Life, In Spite of Me: A Book Review

Life, In Spite of Me is the remarkable true story of Kristen Jane Anderson's journey through depression, rape, attempted suicide, chronic pain, and extraordinary hope.  At seventeen, Kristen found herself so deeply rooted in depression that she laid down on a set of train tracks, waiting for her life to end.  What happened next was nothing short of a miracle, and the beginning of an extraordinary journey of hope.

Kristen shares her story openly and honestly.  It is raw and emotional at times, but filled with incredible beauty.  Throughout the pages, Kristen gives intimate glimpses into her daily struggles as she still wants to die yet continues to live.  But the most incredible part of her story is how God creates beauty out of the ashes of Kristen's life.  While Kristen intended to end her life, God saved her life, redeemed it, and gave her a hope and purpose far beyond what she could have ever imagined!

As I read Kristen's story, I was reminded of my own.  At sixteen, I too struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts.  Thankfully I had encouraging family and friends who walked with me through the dark times.  Even more, I'm thankful that God was with me and showed me early on that He had a plan and purpose for my life.  As an adult, Kristen's story encouraged me to continue to trust God in the midst of living with a spouse who is bi-polar (manic-depressive).

Kristen's story is beautiful, hopeful, and encouraging.  I would highly recommend her story to anyone who has a teen or other loved one who might be struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts. 

Read an excerpt from Life, In Spite of Me.

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