Pain and Suffering – Reviews
At a recent gathering which aimed to look at why God allows us to still have pain and suffering, a number of speakers gave brief comments on useful books at times of trouble. These could be read by those feeling extremes of pain in their life, those questioning God, or those seeking answers for others in their life. See the short reviews next:
If I Were God I Would End All The Suffering, by John Dixon looks at different faiths and how each ‘god’ responds to pain and suffering. He also notes that in the Christian faith, God is unique – He has faced the suffering we experience in the earthly life of Jesus when He died for our sins.
How Long, O Lord? Don Carson provides real life examples and illustrations of dealing with pain and suffering. While this is not an ideal book at the time of pain and suffering, it is a practical preparation or guide for others who might be called to provide support and answers to dealing with the pain of others. As Carson says, we have no right to expect an easy life free of pain and suffering…
When God Weeps. As a person who has had to deal with a life of struggles, Joni Eareckson Tada is able to write with great authority. Her own personal experiences, having spent over 30 years in a wheel chair, and those of handicapped people with whom she has worked are the sources for this book. She provides authentic and powerful words for those questioning their own pain and struggles, and gives reasons why life in Christ makes sense – in spite of all our pain.
If God Is So Good Why Do I Hurt So Bad? is the personal writing of a US pastor, David Biebel, who has suffered the loss of his sons through a debilitating genetic disease. He notes that pain is a fundamental human experience and that it is impossible for us to deal with it on our own.
In Why Me, Lord? Frank Retief speaks briefly of a church massacre he witnessed in South Africa. He then spends time focusing on dealing with the aftermath, coping with the tragedy, and working towards the need to forgive the perpetrators.
Disappointment With God by Philip Yancey asks the questions: Is God unfair? Is God silent? Is God hidden? And works towards the answers to these questions using personal experiences. It also drives home the need to turn to God for answers at all times of crisis, for a deeper faith and a greater relationship with Him.
Are there other books you might recommend to help others understand and work through their pain with God in their sights? Have you read any of these titles yourself?
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