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Broken Works Best: When God Turns Your Pain Into Gain
Seeing God's hand even in bleak a book designed to inform and comfort This is a practical and inspirational approach to the problem of pain. It considers how we can not only survive the personal disasters of life, but see God working in us—not just despite the tough times, but through them. Catherine has been a nurse; she has also been the mother of two handicapped daughters, who died at 10 and 13. She has walked the dark road, and knows the dangers to the soul. Accordingly, she addresses squarely the issues thrown up by suffering—issues such as anger at God; getting matters out of proportion; the question of fairness; dealing with the roots of bitterness that sap your spiritual strength. She encourages us to see that God walks with us through the valley, and is bigger than every challenge.
224 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 23, 2024
Another EASY 5 🌟 for Catherine!
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives all fear is gone,
Because I know, I know who holds the future.
And life is worth the living just because He lives.”
As human beings, pain is part of the package 💔 and sadly that, “it’ll never happen to me” approach will only add to the rubber that needs to be cleared when the unthinkable happens in our lives.
Usually our first response is WHY? Why did this happen to me? Why did’n’t God stop this from happening? WHY?WHY?WHY? This tiny 3 letter word holds so much power over us, it causes doubt and mostly, is never truly answered. However, when the unthinkable happens, Jesus offers his comfort, he is our rest-giver and burden-bearer as told in Matthew 11:28-29…”Take my yolk upon you and learn from, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Yet, God has eternity in our hearts; it is with eternity that puts a different perspective on everything and lets us see a much bigger picture. Isaiah had a lot of experience with suffering, deep grief and personal loss. However God allowed him to see his life with a new lens. Opening up our eyes to a wider perspective can really help to soften the burden, even if it is only for a short time. Catherine recognised this through her own struggles and shared with us that: whatever was going on, God had a plan for each of us. Furthermore Catherine gently reminds of how God’s view of perfection is very different to society’s views, particularly regarding disability and disease. She brings to mind Psalm 139:13, 15-16 to transform our thinking from a worldly view to God’s view:
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
God knows exactly how the lives he creates are going to turn out, whether or not we think it fair. This really hit home with me, particularly after recently learning I have (yet another!) untreatable genetic condition- however, I know now, I was no mistake, my genes are not faulty, God has gone before me and seen, no chosen, my path - I am not broken. ‘That’s what faith is: trusting God when we don’t know what lies ahead, when we can’t understand the plan He wants us to be part of.’
I also love how Catherine shares with us her struggles. She doesn’t stand up on a podium preaching, instead she invites us into her home and talks through her struggles in the hope that they can also be of help to us. For instance, she talks about the challenges of prayer. What may seem so simple to some, others struggle with. Catherine, herself, particularly struggled with prayer around the time of her 10 year old daughter’s death. Yet prayer is so healing and allows us to cultivate an intimate relationship with God. He wants us to call on Him. But, we must have patience as only occasionally is prayer instantly answered; yet, it is always promised. Furthermore, Catherine explains that she shares her struggles because ‘exposing what is in our own hearts often gives others the opportunity to open up theirs…’
Reading one of Catherine’s books is like coming home after a long day. She shares so much comfort in her words, along with great wisdom, knowledge and compassion. And she certainly had her work cut out for her writing a book about Christian suffering, yet as always Catherine far succeeded my expectations and presented the information in a clear and informative way. Thank you Catherine for sharing your own struggles with us, it helps immensely to have someone on your side that truly understands suffering. This book is truly something very special and I know I will refer back to it time and time again.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8 NIV
God bless you all 🙏🏼
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives all fear is gone,
Because I know, I know who holds the future.
And life is worth the living just because He lives.”
As human beings, pain is part of the package 💔 and sadly that, “it’ll never happen to me” approach will only add to the rubber that needs to be cleared when the unthinkable happens in our lives.
Usually our first response is WHY? Why did this happen to me? Why did’n’t God stop this from happening? WHY?WHY?WHY? This tiny 3 letter word holds so much power over us, it causes doubt and mostly, is never truly answered. However, when the unthinkable happens, Jesus offers his comfort, he is our rest-giver and burden-bearer as told in Matthew 11:28-29…”Take my yolk upon you and learn from, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Yet, God has eternity in our hearts; it is with eternity that puts a different perspective on everything and lets us see a much bigger picture. Isaiah had a lot of experience with suffering, deep grief and personal loss. However God allowed him to see his life with a new lens. Opening up our eyes to a wider perspective can really help to soften the burden, even if it is only for a short time. Catherine recognised this through her own struggles and shared with us that: whatever was going on, God had a plan for each of us. Furthermore Catherine gently reminds of how God’s view of perfection is very different to society’s views, particularly regarding disability and disease. She brings to mind Psalm 139:13, 15-16 to transform our thinking from a worldly view to God’s view:
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
God knows exactly how the lives he creates are going to turn out, whether or not we think it fair. This really hit home with me, particularly after recently learning I have (yet another!) untreatable genetic condition- however, I know now, I was no mistake, my genes are not faulty, God has gone before me and seen, no chosen, my path - I am not broken. ‘That’s what faith is: trusting God when we don’t know what lies ahead, when we can’t understand the plan He wants us to be part of.’
I also love how Catherine shares with us her struggles. She doesn’t stand up on a podium preaching, instead she invites us into her home and talks through her struggles in the hope that they can also be of help to us. For instance, she talks about the challenges of prayer. What may seem so simple to some, others struggle with. Catherine, herself, particularly struggled with prayer around the time of her 10 year old daughter’s death. Yet prayer is so healing and allows us to cultivate an intimate relationship with God. He wants us to call on Him. But, we must have patience as only occasionally is prayer instantly answered; yet, it is always promised. Furthermore, Catherine explains that she shares her struggles because ‘exposing what is in our own hearts often gives others the opportunity to open up theirs…’
Reading one of Catherine’s books is like coming home after a long day. She shares so much comfort in her words, along with great wisdom, knowledge and compassion. And she certainly had her work cut out for her writing a book about Christian suffering, yet as always Catherine far succeeded my expectations and presented the information in a clear and informative way. Thank you Catherine for sharing your own struggles with us, it helps immensely to have someone on your side that truly understands suffering. This book is truly something very special and I know I will refer back to it time and time again.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8 NIV
God bless you all 🙏🏼
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
June 8, 2017
I first came across Catherine Campbell's testimony two years ago when I attended a Faith Mission's Women's Weekend in Canada. Catherine's story is inspiring and uplifting. It is a testimony of courage and strength in the face of insurmountable hardships and an unwavering faith in God despite the difficulties life can throw at you. In her book, Broken Works Best, Catherine shares from her own life experience of being a mother of two severely disabled daughters (both of whom passed away in childhood). She also draws on the experiences of suffering of many around the globe. Her book is a practical application of trusting God with reflection questions and further Biblical commentary at the end of each chapter. I enjoyed it for its ease of read without losing any of its theological significance. Deep truths in a little book. Recommended.
December 27, 2022
This book touched me in a profound way. The author writes with much empathy for those in pain and also with deep and godly wisdom. The book was engaging, biblical and real. It was probably one of the best Christian books I have read addressing the topic of suffering. I will be sharing it with others and looking to read more by this author.
January 12, 2019
There is lots of sound Biblical advice in this book, but it is painful to read at times, and I still struggle with understanding why God has to let children suffer and die. Wouldn't He get more glory from healing them? I guess I won't understand until I get to heaven.
June 9, 2021
Great book! I wish i had of picked it up when I was on the middle of some of my struggles! Although I’m sure it’s one I’ll come back to again and again!
May 24, 2023
More of a devotional than her story, which I knew nothing about when I started this book. I wish she would’ve put her whole story in here, but overall good Biblical devotions.
August 5, 2024
Outstanding
May 24, 2019
Superb book on how not to waste our pain, and also God's capacity and power in making things new.
A few theological questions - for example over how bodies in the new creation might work, and some assumptions I couldn't go along with on secondary issues - but overall a beautifully written, powerfully illustrated and biblically-integrated book. A genuine pleasure to read and I will post a full review on my blog soon.
A few theological questions - for example over how bodies in the new creation might work, and some assumptions I couldn't go along with on secondary issues - but overall a beautifully written, powerfully illustrated and biblically-integrated book. A genuine pleasure to read and I will post a full review on my blog soon.
October 3, 2012
Wonderful book by a gem of a lady...was priviliged to meet her and read this amazing book!!! You will need tissues !
October 15, 2012
really enjoyed this inspiring book Thanks Catherine for your words of encouragement God Bless you in His work.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews