Most of us long to be in control—of our schedule, our relationships, and our future.

Newlywed Laura Story thought she had control over the great life ahead of her. After all, she followed Jesus and had a promising new job as a worship leader. Why would God not want to fulfill her dreams?

But when Laura and her husband, Martin, faced a brain tumor, infertility, and a son’s birth defect, she realized she’d been looking for a happiness that comes from circumstances, rather than a deeper joy that comes from God. Again and again, Laura had to surrender her vision for her life so she could embrace God’s vision. And again and again she learned that even in the midst of shattered dreams, God’s plan brought greater joy than she could have imagined.

Now the Grammy Award–winning singer-songwriter known for such hits as “Blessings,” “Indescribable,” and “Mighty to Save” shares her powerful story of finding blessing in her deepest pain. In, I Give Up, Laura explores:

• How¬†to¬†delight in God‚Äôs gifts no matter your circumstances.
• Why waiting on God is a daily decision, not a step-by-step process.
• The strength we find from meditating on God‚Äôs Word.
• Why surrendering¬†to¬†God leads¬†to¬†reconciliation with others.
• How the things we consider¬†to¬†be losses are ways for God¬†to¬†display his glory.

As Laura writes, she no longer wants to be in control of her life. She wants to be rooted in the God who is in control. I Give Up will help you Discover a deeper life of worship, a fuller life of joy, and a freer life of true surrender as you open your hands to God. And give up.

Recording artist and bestselling author Laura Story demonstrates the unexpected joy found when we surrender it all to God and simply give up.

It’s natural to want to be in control. Most of us can’t easily accept the idea of giving up that control. But when your need for peace surpasses your desire to be in command of your life, God–who truly uses all things for our good–demonstrates how much we can trust him. The very act of completely surrendering our will to his can become the one act that will change your life forever.

In the I Give Up Audio Bible Study, Laura uses a combination of Bible stories and personal experiences to teach you and your group what true surrender is–and what it’s not:

• Surrender does not come naturally to any of us.
• Surrender is not acquiescing to an enemy who wants to dominate us.
• Surrender is not “My will be done!”
• Surrender makes it impossible for you, and the people around you, to stay the same.

Though surrender sometimes flies in the face of our instincts, hopes, and dreams, it’s never without benefit as God leads us into his peace that surpasses understanding. As Laura found in her own life, a surrendered life includes the surprise of a truly full and satisfying existence where trust is reasonable, reconciliation possible, and relationships can finally heal.

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The Audio Bible Study series provides a unique learning experience. Instead of sitting down to watch a video teaching for Bible study, listen to the same quality Bible study content on the go! Whether you listen on your commute, while walking outside, or over a lunch break, you can access high-quality audio Bible studies wherever you are. Get the most out of the teaching by diving into the accompanying study guide (sold separately) to walk through reflection questions and individual Bible study to go deeper.

In the shifting (or even collapsing) of everything familiar in life, you don’t have to wring your hands in fear. Push past the loss of your “normal” with bestselling author and Bible teacher Laura Story, and step into the new story God is writing for you.

You’ve been faced with circumstances beyond your control. Your plans are altered. But you have the blessing of a Father who loves you enough to take off the training wheels and place his beloved child in the best possible scenario for your good and growth. So Long, Normal guides you to leave behind the idols of comfort, caution, and routine so you can live strong and well, even when life takes an unwelcome turn.

In her confessional, conversational style, worship leader, Bible teacher, and Christian recording artist Laura Story weaves her own personal stories with examples from Scripture of characters whose lives were upended by unexpected (and undesired) change.

So Long, Normal will help you:

• Process the trauma of the loss of your ‚Äúnormal‚Äù
• Learn to rest in God‚Äôs plan for you instead of trying to control your circumstances
• Find true community and encouragement in your struggle with uncertainty
• Discover three great comforts and three gifts to steady you on your journey
• Face the future with fresh spiritual eyes and find joy in the unwavering strength of Christ

Losing your “normal” is not the end of the world but the beginning of a new adventure. It is possible to grow with grace through tough times, navigating the unknown secure in the knowledge that God is with you—every step of the way.

The Bible Study Source series provides a unique audio learning experience. Unlike a traditional audiobook’s direct narration of a book’s text, So Long, Normal includes high-quality, live audio sessions from the author that cover this important Bible-based topic. These sessions will reflect the ambiance of the unique recording locations, immersing the listener into the teaching.

Untether from your sense of “normal” and fall into the abundant life God intends.

Singer-songwriter and Bible teacher Laura Story gets what it’s like to have plans altered and to surrender security when faced with circumstances beyond our control. But she also understands the blessing of having a Father who loves you enough to place you in the best possible scenario for good and growth.

Building on Laura’s previous two titles, When God Doesn’t Fix It and I Give Up, So Long, Normal guides us to leave behind the idols of comfort, caution, and routine so we can live strong and well, even when life takes an unwelcome turn.

Laura Story looks at the obstacles of attachment to comfort and leads the way to learning how to trust our unknown future to a faithful God.

In her confessional, conversational style, Laura weaves her own personal stories with examples from Scripture of characters whose lives were upended by unexpected (and undesired) change. Leaving, loving, or losing our “normal” is not the end of the world but the beginning of a new adventure with God who will change us forever.

Design for use with So Long, Normal Study Guide (sold separately).

Is it possible that good things can come out of our broken dreams?

Worship leader and recording artist Laura Story’s life took an unexpected turn when her husband, Martin, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Their lives would never be the same.

Yes, with God all things are possible. But the devastating news was that no cure existed to restore Martin’s short-term memory, eyesight, and other complications. The fairy-tale life Laura had dreamed of was no longer possible. And yet in struggling with God about how to live with broken dreams, Laura has found joy and a deeper intimacy with Jesus.

In When God Doesn’t Fix It, Laura helps you understand that:

• We aren‚Äôt the only ones whose lives have taken unexpected turns
• Even heroes of our faith experienced brokenness
• Despite our flaws and stories, God can use us in extraordinary ways

God may not fix everything. In fact, although your situation might not ever change or get better, with Jesus you can. Not because of your faith, but because of the faithfulness of God.

 

Worship leader and recording artist Laura Story’s life took an unexpected turn when her husband, Martin, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Their lives would never be the same. Yes, with God all things are possible. But the devastating news was that no cure existed to restore Martin’s short-term memory, eyesight, and other complications. The fairy-tale life Laura had dreamed of was no longer possible. And yet in struggling with God about how to live with broken dreams, Laura has found joy and a deeper intimacy with Jesus.
Laura helps us understand we aren’t the only ones whose lives have taken unexpected turns. She examines the brokenness of some of the heroes of our faith, and shows how despite their flaws and flawed stories, God was able to use them in extraordinary ways. And it was not because of their faith, but because of the faithfulness of their God. God may not fix everything. In fact, although your situation might not ever change or get better, with Jesus you can.

Is it possible for our faith in God to deepen despite loss, heartache, struggle, and pain?

Worship leader and recording artist Laura Story’s life testifies that God doesn’t promise to save us from all hardship. No matter how hard we pray, sometimes our circumstances don’t change.

Laura’s own story took an unexpected turn when her husband, Martin, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The devastating news forever changed their lives and challenged Laura’s belief in the little control she thought she had. Her discovery: that her struggles to accept her new situation ended up convincing her even more strongly of God’s faithfulness and love.

In this five-session study, Laura shares her deeply personal testimony and renewed hope to help us:

• Examine the promises of the gospel and what the Bible says about our experiences here on Earth.
• See how the hardships endured by some of the men and women of the Bible teach us how God works in our lives to bring us closer to him.
• Understand that the possibility exists for a deeper intimacy with God, whose everlasting promises remain no matter what happens in this life.

Sessions include:

1. Don’t Be Surprised by Trouble (14:00)
2. Best-Made Plans (14:00)
3. When God Doesn’t Fix It (10:00)
4. Why? The Question on Replay (12:00)
5. A Better Broken (13:00)

Coordinating study guide available separately.

The Audio Bible Studies series provides a unique audio learning experience. Unlike a traditional audiobook’s direct narration of a book’s text, this audio Bible study includes high-quality, live audio sessions from the author that cover important Bible-based topics. These sessions will reflect the ambiance of the unique recording locations, immersing the listener into the teaching. While not required for the audio experience, these studies are designed to partner with the coordinating study guide, sold separately.