long as there's pain and suffering in the world, there's a need for us to tell our stories, and this is mine." In Courage to Live Julie shares the raw, honest story of her survival after the death of her oldest son. She describes her grief journey during which she discovered joy and sorrow can coexist and God's grace is sufficient. She shares practical ways she managed her grief, and discusses what others did and did not do to help during her journey. God's plan for living eternally is her "not so secret" secret for survival. Julie's wisdom and faith inspire courage and endurance through suffering, so you emerge stronger than you imagined, with lasting, sustaining Hope.

What Others Say About This Book

Though God tells us clearly in His Word that we, as believers, do not grieve as the world grieves, like people without hope, the reality is that we do still grieve. In the pages of Courage to Live: Learning to Live Again After Loss, Julie Fillinger testifies in the heart-wrenching pages of her story to the comforting nearness of God as well as the hope He provides in the midst of our deepest valleys.

In 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 we read that when the Lord compassionately ministers to us in our most profound troubles, He equips us to one day comfort others with that same comfort we ourselves received from Him. Needless to say, there is no one better equipped to comfort and encourage you as you journey through the valley of grief and confusion than Julie.

Wendy Speake, author of The 40 Day Sugar Fast, The 40 Day Feast and other books

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In his classic work The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis said that "...courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point." In the pages of this beautifully written book saturated in a faith refined by fire, Julie Fillinger models what courage in the face of trauma looks like. You will discover where the roots of courage are planted, and you will see how one can maintain hope for the long haul of life, whatever twists and turns you may face. As you read her story, as you listen in on her process of grief and recovery, you will be accompanied by a wise, vulnerable and trustworthy guide. I was deeply impacted by this book, and believe you will be, as well.

Jeff Crosby, author of The Language of the Soul: Meeting God in the Longings of Our Hearts

About the Author:

Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, I lived a good life. I enjoyed college, started my nursing career, got married and had children. The unimaginable event that devastated my world occurred when my beloved son Nicholas died at only 16. By God's grace, I am not only surviving, but also learning how to really live again. Now my mission is to minister and instill courage and hope into people who are hurting, and to help them realize they are stronger than they ever thought possible.