In The Hands of a Fiercely Tender God: 31 Days of Hope, Honesty, and Encouragement for the Sufferer

In the Hands of a Fiercely Tender God: 31 Days of Hope, Honesty, and Encouragement for the Sufferer

Is it possible to face the darkest days of life with hope and joy and purpose?

Colleen’s life was bright and beautiful, brimming with hope and possibility. She was a talented, confident, and accomplished young woman – never imagining she’d swim through two decades of deep-water anxiety and depression, marry late, suffer years of chronic pain and illness, and give birth to a child with health complications. Never in her life did she imagine hearing the words: “Cancer. Stage four. Terminal.”

Colleen’s pain could have crushed her, but instead it opened her eyes to eternal realities and has wrought a soul of indestructible joy. Her thirty-one day devotional provides wisdom, hope and encouragement, drawing upon stories from past saints, rich truths from Scripture, and habits that build joyful endurance. She helps fellow sufferers to embrace one day at a time, to trust and love Jesus more.

Colleen Chao has written extensively about finding God's goodness in the unexpected chapters of her life, including singleness, chronic illness, and terminal cancer. She's worked as an editor and writer for global organizations, and an English teacher to some of her favorite people on earth—teenagers.

When she's not wrangling words, she enjoys beautiful hikes, side-splitting laughter, and half-read books piled bedside. She makes her home just outside Boise, Idaho with her husband Eddie, their son Jeremy, and Willow the dog.