Even If

Keeping Faith in the Face of Adversity (Faith Forward)

Christian - Living
215 Pages
Reviewed on 12/14/2024
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Even If by Dwayne Harris presents a deeply personal and profoundly inspiring memoir that explores faith, forgiveness, and resilience in the face of extraordinary challenges. Harris courageously shares the journey of his wife Stacey's battle with cancer and confrontation of past trauma, creating a narrative that is simultaneously a personal testimony and a universal guide for navigating life's most difficult moments. The memoir delves deep into the power of love, faith, and human resilience, offering readers a compelling and transformative exploration of personal struggle and hope. The narrative goes far beyond a simple recounting of medical challenges, instead providing a nuanced examination of how faith and love can transform even the most devastating experiences. The book offers practical and spiritual tools for readers facing their own challenges, turning personal pain into a message of hope and healing.

Author Dwayne Harris has a truly heartfelt approach to memoir and personal storytelling that is marked by extraordinary vulnerability and authenticity. Even from the earliest moments of this interesting life story, I was deeply moved by his exploration of faith amidst profound suffering, which offers a perspective that transcends individual experience and makes us all think about our need for faith in times of challenge. The memoir's dual focus on personal healing and supporting others creates a universal appeal that will resonate with readers from diverse backgrounds and show us how to do better by one another. By sharing his family's most challenging moments with compassion and hope, Harris offers genuine solace and strength to those navigating their own difficult journeys. His raw honesty and compassionate perspective transform a potentially heart-wrenching story into a beacon of hope and resilience. Overall, I highly recommend Even If as an essential read for anyone seeking inspiration, understanding, and a testament to the power of human endurance.

Ibrahim Aslan

In Even If, Dwayne Harris renders a stirring and motivational account of his wife's steadfast faith when confronting the biggest challenges of her life. Stacey was a God-filled woman, devoted wife, and caring mother who walked in faith throughout her breathtaking journey on this earth. Even though her early childhood was fraught with trauma, stemming from years of sexual abuse at the hands of a trusted family member, Stacey never forgot God's encompassing mercy and grace in her life. Through the power of forgiveness and revival, Stacey was able to overcome her childhood trauma and experience true inner healing. Her humility and compassion shone through even as she courageously battled cancer while confronting additional emotional scars from her past. Stacey's story is a profound reminder that anything is possible with God.

Even If is a powerful testament to Dwayne's and Stacey's unwavering and unchangeable love for God and his plans for their lives. Dwayne Harris's words are collectively empathetic, encouraging, and healing. He warmly inspires his readers to develop their personal relationship with God and consistently nurture their faith when encountering the many battles in their own lives. Stacey's narrative is gracefully written from the opening page to the last. Her journey is a story of perseverance, demonstrating faith in the face of fear and leaning on God's unfailing strength instead of your own. Stacey's spiritual walk also offers transparent and detailed guidance on achieving a balanced, healthy spiritual and personal life. This exquisitely crafted memoir will remind readers that faith can be a powerful source of stability as they confront the various hurdles in their lives. I highly recommend reading it today.

Scarlett Jensen

With Fresh Outpouring Ministries as his platform, Dwayne Harris expanded into evangelism and embarked on missional opportunities with this book. Even If: Keeping Faith in the Face of Adversity is written against the background of his devotion. His wife Stacey’s cancer diagnosis placed them in a position to find an answer to the question: “What would happen if God didn’t intervene?” They had countless conversations about the frailty of life, facing the “what-ifs” head-on. This naturally led to “if-then” discussions and reflections. Stacey said she knew God could heal her if He chose to. Throughout Stacey’s ten-month battle with cancer, she endured numerous medical appointments, procedures, and surgeries. The cancer came back. Fear doesn’t just sap your physical strength, it gradually leads you toward surrendering. The message in this story is not to allow bitterness or lack of faith to blind you. Dwayne maintains that this story offers two powerful lessons: first, that blessings often come when we are willing to give to others during a time of struggle, and second, that sometimes, we must be willing to receive from others, even when we feel unworthy or undeserving. Pray, asking God for His peace, protection, and healing.

What Dwayne Harris reflects is that no diagnosis is too daunting and no need is beyond God's provision. The process seems smoother when pain is better controlled. They saw His hand in every small detail, every victory along the way. It’s crucial to take time to celebrate victories—big and small—even when you’re fresh from the fight and still bruised, bleeding, and battered. It is a lesson to us to become a source of support and encouragement for others. Stacey’s testimony shows her courage, clarity, and unwavering faith. She didn’t just comfort her family; she made people like us confront our fragility of life and the reality of death. In writing Even If: Keeping Faith in the Face of Adversity, Dwayne inspires the reader to write their own story to make God’s love visible through experiences. He advises on how to navigate new grief. Now, on the other side of Stacey’s passing, the loss fades when he remembers the peace—what he felt when Christ’s hand touched his. Dwayne has a very smooth, insightful, and direct way of communicating. This is a very authentic account of pure belief and is a convincing and highly recommended read.