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Quand Dieu pleure - Pourquoi le Tout-Puissant compatit à nos souffrances
Since our trust and obedience rest on God's character, the questions that life's tragedies force us to face are difficult, even frightening.
Who is God?
Can he really be trusted?
What are his purposes in the face of suffering?
If he can stop suffering, why doesn't he?
Joni Eareckson Tada, a woman who has lived in a wheelchair for more than thirty years, and Steven Estes, a pastor and one of Joni's closest friends, explore the answers. When God Weeps is not so much a book about suffering as it is about God. It tackles tough questions about heaven and hell, horrors and hardships, and why God allows suffering in this life.
Who is God?
Can he really be trusted?
What are his purposes in the face of suffering?
If he can stop suffering, why doesn't he?
Joni Eareckson Tada, a woman who has lived in a wheelchair for more than thirty years, and Steven Estes, a pastor and one of Joni's closest friends, explore the answers. When God Weeps is not so much a book about suffering as it is about God. It tackles tough questions about heaven and hell, horrors and hardships, and why God allows suffering in this life.
ebook
Published January 1, 2020
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791 people want to read
About the author
Joni Eareckson Tada
323 books549 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 - 30 of 69 reviews
January 1, 2025
Man this book has been one of the most challenging and encouraging books I’ve ever read. After many years now of watching people I love walk through chronic health and I myself walking through my own sufferings, the isolation and confusion I have felt has been overwhelming as I wondered why me? This book felt like it knew the hurt of my soul and the truths I needed to hear to keep enduring forward. To anyone suffering wondering why, this is a good one. I’ll be reading often and buying for many.
September 3, 2016
This book came across my list of books to consider at just a time when I was pondering this, one of life’s more esoteric questions: Why does a loving God allow suffering?
When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada begins with a visit to people who are indeed in states of deep physical suffering. These scenes serve well to render one’s own knowledge of suffering in the world. Beyond the medical issues experienced by the people in this book, I couldn’t help but think of third-world countries, prisoners of war, prisoners of domestic abuse and the holocausts. The issues here are presented in a very harsh light without, in my opinion, enough clear redeeming narrative to do much more than conjure despondency.
This book references the Bible abundantly, and I appreciate how biblical metaphors work so well to illustrate difficult concepts. However, When God Weeps places further, different, metaphors on top of the familiar ones, and this only results in confusion.
I’m afraid I found much of the writing apparently aimless and unnecessarily confusing. Some paragraphs are only lists of examples used to further the author’s point, and as such, used to excess. It became annoying. This book was simply not well-planned and in dire need of a lot of editing, especially for clarity and flow of reason.
I think the author has much to offer on this topic, and I did find some real gems buried under all that language. Finding them, though, means going back over and over to figure out what you just read, working to really puzzle out what the author is trying to express, and detangling all the confusion.
When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada begins with a visit to people who are indeed in states of deep physical suffering. These scenes serve well to render one’s own knowledge of suffering in the world. Beyond the medical issues experienced by the people in this book, I couldn’t help but think of third-world countries, prisoners of war, prisoners of domestic abuse and the holocausts. The issues here are presented in a very harsh light without, in my opinion, enough clear redeeming narrative to do much more than conjure despondency.
This book references the Bible abundantly, and I appreciate how biblical metaphors work so well to illustrate difficult concepts. However, When God Weeps places further, different, metaphors on top of the familiar ones, and this only results in confusion.
I’m afraid I found much of the writing apparently aimless and unnecessarily confusing. Some paragraphs are only lists of examples used to further the author’s point, and as such, used to excess. It became annoying. This book was simply not well-planned and in dire need of a lot of editing, especially for clarity and flow of reason.
I think the author has much to offer on this topic, and I did find some real gems buried under all that language. Finding them, though, means going back over and over to figure out what you just read, working to really puzzle out what the author is trying to express, and detangling all the confusion.
April 17, 2025
My girl Liz raved about this one. And I’d agree! I listened to it, so I didn’t get as much out of it as I could if I read a physical copy, but I loved it. Lots of imagery of Heaven which was really sweet. I don’t know if I’d identify myself as someone who has experienced serious suffering in my life, but Jesus is near to me in hardships nonetheless! The truths in this book surely will stick with me and shape me to be a better friend, better SLP, and more empathetic friend 🤟🏼 Jesus is near to us in our hardships and suffered the ultimate suffering to be near to us. Praise God for these reminders as we approach Easter!!
April 19, 2021
Soooo good!!
March 17, 2008
If you think God doesn’t care about the suffering in this world, then you need to read this book. I did not agree with everything theologically that was presented, but it did help me understand God in ways I hadn’t really thought about before. One of Joni’s statements went something like, “ I would much rather be in this chair and knowing the Lord than on my feet without Him.” Through her suffering she came to know Christ in such an intense life changing way. Suffering is not always a bad thing, God can use the suffering for so much good in our lives! Through our suffering, we can also understand a little all that Jesus went through for us.
April 21, 2023
This book required me to face hard but beautiful truths about the inevitability of suffering, the purpose of suffering, and the ultimate hope we can hold on to through a lifetime of challenging circumstances. The author's suffering credentials, along with those of her friends, cannot be questioned. Their stories are humbling and inspiring and cause the reader to look not at them but the God who they trust.
"Believing in suffering is a dead end. Believing in the Sculptor is living hope."
"If I love God, suffering does not ultimately matter. Christ in me is what matters. Pain does not cease to be pain, but I can 'rejoice in suffering' (Romans 5:5) because the power of God in my life is greater than suffering's vice-grip can ever be. I want to see the sculpture finished."
"When that happens, we will embrace each other, free of pain, and marvel how God worked it all, everything, lock stock and barrel, for our good and his glory. Until that day, until God drops the curtain on suffering, let's commit ourselves to trusting him, the One who holds all the answers in his hands."
"Believing in suffering is a dead end. Believing in the Sculptor is living hope."
"If I love God, suffering does not ultimately matter. Christ in me is what matters. Pain does not cease to be pain, but I can 'rejoice in suffering' (Romans 5:5) because the power of God in my life is greater than suffering's vice-grip can ever be. I want to see the sculpture finished."
"When that happens, we will embrace each other, free of pain, and marvel how God worked it all, everything, lock stock and barrel, for our good and his glory. Until that day, until God drops the curtain on suffering, let's commit ourselves to trusting him, the One who holds all the answers in his hands."
May 1, 2025
Convicting and comforting. Rod and staff vibes. Written by a paralyzed believer on suffering. This book is helping me make sense of what a couple of my friends are walking thru in their illnesses. And gave me a glimpse of the joys that come thru it right now and the joys that are to come when we see jesus.
June 7, 2021
Number 38:
As part of my challenge to read 60 books this year, I also challenged myself that most of that number would be books I already owned.
This book had been on my shelf for at least 8 years, after I bought it as a gift and never gave it.
The friend had lost her young daughter to a tragic skiing accident, and I thought she would surely need help to discover “why our sufferings matter to the Almighty.” (the book’s subtitle)
But I held back because I just didn’t feel that I had experienced enough suffering in my own life to offer a bandaid to her for her own. It seemed a gift too trite. A sort of here you go, I hope this helps, now let me go back to my own normalcy while you deal with your gut wrenching tragedy kind of gift.
So, now that I’ve read it, I think I’ll send her a copy after all.
This book is an incredible explanation of suffering and how it plays into the plans of Almighty God. I wept and said oh my goodness and prayed all the way through it. Please read this book if you are suffering, have suffered or feel like your life has been surprisingly devoid of it.
Because, as believers, this book is foundational in defending our faith in the One who both allows suffering and holds it back.
Five stars.
As part of my challenge to read 60 books this year, I also challenged myself that most of that number would be books I already owned.
This book had been on my shelf for at least 8 years, after I bought it as a gift and never gave it.
The friend had lost her young daughter to a tragic skiing accident, and I thought she would surely need help to discover “why our sufferings matter to the Almighty.” (the book’s subtitle)
But I held back because I just didn’t feel that I had experienced enough suffering in my own life to offer a bandaid to her for her own. It seemed a gift too trite. A sort of here you go, I hope this helps, now let me go back to my own normalcy while you deal with your gut wrenching tragedy kind of gift.
So, now that I’ve read it, I think I’ll send her a copy after all.
This book is an incredible explanation of suffering and how it plays into the plans of Almighty God. I wept and said oh my goodness and prayed all the way through it. Please read this book if you are suffering, have suffered or feel like your life has been surprisingly devoid of it.
Because, as believers, this book is foundational in defending our faith in the One who both allows suffering and holds it back.
Five stars.
August 28, 2022
Joni Eareckson Tada's life is forever changed when she takes a dive on a Summer day in 1967. Transformed from an active and eager teenager, she becomes a quadriplegic confined to wheelchair. In this co-written title When God Weeps, Why Our Sufferings matter to the Almighty, the authors use biblical references that point the way to why the unthinkable sometimes happens. Plumbing the depths of doubt, anger, depression, and hopelessness the reader will gain of glimpse of the mysterious whys of life and how to cope. There are three sections to this book including the following: "Who is God?" "What is He Up to?", "How Can I Hang On". Section four is a series of Appendices, one of which poses the question, Can God Experience Grief? The biblical references throughout the text and in the appendices provide a wealth of spiritual richness and fodder for prayer and contemplation. A title to be read and lived through more than once.
July 15, 2022
I really enjoyed the examples provided in this book. It’s easy to be selfish in your thoughts about suffering, but the wide number of experiences here help to remind that our suffering is so small, and that suffering if any size is used by God to bring glory to Him. Most notably, I remember one of her examples about an elderly woman whose physical state was so bad she no longer interacted with others. She talked about how it made sense that following Christ despite her disabilities may be a testimony to others when she still went out, but isolated how was her suffering useful? The reminder was offered about the importance of our spiritual lives. Our roles as prayer partners and our personal relationships with Christ also bring God glory.
January 25, 2022
The greatest good suffering can do for me is to increase my capacity for God.
Godliness with contentment is great gain, and the gain of which I'm speaking always comes through loss.
All contentment is a foretaste of eternity.
When life isn't the way you like it, then like it the way it is.
Twenty minutes of Heaven will make up for everything.
Godliness with contentment is great gain, and the gain of which I'm speaking always comes through loss.
All contentment is a foretaste of eternity.
When life isn't the way you like it, then like it the way it is.
Twenty minutes of Heaven will make up for everything.
March 9, 2024
There are a lot of challenging statements in this book. Knowing the circumstances of the author gives weight to the content. If you like a book that makes you think and challenges you, this is a good one to chew on.
January 8, 2021
Stunning book on suffering. Good for my soul. Not going to review it beyond that.
March 15, 2023
One of the most helpful books I’ve read about suffering. The author accurately portrays God’s character and how God responds to our suffering as well as how we should respond to our suffering. After reading this book, I’m more grateful for how the Lord understands our suffering and allows us to lament but also plans to redeem our suffering and wipe away every tear.
May 3, 2025
Wow- this is such a difficult topic to navigate and Joni absolutely nailed it.
December 22, 2025
3.5 rounded to a 4 because the book is filled with solid truth. I wish it had been more digestible and more anecdotal. It felt more like I was reading someone’s thesis, which maybe I was? Lots of good paragraph nuggets, but didn’t love the book as a whole.
May 16, 2017
Listened to the audiobook of this one, read by Joni, and it took me back to when my mom would listen to her radio program each morning. I'm grateful that my mom surrounded us with voices of truth such as Joni, and it was refreshing to revisit her profound story and the winsome way she discusses suffering.
Joni is full of cheer and wisdom, which she has only gained through her years of suffering and comforting others who are suffering. Her insight into the topic of how Christians should understand God's purpose in suffering is profound and spot on biblical. There are points where she perhaps states things in a overly sentimental way.
A few takeaway points for me were the thought that when someone in the church is suffering it produces incredible unity (i.e. prayers, service, etc.) in the body. We ask God to give us unity in our churches, and very often He will grant a hard province to one of us in order to bring us all together in prayer, fasting and service to each other. We wouldn't pick our trials, but He hand picks them in order to sanctify us and wean us of treasuring earthly joys too closely.
Further, sufferings only make sense when we see them as coming from God's hand. Here Joni is thoroughly Calvinist; she doesn't paint a rosy picture of God not wanting trials to happen to us, but He can't do anything about it other than cheer us on in the midst of Satan's ragings. Rather, Joni points out that if our sufferings are not ordained by God, then they are utterly pointless and meaningless. God's sovereign purpose to conform us into Christ's image and share in His sufferings is the only way to make sense of human suffering. We must understand that through all the hardships we must face in this world, God has ordained them and has a purpose behind them all.
We know this, Joni points out, because Christ suffered. If God is not the ordainer of such seeming tragedies, then the cross is hollowed of its meaning. As she memorably put it, we will sing praise eternally unto the Lamb which was slain. Our heavenly praise will center upon the sufferings of Christ, and in His death and sufferings all our fleeting trials will make complete sense, and will redound unto the praise of His glory. Not a light topic to deal with, but wonderfully and sweetly dealt with by Joni. I highly recommend getting this on audiobook so you can enjoy her cheerful personality sharing her insights into this difficult issue!
Joni is full of cheer and wisdom, which she has only gained through her years of suffering and comforting others who are suffering. Her insight into the topic of how Christians should understand God's purpose in suffering is profound and spot on biblical. There are points where she perhaps states things in a overly sentimental way.
A few takeaway points for me were the thought that when someone in the church is suffering it produces incredible unity (i.e. prayers, service, etc.) in the body. We ask God to give us unity in our churches, and very often He will grant a hard province to one of us in order to bring us all together in prayer, fasting and service to each other. We wouldn't pick our trials, but He hand picks them in order to sanctify us and wean us of treasuring earthly joys too closely.
Further, sufferings only make sense when we see them as coming from God's hand. Here Joni is thoroughly Calvinist; she doesn't paint a rosy picture of God not wanting trials to happen to us, but He can't do anything about it other than cheer us on in the midst of Satan's ragings. Rather, Joni points out that if our sufferings are not ordained by God, then they are utterly pointless and meaningless. God's sovereign purpose to conform us into Christ's image and share in His sufferings is the only way to make sense of human suffering. We must understand that through all the hardships we must face in this world, God has ordained them and has a purpose behind them all.
We know this, Joni points out, because Christ suffered. If God is not the ordainer of such seeming tragedies, then the cross is hollowed of its meaning. As she memorably put it, we will sing praise eternally unto the Lamb which was slain. Our heavenly praise will center upon the sufferings of Christ, and in His death and sufferings all our fleeting trials will make complete sense, and will redound unto the praise of His glory. Not a light topic to deal with, but wonderfully and sweetly dealt with by Joni. I highly recommend getting this on audiobook so you can enjoy her cheerful personality sharing her insights into this difficult issue!
April 8, 2024
This is a very short book but it is full of practical theology for those who suffer. I have always been helped by and have very much appreciated Joni Eareckson Tada, and this book reminds me of why I am so grateful for her. She handles scripture well, speaks bluntly and openly about suffering, and applies scripture in meaningful ways.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who would like an answer to the question often asked by sufferers, “Why, God?” If you are suffering or know someone who is, please read this book and consider the wisdom dripping from each page.
For added enjoyment of the book, listen to the audiobook. Joni narrated it herself and I think that this makes the book all that more effective in the end.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who would like an answer to the question often asked by sufferers, “Why, God?” If you are suffering or know someone who is, please read this book and consider the wisdom dripping from each page.
For added enjoyment of the book, listen to the audiobook. Joni narrated it herself and I think that this makes the book all that more effective in the end.
February 7, 2021
Sorry about the cover, my Reformed brothers.
This book was absolutely a phenomenon. Outstanding. Tada's intimate relationship with suffering gave her much to think on when writing a book on the theology of suffering, and I am certainly enriched for this book's contents. There is nothing new, but things I hadn't considered, which helps me grow ever closer to God through the blessing of suffering.
This book was absolutely a phenomenon. Outstanding. Tada's intimate relationship with suffering gave her much to think on when writing a book on the theology of suffering, and I am certainly enriched for this book's contents. There is nothing new, but things I hadn't considered, which helps me grow ever closer to God through the blessing of suffering.
June 7, 2017
3.5 stars
May 26, 2018
This is a hard read. Not because it's written poorly or just a bad book but as a result of the convicting nature. It's eye opening.
February 23, 2025
This book was an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING one and helped me think about my suffering in a new way, so THANK YOU, Joni Eareckson Tada, for helping me to get a new perspective on my trials that I'm currently going through. I couldn't recommend this book enough to everyone. With all of that said, here are the quotes that stood out the most to me (the very last one made me cry because of how much I long for Heaven):
"First, despite Christ's compassionate death for our sins, God's plan-not plan B or C or D, but his plan-calls for all Christians to suffer, sometimes intensely."
"Second, God's plan is specific."
"Nothing happens by accident...not even tragedy...not even sins committed against us. Third, the core of His plan is to rescue us from our sin...He cares about them, but they are merely symptoms of the real problem. God cares most-not about making us comfortable-but about teaching us to hate our sins, grow up spiritually, and love Him. To do this, He gives us salvation's benefits only gradually, sometimes painfully gradually."
"God is up to something good when it comes to our trials. There are reasons. For others, for the glory of God, and for the heavenly hosts."
(The following quote is something that Joni quoted from Thomas Merton's book called "No Man Is An Island", which I will read at some point in the future, but on further reflection, it seems to me that Merton is implying that God isn't omnipotent): "Sin destroys the one reality on which our true character, identity, and happiness depend: our fundamental orientation to God. We are created to will what God wills, to know what He knows, to love what He loves. Sin is the will to do what God does not will, to know what he does not know, to love what He does not love...in all these things sin proves itself to be a supreme injustice not only against God but, above all, against ourselves."
"And whether we, like Greg, collide with the Almighty or simply bump up against Him, we cannot be the same. We never are when we experience God." (Referencing one of Jodi's friends named Greg)
"Nothing grips God's heart like the tortured cry of one of His children."
"No one was more God-forsaken than Christ (being God-forsaken is Jesus' death for our sins was all about). But it doesn't stop there. Can God the Father turn a deaf ear to the plea of His own Son? (If Jim can't, you can bet God can't. And if he can, we're in big trouble). The answer resounds from an empty tomb three days later: No, may it never be! And because the Father raised Jesus from the dead, there is hope for us all. Jesus felt God's slap so that we could feel God's caress-oh, we may feel forsaken in the midst of our suffering, but the fact remains, we're not. 'My God, why have you forsaken me?' was the cry of Christ on behalf of all humanity so that, in contrast, He could tenderly say to us, 'Never will I forsake you' (see Hebrews 13:5). Despair may be bound to God, but so is all hope."
"Our anger is always pitifully small when it is focused against a person or object; it is meant to be turned against all evil and all sin-beginning first with our own failure of love."
(The following is a quote from Drs. Dan Allender & Tremper Longman III's book called"The Cry of the Soul: How Our Emotions Reveal Our Deepest Questions About God", which is absolutely profound and is one reason why I will absolutely be reading it in the near future): "God promised to make the arrogant drink s foaming cup of His wrath, a reflection of God's furious hatred of sin. But the one who drank this bitter, foaming cup of wrath was Jesus. It is beyond our comprehension-the perfect Adam, adored and loved by the Father, was also despised by the Father...consequently, we are promised that we will never bear the staggering weight of His fury. It has already been poured out on the perfect human being-the glorious Son."
"Our reward will be our joy. The more faithful to God we are in the midst of our pain, the more our reward and our joy... Whatever suffering you are going through this minute, your reaction to it affects the eternity you will enjoy. Heaven will be more heavenly to the degree that you have followed Christ on earth...It has been said that something so grand, so glorious is going to happen in the world's finale, something so awesome and wonderful-the dénouement of the LORD Jesus-that it will suffice for every hurt, it will compensate for every inhumanity, and it will atone for every terror. His glory will fill the universe and hell will be an afterthought compared to the resplendent brightness of God's cosmos and 'the lamb who gives it light'. Heaven's joy far outweighs hell's dread. Heaven has no opposite, just as God has no opposite (the devil is a created being, and a fallen one at that)."
Side note about that last quote, I'm not sure if Jodi was trying to imply that hell isn't real, but IF she was, then I'm not sure what to think of her anymore. Granted, it's not my job to judge her if she misspoke. ONLY the Holy Trinity can do that.
"First, despite Christ's compassionate death for our sins, God's plan-not plan B or C or D, but his plan-calls for all Christians to suffer, sometimes intensely."
"Second, God's plan is specific."
"Nothing happens by accident...not even tragedy...not even sins committed against us. Third, the core of His plan is to rescue us from our sin...He cares about them, but they are merely symptoms of the real problem. God cares most-not about making us comfortable-but about teaching us to hate our sins, grow up spiritually, and love Him. To do this, He gives us salvation's benefits only gradually, sometimes painfully gradually."
"God is up to something good when it comes to our trials. There are reasons. For others, for the glory of God, and for the heavenly hosts."
(The following quote is something that Joni quoted from Thomas Merton's book called "No Man Is An Island", which I will read at some point in the future, but on further reflection, it seems to me that Merton is implying that God isn't omnipotent): "Sin destroys the one reality on which our true character, identity, and happiness depend: our fundamental orientation to God. We are created to will what God wills, to know what He knows, to love what He loves. Sin is the will to do what God does not will, to know what he does not know, to love what He does not love...in all these things sin proves itself to be a supreme injustice not only against God but, above all, against ourselves."
"And whether we, like Greg, collide with the Almighty or simply bump up against Him, we cannot be the same. We never are when we experience God." (Referencing one of Jodi's friends named Greg)
"Nothing grips God's heart like the tortured cry of one of His children."
"No one was more God-forsaken than Christ (being God-forsaken is Jesus' death for our sins was all about). But it doesn't stop there. Can God the Father turn a deaf ear to the plea of His own Son? (If Jim can't, you can bet God can't. And if he can, we're in big trouble). The answer resounds from an empty tomb three days later: No, may it never be! And because the Father raised Jesus from the dead, there is hope for us all. Jesus felt God's slap so that we could feel God's caress-oh, we may feel forsaken in the midst of our suffering, but the fact remains, we're not. 'My God, why have you forsaken me?' was the cry of Christ on behalf of all humanity so that, in contrast, He could tenderly say to us, 'Never will I forsake you' (see Hebrews 13:5). Despair may be bound to God, but so is all hope."
"Our anger is always pitifully small when it is focused against a person or object; it is meant to be turned against all evil and all sin-beginning first with our own failure of love."
(The following is a quote from Drs. Dan Allender & Tremper Longman III's book called"The Cry of the Soul: How Our Emotions Reveal Our Deepest Questions About God", which is absolutely profound and is one reason why I will absolutely be reading it in the near future): "God promised to make the arrogant drink s foaming cup of His wrath, a reflection of God's furious hatred of sin. But the one who drank this bitter, foaming cup of wrath was Jesus. It is beyond our comprehension-the perfect Adam, adored and loved by the Father, was also despised by the Father...consequently, we are promised that we will never bear the staggering weight of His fury. It has already been poured out on the perfect human being-the glorious Son."
"Our reward will be our joy. The more faithful to God we are in the midst of our pain, the more our reward and our joy... Whatever suffering you are going through this minute, your reaction to it affects the eternity you will enjoy. Heaven will be more heavenly to the degree that you have followed Christ on earth...It has been said that something so grand, so glorious is going to happen in the world's finale, something so awesome and wonderful-the dénouement of the LORD Jesus-that it will suffice for every hurt, it will compensate for every inhumanity, and it will atone for every terror. His glory will fill the universe and hell will be an afterthought compared to the resplendent brightness of God's cosmos and 'the lamb who gives it light'. Heaven's joy far outweighs hell's dread. Heaven has no opposite, just as God has no opposite (the devil is a created being, and a fallen one at that)."
Side note about that last quote, I'm not sure if Jodi was trying to imply that hell isn't real, but IF she was, then I'm not sure what to think of her anymore. Granted, it's not my job to judge her if she misspoke. ONLY the Holy Trinity can do that.
December 20, 2020
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to believers who are looking to develop their biblical understanding of suffering in a comprehensive way. “When God Weeps” covers: the suffering of Christ, that all believers are to expect suffering, God’s sovereignty in suffering, how suffering is beneficial to those who observe it in faithful believers, how God uses suffering in the lives of believers for their good, seeking God in suffering, contentment in suffering, and how we view suffering in light of heaven and hell.
The premise is to point the believer back to God, to understand how he views and uses our suffering. Much of the book is centered on Philippians 3:10 — “All I care for us to know Christ, to experience the power of his resurrection, and to share in his sufferings, in growing conformity with his death”. Ultimately, suffering leads believers to greater intimate knowledge of Christ and the work done on the cross. Delighting in this intimate knowledge of the Savior protects us from weariness and bitterness, and leads us to contentment in all circumstances.
Parts of this book have been invaluable for my spiritual walk. Most notably, chapter 3 “The Suffering God” stunningly accounted for the suffering that was present throughout the entirety of Jesus’ earthly life. The depiction of the Father condemning Christ for the sin of the world nearly brought me to tears, leading me to greater remorse over my sin and worship of a God who would choose to suffer this way in my place. Sections on being drawn to know Christ more through suffering, contentment, and the reality of hell driving us to share the gospel were similarly influential.
There are some portions of the book that reached conclusions that I don’t quite follow/agree with. For example, the authors claim that God is “straining” and “bending over backward” to relieve suffering, but that we as “his hands and feet on earth” are disobedient to his call to relieve the suffering of our neighbors, which allows suffering to persist to a greater degree than God would like. In other places claims would be made about God/his character/his purposes that I felt needed clear justification from Scripture to be accepted, because they are not common doctrinal truths. The stories used to illustrate a point often unnecessarily derail the flow of thought, which became quite frustrating.
None of these things made reading the book intolerable, but required more careful thought to read and take meaning from the profitable parts of the book. I would highly recommend this book to any believer, but advise to read carefully and with discernment.
The premise is to point the believer back to God, to understand how he views and uses our suffering. Much of the book is centered on Philippians 3:10 — “All I care for us to know Christ, to experience the power of his resurrection, and to share in his sufferings, in growing conformity with his death”. Ultimately, suffering leads believers to greater intimate knowledge of Christ and the work done on the cross. Delighting in this intimate knowledge of the Savior protects us from weariness and bitterness, and leads us to contentment in all circumstances.
Parts of this book have been invaluable for my spiritual walk. Most notably, chapter 3 “The Suffering God” stunningly accounted for the suffering that was present throughout the entirety of Jesus’ earthly life. The depiction of the Father condemning Christ for the sin of the world nearly brought me to tears, leading me to greater remorse over my sin and worship of a God who would choose to suffer this way in my place. Sections on being drawn to know Christ more through suffering, contentment, and the reality of hell driving us to share the gospel were similarly influential.
There are some portions of the book that reached conclusions that I don’t quite follow/agree with. For example, the authors claim that God is “straining” and “bending over backward” to relieve suffering, but that we as “his hands and feet on earth” are disobedient to his call to relieve the suffering of our neighbors, which allows suffering to persist to a greater degree than God would like. In other places claims would be made about God/his character/his purposes that I felt needed clear justification from Scripture to be accepted, because they are not common doctrinal truths. The stories used to illustrate a point often unnecessarily derail the flow of thought, which became quite frustrating.
None of these things made reading the book intolerable, but required more careful thought to read and take meaning from the profitable parts of the book. I would highly recommend this book to any believer, but advise to read carefully and with discernment.
September 16, 2024
A profound and important study of the reasons we suffer and how God ultimately is in control. Joni Eareckson Tada is quadroplegic herself, so it was nice to read a book on this subject written by someone who understands the daily struggles with suffering. The author is candid in her exploration of the topic and uses copious Scriptural references, true stories and anecdotes to plumb the depths of such a hard subject. I loved Chapter 6, Heaven's Dirty Laundry? in which Tada explores how suffering is permitted by God for specific purposes, even the allowing of sinful actions that ultimately result in good. While God does not cause the evil Himself, He knows the hearts of those who want to carry it out and will allow them to do evil work within prescribed limits. Tada makes an excellent point that, if God were not ultimately in control, evil unrestrained would wreak such unspeakable chaos that the world would be nonexistent. I enjoyed this chapter as it helped me to contemplate the world as a whole. While I wish that evil were even more restrained, I know that my own mind is finite, and, as Tada herself states, our frail human knowledge cannot fathom God's ultimate purpose.
I also enjoyed the exploration of how those with disabilities fulfill purposes and are sources of help to those who find encouragement and strength to persevere in their lives through the examples of tenacious souls who live day by day despite their difficulties. While I know many disabled people resent being regarded as "inspirations," the point is not to view us in the light of our disability alone. We are more than our disabilities. I think the disabled community as a whole needs to exercise more patience and understanding. Yes, people might first notice us because of our disabilities, but these unique characteristics might be the doorway for people to get to know us as human beings. We can then discover so much more about each other.
All in all, a solid and worthwhile resource; raw and uncompromising but ultimately hopeful. Recommended. God bless you all.
I also enjoyed the exploration of how those with disabilities fulfill purposes and are sources of help to those who find encouragement and strength to persevere in their lives through the examples of tenacious souls who live day by day despite their difficulties. While I know many disabled people resent being regarded as "inspirations," the point is not to view us in the light of our disability alone. We are more than our disabilities. I think the disabled community as a whole needs to exercise more patience and understanding. Yes, people might first notice us because of our disabilities, but these unique characteristics might be the doorway for people to get to know us as human beings. We can then discover so much more about each other.
All in all, a solid and worthwhile resource; raw and uncompromising but ultimately hopeful. Recommended. God bless you all.
October 16, 2020
This was a great book! It asks the really tough questions about suffering and doesn't leave anything out. Then it goes into the issue of suffering through the rest of the book. I love that it doesn't just give cliche answers. It really gets to the heart of things. They talk about Christ's life on earth, sin, Calvary, the Gospel, heaven, hell...definitely thorough! She also counters some of the popular notions of suffering out there and explains how it isn't Biblical.
And I love that Joni is one that has suffered herself, so you never feel like she is downplaying anything you've been through. This book will definitely make you think differently about things and have you feeling so grateful for the providence and sovereignty of God.
And I love that Joni is one that has suffered herself, so you never feel like she is downplaying anything you've been through. This book will definitely make you think differently about things and have you feeling so grateful for the providence and sovereignty of God.
January 6, 2025
This book was suggested by a dear friend last summer after I shared how I struggled to comprehend how God relates to intense suffering. I decided to purchase it this winter (which I rarely do with books cause you know - the library) and I’m glad I did.
I can’t say I’m comfortable with suffering or have total peace concerning it, but I feel Philippines 3:10 echoing in my own soul, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering, becoming like him in his death.” There is something about this book and perhaps what Jesus is doing in my own life that makes me want to be acquainted with suffering and to not be afraid.
Tip: Definitely don’t skip the appendixes at the end
| hard copy
I can’t say I’m comfortable with suffering or have total peace concerning it, but I feel Philippines 3:10 echoing in my own soul, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering, becoming like him in his death.” There is something about this book and perhaps what Jesus is doing in my own life that makes me want to be acquainted with suffering and to not be afraid.
Tip: Definitely don’t skip the appendixes at the end
| hard copy
January 18, 2022
This is an excellent book dealing with topic of why God allows us to suffer and how to work through it. The fact it is written by someone who knows personal suffering so deeply (Joni became was paralyzed in a diving accident when a teen) only contributes to the books poignancy and authenticity. There are no easy answers here, but there are answers.
A book to read and re-read as needed and perhaps not even when "needed" but able to be pondered. The highest recommendation possible.
For a later title that explores chronic pain specifically, see:
A Place of Healing, Tada, 2002
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A book to read and re-read as needed and perhaps not even when "needed" but able to be pondered. The highest recommendation possible.
For a later title that explores chronic pain specifically, see:
A Place of Healing, Tada, 2002
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
May 21, 2023
Excellent Book for Anyone in Pain
Though extensive research and backed by Biblical scriptures, Joni has shown how God really does care for those in pain. Christians know that when they get to heaven there will be no more sorrow and no more pain.
Joni uses many quotes from C.S. Lewis throughout the book. I agree with her choice as he is my favorite author. (I’m sure Joni comes a close second.)
What I especially liked about this book is how the author organized it. It has a definite beginning and end. She ties everything together nicely in the end. It is a long book, but very much worth the time spent reading it. (My review is short and doesn’t do the book justice. Joni really did her research as is shown in her extensive appendices.)
Though extensive research and backed by Biblical scriptures, Joni has shown how God really does care for those in pain. Christians know that when they get to heaven there will be no more sorrow and no more pain.
Joni uses many quotes from C.S. Lewis throughout the book. I agree with her choice as he is my favorite author. (I’m sure Joni comes a close second.)
What I especially liked about this book is how the author organized it. It has a definite beginning and end. She ties everything together nicely in the end. It is a long book, but very much worth the time spent reading it. (My review is short and doesn’t do the book justice. Joni really did her research as is shown in her extensive appendices.)
April 18, 2023
compassionate, abounding in love. that’s who we serve. God and Abba Father. aware of suffering, hates sin, loves us. He is good. He is compassionate. He loves us. paired with suffering is never for nothing, this may reign as a book that’ll make me eager to dig deep into the Word to search the heart and character of God, and will be a constant reread. joni’s emotion and experience steven’s theological studies. this is good. it may be my favorite!
October 23, 2020
This was a beautiful, encouraging book by a lady who knows of what she speaks. In the early development of her argument, it can be a little hard to swallow, but stick with it. The way it all fits together makes so much sense. This book gives a deeper understanding of and appreciation for God's character.
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