Author Sophie Hudson Teaches Us How to Stand Strong in Difficult Times with New Book

By Hallels News May 11, 2020 12:11 AM EDT

Middle school. The middle of labor and delivery. The middle of the project or the cross-country road trip. The middle of anything is the hard part; starting is energizing and the finishing is rewarding. But the middle can seem endless, thankless and maybe even a little bit pointless. That's where endurance gets tough.

For beloved and hilarious author Sophie Hudson, middle age has been a test of perseverance but also a time of great spiritual growth and insight. In her forthcoming book, "Stand All the Way Up: Stories of Staying In It When You Want to Burn It All Down" (June 16, 2020, B&H Publishing), Hudson offers a collection of stories showing that God can meet you where you are - even when things get annoying or difficult and you want to burn it all down - and give you fresh fire to get through it.

"The Lord has been showing me what it looks like to stand," said Hudson. "You don't have to set fire to it all and give up; instead, God can set a fire in you to help you stand up for yourself, for the Kingdom, and for those who can't stand up for themselves."

Standing strong hasn't always been Hudson's first reaction when things get hard. She says that she is more likely to try to figure out how to make it all go away, ignore it, or, better yet, burn it all down. Hudson found that the Lord, through His Word and His people, faithfully reveals how to get up, straighten up, and stand all the way up.

"God is showing me how to stand in my own life, to stand for the unheard or unseen, to stand for the generation behind me, to stand for the cause of Christ, and to stand all the way up even when what I really want to do is get back in the bed and pretend like everything is just fine and there's nothing I can do to help."

Written in her trademark style of humor, sass, and spiritual insight, Hudson's latest release reveals an honest look at some relatable disappointments and frustrations of her last few years: recovering from people-pleasing, grieving the death of a parent, wondering when current events became a blood sport, parenting a teen, working full-time, aging and more. She writes about the challenges of navigating humility, disappointment and anger, but yet recognizing the Lord's hand in every step.

"As difficult as these last few years have been-as deeply as they have challenged me-I'm more aware than ever that these are the days," said Hudson. "This is the time the Lord has ordained for me to live and love and give Him glory. Sure, these days have marked a humbling, refining stretch of life. But these days have also been wonderful in ways I never could have imagined."

Hudson is a popular blogger and podcaster at BooMama.net and "The Big Boo Cast." Her previous books include "All in All Journaling Devotional" (2017), "Giddy Up, Eunice" (2016), "Home Is Where My People Are" (2015) and "A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet" (2013).

For more information about "Stand All the Way Up," visit www.standallthewayup.com.