Songs for the Suffering

by Julia Allspaw

190 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2021

Reviews

[Devin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never been taught how to healthily express and process grief. I’ve always been told the cliche Christian phrases of encouragement which I’ve come to realize is just a common form of toxic positivity. Although these phrases meant well, they often just dismissed my emotions amid my suffering. This devotional was something I needed to read. Grief isn’t just something we feel after a death of a loved one. It can also be experienced after the loss of a relationship, the loss of a job, the loss of a friendship, etc. I’m definitely not an expert on grieving / suffering, but this devotional has been enlightening and I’ve learned a lot. In reference to suffering, Katherine Wolf says, “It’s about believing that even if our plates are empty for a while, we still have a table to place them on until they can be filled again”. Even in our pain when we feel we have nothing left to give, we still have a seat at the table with the Father.

[ali wynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely life changing and one I recommend to any of my friends going through a difficult trial. Beautifully explains the importance of lament and how to do so in a biblical fashion. Loved, loved, loved.

[Brynn Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because of its aesthetically pleasing cover- I couldn't walk out of the store without having this beautiful book in my hands. If you're looking for someone who can relate to the often isolating reality of suffering- Julia Allspaw is your girl. She speaks to the pain and isolation that accompanies human suffering, yet points readers to the light she's found in the midst of it. I love this book because it isn't a miraculous story of deliverance- but rather the account of someone who hasn't been delivered from suffering, but still has found great joy and lasting hope in her pain.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only way I can properly describe this book is as the embrace of a friend. Of someone who gets it. Julia walks with you in your grief, offering biblical wisdom, but not once does she try to fix your problems or explain over your pain. This book allows you to hold grief close, to experience it, but then holds your hand as it helps you continue on. I have never felt so wrecked after reading something, but yet so whole and seen and understood.

I highly recommend this to anyone, anyone at all, who has struggled with any sort of grief. You will certainly find comfort in its pages.

My personal thanks to Julia for taking the time to pen down something so personal and raw. You have truly impacted me.

[Nicole Goodwin · Rating 1 out of 5]

NOT for grieving mothers
I’m writing this review in hopes to save another mom some pain. But if you have recently lost your child, this book is NOT for us. I got this book after I lost my 6 month old daughter. I’m sure the author has all sorts of good intentions but she speaks of finding a lot of hope in her child, in words that felt just cruel to my broken momma heart. This definitely needs some sort of warning or caveat in the description that this is not helpful for child loss. Other than that I’m sure it’s great for other forms of grief

[Hannah Rule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Songs for the Suffering is an honest, genuine look at suffering as a Christ follower. It is one of the first resources I have read that did not try to convince the reader that everything will turn out fine. It was honest in the admission that suffering may not ever have a reason or is good. But as Christ followers, we can sit with Jesus, be held, be comforted, and be shown the joy that still exists.

[Reagan Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I loved this read. It gave me practical ways to process my grief. This book does not slap you on the back and promise that healing will come, but teaches you how joy and grief can co-exist.