I found the book to be a really compelling read about Matt’s dramatic life story. In 2016 Matt and his wife experienced the loss of an unborn child and the discovery that Matt had a life-threatening cancer. Matt’s book is an open and honest account of his faith and trust in God that triumphed over adversity. The book is a powerful read that can offer you the comfort, hope and inspiration you might need to keep standing in the storm, whatever you face.

Standing in the Storm: Living with faith and cancer by Matt McChlery I think we all know someone who has battled or is battling with cancer Often we don't really understand what they are going through. Often we would like to know what we can do to help. In this book, Matt McChlery gives us an autobiographical account of his journey with cancer, and the role that his faith in Jesus plays in the journey. This is a heart-breaking, no punches spared account which deals with thoughts that affect so many – will God heal me? What if I die? What about those I will leave behind? Interspersed with Matt's detailed recollections are extracts from the blogs he wrote as he was actually going through every stage of diagnosis, surgery and treatment. This gives the book the immediacy of a 'fly on the wall' documentary, being there with Matt at each turn the journey takes. There are many passages that stand out with the wisdom of experience:- 'we so often pray that we be delivered from a situation ….however sometimes we are delivered through a trial. And ...we find Jesus....our friend...walking each step with us, holding us and helping us until we get to the other side'. Standing in the Storm page 92. Matt shares how at the beginning of his cancer and faith journey, he and his wife Verity suffer the loss of their unborn child. He explains why it is important for Christians, and especially thos in leadership positions, to be vulnerable and humble with others about the pain and suffering they are experiencing. He says it's important for Christion leaders to model life as it is, rather than a sanitised 'faith means no problems' unrealistic ideal. I enjoyed the first chapters of the book which outline Matt's childhood and early life in Zimbabwe, with details of the struggles of living there in the 90s, as well as looking at his early journey into a Christian faith. But the heart of the story is the interplay of a serious diagnosis and associated fears and discomforts, with the faith in Jesus who would be there in all circumstances while Matt is 'standing in the storm'. I would recommend this book to all who are currently working through their own journey with cancer, as well as those who are going through it with them. The thoughts about death, serious illness and 'what ifs' are also relevant to any who have other life threatening conditions. It is Matt's honesty and openness which makes this a real page-turner; it is his insights about God's involvement and presence which make this a valuable resource. I have been given a free ARC of this book for a fair and honest review.