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When God Weeps Kit: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty
If God Is Loving, Why Is There Suffering?When suffering touches our lives, the questions it raises suddenly demand answers. It’s one thing to break a leg and wait for it to heal. It’s another to experience the kind of wrenching pain that can disable our hearts, our minds, our attitudes, and our faith. If God is there and he’s good, how can such suffering exist—and what purpose can it possibly serve?After almost forty years in a wheelchair, Joni Eareckson Tada’s intimate experience with suffering gives her a special understanding of God’s intentions for people in their pain. In this ZondervanGroupware™, she and lifelong friend Steven Estes guide you and your group beyond glib answers. Through six powerful group sessions that include video clips and penetrating discussions, they share glimpses into Joni’s personal journey as well as the struggles—and triumphs—of children with disabilities, a woman who lost two sons and her marriage, a friend with a debilitating disease. When God Weeps will help your group discover a God who is big enough to understand suffering, wise enough to allow it, and powerful enough to use it for a greater good than any of us can ever imagine.When God Weeps A Good God in a Suffering World 2. What Can Suffering Accomplish in Our Lives? 3. How We Respond to Suffering Matters 4. Jesus Gives Us Hope 5. Finding Contentment 6. A Look Toward Heaven
First published September 21, 1997
52 people are currently reading
1070 people want to read
About the author
Joni Eareckson Tada
323 books548 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 83 reviews
January 1, 2019
The best book on suffering and God's purposes in suffering I have ever read.
October 3, 2021
Wow. Absolutely magnificent!
This book contains everything I have needed to hear.
What an immense comfort it has been to me. I will be returning to it often.
It's a short book but it's packed with truth from the scriptures that will be like a balm to your soul.
This book contains everything I have needed to hear.
What an immense comfort it has been to me. I will be returning to it often.
It's a short book but it's packed with truth from the scriptures that will be like a balm to your soul.
April 15, 2013
The most powerful book on suffering. I thought I knew about suffering. I thought i've heard about it enough. Until I read in this book how faithful Christians suffered. Is there sickness in your family that seems utterly hopeless? Are you suffering from an illness from birth or from an accident that is beyond cure? If there's only 1 book in your life that you should read, it should be this. "Written" by no other than Joni Eareckson Tada who is quadriplegic herself. And i say "written" coz she has to use someone else's hands to get her words typewritten.
If you have a heart for those who are sick, this book is for you too. Powerful. Insightful. It gives you some answers to your toughest questions when you are suffering.
If you have a heart for those who are sick, this book is for you too. Powerful. Insightful. It gives you some answers to your toughest questions when you are suffering.
April 10, 2013
This book helped me through my own struggles of understanding why God had allowed me to have a chronic medical condition. When I was diagnosed, as a teenager, I was utterly alone in dealing with it. This book helped me in so many ways. While reading this book, I didn't feel completely alone in my circumstances. And it helped answer questions no one else in my life could.
February 11, 2019
Interesting book, and thoughts on suffering.
August 11, 2024
Wonderful. Simply wonderful. Must read for every single person.
September 23, 2024
Truly amazing. If you are struggling with the problem of evil, questioning Gods goodness in your suffering and pain, this book is for you. It was for me!!!
January 5, 2019
Such a powerful look at suffering. It's not sentimental, nor is it wooden. It's raw, realistic, practical, rooted in lots of Scripture, joy-filled and hope-filled. Suffering is sad. It's painful. It's wrong. But it's not hopeless. And it's not without purpose. In fact, there is more purpose than we realize. Whether you are currently suffering, or know someone who is, it's a must-read.
September 26, 2024
TARGET AUDIENCE
Sure to soften the calloused heart and comfort the grieving soul, this book weaves a deeper understanding of God’s compassionate heart between layers of heart-wrenching stories. The author’s personal experience alone might have been enough to crush the human will. Instead, new joy surfaced at the onset of her incredible suffering (a broken neck) and her life is now a testimony to millions who want to know if God truly cares about our sufferings. “This book is about God weeping over human heartache,” write the authors, “his entering our anguish himself, and the love that drives him to let us suffer. It’s about experiencing the friendship of God along difficult paths we didn’t even know he walked.” The book explores an array of questions that arise in the midst of suffering, quelling rumination of an angry, aloof, or otherwise unapproachable God. This book is both intellectual and emotional and promises to elicit a profound understanding of a God who weeps with us during life’s difficult circumstances.
CONTENT QUALITY
The authors repeatedly play the devil’s advocate, raising rhetorical questions, examining every facet of suffering and the numerous responses it elicits. This, to me, was a little bit cumbersome, albeit, apt for a book that explores this subject. The three sections are exhaustive, examining the following questions: Who is this God? What is He up to? How can I hang on? Chapters filled with stories of personal suffering and struggle, diving into the deep waters of the theology amidst suffering. I felt, at times, that the authors sought to convince me of things I had already long felt (and believed), and so the recurring truths that they turned over felt extraneous. Not every reader will feel this, I am sure. Thus the “drilling in” and reminders of God’s love and sovereignty will serve as encouragement during all kinds of suffering and tragedy.
MESSAGE CLARITY
There is no question as to what the authors seek to reveal about the heart and character of God. The message is a personal journey that Joni has been on for 50 years—confined to a wheelchair, mostly immobile after a tragic accident. Multiple narratives weave throughout theological responses to suffering and a broad perspective of a compassionate God surfaces. Typically, however, theological discourse tends to be weighty and cumbersome. Not so in this book. The authors’ tone is both encouraging and lighthearted; their creative writing style clothes theological truth in such a personalized touch so as to cause the reader to smile at their previously misunderstood perspective of a loving God.
CREATIVE STYLE
From sentence structure to word choice, this book is witty and wry, persuasive, perceptive and clever. Some might find it overly loquacious. I did not. I appreciated the threads of creativity as the authors conveyed the oft-overlooked similes and metaphors in the layers between felt human suffering. On the joy amidst African slum suffering, the authors write, “my thoughts were jumbled. So much gladness in the midst of misery. Joy, like a fresh daisy, sprouting up from manure.” Poetic and pensive, just the way I appreciate a good book. “As answers elude us, as God’s ways stymie us,” the authors continue, “the fire of suffering is stoked. We feel the heat of wanting what we don’t have and having what we don’t want. God appears unmoved. Happiness escapes us. We are discontent and restless.” But the narrative moves to a deeper confidence in a joyfully compassionate God, in Whose heavenly home, “Eden’s curse will be canceled. Sighs and longings will be historical curiosities. Tears will evaporate. Kleenex will go broke.” The two and three star Amazon reviews were submitted by individuals who seemingly do not appreciate a deep literary work—of which category this book is high on the list.
LANGUAGE SELECTION
This book is marked with high vocabulary, yet tinged with superfluous colloquial terms. There are no cliches here and few redundancies. Sentence structure often feels arduous at first glance—lots of commas and semicolons—but the book is, in my opinion, very readable. Some may disagree. “All during these sins, typhoons, illnesses, mishaps, snake bites, crib deaths, famines, and gas-station robberies—God hasn’t taken his hand off the wheel for thirty seconds. His plans are being accomplished despite, yes, even through, these tragedies.” Depictions of God are both terrifyingly foreign and unexpected. “God is not a casual or capricious Sculptor,” The authors state. “He promises to be precise with the chisel.” Ouch! That hurt a little, but I appreciate such truthful descriptions of a God I claim to know and love, yet comprehend so little about.
OVERALL IMPACT
“Twenty minutes of heaven will make up for everything.” Statements like this are highly impactful. They carry me up arduous cliffsides, propel me to new mental and emotional plateaus. This book gave me new vision, opened my eyes to secret caverns in the heart of God. If only I could live in a constant state of the realization of God’s goodness amidst suffering—what joys might be birthed within me! This book will encourage the travel-weary, strengthen the spiritual sinews, repair the brokenhearted. The author’s final statement is apt: “You have something eternally precious in common with Christ—suffering! But to your amazement, the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings has faded like a half-forgotten dream. Now it is a fellowship of sharing in his joy and pleasure. Pleasure made more wonderful by suffering.”
10 POINT RATING
I give When God Weeps a 9/10.
Sure to soften the calloused heart and comfort the grieving soul, this book weaves a deeper understanding of God’s compassionate heart between layers of heart-wrenching stories. The author’s personal experience alone might have been enough to crush the human will. Instead, new joy surfaced at the onset of her incredible suffering (a broken neck) and her life is now a testimony to millions who want to know if God truly cares about our sufferings. “This book is about God weeping over human heartache,” write the authors, “his entering our anguish himself, and the love that drives him to let us suffer. It’s about experiencing the friendship of God along difficult paths we didn’t even know he walked.” The book explores an array of questions that arise in the midst of suffering, quelling rumination of an angry, aloof, or otherwise unapproachable God. This book is both intellectual and emotional and promises to elicit a profound understanding of a God who weeps with us during life’s difficult circumstances.
CONTENT QUALITY
The authors repeatedly play the devil’s advocate, raising rhetorical questions, examining every facet of suffering and the numerous responses it elicits. This, to me, was a little bit cumbersome, albeit, apt for a book that explores this subject. The three sections are exhaustive, examining the following questions: Who is this God? What is He up to? How can I hang on? Chapters filled with stories of personal suffering and struggle, diving into the deep waters of the theology amidst suffering. I felt, at times, that the authors sought to convince me of things I had already long felt (and believed), and so the recurring truths that they turned over felt extraneous. Not every reader will feel this, I am sure. Thus the “drilling in” and reminders of God’s love and sovereignty will serve as encouragement during all kinds of suffering and tragedy.
MESSAGE CLARITY
There is no question as to what the authors seek to reveal about the heart and character of God. The message is a personal journey that Joni has been on for 50 years—confined to a wheelchair, mostly immobile after a tragic accident. Multiple narratives weave throughout theological responses to suffering and a broad perspective of a compassionate God surfaces. Typically, however, theological discourse tends to be weighty and cumbersome. Not so in this book. The authors’ tone is both encouraging and lighthearted; their creative writing style clothes theological truth in such a personalized touch so as to cause the reader to smile at their previously misunderstood perspective of a loving God.
CREATIVE STYLE
From sentence structure to word choice, this book is witty and wry, persuasive, perceptive and clever. Some might find it overly loquacious. I did not. I appreciated the threads of creativity as the authors conveyed the oft-overlooked similes and metaphors in the layers between felt human suffering. On the joy amidst African slum suffering, the authors write, “my thoughts were jumbled. So much gladness in the midst of misery. Joy, like a fresh daisy, sprouting up from manure.” Poetic and pensive, just the way I appreciate a good book. “As answers elude us, as God’s ways stymie us,” the authors continue, “the fire of suffering is stoked. We feel the heat of wanting what we don’t have and having what we don’t want. God appears unmoved. Happiness escapes us. We are discontent and restless.” But the narrative moves to a deeper confidence in a joyfully compassionate God, in Whose heavenly home, “Eden’s curse will be canceled. Sighs and longings will be historical curiosities. Tears will evaporate. Kleenex will go broke.” The two and three star Amazon reviews were submitted by individuals who seemingly do not appreciate a deep literary work—of which category this book is high on the list.
LANGUAGE SELECTION
This book is marked with high vocabulary, yet tinged with superfluous colloquial terms. There are no cliches here and few redundancies. Sentence structure often feels arduous at first glance—lots of commas and semicolons—but the book is, in my opinion, very readable. Some may disagree. “All during these sins, typhoons, illnesses, mishaps, snake bites, crib deaths, famines, and gas-station robberies—God hasn’t taken his hand off the wheel for thirty seconds. His plans are being accomplished despite, yes, even through, these tragedies.” Depictions of God are both terrifyingly foreign and unexpected. “God is not a casual or capricious Sculptor,” The authors state. “He promises to be precise with the chisel.” Ouch! That hurt a little, but I appreciate such truthful descriptions of a God I claim to know and love, yet comprehend so little about.
OVERALL IMPACT
“Twenty minutes of heaven will make up for everything.” Statements like this are highly impactful. They carry me up arduous cliffsides, propel me to new mental and emotional plateaus. This book gave me new vision, opened my eyes to secret caverns in the heart of God. If only I could live in a constant state of the realization of God’s goodness amidst suffering—what joys might be birthed within me! This book will encourage the travel-weary, strengthen the spiritual sinews, repair the brokenhearted. The author’s final statement is apt: “You have something eternally precious in common with Christ—suffering! But to your amazement, the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings has faded like a half-forgotten dream. Now it is a fellowship of sharing in his joy and pleasure. Pleasure made more wonderful by suffering.”
10 POINT RATING
I give When God Weeps a 9/10.
March 11, 2016
One of the best books I've ever read. Too bad it was from the library or I would have highlighted and written all over it. Will definitely be buying a copy.
Read
September 3, 2023It's easy to trust God when things are going our way and the world makes sense. But when suffering strikes--especially seemingly senseless suffering--we are filled with doubt and stunned by events spiraling beyond our control.
In the midst of suffering, we often question the very foundation of our faith--our belief in the God who says he loves us. 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 Steve 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.
In the midst of suffering, we often question the very foundation of our faith--our belief in the God who says he loves us. 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 Steve 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.
April 10, 2024
Great! I appreciated Joni's use of scripture and her illustrations.
A few principles that stood out to me:
1. Our sufferings are filtered by God. As illustrated in the book of Job, God selects exactly what and how much suffering we will endure for His wise and good purposes.
2. Relationship changes our view on suffering. The more we know and love Christ, the more perspective we have for our suffering. (Philippians 3:7-11)
3. As Christians, we are not isolated in our suffering. "If one member [of Christ's body] suffers, all suffer together..." (1 Cor. 12:26 ESV)
4. Our sufferings are a preparation. "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison," (2 Cor. 4:17 ESV)
A few principles that stood out to me:
1. Our sufferings are filtered by God. As illustrated in the book of Job, God selects exactly what and how much suffering we will endure for His wise and good purposes.
2. Relationship changes our view on suffering. The more we know and love Christ, the more perspective we have for our suffering. (Philippians 3:7-11)
3. As Christians, we are not isolated in our suffering. "If one member [of Christ's body] suffers, all suffer together..." (1 Cor. 12:26 ESV)
4. Our sufferings are a preparation. "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison," (2 Cor. 4:17 ESV)
January 15, 2021
Honestly, this book. I read her first one many years ago and was recently reminded she had a follow up. A wonderful, personal viewpoints on suffering. But in all pointing to the fact that God is Good even in the midst of our suffering. Joni is honest and raw in her approach, although unlike most authors that tackle this topic she goes down the personal experience root, using many real life examples throughout to exemplify her points. The questions she explores are hard, straight to the matter and tackle the big "why me" questions we throw at God in the midst of trials and such. A refreshing take on such a hard topic, Grab the tissues and dive into this.
June 17, 2021
A gentle, tender, yet thorough and honest look at human suffering and a sovereign, compassionate God. Highly recommend, though not always an easy read. The book is careful to tell readers who are in throbbing aches of present, heavy suffering to shelve the book for awhile and take time to cry out to the Lord before grappling with the book's chapters. I consider this to be wise counsel. There is a time to weep and a time to try to understand and develop a theology of suffering. Sometimes they aren't the same time, especially when the suffering is especially unbearable.
June 12, 2023
I didn't enjoy this book and I really can't understand the hype. Recommended to me to help my grieving process, I started the book open-minded and hopeful, however, I didn't like the tone of the content and didn't find it helpful or comforting in the slightest. I also disagree with this theological perspective- I believe that God is love and the God depicted in this book doesn't aligned with this belief. I'm glad it helps and comforts many, but I can't see the value in it. I much prefer reading Julian of Norwich.
December 13, 2024
An encouraging listen. Being shown through many texts in the living word of God that the Lord purposes all suffering, big and small, for His glory and our good. Through humor and humility, the author holds up the mirror of God’s word to the weakness and frailty of the human heart and urges the reader to look to the sturdy, righteous, and wise character of our perfectly loving God. There were so many layers of truth that challenged me in this read, and as a result I treasure Christ more. How patient is our God, how inscrutable are His ways.
April 17, 2019
Joni is a quadriplegic. She penned this story along with her lifelong friend Steve Estes. An incredible story about suffering and God's compassion. Insightful, Inspirational, wise, thoughtful, and full of mercy. Not a page-turner. There is so much meat to chew on and I found myself rereading passages again and again. I highly recommend this book for those who suffer and blindsided. Pretty much covers most of humanity.
May 31, 2023
I listened to the audio version and was very disappointed that it is an abridged version. However, it is read by the author and Joni is an excellent and captivating narrator. The book is an excellent mixture of story and theology. I will someday read the print version as it was recommended as an excellent reference book. Joni’s personal experiences of suffering and her reliance on God and His attributes to help her to endure and still praise him are inspirational. Excellent book.
January 19, 2019
Joni has challenged my faith and made me question my view of God and suffering through scripture. I pray that if suffering knocks on my door, I would choose to pursue and grow closer to Him rather than run the opposite direction in self pity. The most impactful quote from this book was "I would rather be in a wheel chair and have Christ than any amount of walking without Him."
August 27, 2022
No one else could write a book this straightforward, with actual answers to why God could cause suffering and still be loving, than Joni Eareckson Tada. Theologically sound, tough but kind, she writes straight from the heart. A bit verbose and repetitive, I docked it a star for writing style but there is nothing like the content of this book. It's practical and theological.
March 7, 2018
Joni really knows about suffering and lost dreams. She speaks from experience and shared her experiences as well as others.
March 21, 2019
This book speaks directly to God's purpose in our suffering. I found it encouraging and uplifting. As the author said, "Suffering keeps swelling our feet so our earthly shoes won't fit."
May 19, 2020
This is an amazing book. I highly recommend reading it: moving stories, tight theology, colorful word selection, readable.
November 9, 2021
I don’t agree with all of it but much of it was very insightful and helpful.
January 18, 2022
Comfort in suffering
March 25, 2022
DNF stopped at second section. Disappointed because I had high expectations since her book “Heaven” was so good. Boring, no new information, dated material but poems were good
July 2, 2022
Beautiful and insightful. An easy read, manageable for someone in deep grief. This book truly changed my perspective on suffering. A must read for anyone and everyone.
February 14, 2023
The book is worth the read just for the list of verses in the end. I found it hard reading sometimes but good truth taught
July 26, 2024
First I've read from her. Interesting, helpful. Surprised to learn she is Reformed.
August 8, 2024
So so good
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews