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A Book of Comfort for Those in Sickness by M.A. P. B. Power
Excellent Book
Paperback
First published December 31, 1974
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About the author
Philip Bennett Power
88 books8 followersReverend Philip Bennett Power (1822-1899) was a prolific writer of evangelical tracts. He was born in Waterford in Ireland and educated at Trinity College, Dublin, then ordained. He moved to England, and began a career as a clergyman first in Leicester, then in London with two years at Holloway followed by seven as the incumbent of Woburn Chapel. He was the vicar of Christ Church for ten years. He published over a hundred collections of short religious tracts and individual longer tracts between 1864 and 1894. His works include: The Last Shilling; or, The Selfish Child: A Story Founded on Fact (1853), Breathings of the Soul (1855), 'I Will': The Determinations of the Man of God, as Found in Some of the 'I Wills' of the Psalms (1859), The Lost Sunbeam, the Shady Tree, the Woven Sunbeams (1866), Born With a Silver Spoon in His Mouth (1870), 'He's Overhead' (1871), The Oiled Feather (1871), The Feet of Jesus in Life, Death, Resurrection, and Glory (1872) and The One Moss-Rose (1872)
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 11, 2025
From the introduction: AMONGST the many wonderful truths which are spoken of God in the Bible, one of the most wonderful and beautiful is that He is a ‘God of comfort.’
A Book of Comfort For Those in Sickness is a gem of a book. It was originally published in 1876, it has since been reprinted a few times--most recently in 2018 by Banner of Truth.
Whether your sickness or suffering leaves you in bed or a not-so-easy easy chair, this book is for you.
There are twelve chapters:
Is God a God of Comfort at All?
Hindrances to Our Believing that God is a God of Comfort
Helps to Our Believing That God is a God of Comfort
Comfort In Pain
Comfort as to Our Being Useless
Comfort in Felt Unworthiness
Comfort To Counter Envious Thoughts About Others
Comfort In Our Being a Trouble to Others
Comfort In Death That the Affliction Will Be Long
Comfort in the Thought That We Shall Have to Be Alone
Comfort In Our Fears that We Shall Dishonor God At the Last
Comfort in the Thought of Our Departure Hence
While a few chapters really stick out as being MARVELOUS AND all kinds of WONDERFUL. Each chapter is a gem. A few chapters would even be super-relevant even if you weren't enduring pain and suffering.
I found this book to be EXCELLENT. I loved, loved, loved it.
A Book of Comfort For Those in Sickness is a gem of a book. It was originally published in 1876, it has since been reprinted a few times--most recently in 2018 by Banner of Truth.
Whether your sickness or suffering leaves you in bed or a not-so-easy easy chair, this book is for you.
There are twelve chapters:
Is God a God of Comfort at All?
Hindrances to Our Believing that God is a God of Comfort
Helps to Our Believing That God is a God of Comfort
Comfort In Pain
Comfort as to Our Being Useless
Comfort in Felt Unworthiness
Comfort To Counter Envious Thoughts About Others
Comfort In Our Being a Trouble to Others
Comfort In Death That the Affliction Will Be Long
Comfort in the Thought That We Shall Have to Be Alone
Comfort In Our Fears that We Shall Dishonor God At the Last
Comfort in the Thought of Our Departure Hence
While a few chapters really stick out as being MARVELOUS AND all kinds of WONDERFUL. Each chapter is a gem. A few chapters would even be super-relevant even if you weren't enduring pain and suffering.
I found this book to be EXCELLENT. I loved, loved, loved it.
December 15, 2021
A great book to give to those whom God has brought to the sick bed. It is super practical and the author always points the reader to the hope we have in Christ.
February 14, 2024
What a gem. First published in 1876, but still every bit as relevant for today, this book of comfort had me forcing myself not to go completely crazy with my highlighter because there was so much encouraging, deep truth on finding peace and rest in the character and love of God.
I cannot recommend highly enough, especially to anyone suffering in physical pain who desperately desires hope and the courage to endure faithfully.
Definitely on my "every Christian should read" list.
Double thumbs up and all the stars.
I cannot recommend highly enough, especially to anyone suffering in physical pain who desperately desires hope and the courage to endure faithfully.
Definitely on my "every Christian should read" list.
Double thumbs up and all the stars.
June 6, 2019
A must-read! This book was out of print for years but was recently republished by Banner of Truth. It has a beautiful new cover. This is one I would love to have copies to give to others, especially in times of sickness, but several chapters are pertinent to any type of suffering. Written in a conversational style. Just loved it. Incredibly encouraging.
“It shall not be all pain, all depression, all weariness, never a sunbeam, never a smile. The alleviations may come by small instruments, and they may seem trivial to those in health; but the point is not what they are to others, but what they are to you. God is not straightened in his resources; he can make plenty of gourds to grow, plenty of chinks through which the sunbeams can penetrate, plenty of sunbeams to come in. He can put a pleasure and a power into little things, which will absolutely surprise you. What is nothing in health, he will make very precious in illness. Say then to yourself: there are to be alleviations all the way through; never a day without something comforting; and this being the case I will look out for it, and hail it, and use it when it comes.”
“It shall not be all pain, all depression, all weariness, never a sunbeam, never a smile. The alleviations may come by small instruments, and they may seem trivial to those in health; but the point is not what they are to others, but what they are to you. God is not straightened in his resources; he can make plenty of gourds to grow, plenty of chinks through which the sunbeams can penetrate, plenty of sunbeams to come in. He can put a pleasure and a power into little things, which will absolutely surprise you. What is nothing in health, he will make very precious in illness. Say then to yourself: there are to be alleviations all the way through; never a day without something comforting; and this being the case I will look out for it, and hail it, and use it when it comes.”
April 24, 2019
Are you a Christian struggling with long-term health issues? If so, you would do well to spend some time in the company of P. B. Power, a 19th-century minister who was familiar with sickness, and knew the God of comfort in the midst of it. There are, of course, more recent books you can read on the same topic, but I'm still glad Banner of Truth keep reprinting this classic.
Among other things, the author is helpfully blunt about the fact that pain is painful. He doesn't try and minimise it, or make us feel guilty about experiencing pain as a Christian, or force us into a false stoicism. Rather, he points us to the comfort that God doesn't make light of our pain either. In fact, Jesus suffered in the same flesh as us. "No doubt you have no pain but that he felt one like it, probably that very pain in its highest form upon the cross" (29).
For a short book (less than a hundred pages), this book is also surprisingly comprehensive in addressing specific difficulties we face when ill, and especially in long-term illness. Just look at the contents page. "A comfort as to our being useless," "A comfort in our being a trouble to others," "A comfort in fear that the affliction will be long," "A comfort in our fears that we shall fail and dishonour God at the last." P. B. Power has first-hand knowledge of human weakness in various forms, and has found the God of comfort sufficient in all of them.
And then he ends it all with a wonderful encouragement, in the face of terminal illness, that "the best arrangement is made for everything connected with my departure hence" (94) - not arrangements by us, but by God himself. And because of that, "we depart, not to be, as we say, 'dead', but really to live" (97).
Do we not all need these encouragements?
Among other things, the author is helpfully blunt about the fact that pain is painful. He doesn't try and minimise it, or make us feel guilty about experiencing pain as a Christian, or force us into a false stoicism. Rather, he points us to the comfort that God doesn't make light of our pain either. In fact, Jesus suffered in the same flesh as us. "No doubt you have no pain but that he felt one like it, probably that very pain in its highest form upon the cross" (29).
For a short book (less than a hundred pages), this book is also surprisingly comprehensive in addressing specific difficulties we face when ill, and especially in long-term illness. Just look at the contents page. "A comfort as to our being useless," "A comfort in our being a trouble to others," "A comfort in fear that the affliction will be long," "A comfort in our fears that we shall fail and dishonour God at the last." P. B. Power has first-hand knowledge of human weakness in various forms, and has found the God of comfort sufficient in all of them.
And then he ends it all with a wonderful encouragement, in the face of terminal illness, that "the best arrangement is made for everything connected with my departure hence" (94) - not arrangements by us, but by God himself. And because of that, "we depart, not to be, as we say, 'dead', but really to live" (97).
Do we not all need these encouragements?
March 21, 2019
Simply incredible. Power teaches us the path of Christian denial and usefulness applies even when we are bedridden. My favorite analogy is the sick man to the sniper. Although he can't do what others do and is not widely praised, he can hit unique targets
January 1, 2024
This book gave me so many takeaways and encouragments. Will definitely be reading again when I need the reminders! Very practical things to dwell on to glorify JESUS even in bed. <3
September 14, 2024
PB Power points the reader to Jesus in every chapter as he explains through the different struggles and difficulties which a sick Christian might face. A book which is comforting because it points us to our true Comfort in Christ.
May 12, 2022
Nearly every page contains gold. Power speaks as a man who had experienced great comfort and trust in God during his many years of sickness. Every Christian will have known sickness and would benefit from this book. Just two of the many outstanding passages:
Self-condemnation is very good in its place, but it is very bad out of its place; and it is out of its place, when we make it so big that it can blot out the comfort of God. We may put a penny piece so close to our eyes as to hide the sun itself; and we may put our little selves into such a position as to blot out God.
We do not see the reasons for pain; we are like children, who for a present advantage would forego any amount of future good, but our sympathising Father is wise, with a full far-seeing wisdom; and He means us to get great blessing, if only we are willing that He should bless us in His own wa
Self-condemnation is very good in its place, but it is very bad out of its place; and it is out of its place, when we make it so big that it can blot out the comfort of God. We may put a penny piece so close to our eyes as to hide the sun itself; and we may put our little selves into such a position as to blot out God.
We do not see the reasons for pain; we are like children, who for a present advantage would forego any amount of future good, but our sympathising Father is wise, with a full far-seeing wisdom; and He means us to get great blessing, if only we are willing that He should bless us in His own wa
February 3, 2020
Exceptional. The readability of the author, combined with the pithy writing and the briefness of the book combine to make this an excellent read. Power feels like Ryle in his ability to easily communicate profound truths and helps all through the book. Recommended for those in sickness, those who will be in sickness one day, and those who are visiting with people in sickness.
April 24, 2020
I think this is a book every Christian should read at some point. Perspective is a wonderful thing, and the truths taught and lessons imparted are no less applicable to the healthy.
December 5, 2024
★★★★★ MUST READ. I rarely say that, as most books are not relevant to all people. This is written particularly for those who suffer long-term illness - but anyone who has been laid down with a bad case of the flu or some other seasonal illness, not to mention other lingering types of suffering, would surely find encouragement in this little book. The basic premise: God is a God of comfort, and He longs to fill you with all of His comfort.
The author himself, a pastor for twenty years, was suddenly cast down with an illness that lasted the rest of his life (30+ years). He knows whereof he writes, and anyone who's ever struggled with a lingering illness will find themselves nodding and crying in agreement with his perspective... feeling seen, and understood... and overwhelmed with gratitude and comfort at his words of encouragement. It is a book that truly lives up to its name!
It's written in a conversational style, updated to modern language, with very short chapters that are easy to read in 10 or 15 minutes each. Almost every page has something worth highlighting, and it's well-worth rereading multiple times to truly take its biblical truths to heart.
The author writes in the first chapter:
"And these three things I set in the forefront of my little book.
(1) Get firmly convinced that God, God himself, God the Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our Father, is a God of comfort. Read these many declarations which he has given of himself, over and over again, until you ingrain the idea into your hearts. Believe that comfort is a thing he thinks about, values, knows the need of to us.
(2) Do not look anywhere else for your prime and first comfort. I do not deny that there is much comfort in friends, in happy feelings, in books, in many of the surrounding circumstances which prove alleviations in illness; but I want you to gather in your thoughts, and feel that the only sure comfort is with God.
(3) Expect comfort from God. Man's expectation is generally a prelude to God's action. We must first open our mouth, and then he will fill it. We must fill the waterpots up to the brim, seeing that he is going to turn all this water into the good wine."
HIGHLY, highly recommend this to anyone walking through suffering, especially physical suffering. I plan to read it again next year, and the year after that, and over and over again until I can truly say that I've internalized all of its truths... all of which point over and over to the God of comfort and His timeless truth. ★★★★★
The author himself, a pastor for twenty years, was suddenly cast down with an illness that lasted the rest of his life (30+ years). He knows whereof he writes, and anyone who's ever struggled with a lingering illness will find themselves nodding and crying in agreement with his perspective... feeling seen, and understood... and overwhelmed with gratitude and comfort at his words of encouragement. It is a book that truly lives up to its name!
It's written in a conversational style, updated to modern language, with very short chapters that are easy to read in 10 or 15 minutes each. Almost every page has something worth highlighting, and it's well-worth rereading multiple times to truly take its biblical truths to heart.
The author writes in the first chapter:
"And these three things I set in the forefront of my little book.
(1) Get firmly convinced that God, God himself, God the Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our Father, is a God of comfort. Read these many declarations which he has given of himself, over and over again, until you ingrain the idea into your hearts. Believe that comfort is a thing he thinks about, values, knows the need of to us.
(2) Do not look anywhere else for your prime and first comfort. I do not deny that there is much comfort in friends, in happy feelings, in books, in many of the surrounding circumstances which prove alleviations in illness; but I want you to gather in your thoughts, and feel that the only sure comfort is with God.
(3) Expect comfort from God. Man's expectation is generally a prelude to God's action. We must first open our mouth, and then he will fill it. We must fill the waterpots up to the brim, seeing that he is going to turn all this water into the good wine."
HIGHLY, highly recommend this to anyone walking through suffering, especially physical suffering. I plan to read it again next year, and the year after that, and over and over again until I can truly say that I've internalized all of its truths... all of which point over and over to the God of comfort and His timeless truth. ★★★★★
August 21, 2023
** Sailing away to a far distant land, as the shores of this country gradually became dim, I remember thinking, “Perhaps thus will it be with me when I die.” The soul may be loosening itself from its earthly tenement for a while before; and, when the time comes, there may be but a very slender thread to break - yes, perhaps nothing which can be described by the word breaking at all, a receding of this world's shore, an indistinctness of the objects on this strand, an increasing distinctness of those on the other…Let us say to ourselves, “I shall sleep in Jesus.”
Nor need we fear the strange, the unknown. The little babe who comes into this new world has no fear - all is strange, all unknown; but it is not born into any fears on this account.
Let us try to surround our departing time
with such thoughts as these. We are going to our Father. We are provided for by our Father.**
This 100-page book indeed offers many comforts to the Christian suffering from great illness, especially to those with some chronic disease or disability. It is similar in spirit to Octavius Winslow’s *The Sympathy of Christ.* It is a sobering book in many ways, but designed for those who are struggling to find much to be happy about, and thus indeed offers comfort because of how it acknowledges the difficulties of living with illness. I think even the healthiest Christian should benefit from this book, as we never know when we will be called to serve an ill person or be called to suffer illness ourselves.
Nor need we fear the strange, the unknown. The little babe who comes into this new world has no fear - all is strange, all unknown; but it is not born into any fears on this account.
Let us try to surround our departing time
with such thoughts as these. We are going to our Father. We are provided for by our Father.**
This 100-page book indeed offers many comforts to the Christian suffering from great illness, especially to those with some chronic disease or disability. It is similar in spirit to Octavius Winslow’s *The Sympathy of Christ.* It is a sobering book in many ways, but designed for those who are struggling to find much to be happy about, and thus indeed offers comfort because of how it acknowledges the difficulties of living with illness. I think even the healthiest Christian should benefit from this book, as we never know when we will be called to serve an ill person or be called to suffer illness ourselves.
August 25, 2025
This is a book that I cannot recommend enough if you are a Christian suffering from a chronic illness or chronic pain. Where do you seek your comfort? How can you be assured of it? How even to understand what comfort means, what comfort is? This is a beautiful study on where we find true comfort and how we should approach it in the first place.
The last chapter specifically was so memorable and simply lovely — it gave me chills akin to what I feel when reading C. S. Lewis. It was addressing the topic of death, and what we can hope for our death specifically; what we can pray generally concerning our deaths; and just the general idea that we as Christians should have surrounding the topic. It was incredibly powerful and convicting for me.
Sick, ill, suffering, weary, tiresome Christian: “And when the hindrances come, let them not daunt us.
Let us say, 'These are what we are to expect, but they have no power as against the Lord.' Millions of hindered men have passed out of their clouds and sorrows. Millions have entered the land where there are hindrances no more. How could I expect that Satan would allow me to have any good thing unmolested? I must carry on the Christian warfare on my bed, the same as if I were in the world. Sooner or later I too shall have my full triumph; and shall shout 'Thanks be to God, which giveth me the victory through my Lord Jesus Christ.'”
The last chapter specifically was so memorable and simply lovely — it gave me chills akin to what I feel when reading C. S. Lewis. It was addressing the topic of death, and what we can hope for our death specifically; what we can pray generally concerning our deaths; and just the general idea that we as Christians should have surrounding the topic. It was incredibly powerful and convicting for me.
Sick, ill, suffering, weary, tiresome Christian: “And when the hindrances come, let them not daunt us.
Let us say, 'These are what we are to expect, but they have no power as against the Lord.' Millions of hindered men have passed out of their clouds and sorrows. Millions have entered the land where there are hindrances no more. How could I expect that Satan would allow me to have any good thing unmolested? I must carry on the Christian warfare on my bed, the same as if I were in the world. Sooner or later I too shall have my full triumph; and shall shout 'Thanks be to God, which giveth me the victory through my Lord Jesus Christ.'”
July 29, 2025
What a beautiful little book. Despite being written so long ago, this book is imminently readable, practical, and helpful. Power writes with an experienced and tender pastor's heart, rightly handling the Word of God in a way that any sufferer can receive and appreciate- and his own sickness makes him just the man to do this. Not only is this book a comfort in personal suffering, this book has encouraged me in how to love others in their suffering well. Power takes the very love of Christ and like a bandage, wraps up the sufferer in true gospel hope.
March 1, 2022
A really wonderful book. The broader audience could very well be for those who are weak, and even more broadly for any Christian. These deep truths, beautifully communicated carried me along as I read.
Notable quote: “There is an end appointed; each day passed is one day less for endurance. But come what may, my God will be faithful to me all through; and will hold me by my right hand, even to the end.”
Notable quote: “There is an end appointed; each day passed is one day less for endurance. But come what may, my God will be faithful to me all through; and will hold me by my right hand, even to the end.”
January 6, 2019
Warmly pastoral with an eye to encouraging Christians in their sickness, this short book (80pp) helps to correct misapprehensions and unhelpful thinking. As the author writes: 'Thimgs often become almost substantial to us by the way in which we think of them, and by the amount of the thought we give them.' He writes to encourage better ways of thinking God's thoughts after Him.
January 26, 2019
This book does exactly what it sets out to do: provide comfort to the suffering. Philip Bennett Power draws from his own health struggles to encourage others not to dwell on their own “misfortunes,” but to look to the Father and find rest in His Word. I wish some of his points had been supported more by Scripture, but I still Came away from this book uplifted.
September 5, 2022
So encouraging and full of Biblical insights. When it comes to the doctrine of heaven it leaves a bit to be desired but it's good to remember that the book's focus isn't that in the end. Worth reading even if one isn't in a sick bed or wheelchair. Anyone with a debilitating disease would benefit from it.
January 13, 2019
Excellent
A wise, clear, loving exhortation to suffering believers. This book was written from the depths of the author Ken experience as well as his loving interactions with fellow sufferers.
A wise, clear, loving exhortation to suffering believers. This book was written from the depths of the author Ken experience as well as his loving interactions with fellow sufferers.
February 11, 2019
Love it!!! Just as it states—full of comfort for those in sickness. If you’re looking for Biblically sound comfort and encouragement through a season of debilitating illness, this little book won’t let you down.
September 28, 2024
This book was such a balm as I struggled with my health! His writing reminds me of the puritans, he took the concept 'God is a God of comfort' and unpacked it deeply and practically for those who suffer. I can't believe this was written so long ago.
October 2, 2019
A short but powerful book for anyone who is suffering - be it with sickness or just trials. Each short chapter helps you see the comfort that God offers on suffering.
April 11, 2021
Good for the soul
Wonderfully written little book to bring encouragement and comfort to those who believe in the God who comforts. Well done.
Wonderfully written little book to bring encouragement and comfort to those who believe in the God who comforts. Well done.
June 1, 2022
Fantastic little book of true encouragements for those enduring sickness. A very unique and useful tool for particular sufferers.
August 12, 2023
Not overly drawn out, but packed with truths and comforts for those who are suffering through sickness. Direct and loving in the best ways.
January 27, 2024
Very encouraging! Read this book when my back was so bad I had to lay on the couch for weeks. It spoke to me in a powerful way! Brought me a lot of comfort.
October 24, 2021
A beautiful little gem of a book. It’s almost like a little prayer and encouragement to those needing comfort in suffering of physical or mental health.
December 30, 2018
For those in sickness, yes, but really for anyone. Helpful thoughts on suffering and biblical perspective changes that bring comfort. Really gets back to the sovereignty of God, and seeing what He allows through a biblical lens.
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