God's Purposes in Our Pain: 10 Ways God Uses Suffering for Our Good

by Kenneth Berding, Keith R. Krell

Why God Allows Suffering and How He Uses It to Transform Us

Why does God allow his children to suffer? While we may not always learn the cause of a specific trial we face, Scripture does address the question "Why?" with two compelling so that. God's Word promises that God's purposes will prevail in and through our suffering.

God's Purposes in Our Pain examines 10 powerful statements from 2 Corinthians that highlight how God transforms our suffering. Written for Christians struggling to understand why they experience grief, this book explains how suffering prepares us to strengthen others, rely on God's provision, display the life of Christ, glorify God for his grace, and more.

Each chapter is dedicated to an individual purpose and features illustrative stories and examples from Scripture, as well as reflection questions. Accessible and pastoral, this book helps us gain an eternal perspective as we endure pain and deepen our trust in the God who raises the dead.

Biblical Ministers to people dealing with physical pain, emotional struggles, loss, or grief Filled with illustrations and practical applications A Great Resource for Pastors and Small Reflection questions at the end of each chapter make the book personal and applicable

Genres: Christian

168 pages, Paperback

Published June 23, 2026

Reviews

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second Corinthians is a sadly overlooked book in the NT corpus. Its strong theme of suffering is needed, today and always. The two authors of this book look at instances in the book of Paul's use of hina, a word that means "in order that, so that." They seek to ascertain times that Paul uses this word to explain reasons for suffering. (They focus on prospective reasons, not prior explanations for the suffering. For that I guess you can just blame Adam.) They helpfully discuss suffering, but I'm not always convinced by their exegesis.

There are ten chapters/purposes to the book, as the subtitle notes. They write that God allows us to suffer so that we will:

1. be prepared to strengthen others who suffer (1.3–5);
2. trust in God, who raises the dead (1.8–11);
3. display Jesus, not ourselves (4.7–11);
4. glorify God for his abundant grace (4.15);
5. yearn for the future (4.16–5.10);
6. repent when repentance is needed (7.8–10);
7. support each other during times of hardship (8.13–15);
8. experience God's provision (9.8–11);
9. counteract conceit (12.7);
10. welcome weakness for spiritual strength (12.8–10).

I'm sure these are all goals that the Lord seeks to achieve in our lives. Nevertheless, when you tie your work so close to grammar, you'd better be real sure that each use of that one Greek term is in fact in the near context of suffering. I'm not sure of some of these. But, like I said, they are uses of the purpose clause in Greek, and they are at least connected somehow to suffering. But the authors don't always make a strong case or connection in their writing.

But it's good to be thoughtful about suffering, and I appreciate the book. If you can't trust God's purposes in your suffering, I'm not sure you're even a Christian. It's what he's promised in this life--well, that and his very self.

[Christopher Fiore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pain—what a difficult subject. So often, we want to find the reason for our suffering, and if we are honest, it is to assign blame or find a way to escape the pain we are experiencing. God’s Purposes in Our Pain is a biblical exploration of 2 Corinthians and some of the ways in which God might use suffering in the lives of His children.

I found myself encouraged as I read this book, rooted in biblical truth and practical for daily life. With each chapter, I found myself looking more deeply into the heart of God and the ways in which He lovingly walks with us through difficult circumstances and seasons. I gained understanding of some of the ways in which God utilizes suffering in this life for our good.

This is not just a book about suffering; it is also about having our eyes fixed on God and being united in love as the body of Christ. It is about living as exiles in this life, knowing that suffering is forming something in us: the character of Christ. It is about grasping the deepest truth that He is with us in all things.

Simple, accessible, and grounded in Scripture, this book will hold a place on my shelf as a recommended resource for those experiencing suffering, those seeking to know God more deeply, and those wanting to be better equipped to walk alongside others in difficult seasons.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

With God’s Purposes in Our Pain, Drs. Kenneth Berding and Keith Krell have provided us with not only an excellent exegesis of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, but balm for our wounded and weary souls. They note Paul’s letter as a repository of many of the divine purposes behind allowing pain into the lives of God’s children. With transparent honesty, pastoral wisdom, and grace that has been poured into them by God through their own seasons of suffering, Berding and Krell walk beside us in our own pain. God is good. God is wise. God is sovereign. He is to be trusted, even in the midst of pain. Though you may not know the precise reason for a particular episode of suffering, you are given light from the God who willingly entered into our suffering (and redeemed it and us) to know that that reason exists, and it is ultimately kind, loving, and redeeming. I heartily recommend this book to all who have suffered, are suffering, or walking beside those who are.

[Lianna Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated this book for its clear adherence to Scripture. It felt like a unique contribution among the many books on suffering. While it may not be the first book I would hand to someone in the midst of deep suffering—where other truths may be more immediately needed—it would be especially helpful for those seeking to prepare their hearts for future trials.

As I read, I often found myself reflected in these pages, and I was encouraged by the reminder of God’s purposes in my pain. I am grateful that God is sovereign over my days and every circumstance in my life. This book helped me see His hand even more clearly in the midst of suffering.

[Nitoy Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

This great book dives and focus on 2 Corinthians where the apostle Paul talks about his sufferings and how God used it to strengthen him and in return glorify God. The issue of suffering is a sensitive and serious one. This book doesn't minimized, side step or exaggerate this issue. Instead, the authors, having their personal pain and suffering, uphold the Scripture in 2 Corinthians. For a short chapter and verse it gave 10 reasons. This book is highly recommended specially for those who is going through painful seasons of their lives.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors take us on a journey through the book of 2 Corinthians to highlight 10 of the many ways God uses our suffering for our good and His glory. They share personal experiences of suffering in their own lives as well as others that help tie together the many biblical examples they give. Though not my first recommendation to someone walking through suffering, it is a solid resource that I would feel comfortable sharing.

Gifted an advanced copy from #Netgalley