just a story about beauty but also a beauty of a story。 The narrative itself is captivating and heart-lifting， and I'm glad to have had it as my companion for the last two days。 。。。more
Brooke Sander
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I was expecting this book to uplift me and remind me of all that God has created for our pleasure。 Like a springboard to launch me out of a valley and into a new perspective。 And it did。 What I didn’t expect was for it to be a soothing salve to my wounded and wondering soul。 A part of me has been hurting， searching and desperately seeking something for my broken heart in this broken world。 This book touches the deepest and most vulnerable parts of me and moves me closer to a place of healing。 It I was expecting this book to uplift me and remind me of all that God has created for our pleasure。 Like a springboard to launch me out of a valley and into a new perspective。 And it did。 What I didn’t expect was for it to be a soothing salve to my wounded and wondering soul。 A part of me has been hurting， searching and desperately seeking something for my broken heart in this broken world。 This book touches the deepest and most vulnerable parts of me and moves me closer to a place of healing。 It’s an encouragement and reminder to keep seeking God and that he’s around me all the time。 Sarah shares her story and allows us a glimpse into her private affairs and darkest times。 We are not alone， you are not alone。 Everyone experiences the hardship of this fallen world and Sarah used her struggle to bring light to the rest of us！ 。。。more
Janelle Cole
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Sarah Clarkson’s new book this Beautiful Truth is one of the best books I have read in a long time。 This book will speak to your heart and your soul。 Sarah is incredibly open and transparent about her own struggles that ultimately led her to fully embrace the beautiful truths of God。I have been a follower of Sally Clarkson for years， and I love both her books and Sarah’s。 Nothing prepared me for this book though。 The writing is beautiful， the imagery was delightful， to read this book is really t Sarah Clarkson’s new book this Beautiful Truth is one of the best books I have read in a long time。 This book will speak to your heart and your soul。 Sarah is incredibly open and transparent about her own struggles that ultimately led her to fully embrace the beautiful truths of God。I have been a follower of Sally Clarkson for years， and I love both her books and Sarah’s。 Nothing prepared me for this book though。 The writing is beautiful， the imagery was delightful， to read this book is really to escape the struggles of today！I was blessed to slowly read through a copy of this e-book。 There were so many parts I read that really impacted me。 As a person who truly sees God in nature around me， I really resonated with so many of Sarah’s stories of how she felt the presence of the Lord while connecting in nature。I have been able to share so many truths I took away from this book with friends while reading this book， and felt like it is incredibly relevant for so many of us who have struggled with the last year of COVID and isolation。I highly recommend this book， as one to really savor and enjoy！Note: In accordance with FTC guidelines， MHM Buzz will always disclose where products being reviewed originate。 Often， we review books/products provided for free by publishers， whether ARC’s （advanced reading copies） or post-publication。 However， MHM Buzz does not， nor do any of its book review authors， receive any compensation for reviews。 All product reviews are voluntary， my personal opinion and not required for receipt of the product。 I received a complimentary e-book to read。 。。。more
Angela
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