On Suffering Lovingly: Living With Joy in Times of Pain

by John Mark Comer

Genres: Christian, Faith, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction, Church, Christianity, Theology

30 pages, ebook

Published March 10, 2021

About the author

John Mark Comer is the New York Times bestselling author of Practicing the Way, Live No Lies, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, God Has a Name, and three more. His podcasts, John Mark Comer Teachings and Rule of Life, have been ranked on top religion and spirituality podcast charts in the U.S. and U.K.

He's also the founder of Practicing the Way, a simple, beautiful way to integrate spiritual formation into your church or small group. After serving as the pastor for teaching and vision at Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon, for nearly two decades, John Mark and his family now reside in California, where he serves as a teacher in residence at Vintage Church LA.

Reviews

[Brooks Lemmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part 2 of JMC’s COVID E-Books! This was a great little read. It was perfect for my plane ride! It was a great little exegete of James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

He had some great words about how Christians should consider it a joy to live in the current pandemic. He charged the reader to persevere during this time and explained how trials produce fruit in the Christian life.

[Heather Donaghy · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read this book in one sitting with a coffee - it’s only 30 pages long (27 if you discount the endnotes). John Mark Comer breaks down the opening lines of James’ letter to scattered Christians in the first century and unpacks what it means to consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds. It’s a response to a year of the COVID pandemic and deals with some of the theology and psychology around why God might allow us to suffer and why it may actually be of benefit to us to go though suffering and pain. JM advocates when we embrace suffering it can actually lead to gain - appreciation of life; better relationships with others; new possibilities; personal strength and spiritual change. This book wars against the dominate world system of materialism and of self which fail to give us a rounded view of suffering and invites us to look at the biblical mandate and to Jesus Christ’s experience of suffering. Worth a read.

[Carson Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Growing into maturity is less something we do, and more something we let God do to us through trials. Our part is to not give up and to let God have his way in us.”

[Grant Klinefelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the midst of all the turmoil and trauma of the past year, is there a way to travel the road together with joy?

"Trauma is what happens when people experience suffering alone."

The remedy to trauma, thus, will always be community. And more specifically, a community of Jesus-like people who choose to find Joy amidst the pain knowing that suffering produces maturity.

As JMC notes, "Joy is a rebellion against the counter trinity of satan, sin, and death. ... We don’t think our way into maturity, or even feel our way into maturity, we persevere our way into maturity.
Maturity is not the result of reading a lot of books or listening to a lot of podcasts or mastering a repertoire of self-help techniques. Maturity is the result of 'a long obedience in the same direction.'"

[Tristan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendous exposition on James 1. I want to read slowly like JMC does and glean richly from stuff. I’m reminded of a great, expensive combine that gets a higher yield/acreage than cheaper combines. Same process, same driving speed, just higher yield. JMCs slow, deliberate commentary was rich with goodness. Worth all 27 pages.

[David Holzmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, and short read on the idea of suffering. An important topic to address in the best of times, but Comer writes a great guide to learning to rethink and evaluate the past year of the pandemic and how to look at suffering in a way that makes it meaningful.

[Brother Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good exegesis on James 1. A good reminder that God uses difficult times like the COVID pandemic to grow his children into the image of Christ.

"Surrender your autonomy to love" has got to be one of my favourite lines in this short book.

[Elisaveta Ilieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing read… I have literally no words for the understanding I have of suffering and joy because of this book. I will just leave this quote here:

“Our greatest wounds come from relationships, but so does our deepest healing. The risk is worth it.”

[Reba Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read if you are suffering. Full of hope and truth!

[Owen Cottom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful treatment of suffering. It’s brevity means it’s ideal for someone who is walking through the valley - gently leads them to Christ and His people.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deze korte overdenking is een mooie weergave van (de noodzaak van) lijden in combinatie met het christelijke geloof. John Mark Comer roept zijn lezers op om periodes van lijden/pijn vast te blijven houden aan de heilige vreugde die alleen bij God Zelf te vinden is. Hij benadert lijden als een manier om je geloof te sterken en haalt hierbij diverse Bijbelteksten aan die zijn punt onderstrepen. Heel inzichtelijk!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this short 30 page book, John Mark Comer does a deep dive and walks through, word by word, of James 1:2-3. Overall, he speaks on pain and how to endure through trials. Wonderful read. I put some of my favorite quotes and note below:

The difference between pain and suffering: "Pain is what is...while suffering is our response to what is. It's the meaning we make...of our pain." It is truly amazing to think that I can be in pain without suffering.

Loved his thoughts on "trials of many kinds." That we should consider both the major and minor trials pure joy. All kinds of tests will come your way and you can learn from each one in its own unique way.

The difference between belief and faith: "Belief has to do with your level of trust in and reliance on God. Faith has to do with how long you can hold to that trust and reliance on God through trails, through seasons of pain and suffering, when you feel like God has abandoned you or the cost of allegiance is too great to bear. Faith in God is faithfulness to God."

What is hope? We think of hope as being about the future, and it is; but it’s for the present. Hope is a kind of emotional energy to live well in the present in light of what’s coming in the future.
We don’t think our way into maturity, or even feel our way into maturity, we persevere our way into maturity.

Some people believe in discovering meaning while others believe in developing meaning. For those who believe in 'discovering meaning' the default meaning of live, beyond survival, is the pursuit of happiness. "It is based not on Scripture or sacred order, but on a person's "authentic self"- their opinions and desires and likes and dislikes."

We are called to "count it pure joy when we face trials." We should count each struggle we go through as an opportunity to grow, to lean and trust more in the Lord, and to become a more loving and understanding person to those around us.

"To turn it around, what is God trying to do in you? Where is God calling you up to a new level of maturity? What attachments is God revealing in your heart [through this trial]? What are you losing? What could you gain in its place?"

How to endure trials: "Stay with your church, especially with your closest siblings in the family of God. Live in a thick web of interdependent relationships. Quietly defy the individualism that is wreaking havoc across the West. Surrender your autonomy to love. Place yourself in the constraint of community, for it is there we are set free. Give up your preferences for the sake of others. Enroll in the school of agape. When you fail a course, throw yourself upon God’s mercy. Come back to the table, eat the bread, drink the wine, ingest the forgiving love of God. Repent. Repent again. And again. Risk vulnerability. We will get hurt, and we will hurt in return; that’s part of facing grace."

"May you find that deep center where your spirit touches his Spirit."

[Jennie Bak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite Bible verse so not much of this was new for me but it was a solid read. Two things I learned or appreciated the wording of were:

(1) That the testing James refers to is more like how cars are tested before released to the public. “Does it actually have the capacity to do what it’s maker says it has the capacity to do? Or is it just hype and digital spin?”

(2) Wealth and happiness aren’t bad, but “very few of us can live with them and not need them.” I would be one of the many that this would become an idol for I think. Maybe not but I feel like it would based on my personality.

[Jessica Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm enjoying these little ebooks. They're more digestible than a full book, giving me a few main points to hold on to. I'm sure this is one I'll keep coming back to because suffering lovingly is a lesson for the rest of life, not just covid.
I always am a big fan of the truths Comer speaks into the world - pushing against the (untrue) messages of our culture and the world, lovingly telling it like it is, and exhorting us to more faithfully and committedly follow Jesus.

[Kayla Hollatz · Rating 4 out of 5]

These short 30 page ebooks have been a true blessing. This one in particular provided fresh insights and clarity about how to endure in the midst of pain and suffering. JMC breaks down each word from James 1:2-3 in greater detail while adding commentary about our collective struggles during the COVID pandemic. It was a great little book to read on my Sabbath!

[Montana Myer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another quick, blog like read walking through the beginning of James’ letter. Thought provoking reflection over the last year that 2020-2021 has been. We endure for the joy: that is Christ. We have to not only consent to the work of the Spirit, but join in as we walk in long term obedience to the Father. As apprentices of Jesus, our suffering has meaning, let us not miss the meaning.

[Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The joy that we have, the world did not give it to us, so the world cannot take it away...circumstances did not give us this joy, so circumstances cannot take it away."
"Maturity is the result of a long obedience in the same direction, the cumulative effect of a lifetime of prayer and surrender to God." encouraged again by 30 pages of wisdom from JMC!!!!!!

[Seth Cooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning approach to the purpose of suffering in life and in the way of Jesus. We live for meaning, and meaning is worth very little if we don't have to wrestle something to the ground in love. Comer has a fantastic way of communicating how (even beyond the Covid-19 pandemic) we are built for one another to tarry with each other in joy and to mature through suffering in this life in love.

[Esther Vuong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words can’t explain how many times I’ve read this & found something new from it every time. We live in a world so attached to things, where we root ourselves in items, our job, our money, that we can lose it so easily and lose hope so easily. No matter where you are in life, a great quick read.

[mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic JMC. A discussion on the Greek translation of James 1 and holy discontentment.

[Eden Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this.

[Cynthia Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

30 pages of hope & godly perspective about enduring the pandemic & other long seasons of suffering/pain. available for free to JMC's email subscribers

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

needed to hear this so so much

[Austenn Akers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let perseverance finish its work, so that you may be mature complete, not lacking anything.

[Lena Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was beautiful and easy to read.

[Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book beautifully explores the idea of post-traumatic growth, or growth through suffering. Really helpful as it connects to how my own thinking has developed over this past year.

[Chris Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comer’s approach to addressing pain, suffering, and trauma through the lens of James 1 is deeply encouraging.

[Kaitlin Ernest]

Although a short book, it was packed with spiritual truths that I am still ruminating over. Finding meaning through suffering has always been a mystery I have sought out. Instead of trite takeaways, Comer digs deeper into the hidden joy that can be excavated when we surrender to the Spirit’s refining work through suffering.

However silly, I can’t help but find an illustration for the last section in Star Wars: Episode III (I just rewatched, so it’s fresh!) Anikan is so desperate in his attempt to prevent Padme, the love of his life, from dying in childbirth that his fears consume his judgment. After all of his grasping at control, he still loses her and by his own hand, nonetheless.

“Because as long as we are run by ego and fear (and ego is mostly an attempt to avoid our deepest fears), we will act in ways that dishonor and dehumanize those around us, because we need our life – and the people in our life – to go a certain way for us to be okay. This is the state all of us are born into. But as students of Jesus in his school of love, we are learning to move off the “old self” system and into a “new self” that is run by agape.”

Throughout the sanctification process, freedom is found when we surrender our attachments, knowing Christ is the ultimate joy and truly all we need.

I will be revisiting this little book!

[Isaac Solberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy, single sitting, and helpful read.