When Sorrows Like Sea Billows Roll

by Brad Franklin

Upon his wife’s sudden death, Brad was left a single father of seven children. Life became harder, and the grief almost overwhelming. We all grieve. We lose something or someone we love. And it hurts. Sorrows seem to crash like stormy waves against the boats of our lives. How do we respond to loss? Let alone glorify God in it? In this book, Brad recounts his story in thirty-two short reflections. With a pastor’s heart, he charts a course through these waves of grief – applying Bible truths to times of sorrow. This book is not merely a memoir, it’s a God-centred travel guide through grief. Its aim: to help you become more like Christ in your sorrows. To glorify God in your grief. This book can help us to say: ‘It is well with my soul.

232 pages, Paperback

Published May 31, 2023

About the author

Also publishes as Bradley Franklin.

Reviews

[Priscilla Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

An encouraging account of Brad’s perseverance and hardships after losing Megan. The anecdotes from the weeks and months afterwards are lovely yet full of heartache, especially when talking about his seven children. A wonderful guide to a godly response to grief.

[Jessica Seager · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on suffering I’ve ever read. Down to earth, real, gritty, practical. A heart-breaking but heart-warming book about a Christian who lost his wife in a matter of 10 days, and was left to bring up his 7 children on his own.

[Ben Jeapes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle says it all "A guide for glorifying God through the loss of a loved one". This is no theoretical bit of theological fluff but the personal experience of a man who tragically lost his wife, in late pregnancy (the baby was saved), with just a couple of weeks between receiving the scratch that killed her to her ultimate passing. In 32 short little chapters the author openly and frankly works through the whole process, from the initial loss to final hope, all from a Christian perspective. Essential advice for the recently bereaved and those helping people in that situation.

[Caleb Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for biblically processing grief. Brad writes clearly, simply, and biblically to help others glorify God in their suffering.

He divides the book into very small chapters, which make it easier to engage what is a weighty topic, suffering from the death of a love one. The book also applies to suffering more generally.

Brad is an excellent communicator who writes about weighty theology in a very readable manner. I highly recommend this book.

[Seth Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brad is honest and open about the pain of losing his wife Megan after the birth of their seventh child, but this book is more than a memoir - it sets out to equip Christians to face grief and trouble well, in a way that honours our Saviour and remembers our hope. This is a worthy goal, and Brad shows that it is possible. Though the subject matter is weighty, this is a profoundly hopeful and encouraging book.