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Hope for the Hurting
Life is painful.
Everyone's story comes with unique challenges, difficulties, bumps, and bruises that leave you lost and drowning in their wake. It could be a financial disaster, a health issue, a broken relationship, or the loss of a loved one.
Dr. Tony Evans, bestselling author and pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, understands life's hardships firsthand. In a span of less than two years, he lost his brother, sister, brother-in-law, two nieces, father, and wife. At the same time, both of his daughters received cancer diagnoses. In the wake of all this pain, Dr. Evans had to put into practice, at the deepest levels, the truths he has preached about God for more than forty years.
God's Word doesn't promise us a life free from pain and trouble. It promises us something else—Someone else. Someone who will walk with us through all of life's trials and troubles.
There is hope for the His name is Jesus.
Everyone's story comes with unique challenges, difficulties, bumps, and bruises that leave you lost and drowning in their wake. It could be a financial disaster, a health issue, a broken relationship, or the loss of a loved one.
Dr. Tony Evans, bestselling author and pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, understands life's hardships firsthand. In a span of less than two years, he lost his brother, sister, brother-in-law, two nieces, father, and wife. At the same time, both of his daughters received cancer diagnoses. In the wake of all this pain, Dr. Evans had to put into practice, at the deepest levels, the truths he has preached about God for more than forty years.
God's Word doesn't promise us a life free from pain and trouble. It promises us something else—Someone else. Someone who will walk with us through all of life's trials and troubles.
There is hope for the His name is Jesus.
155 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2022
43 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Tony Evans
511 books516 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Anthony Tyrone "Tony" Evans Sr. is an American evangelical pastor, speaker, author, and widely syndicated radio and television broadcaster in the United States. Between 1976 and 2024, Evans served as senior pastor at the over-9,500-member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas.
Anthony Tyrone "Tony" Evans Sr. is an American evangelical pastor, speaker, author, and widely syndicated radio and television broadcaster in the United States. Between 1976 and 2024, Evans served as senior pastor at the over-9,500-member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 10, 2022
Thank you Pastor Evans for writing Hope for the Hurting. My wife passed away recently and Hope for the Hurting has helped me, in my grieving process of my soul mate of 38 years. It has opened my eyes too many things and unanswered questions that I had. I hope there is a part 2 in the future for a Hope for the Hurting. This world needs to hear this message. Thank you for this blessing, because I know it took a lot of Faith, love and courage to write this book. God bless.
January 8, 2022
Tony Evans has been a respected voice for decades. His calm demeanor, engaging writing, and quiet wit has made his books accessible, readable, and understandable. In Hope for the Hurting, Evans lends his traditional style to a deeply personal and conversational discussion of leaning on God in times of pain. Tony Evans wrote Hope for the Hurting amid a pandemic, in the wake of the wife’s death (among several other family deaths), with both of his daughters facing cancer diagnoses, struggling with his own health issues, and watching his racist elements of his denomination (the Southern Baptist Convention) have their voices grow ever louder.
Hope for the Hurting has a cathartic undercurrent to it. Writers write to express themselves and writers like Tony Evans inevitably end up having that writing shared with others. Using his own experience, Evans sits in solidarity with readers offering the lessons he’s learned through his time of loss. This book is pastoral and it’s almost better read aloud than read silently. It’s like a letter that was meant to be spoken. You can hear his speaking cadence and train of thought.
In six quick chapters, Hope for the Hurting invites readers to come to the Comforter, find meaning and redemption in their suffering, and rest and rely on God’s grace. This is a small book—probably around 10-15k words, easily read in one sitting or as a one-week, one-chapter-a-day devotional. Evans understands that those coming to this book, those who see Hope for the Hurting and pick it up to understand that hope, don’t want anything too involved or academic. They just want to know that hope is there. Evans gives readers exactly that.
I do want to push back against the “God does everything for a reason” theology that Evans employs. While I think God takes our struggles and redeems them, while I think he creates purpose out of them, I don’t believe that God makes us suffer. He is not the cause of our suffering. We must be careful when we say that God has a reason “for the fiery trials and difficulties we face” (p 37), lest we make out God to be the author of evil and suffering.
Despite that, Hope for the Hurting is a solid book. If you like Evans’ previous books and this one speaks to you, it’ll seem like the words of a trusted friend. But it is more situation-specific. It’s exhortative, not educative. It’s here to lift up. It’s here for the moment. If you need some hope, let Tony Evans direct you.
Hope for the Hurting has a cathartic undercurrent to it. Writers write to express themselves and writers like Tony Evans inevitably end up having that writing shared with others. Using his own experience, Evans sits in solidarity with readers offering the lessons he’s learned through his time of loss. This book is pastoral and it’s almost better read aloud than read silently. It’s like a letter that was meant to be spoken. You can hear his speaking cadence and train of thought.
In six quick chapters, Hope for the Hurting invites readers to come to the Comforter, find meaning and redemption in their suffering, and rest and rely on God’s grace. This is a small book—probably around 10-15k words, easily read in one sitting or as a one-week, one-chapter-a-day devotional. Evans understands that those coming to this book, those who see Hope for the Hurting and pick it up to understand that hope, don’t want anything too involved or academic. They just want to know that hope is there. Evans gives readers exactly that.
I do want to push back against the “God does everything for a reason” theology that Evans employs. While I think God takes our struggles and redeems them, while I think he creates purpose out of them, I don’t believe that God makes us suffer. He is not the cause of our suffering. We must be careful when we say that God has a reason “for the fiery trials and difficulties we face” (p 37), lest we make out God to be the author of evil and suffering.
Despite that, Hope for the Hurting is a solid book. If you like Evans’ previous books and this one speaks to you, it’ll seem like the words of a trusted friend. But it is more situation-specific. It’s exhortative, not educative. It’s here to lift up. It’s here for the moment. If you need some hope, let Tony Evans direct you.
August 8, 2023
The title of this book leapt out at me when I passed it on a shelf in a supermarket. Hope is what I needed, and since the loss of my great-grandmother earlier this year I have most definitely been hurting. What has rocked me most is not only her loss, but how unsympathetic some people were about it. Thankfully, not all, but to experience callous words about my grief was not what I expected and added to my sadness. Dr. Evans' book helped me to remember that no matter how difficult life is, God is there as a friend and comforter, and will give you the healing and courage you need to be stronger after heartache. The words of this book are very frank and encouraging. I felt like I was Dr. Evans' parishioner, who might have stopped him for a candid word after service and got the privilege of commiserating with and being advised by a caring shepherd. Although he is an author that I am just discovering and I am new to learning about his career and ministry, I really needed this book when I found it and am glad that I did.
January 30, 2022
A must read for those going through difficult times.
Life has its share of difficulties and Tony Evans certainly speaks from experience in this area. In a period of less than two years, he endured the loss of seven family members, including his beloved wife, Lois. On top of that both of his daughters faced serious health issues.
Out of his own pain Tony provides readers with various spiritual principles to help them persevere through their own pain and difficult circumstances. Speaking from his own personal experience, he provides sound, biblically based guidance to provide hope for the hurting. Readers will find renewed hope through God’s goodness, grace, the Holy Spirit (the Comforter), humility, and spiritual rest, just to name a few.
This book will undoubtedly be a blessing to many in today’s troubled world and one I plan to share.
Life has its share of difficulties and Tony Evans certainly speaks from experience in this area. In a period of less than two years, he endured the loss of seven family members, including his beloved wife, Lois. On top of that both of his daughters faced serious health issues.
Out of his own pain Tony provides readers with various spiritual principles to help them persevere through their own pain and difficult circumstances. Speaking from his own personal experience, he provides sound, biblically based guidance to provide hope for the hurting. Readers will find renewed hope through God’s goodness, grace, the Holy Spirit (the Comforter), humility, and spiritual rest, just to name a few.
This book will undoubtedly be a blessing to many in today’s troubled world and one I plan to share.
April 14, 2025
Who doesn't love some Tony Evans wisdom and encouragement?
Great study. I liked the different options you could do for a group study. There is a CD message you can watch and discuss without any previous homework. But, if you would like to do homework during the week, there are 2 options, and even a bonus "Hit the Streets" to put the homework into action!
As the leader, I found this a great study. As a chronic pain group, his words and biblical teaching was perfect to encourage us every week! It was short at 6 weeks (that's often a plus!), but we are going to go back to the start and do the optional ones we skipped.
Great study. I liked the different options you could do for a group study. There is a CD message you can watch and discuss without any previous homework. But, if you would like to do homework during the week, there are 2 options, and even a bonus "Hit the Streets" to put the homework into action!
As the leader, I found this a great study. As a chronic pain group, his words and biblical teaching was perfect to encourage us every week! It was short at 6 weeks (that's often a plus!), but we are going to go back to the start and do the optional ones we skipped.
February 17, 2024
The one major thing I liked is that I finally understand the quote from Jesus about taking on his yoke. I've always struggled to understand this, but Tony explains it so well. Now I know why Jesus says take on his yoke.
I struggled to read this book. I was sick, we had some very difficult news about a family member and I found part of the text to be hard to read. I understand what is being said, but in a living world, sometimes it felt too simplistic without any real suggestions on how to live what Tony was writing. But, that is my personal struggle with faith.
I struggled to read this book. I was sick, we had some very difficult news about a family member and I found part of the text to be hard to read. I understand what is being said, but in a living world, sometimes it felt too simplistic without any real suggestions on how to live what Tony was writing. But, that is my personal struggle with faith.
February 12, 2022
Tony Evans presents an essential guide after his own two-year period of deep grief and multiple losses. Evans uses heartfelt, brilliant word pictures and a Biblical focus, including Paul's 2nd Corinthians passages referencing his personal suffering. This is a must-read full of valuable insight and help.
I received a copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.
I received a copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.
October 3, 2022
This book has been an absolutely enjoyable read. I have been dealing with so many issues both emotionally to physically. Having lost my aunt and then being in and out do the hospital from physical pain. This book has helped me with focusing on God for my healing. I highly recommend it, it’s reassuring of God’s love and promises that He has for us and I really enjoyed it.
April 18, 2022
Wow! What a huge amount of wisdom and very practical, applicable insight is crammed into this little six-chapter book! Regardless of the type of hurts or losses you may be experiencing, there is direction in these pages that can help you heal.
April 28, 2022
It is hard to believe he wrote this book within 2 years of losing his brother, his only sister, his sister's husband, two of his nieces, his father and his WIFE. He still speaks of hope. I particularly liked his - Come, Take and Learn part. Thanks for the recommendation.
May 2, 2022
Wow. What a treasure to have read. Insightful, delightful, eye opening, heartfelt wonderfully written book. Cry out and trust God has your best interest at heart. Come… Take… Learn…. Highly recommended material.
February 8, 2022
I got an excerpt from the Bible app and now I have to read the whole book
January 27, 2023
Helping with the repair of my life as I recover from losing my father, my stepmother, my aunt and my uncle in a three year time period. Loss sucks, this helps.
January 10, 2026
Book was ok…. While it does offer some encouragement, much of it seems too simplistic to be very helpful. He also uses a lot of words to make some pretty basic points. Not a favorite.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews