Hustling God: Why We Work So Hard for What God Wants to Give

Barnes takes readers on a lifelong journey with Jacob paralleling this biblical figure's internal struggles with our own. As Barnes states, Jacob was born to strive. What he could not have by right, he deceived to obtain. He was born in a family of deceivers, became a deceiver himself, had sons who deceived. Still, as God's chosen one to receive the blessing, Jacob was indeed blessed. He just didn't see it that way. His envy and striving nature robbed him of all the joy God so desired him to realize. Contrast Jacob with his son Joseph, who had real cause to complain. As Barnes shows, it's all in the attitude. Barnes (Yearning: Living Between How It Is and How It Ought to Be) centers Jacob's mistakes around modern-day anecdotes and stories so clearly that readers realize we are no different from our historical counterparts. In 11 chapters, the author discusses the many facets of our internal struggle to live our lot in life with good grace and still dare to go after our dreams. Specifically, Barnes details our struggles with love, work, ourselves, God and related issues of learning to develop the faith that sees God's faithfulness in every circumstance. (Mar.)