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Laughing at the Days to Come: Facing Present Trials and Future Uncertainties with Gospel Hope
In Laughing at the Days to Come, Tessa Thompson shares a poignant story of physical suffering and her journey to not only understand God's hand at work in it, but to face the future with laughter. This book is gospel centered and hope-filled. Page after page, the author directs our focus to Christ and his work for us. We all face suffering in this fallen world, but we are not without hope. In Laughing at the Days to Come, readers are equipped to face their own stories of suffering with joy because of our present and future hope in Christ. Tessa Thompson was fifteen years old when she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease that took away her hearing and would eventually cause chronic pain and other health complications. Faced with a future of uncertainty, she encountered Proverbs: 31:25: "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come." The godly woman of Proverbs 31 had something Tessa lacked- a vision for life that allowed her to laugh at the future. Tessa recognized she needed this laughter in order to endure lifelong suffering in a way that honored God. In this warmly personal account, Tessa insightfully considers what she calls the Christian's "peculiar perspective on suffering" and shows you how the hope of God's Word will enable you to laugh at the days to come even in the midst of tears and suffering.
192 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2019
28 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
Tessa Thompson
1 book2 followersTessa Thompson lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her husband, Nick, and enjoys being a stay-at-home mom to their two boys. She has written articles for the True Woman Blog at Revive Our Hearts and is passionate about biblical womanhood, God-glorifying homemaking, and learning to apply Scripture to everyday life.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 3, 2021
This book is wonderful! I bought it because of the title ... Laughing at the Days to Come. When my son was diagnosed with cancer, at the age of 7, the verse from Proverbs 31 from which the author gets her title, became my mantra. Initially I thought how could I possibly laugh at the days to come when they would be filled with sickness, fear, anxiety and possibly even death. How could I lose my son? I questioned God's wisdom, his sovereignty, even his love. But God ... through his Spirit and Word, so graciously revealed that he is a God who can be trusted over every aspect of my life and also the lives of my children. He bestowed on me grace, mercy, faith and trust, through Christ Jesus my Saviour. I was able to laugh at the days to come. At the appointed time, my son was taken home to the Lord. In the midst of intense grief I knew with firm conviction that I could still laugh at the days to come. A glorious future awaits all those who trust in the Lord. And then when I came across the book with this title, without even cracking it open, I felt ... this is my book! My mantra. And indeed it is... it's my story. It's every person's story who is experiencing anxiety, fear, or grief and who needs to be reassured of God's promises that we can face the future with hope and confidence and even laughter. And it's God's story ... his story of redemption and reconciliation in Jesus Christ. Biblically rich, theologically sound, and deeply personal, I highly recommend this book. I can't thank Tessa Thompson enough for putting into words what I have long pondered in my heart. And thank you, Jesus, that we can laugh at the days to come because of your suffering and death on the cross.
January 24, 2020
"A woman who laughs-who sets her hope on the grace that is to be brought to her-is a woman who thinks. And a woman who thinks soundly will be a woman who lives soundly. She believes the gospel and thinks rightly about it, and the resulting godly life is evidence of that. She does this in the day of prosperity, and she does this in the day of suffering. She does not walk in holiness perfectly, but because the Spirit is daily at work in her and she keeps a close guard on her mind, she walks in holiness increasingly."
I highly recommend this book. Tessa Thompson uses the truths of the gospel to help us face our fears with confident expectation in our wonderful sovereign Father.
I regret checking it out from the library because there were many times I wished to underline and mark favorite passages.
2020 A book targeted at your gender (although men would enjoy it as well)
I highly recommend this book. Tessa Thompson uses the truths of the gospel to help us face our fears with confident expectation in our wonderful sovereign Father.
I regret checking it out from the library because there were many times I wished to underline and mark favorite passages.
2020 A book targeted at your gender (although men would enjoy it as well)
September 1, 2022
finally. someone who gets it.
December 29, 2021
Fantastic.
November 13, 2020
Biblically sound. Helpful. Lots of depth. Tessa pulls no punches and pushes back against the word of faith movement through personal experience.
May 31, 2020
A timely read with many points which felt especially applicable to me. Both because of the current pandemic crisis we are living through right now but also because of my own personal struggles with life. The theology was maybe not new to me, but it was sound and had the added weight of coming from someone who has suffered. It is good to be reminded of my Sovereign Lord, who reigns victoriously in Heaven. It is good to be reminded that every trial I face God will use for His glory and my good (my good being as defined by God... so meaning my growth in holiness and Christ-likeness). And to be reminded that this life is not all there is, and there is a future reality to look forward to and long for!
July 13, 2020
Excellent book, written by a fellow sufferer who gives an honest discussion on what it means to laugh at the days to come. A great book for all women to help them have a gospel centered perspective on life and hope filled laughter for the future! I would highly recommend this book!!
March 18, 2021
This book is so good! As someone who has a disability, I really related to the honest fears and struggles that can add to life, and I was extremely encouraged by her consistent pointing to the Gospel and Christ.
December 18, 2023
I hate to give low reviews to Christian books but this one doesn’t leave me much choice but to rate it a two stars at the most. It’s useful and encouraging book at some points, as well as perplexingly ignorant on some affirmations, as early as in chapter 2, when the reader (and I have my perplexities on the choice of this reader) uses the word, feminism, with a definitive change of tone (surprisingly as her general inflection is that of boredom) to a dismissive and dispregiative inflection, as well as talking, in chapter 3 about wanting to grow her son under the rules of biblical masculinity…?!
With the disgraceful ignorance, very present among some Christians, that the women in the Bible times, were what it now falls under the term feminism, independent women, such as Lidia supporting with her own business Jesus and the disciples, and so many others like her, as the Bible says the women (not men with their businesses) were supporting the early christians it’s disheartening to find such lack in a book that talks about women laughing at the times to come.
So many other stereotypes are present, such as “women tend to be worriers”… I know plenty of men who worry but may not manifest it verbally or by biting their nails. So if you don’t fall for stereotypes avoid this book because it’s full of it.
Then she moves on saying being a wife, mother and grandmother are her “life callings”?! Does this imply a woman who cannot fullfil any of this roles by nature or choice has no “life calling”? One is left wondering but she quickly moves on about being worried to
fall under the weakness of her husband’s “weak desire of the flesh” and to become a “victim” of adultery!
She often manifests her fears that God may take away more if her health after taking away hearing and whilst sympathetic with her at the beginning her way of viewing God create sone alarm in me as I am very sick myself with multiple cancers but I don’t want to indulge in a view of God that isn’t what supports me as his child.
The last part is a long sermon about not giving up on Sunday’s church services and on the common gathering with the saints even when things are tough.
I will rate it two stars because although I was disappointed with the content of this book I appreciate the effort she put into it but if it wasn’t for that it will be one star, especially because the reader is doing a terrible job, I though for the longest time it was a computerized A.I. voice until, quite irritated by its monotony, I went to check and realized it was a woman who for some reason breaks words and syllables with odd inflections at whim.
With the disgraceful ignorance, very present among some Christians, that the women in the Bible times, were what it now falls under the term feminism, independent women, such as Lidia supporting with her own business Jesus and the disciples, and so many others like her, as the Bible says the women (not men with their businesses) were supporting the early christians it’s disheartening to find such lack in a book that talks about women laughing at the times to come.
So many other stereotypes are present, such as “women tend to be worriers”… I know plenty of men who worry but may not manifest it verbally or by biting their nails. So if you don’t fall for stereotypes avoid this book because it’s full of it.
Then she moves on saying being a wife, mother and grandmother are her “life callings”?! Does this imply a woman who cannot fullfil any of this roles by nature or choice has no “life calling”? One is left wondering but she quickly moves on about being worried to
fall under the weakness of her husband’s “weak desire of the flesh” and to become a “victim” of adultery!
She often manifests her fears that God may take away more if her health after taking away hearing and whilst sympathetic with her at the beginning her way of viewing God create sone alarm in me as I am very sick myself with multiple cancers but I don’t want to indulge in a view of God that isn’t what supports me as his child.
The last part is a long sermon about not giving up on Sunday’s church services and on the common gathering with the saints even when things are tough.
I will rate it two stars because although I was disappointed with the content of this book I appreciate the effort she put into it but if it wasn’t for that it will be one star, especially because the reader is doing a terrible job, I though for the longest time it was a computerized A.I. voice until, quite irritated by its monotony, I went to check and realized it was a woman who for some reason breaks words and syllables with odd inflections at whim.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2020
In the final chapter of the book of Proverbs, King Lemuel instructs his son on finding a woman who is worthy of marrying, and he writes, “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. (Proverbs 31:25, ESV).
Tessa Thompson, the author of Laughing at the Days to Come: Facing Present Trials and Future Uncertainties with Gospel Hope argues that being able to laugh at the days to come is essential for the godly woman (and person, I add).
Thompson was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 when she was sixteen years old – when she went deaf. The disease causes tumors to form on the auditory nerves which brings about deafness. Tumors can grow in other parts of the body, and it is a disease of chronic pain. Her father went deaf with this disease in his forties.
Thompson addresses her book specially to women – though men can certainly profit from her wisdom – and she divides her book into three sections: Laughter: It’s Definition, Laughter: It’s Doctrine, and Laughter: It’s Doing.
It’s Definition is found in “liv[ing] a life that reflects what is; namely, the present abiding reality of God” (16). For, “the gospel promises us that this earthly vale of tears is not the end and our suffering here is fleeting, not final” (33).
It’s Doctrine is found in Peter telling us that we have “a living hope” (51). “He [God the Father] desires our highest good, and our highest good is God-glorifying, Christ-exalting, Spirit-enabled holiness” (79). “But the distinguishing mark of laughter at the days to come is an unwavering confidence that God will carry out His promises and finish what He began” (94).
It’s Doing is found in knowing that we are given doctrine to know what we ought to know and believe about God and the Gospel, and that we would live in the light of those truths (118).
If you think you might suffer, if you are suffering, if you think you might suffer in the future, if you want to be assured that God loves you, Christ has live and died and risen for you, and the Holy Spirit is upholding you day by day, this is a great book to read. I would put this on my list of books every Christian should read.
If you want insight into what the Bible teaches us about suffering and how we are to live in the light of the truth about God and the Gospel – whether you are a woman or a man – this is a great resource.
[This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]
Tessa Thompson, the author of Laughing at the Days to Come: Facing Present Trials and Future Uncertainties with Gospel Hope argues that being able to laugh at the days to come is essential for the godly woman (and person, I add).
Thompson was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 when she was sixteen years old – when she went deaf. The disease causes tumors to form on the auditory nerves which brings about deafness. Tumors can grow in other parts of the body, and it is a disease of chronic pain. Her father went deaf with this disease in his forties.
Thompson addresses her book specially to women – though men can certainly profit from her wisdom – and she divides her book into three sections: Laughter: It’s Definition, Laughter: It’s Doctrine, and Laughter: It’s Doing.
It’s Definition is found in “liv[ing] a life that reflects what is; namely, the present abiding reality of God” (16). For, “the gospel promises us that this earthly vale of tears is not the end and our suffering here is fleeting, not final” (33).
It’s Doctrine is found in Peter telling us that we have “a living hope” (51). “He [God the Father] desires our highest good, and our highest good is God-glorifying, Christ-exalting, Spirit-enabled holiness” (79). “But the distinguishing mark of laughter at the days to come is an unwavering confidence that God will carry out His promises and finish what He began” (94).
It’s Doing is found in knowing that we are given doctrine to know what we ought to know and believe about God and the Gospel, and that we would live in the light of those truths (118).
If you think you might suffer, if you are suffering, if you think you might suffer in the future, if you want to be assured that God loves you, Christ has live and died and risen for you, and the Holy Spirit is upholding you day by day, this is a great book to read. I would put this on my list of books every Christian should read.
If you want insight into what the Bible teaches us about suffering and how we are to live in the light of the truth about God and the Gospel – whether you are a woman or a man – this is a great resource.
[This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]
June 14, 2020
(NOTE: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book or a B. 3 stars means a very good book or a B+. 4 stars means an outstanding book or an A {only about 5% of the books I read merit 4 stars}. 5 stars means an all time favorite or an A+ {Only one of 400 or 500 books rates this!).
The great news is that I can listen to a book a day at work. The bad news is that I can’t keep up with decent reviews. So I’m going to give up for now and just rate them. I hope to come back to some of the most significant things I listen to and read them and then post a review.
This book has a helpful perspective. Recommended.
The great news is that I can listen to a book a day at work. The bad news is that I can’t keep up with decent reviews. So I’m going to give up for now and just rate them. I hope to come back to some of the most significant things I listen to and read them and then post a review.
This book has a helpful perspective. Recommended.
July 11, 2024
I feel like there are two books here. One that focuses on Proverbs 31 "laughing at the days to come" from the perspective of a woman tending to her home...and one that should have been written by a man because it goes too far into theology about God's characteristics. Over all, a good read that can help you through some tough times (or prepare you for them in the future.) I loved learning about the author's hearing loss and her struggles and contentment throughout that. ❤️
May 10, 2021
I loved this book. Every chapter was such a delight. Convicting, encouraging, refreshing. Tessa describes her journey of coming to understand and delight in God’s sovereignty and how this understanding can affect the way we look at our present trials and future unknowns, be it singleness, sicknesses or parenting troubles.
March 9, 2021
God is good. All that he is and does is good. We can laugh at the days to come for our hope is in this truth. God wins. Good wins. Good came and will come again. There is joy to be had and found in the midst of suffering and hardships. Laugh.
January 5, 2024
My take away from this book was to laugh, love, cry, and LIVE to the glory of God.
He works ALL things for good for His children, whether the circumstances seem pleasant or unpleasant. He is sovereign and GOOD. Excellent read.
He works ALL things for good for His children, whether the circumstances seem pleasant or unpleasant. He is sovereign and GOOD. Excellent read.
August 28, 2023
One of those rare books that as soon as you finish you realize would be helpful to read again.
April 7, 2024
This book was encouraging and helpful in all the best ways. I borrowed this from my mother-in-law, but I should definitely buy a copy of my own to re-read in the future.
May 28, 2024
Very well written and organized. Her theology of suffering has been beautifully shaped and learned through her own and her study of God's Word.
November 30, 2025
Tessa writes like a letter from a friend. This book is a sweet testimony and an encouragement to the believer.
December 13, 2023
This is exactly the type of book that people need to read if they are going through any trials in life.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews