REVIEW: In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day: How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars by Mark Batterson

I had a problem with this book—it cost me more than 10 highlighters! I think I used up an entire highlighter before I finished the first chapter alone. I couldn’t stop highlighting the words of wisdom and profound, insightful biblical truth found throughout the book. There is hardly a word not covered in yellow.

Author Mark Batterson is a masterful writer that makes biblical stories jump off the page. The Scripture text that is the focus of the book is an obscure passage found in 2 Samuel 23 that tells of Benaiah, a mighty, bold warrior who killed a lion. Through this story, Batterson gives readers seven skills that will help them chase the “big lions” in their lives.

A nice feature in the book is at the end of each chapter, readers are given “Points to Remember” that summarize the chapter in a few bullet points as well as questions for readers to consider and ponder as they begin their lion chasing adventure.

This book touched me and provided me much needed Christian counsel during a time when risk was called for in my walk with God. Batterson writes in the book: “The greatest opportunities were the scariest lions. Part of me has wanted to play it safe, but I’ve learned that taking no risks is the greatest risk of all.” Amen!

This book has made me want to be a lion chaser and more of a risk taker for Jesus. If you have the guts and gusto to step out in faith and chase lions for God, read this book and allow it to walk alongside you in that adventure. But a fair warning: If you get this book, get a pack of highlighters to go with it—you will need them!

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.