Review
------
How we grieve is directly related to how we heal. Esther Fleece introduces the language of lament and
argues persuasively that this is a prayer God never ignores. No More Faking Fine is a book for anyone wrestling with the
unavoidable tension created when the faithful suffer. (Andy Stanley, communicator, author, and pastor)
For many of us, when someone asks how we’re doing, our automatic response is “fine”---even when we aren’t. Esther Fleece
transparently shares her story of “faking fine” until she couldn’t anymore---and how God has brought emotional healing
as she learned to stop pretending. This is an encouraging and helpful book. (Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family)
No More Faking Fine deepened and solidified my understanding of bringing God into every part of my life, especially when
it comes to difficulties and grief. I know this will help heal, challenge, and encourage people wherever they are in
life. This is such a needed book for our time! (Rachel Cruze, #1 New York Times bestselling author and personal finance
expert)
In a culture full of facades, Esther Fleece unpacks the vital and overlooked role of honest lament in our complete
healing from life’s harshest storms. No More Faking Fine leads us on a biblical yet cely traveled road, where God
meets us in the midst of our deepest pain, in ways unlike any we could possibly experience in our greatest victories.
(Benjamin Watson, National Football League tight end and author)
Esther Fleece exposes her personal pain to us in this book. She exposes what that pain did to distort her reality and
shift her from truly trusting that God is near. Her pain forced her to the Scriptures, and the Scriptures exposed a way
through the pain. This book is a gift to be led through the Word in this way---to be encouraged to give voice to our
destructive thoughts and memories, to receive permission to let it all out to God. There is no judgment of our hurt or
our painful experiences. All are worthy to be heard by God. Thank you, Esther, for sharing your story and teaching us to
be free to lament. (Sarah and Matthew Hasselbeck, ESPN analyst and retired NFL quarterback)
Many days, it just feels easier to fake being fine. Esther Fleece’s powerful voice for lament, beautifully told through
her splintered story, allures me into authenticity before God. She invites us to this ancient, yet out-of-fashion way
and introduces another side of God to those of us who are hungry for more than those pat answers to what aches within
our insides. (Sara Hagerty, author of Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet)
Esther Fleece’s powerful story encourages us to be honest to God and to each other. Life isn’t easy in a world under the
curse, nor does God intend it to be. The poison of prosperity theology has set up countless Christians for
disillusionment because they’ve been told they’re supposed to always be y, wealthy, successful, popular, and “just
fine.” As Esther demonstrates, we need the authenticity of David and the prophets and Paul and, above all, Jesus,
recognizing that God will be with us when our hearts are broken. He can infuse us with joy even when we are suffering.
One day, God’s children will “live happily ever after.” Until that day comes, let’s give ourselves and each other
permission to grieve and feel pain, loss, and discouragement. In other words, let’s quit faking fine so we can gladly
embrace together the comfort of Jesus. (Randy Alcorn, founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries and author
of Heaven and Happiness)
Esther Fleece writes an authentic and vulnerable book that we all need to read. Esther helps us to recover the language
and practice of lament. This is for anyone who has been disappointed in life but is determined to overcome and live
honestly and sincerely. (Brady Boyd, pastor of New Life Church, Colorado Springs, and author of Speak Life and Addicted
to Busy)
I have walked with Jesus my entire adult life and never read anything so powerful calling us to lament. Esther Fleece is
the real deal. Her life is a genuine lament of brokenness and celebration of God’s redemption. (Dr. Juli Slattery,
president of Authentic Intimacy)
Esther Fleece is a gift to the church. No More Faking Fine is just the book many Christians need to understand the
biblical call to lament. The only way out of the valley of sorrow is through the path of lament. Let Fleece be your
guide on the journey to joy. (Phillip Bethancourt, executive vice president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty
Commission (ERLC))
Read more ( javascript:void(0) )
About the Author
----------------
Esther Fleece is an international speaker and writer on Millennials and faith, leadership, and family, recognized among
Christianity Today’s “Top 50 Women Shaping the Church and Culture” and CNN’s “Five Women in Religion to Watch.” As
founder and CEO of L&L Consulting, she works to connect influential individuals and organizations to their mutual
benefit. You can follow Esther’s global adventures on Twitter @EstherFleece and at www.estherfleece.com.
Read more ( javascript:void(0) )