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God's Purposes in Our Pain: 10 Ways God Uses Suffering for Our Good
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jun 26Why 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
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
168 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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.
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.
March 19, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
April 30, 2026
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
Gifted an advanced copy from #Netgalley
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews