Reviewed by: Jessica Dundas, a Professional Writing Major at Taylor University, Upland, Indiana.

Introduction

Title: When Suffering is Redemptive: Stories of How Anguish and Pain Accomplish God’s Mission

Author: Larry J. Waters (compendium editor)

Publisher: Weaver Book Company

Publication Date: 2016

Format: paperback

Length: 154 pages

OVERVIEW

When Suffering is Redemptive is a collection of eight stories, each by different contributing writers, showing how ordinary Christians have grown closer to God through pain, grief, agony, suffering, and loss. The stories were compiled and edited by Larry J. Waters. The writers are transparent in sharing their stories of the worst pain known to medical science, of loss and disability, and of dealing with trauma in their day-to-day lives. They introduce us to what it means to fight the pain and give glory to God. In life when suffering comes unexpectedly, such as the result of a car accident or an injury on the job or a preciously undiagnosed disease, it can be a cause for confusion, fear, and anxiety. It is then that a Christian must hold strong to his or her faith, but it is then that it sometimes is most difficult to do so. These eight stalwart individuals explain how they used prayer, Bible study, witnessing, and fellowship as ways to cope with on-going pain, bouts of depression, and severe emotional alienation.
This book challenges readers to seek God’s sustaining grace. The authors share their ways of getting through suffering by leaning on God, and the ministries that have resulted from what they learned through their experiences. We all have pain in our lives, and hearing the stories of others will help understand that we are not alone. At the end of each chapter are discussion questions and suggested resources for further study.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

5 stars

Suggested Audience

These stories are addressed to a general Christian audience.

Christian Impact

When Suffering is Redemptive challenges readers to see how God redeems their suffering.

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