What do you think?
Rate this book
The Uninvited Companion: God's Shaping Us in His Love Through Life's Adversities
As paradoxical as it seems, God in his wisdom has designed the human soul to require sufferings of various kinds in the redemptive process. “Why” is a normal human response to such realities. God is gracious to give us, at times some insight into the hard realities of life. Still much mystery abounds as God offers us something more substantial than mere cerebral knowledge. He desires to give himself to us. Thus, “how” is a wiser question to dwell upon. How is God inviting us to walk well with him and others in the midst of life’s pains? The Uninvited Companion reflects upon the shaping work of a loving Father through life’s hardships. As we allow him to show us how to respond well to him during seasons of adversity, he draws us deeper into his love, life and wisdom. Our sufferings have deep, transformative impact on us. We become carriers of God’s loving presence to others in their adversities. The Uninvited Companion wrestles with the impact of prolonged personal hardship. Scott has lived with chronic health limitations for a decade. Over this time hard topics of loss, grief, God's mysterious and wise ways in our lives, and his larger purposes have been explored. Along the way, our personal adversities are used to draw us into his love, shape us into wise men and women and that can overflow into the lives of those around us. The church today needs more elders in the faith. Suffering is one of many means God uses to mature such wisdom amongst his people.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2017
55 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 10, 2019
This book had some profound thoughts on suffering and God's greater purposes. Highly recommend for those who struggle with any kind of adversity or who want to better come alongside someone who is suffering. "Pain has a focusing impact on our hearts. Less important matters fade away. God has our attention. He is weaning us from that which distracts or otherwise harms us in our walk with him and others. As we lean back into the God who is always leaning toward us in the context of suffering, we are being, albeit slowly, transformed into all he has created and redeemed us to be in his love."
September 2, 2024
This book was good! It felt repetitive to me at times, but I think that’s the nature of a lot of books in this genre (informative, yet devotional). I thought the major theme of developing a solid theology of suffering was very well done. I especially loved the following quotes:
“But God’s primary longing for us is not for our comfort; it is for our communion…His primary desire is always relational. Suffering is but one means he uses to catch our attention and draw us deeper into himself.”
“Presence is what God offers each of us, and presence is what each of us can offer each other. There is no greater gift we can offer another than companionship.”
I will most likely reread this book later in life (in a season of suffering) and will recommend it to others.
“But God’s primary longing for us is not for our comfort; it is for our communion…His primary desire is always relational. Suffering is but one means he uses to catch our attention and draw us deeper into himself.”
“Presence is what God offers each of us, and presence is what each of us can offer each other. There is no greater gift we can offer another than companionship.”
I will most likely reread this book later in life (in a season of suffering) and will recommend it to others.
March 3, 2018
This is, without a doubt, the most impactful book related to missionary care I've ever read. (It is equally applicable to every Christian, missionary or not.) You will never look at adversity in the same way after digesting what Scott has to say. His years of personal experience in this arena have yielded, not simply a theological treatise on suffering, but a paraclete of sorts. Read it for yourself; read it for those to whom God would have you come alongside in their painful circumstances.
February 11, 2020
This! If you are suffering, facing trials, etc...or have faced them...or know people that are... Read this!
One of the best books I have read in a long time! And so applicable to where I am at!
One of the best books I have read in a long time! And so applicable to where I am at!
April 21, 2019
Good scriptural Theology of Suffering.
Good scriptural Theology of Suffering. Not popular in today’s culture or even the church which tries to medicate pain, or find a short cut out.
The book could have benefited from some better editing. Seems a bit longer than needed. I appreciate that each chapter took an example of a sufferer from Scripture, and that there were very few contemporary anecdotes.
The last chapter was worth the whole book. I appreciated his insight that God uses suffering to mature us, and the best we may be able to offer is not to “fix” the problem but to offer our presence in the pain. The character sketch of Epaphroditus as one who risked his own well-being to look after Paul’s well-being was inspiring.
I think the teaching of this book ought to be held in one hand, and skill as a Biblical Counselor in the other. With someone who is grieving, we ought to listen and be present, without being too hasty to offer a fix. But we ought not leave the one grieving there indefinitely. God’s word has truth that may need to be spoken and applied to the situation in the appropriate time.
Good scriptural Theology of Suffering. Not popular in today’s culture or even the church which tries to medicate pain, or find a short cut out.
The book could have benefited from some better editing. Seems a bit longer than needed. I appreciate that each chapter took an example of a sufferer from Scripture, and that there were very few contemporary anecdotes.
The last chapter was worth the whole book. I appreciated his insight that God uses suffering to mature us, and the best we may be able to offer is not to “fix” the problem but to offer our presence in the pain. The character sketch of Epaphroditus as one who risked his own well-being to look after Paul’s well-being was inspiring.
I think the teaching of this book ought to be held in one hand, and skill as a Biblical Counselor in the other. With someone who is grieving, we ought to listen and be present, without being too hasty to offer a fix. But we ought not leave the one grieving there indefinitely. God’s word has truth that may need to be spoken and applied to the situation in the appropriate time.
March 2, 2020
A useful reminder that suffering - whether physical, mental or emotional - is a normal part of life, to some extent. God can be with us in it, and suffering can be an important tool in our Christian growth. Whether it brings patience, or better understanding, or merely forces us to slow down, it is not always a bad thing.
Anecdotes from the author's life and examples from Scripture are included as well as some direct teaching. I didn't agree that we should not attempt to help someone when suffering, either to relieve pain via medication, or to advise them if we can. But most of the book is sound and helpful, including the advice to be a good listener and not to try to rationalise or deny suffering.
A bit repetitive and long-winded in places, but basically a good book on the topic. A strong Christian emphasis means this is unlikely to be of interest to those without faith. I'd also recommend getting it second-hand or finding a way to read it at no cost; I downloaded it on special offer, but would not have paid the current high Kindle price.
Full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
Anecdotes from the author's life and examples from Scripture are included as well as some direct teaching. I didn't agree that we should not attempt to help someone when suffering, either to relieve pain via medication, or to advise them if we can. But most of the book is sound and helpful, including the advice to be a good listener and not to try to rationalise or deny suffering.
A bit repetitive and long-winded in places, but basically a good book on the topic. A strong Christian emphasis means this is unlikely to be of interest to those without faith. I'd also recommend getting it second-hand or finding a way to read it at no cost; I downloaded it on special offer, but would not have paid the current high Kindle price.
Full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
August 16, 2023
Why?
This book was recommended by a friend , well he's also a Pastor to our missionaries. I am journeying with God and working towards ordination myself and during this time I have lost the use of the left side of my face due to an unexpected injury from surgery. I say all this to say that this book has helped me see that God is still presence and working in my life and my suffering may well be for the benefit of others. Christlikeness is what I seek, thank you Jesus for allowing me to suffer with you!
This book was recommended by a friend , well he's also a Pastor to our missionaries. I am journeying with God and working towards ordination myself and during this time I have lost the use of the left side of my face due to an unexpected injury from surgery. I say all this to say that this book has helped me see that God is still presence and working in my life and my suffering may well be for the benefit of others. Christlikeness is what I seek, thank you Jesus for allowing me to suffer with you!
May 16, 2018
5+!
Walking with God through suffering, allowing Him to fully work in us and through us without seeking escape from the pain, is somewhat countercultural in our "quick fix" society where we tend more towards ignoring grief and inhibiting the full process needed to experience the good that comes through suffering. This book was a timely read!
Walking with God through suffering, allowing Him to fully work in us and through us without seeking escape from the pain, is somewhat countercultural in our "quick fix" society where we tend more towards ignoring grief and inhibiting the full process needed to experience the good that comes through suffering. This book was a timely read!
November 10, 2022
Highly recommend this book and believe it should be on the book shelf of every Christian. As someone who struggles with chronic health issues I could relate to the author of this book.
It helped me to see "suffering" in a new perspective. In our suffering we definitely rely on the Lord more so than if we lived a life void of pain. A must read.
It helped me to see "suffering" in a new perspective. In our suffering we definitely rely on the Lord more so than if we lived a life void of pain. A must read.
October 1, 2020
I truly give this book five stars. I feel like I've read a good number of books on suffering and this is my favorite. Not only encourages us how to go through suffering but also how we can help others in their suffering.
November 30, 2018
Really, really helpful, very glad to have read this
January 1, 2019
I thought that this was going to be a rather shallow book (my prejudice) and was very pleasantly surprised. I particularly recommend this for anyone involved in Stephen Ministry.
March 3, 2023
Simple, and yet a profound view on how to walk through suffering with Father, Son & Spirit.
January 10, 2020
Sound biblical treatment of an important topic. Scott deals honestly and openly about his own experience of suffering and provides a well thought out reflection on what it means for one's life. I highly recommend this book to anyone going through suffering and anyone who wants to be prepared should pain and suffering become a part of their life.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews