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Invest your Suffering
Invest your Suffering.
Unexpected Intimacy with a Loving God.
'Let me be honest, during the last twenty years there have been times when my faith has seemed frail and fragile and almost ready to collapse. I have struggled with seeing my wife stripped of her dignity and reduced by her agony. I have doubted all kinds of things. I have exploded and lashed out. I do not like what is happening to my sweetheart one little bit. Chronic illness never goes away. Come on, realistically, how much more can we take?'
'But one thing I have never doubted is that, in the darkest circumstances, we were only ever in the hands of God. That has been the ultimate source of comfort and hope.'
As Paul Mallard knows only too well, the crucible of suffering is a horrible place to be. But lessons learned there can be powerful and memorable. And it was there that Paul and Edrie experienced unexpected intimacy with a loving God who is no stranger to suffering. They feel personally challenged to use their experience and insights to help fellow sufferers too.
Commendations
"Absolutely riveting! ... The best explanation of the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ that I have ever read." - Fiona Castle
"This book is an inspiring love story, conceived in eternity but forged through pain and suffering. From beginning to end it is a moving expression of Paul's love for his wife, Edrie as they both struggle with the reality of her long-term debilitating illness, and of their love for God as they determine to trust his good and sovereign purposes whatever the circumstances.
Scarily honest, this book is insightful, inspiring and, above all, informed by Scripture. It is a must-read for all of us who struggle with the pain of a broken world and wish to support our fellow-strugglers.
Highly recommended!" - Richard Underwood, Pastoral Director of the FIEC
Unexpected Intimacy with a Loving God.
'Let me be honest, during the last twenty years there have been times when my faith has seemed frail and fragile and almost ready to collapse. I have struggled with seeing my wife stripped of her dignity and reduced by her agony. I have doubted all kinds of things. I have exploded and lashed out. I do not like what is happening to my sweetheart one little bit. Chronic illness never goes away. Come on, realistically, how much more can we take?'
'But one thing I have never doubted is that, in the darkest circumstances, we were only ever in the hands of God. That has been the ultimate source of comfort and hope.'
As Paul Mallard knows only too well, the crucible of suffering is a horrible place to be. But lessons learned there can be powerful and memorable. And it was there that Paul and Edrie experienced unexpected intimacy with a loving God who is no stranger to suffering. They feel personally challenged to use their experience and insights to help fellow sufferers too.
Commendations
"Absolutely riveting! ... The best explanation of the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ that I have ever read." - Fiona Castle
"This book is an inspiring love story, conceived in eternity but forged through pain and suffering. From beginning to end it is a moving expression of Paul's love for his wife, Edrie as they both struggle with the reality of her long-term debilitating illness, and of their love for God as they determine to trust his good and sovereign purposes whatever the circumstances.
Scarily honest, this book is insightful, inspiring and, above all, informed by Scripture. It is a must-read for all of us who struggle with the pain of a broken world and wish to support our fellow-strugglers.
Highly recommended!" - Richard Underwood, Pastoral Director of the FIEC
181 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2013
9 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 8, 2022
(4.4) Simply one of the best books I’ve read on suffering.
Some of the chapters are initially draining or heart-rending as Paul Mallard details the trials that he and his wife Edrie have been through over many years. But as he begins to apply God’s word - most helpfully for me from Job, the Psalms and the close of Revelation - he clearly shows God’s unending grace and care in the dark times.
The book is realistic about the bad days and the good days, the sometimes lasting nature of suffering and the difficulty of uncertainty. It also does a great job of correcting untrue, unhelpful and painful applications that some Christians bring to the table in the midst of suffering.
The final chapter brought me to tears of joy (which is a rarity, believe me). Such a good way to end a wonderful book.
Some of the chapters are initially draining or heart-rending as Paul Mallard details the trials that he and his wife Edrie have been through over many years. But as he begins to apply God’s word - most helpfully for me from Job, the Psalms and the close of Revelation - he clearly shows God’s unending grace and care in the dark times.
The book is realistic about the bad days and the good days, the sometimes lasting nature of suffering and the difficulty of uncertainty. It also does a great job of correcting untrue, unhelpful and painful applications that some Christians bring to the table in the midst of suffering.
The final chapter brought me to tears of joy (which is a rarity, believe me). Such a good way to end a wonderful book.
June 13, 2017
I first came across Paul and Edrie Mallard's story of pain, loss, and suffering when I attended a Faith Mission's Conference in Edinburgh. Paul and his wife, Edrie, are just two ordinary people working in the ministry when their life is turned upside down by a mystery illness (later thought to be MS). As medical tests and procedures continue to come back inconclusive, they grow more and more weary physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This book recounts that story and how they found hope and solace in the midst of these trials, looking at the Biblical themes of suffering, perseverance, and the problem of evil. This book is one that is very Scripturally based and written with a pastoral heart and not a hint of judgement. I really appreciated this book at this current stage in my life where I am also facing a "mystery illness." It is a good reminder that God is in control of everything and that He can use our experiences to draw us closer to Him and also to help us minister to others in new ways.
August 30, 2017
An honest, down to earth account of suffering, and how it made sense in the end to a church pastor. Packed with the great truths of scripture.
February 19, 2021
Really helpful!
February 13, 2022
I think this is the best book I've read so far on the subject of suffering!
January 19, 2023
Awesome book. Simplified and easy to follow. challenging and encouraging at the same time
March 4, 2015
This book, "Invest Your Suffering", is excellent testimony of God's amazing love for His children in times of pain and suffering. The author, Paul Mallard, weaves in anecdotal stories of God's faithfulness along with practical suggestions to show how he and his wife together grew in faith through their battle with MS. Mallard's wife has experienced a wide range of emotional ups and downs in managing and coping with a very debilitating disease, yet by grace still shining brightly with the warmth of intimacy with Christ. This book is a valuable resource for anyone personally going through difficult circumstances, or perhaps walking with others who are. What I love about Mallard's book is that it is rooted in deep theological reflection yet incarnated with everyday practical examples.
April 12, 2016
Truly outstanding - perhaps the most helpful book I have read on the issue. Paul Mallard's book on suffering and the believer encompasses the transcendent truth of God and the gritty pain of day-to-day life in a blend that is easy to grasp. He shares deeply personal struggles which add greatly to the realism of the book's message and illustrate the truth he intends to convey. As someone who knows the on-going hardship of chronic illness I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
November 20, 2013
Outstanding! Everyone will experience the sorrows and sufferings of this fallen world, so everyone should read this book which deals warmly and practically with the issue from the perspective of the author's own experiences.
July 15, 2014
Very engaging and challenging. This is a mix of autobiography and application of God's Word on Paul and his wife's journey through acceptance of a long term illness to eventual embracing of it as part of God's plan for their lives.
May 14, 2015
Brilliant read - encouraging and challenging. It is a great way to build yourself up to help you spiritually the next time you face trials. and I found it a joy to remember that our God is there all the time!
March 7, 2016
A really pastoral exploration of suffering, it was immensely helpful!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews