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Beside Bethesda: 31 Days Toward Deeper Healing
A 31-day devotional from bestselling author and speaker Joni Eareckson Tada that takes readers on a month-long journey toward the deepest healing God offers. The entire book is framed against Joni’s visit to the healing pool of Bethesda to seek healing where Jesus healed.
As Joni relates aspects of her own journey in dealing with the most painful “unanswered prayer” of her life, readers will learn to see beyond potential quick fixes to the deepest and greatest solutions God has for them. As the journey continues, readers deal with topics such as contentment, patience, unanswered prayer, transformation through suffering, wrestling with God, and hoping in God.
As Joni relates aspects of her own journey in dealing with the most painful “unanswered prayer” of her life, readers will learn to see beyond potential quick fixes to the deepest and greatest solutions God has for them. As the journey continues, readers deal with topics such as contentment, patience, unanswered prayer, transformation through suffering, wrestling with God, and hoping in God.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2014
12 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Joni Eareckson Tada
323 books551 followersJoni Eareckson Tada is an American evangelical Christian author, radio host, artist, and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization "accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community".
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 31, 2021
I loved this book! It gives a slightly different viewpoint regarding everyday situations and Bible verses that we often cite. This book made me take a hard look at myself, at how I view things, and will help me in my Christian living. I finished a little early so I could share with someone else. I feel that the Lord laid it on my heart to share this book. I highly encourage reading this one!
July 20, 2024
I wanted to appreciate this more than I did. I do appreciate Joni Eareckson-Tada, but I found this book more cheery than I wanted it to be. I wanted her to spend more time with me in sadness without telling me that sadness is sinful. Jesus mourned, too, but she seems to jump straight from self-pity to all is well.
October 7, 2017
By Joni Eareckson Tada.
Words from someone who has given her life to serve Jesus.
Refreshing, encouraging, reminding, us, me that God never gives up! He's always there.
He will Never forsake.
A breath of fresh air, a refreshing drink of pure water.
Words from someone who has given her life to serve Jesus.
Refreshing, encouraging, reminding, us, me that God never gives up! He's always there.
He will Never forsake.
A breath of fresh air, a refreshing drink of pure water.
June 30, 2018
Love anything by Joni! This was great as a nighttime devotional. A wonderful message of contentment in the face of suffering and confidence in Christ.
September 14, 2020
Suffering or joy? Joy through suffering? Suffering joyfully? All through God? For Joni yes, so this seems.
Want to read
January 18, 2022This title landed on my to-read after it was referenced in later chapters of...
The Scars that have Shaped Me, Vaneetha Rendall Risner, 2016
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
July 23, 2025
Wonderful.
October 18, 2025
What a gift of encouragement! Joni's words are a blessing and this little book is a balm for those dealing with disabilities, chronic illness, or suffering.
March 8, 2016
Beside Bethesda is a new devotion book by Joni Eareckson Tada. In this book she shares about her suffering with quadriplegia, and she takes the reader on a 31 day journey of discovering the ways God uses our suffering to bring about what she calls “a deeper healing.”
The title of the book comes from the story in John 5 of the man who lay beside the pool of Bethesda for 38 years, longing for healing. When Jesus saw him, He knew that he had been there for a long time. Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be well, and then He healed him.
Following her diving accident, Joni longed for healing. She would picture herself by the pool of Bethesda, waiting for Jesus to come. She longed for Jesus to see her and not pass her by. Though the physical healing that Joni sought never came, in time she learned that she had received a deeper healing. Jesus had not passed her by. He did not grant her desire for immediate physical healing, but He began a process of healing her deep within, giving her peace and joy, and transforming her through suffering to make her more like Christ.
In Beside Bethesda, Joni takes the reader on a journey through what she has learned about this deeper healing. She shows through her personal testimony and through God’s Word that suffering is not in vain. With the gentleness and wisdom of someone who has suffered, Joni explains how God uses the hard things in life to make us more like Christ. The reader will learn how to live with joy, find hope, and have peace in the hard times. The reader is challenged to walk more closely with Jesus, to see the inner transformation that God brings about through trials, and to trust in God’s sovereign plan for his or her life.
Beside Bethesda is a book that will be encouraging and refreshing for a Christian who is suffering. This book would make a wonderful gift for someone who is living with an illness or disability and struggling to understand why God has not granted physical healing. I heartily recommend this book!
Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of Beside Bethesda. All opinions are my own.
The title of the book comes from the story in John 5 of the man who lay beside the pool of Bethesda for 38 years, longing for healing. When Jesus saw him, He knew that he had been there for a long time. Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be well, and then He healed him.
Following her diving accident, Joni longed for healing. She would picture herself by the pool of Bethesda, waiting for Jesus to come. She longed for Jesus to see her and not pass her by. Though the physical healing that Joni sought never came, in time she learned that she had received a deeper healing. Jesus had not passed her by. He did not grant her desire for immediate physical healing, but He began a process of healing her deep within, giving her peace and joy, and transforming her through suffering to make her more like Christ.
In Beside Bethesda, Joni takes the reader on a journey through what she has learned about this deeper healing. She shows through her personal testimony and through God’s Word that suffering is not in vain. With the gentleness and wisdom of someone who has suffered, Joni explains how God uses the hard things in life to make us more like Christ. The reader will learn how to live with joy, find hope, and have peace in the hard times. The reader is challenged to walk more closely with Jesus, to see the inner transformation that God brings about through trials, and to trust in God’s sovereign plan for his or her life.
Beside Bethesda is a book that will be encouraging and refreshing for a Christian who is suffering. This book would make a wonderful gift for someone who is living with an illness or disability and struggling to understand why God has not granted physical healing. I heartily recommend this book!
Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of Beside Bethesda. All opinions are my own.
November 25, 2014
Beside Bethesda is a 31 day devotional written by Joni Eareckson Tada. It is concerned with pain and suffering and "deeper healing." Within the devotional, she shares personal stories and insights. Several times she's mentions within the text that she has been in her wheelchair for 47 years. She reflects a bit on what she's learned in those decades. It's honest reflecting. Her desire for physical healing, but, her ever-increasing joy in the spiritual healing that God has blessed her with instead. In addition to telling her personal story, which, some readers might already be familiar with, she shares more about her recent battle with cancer.
There were a few things that stood out to me as I was reading. One thing is her memorization of Scripture. She tells of how memory work has helped her tremendously through the years. How foundational it was to her clinging to hope and joy and peace. She shares several verses that have been a big help to her. Romans 15:4, in part, reads "whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." It's something to keep in mind always. The Bible is a Christian's treasure. God speaks to us through his Word. His promises to us are within the Word. And it is our privilege, our joy to find those promises, to cling to them, to treasure them. Scriptures should be influencing our prayers and our lives. The other thing that stood out to me was the struggle--the fight--against depression and for contentment. She writes about how discouraging thoughts, depression, and boredom can weigh you down, can strip you of joy and peace. Go to God with how you feel, but, don't hold onto those negative feelings, don't meditate on them, dwell on them. Feed instead on the word of God. Let his promises have a place in your heart and mind.
I would definitely recommend this little devotional to believers that enjoy reading devotions.
There were a few things that stood out to me as I was reading. One thing is her memorization of Scripture. She tells of how memory work has helped her tremendously through the years. How foundational it was to her clinging to hope and joy and peace. She shares several verses that have been a big help to her. Romans 15:4, in part, reads "whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." It's something to keep in mind always. The Bible is a Christian's treasure. God speaks to us through his Word. His promises to us are within the Word. And it is our privilege, our joy to find those promises, to cling to them, to treasure them. Scriptures should be influencing our prayers and our lives. The other thing that stood out to me was the struggle--the fight--against depression and for contentment. She writes about how discouraging thoughts, depression, and boredom can weigh you down, can strip you of joy and peace. Go to God with how you feel, but, don't hold onto those negative feelings, don't meditate on them, dwell on them. Feed instead on the word of God. Let his promises have a place in your heart and mind.
I would definitely recommend this little devotional to believers that enjoy reading devotions.
September 18, 2014
Beside Bethesda is a 31 day devotional book which focuses on deeper healing. Its author, Joni Eareckson Tada, has been a quadriplegic for forty seven years since a diving accident as a teenager. Suffering, pain, and unanswered prayers are no strangers to Joni.
In this short book, each entry uses the healing of the invalid at the pool of Bethesda as it backdrop to topics dealing with suffering, wrestling with God, questions, doubts, and finding hope in God. Each day includes a devotional, Scripture, and Going Deeper meant to get the reader to grow in their relationship with God.
This book is written with authenticity and transparency into Joni’s struggles through the years. She brings the reader to the understanding that while the Lord cares about our disappointments and pain, He never promised to remove all the hardships we face. She states, “No, there will be times when He allows them, purposes them, permits them, and even ordains them for our good.” Joni gently leads her readers to the realization that God’s highest priority remains the healing of our sin-damaged souls over our physical healing.
This is a beautiful and meaningful devotional not only for those suffering with their physicality but also for those who experience brokenness through painful situations. No matter what the reader is going through, this is a book sure to bring comfort, hope and healing.
**Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
In this short book, each entry uses the healing of the invalid at the pool of Bethesda as it backdrop to topics dealing with suffering, wrestling with God, questions, doubts, and finding hope in God. Each day includes a devotional, Scripture, and Going Deeper meant to get the reader to grow in their relationship with God.
This book is written with authenticity and transparency into Joni’s struggles through the years. She brings the reader to the understanding that while the Lord cares about our disappointments and pain, He never promised to remove all the hardships we face. She states, “No, there will be times when He allows them, purposes them, permits them, and even ordains them for our good.” Joni gently leads her readers to the realization that God’s highest priority remains the healing of our sin-damaged souls over our physical healing.
This is a beautiful and meaningful devotional not only for those suffering with their physicality but also for those who experience brokenness through painful situations. No matter what the reader is going through, this is a book sure to bring comfort, hope and healing.
**Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 9, 2015
I have such admiration for Joni. I've written about her several times here on this blog, and you know how her previous books have encouraged me. I'll tell you that when I chose this book for review, I was excited knowing that I would be giving it away here. However, as I got deeper and deeper into the study, I began to wrestle with God over that. It was almost like a tug-of-war.
Me: "I need to keep this one, Lord. That's ok, right?"
God: You know you need to give this book to a reader.
Me: "But Lord, this book speaks to me! It's Joni! Can't I give the next one away?"
God: I have this worked out already. Someone else needs this, too. You know what you need to do.
We went on like that for some time. Then the most wonderful thing happened. Just a few days ago, I received a package in the mail from my friend, Joanne. She had also reviewed this book. God had told her to send it to me.
Wow. Did that sink in yet? It's taking a while for me to process, although it shouldn't surprise me at all.
My review of this book is that you will grow while reading it. It's a journey you go on with sweet Joni. It's beautiful in a way that you can't understand unless you're suffering and you get this in your hands. In your heart. It goes deep and wide and it will renew your hope and faith.
Me: "I need to keep this one, Lord. That's ok, right?"
God: You know you need to give this book to a reader.
Me: "But Lord, this book speaks to me! It's Joni! Can't I give the next one away?"
God: I have this worked out already. Someone else needs this, too. You know what you need to do.
We went on like that for some time. Then the most wonderful thing happened. Just a few days ago, I received a package in the mail from my friend, Joanne. She had also reviewed this book. God had told her to send it to me.
Wow. Did that sink in yet? It's taking a while for me to process, although it shouldn't surprise me at all.
My review of this book is that you will grow while reading it. It's a journey you go on with sweet Joni. It's beautiful in a way that you can't understand unless you're suffering and you get this in your hands. In your heart. It goes deep and wide and it will renew your hope and faith.
Read
December 29, 2014In Beside Bethesda, Joni Eareckson Tada offers 31 days of reflection from her own life experience and encounter with Jesus. Subtitled “toward deeper healing,” this book describes both Joni’s struggles and her genuine faith, with practical, hope-filled wisdom for everyday living.
Day 28 on “Not Why but How” is my favourite . . . . Read more
Day 28 on “Not Why but How” is my favourite . . . . Read more
October 1, 2015
Deeper healing
Joni Eareckson Tada has often given me much to think about and pray about as I face my own disability. This book has shown me that God has a reason for my continuing lack of physical healing, and that He does love me.
Joni Eareckson Tada has often given me much to think about and pray about as I face my own disability. This book has shown me that God has a reason for my continuing lack of physical healing, and that He does love me.
April 13, 2015
Credible words of wisdom from a woman who knows what it means to trust Jesus in the midst of suffering. A very encouraging devotional.
March 25, 2015
Ministered to my soul.
May 1, 2015
I really loved this book. It is a christian book, and it talks about how this woman, Joni Eareckson Tada, had to deal with her injury throughout her life. It was so practical to my life as well.
Read
December 21, 2023Confronterend, zoals alleen goede boeken kunnen zijn.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews