Suffering: Eternity Makes a Difference

Resources for Changing Lives

by Paul David Tripp

How hard it is to see God's goodness in the face of tragedy and suffering! Feeling abandoned, we cry out to him, question him, turn away from him, perhaps even curse him. It may seem like he's cheated us-we?ve done our part following him, but he's let us down. Paul David Tripp helps hurting people see their circumstances from an eternal perspective. Gently uncovering the wrong motives, faulty reasoning, and misguided conclusions that can blind us to the truth of God's love and goodness, Tripp focuses us on the grand picture of eternity. His compassionate approach and scriptural advice will help bring strength and hope to grieving souls.

Genres: Counselling

40 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

Paul was born in Toledo, Ohio to Bob and Fae Tripp on November 12, 1950. Paul spent all of his growing years in Toledo until his college years when his parents moved to Southern California.
At Columbia Bible College from 1968-1972, (now Columbia International University) Paul majored in Bible and Christian Education. Although he had planned to be there for only two years and then to study journalism, Paul more and more felt like there was so much of the theology of Scripture that he did not understand, so he decided to go to seminary. Paul met Luella Jackson at College and they married in 1971. In 1971, Paul took his first pastoral position and has had a heart for the local church ever since. After college, Paul completed his Master of Divinity degree at the Reformed Episcopal Seminary (now known as Philadelphia Theological Seminary) in Philadelphia (1972-1975). It was during these days that Paul’s commitment to ministry solidified. After seminary, Paul was involved in planting a church in Scranton, Pennsylvania (1977-1987) where he also founded a Christian School. During the years in Scranton, Paul became involved in music, traveling with a band and writing worship songs. In Scranton, Paul became interested in biblical counseling and decided to enroll in the D.Min program in Biblical Counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Paul then became a faculty member of the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (CCEF) and a lecturer in biblical counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Paul has also served as Visiting Professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
In 2009, Paul joined the faculty of Redeemer Seminary (daughter school of Westminster) in Dallas, Texas as Professor of Pastoral Life and Care.[1]
Beginning in June, 2006, Paul became the President of Paul Tripp Ministries, a non-profit organization, whose mission statement is "Connecting the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life." In addition to his current role as President of Paul Tripp Ministries, on January 1, 2007, Paul also became part of the pastoral staff at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA where he preached every Sunday evening and lead the Ministry to Center City through March, 2011 when he resigned due to the expanding time commitments needed at Paul Tripp Ministries.
Paul, Luella, and their four children moved to Philadelphia in 1987 and have lived there ever since. Paul is a prolific author and has written twelve books on Christian living which are sold internationally. Luella manages a large commercial art gallery in the city and Paul is very dedicated to painting as an avocation.[2] Paul’s driving passion is to help people understand how the gospel of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ really does speak with practical hope into all the things they will face in this broken world. Paul is a pastor with a pastor’s heart, a gifted speaker, his journey taking him all over the world, an author of numerous books on practical Christian living, and a man who is hopelessly in love with Luella.

Reviews

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful book about suffering. This is a great clear booklet. It touches on the suffering that comes from a misunderstanding of what he calls an eternal perspective, which I found very helpful. So whether you are suffering physically or spiritually this is a solid book. Recommended

[Myra]

I appreciated this mini book that applies Psalm 73 to help those suffering have an eternal perspective and a better understanding of what God is doing through trials.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a biblical counseling booklet on suffering written by the Biblical counselor Paul Tripp. It is a part of a series called “Resources for Changing Lives” printed by Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing that I highly recommend and have found very beneficial for my own personal spiritual growth and also as a resource in pastoral ministry. I recommend this booklet for those who are going through suffering, those who are ministering to those who are suffering and those who are Christians…because we will all go through suffering in our lives.
A big theme in this book is the fact that without the perspective of eternity ti is hard to face hardship since the picture is not complete (2). The booklet is an exposition and application of Psalms 73. It gives us four practical ways to respond to the difficult circumstances in our lives. These four steps are examine your focus, examine your conclusion, view life from eternity and focus on eternal riches. Though I have outlined the booklet readers should still consider reading the booklet for the author manages to pack a lot of insights. In addition each point also have a subsection of “How to…” this is very practical and helpful.
I learned a lot from this booklet. Sometimes in the Christian life it seems one is re-learning what we should already know; except each time we learn it we go deeper and have a greater appreciation for the truth of God and Christ. For instance one thing I took away from this booklet is that a wrong way to measure God’s goodness is with the metric of personal happiness in physical, external and immediate circumstances. I should know better but sometimes we fall back to the wrong perspective; this booklet is helpful in addressing this. This book also reminded me that trials and suffering are no indication that God has forsaken his promises (16). There are good diagnostic questions throughout the book and each serve for great mediation and heart check. This work turn out to be much better than I expected in addressing the heart that complain or engage in self-pity in terms of going through suffering. Very edifying and God-centered.

[Andrew Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the short (30 small pgs) booklets from CCEF. As the subtitle suggests, Tripp encouraged those suffering to look to the present (specifically, how God is working in your life now) and look to the future (God's promises for eternity).

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again another excellent pamphlet in this series.

[Christie Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

PDT uses Psalm 73 as framework to help the reader lament well. This 30 page booklet provides practical application for examining circumstances and points to an eternal perspective.

[Roberto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Que hermosa reflexion

Creo leer este pequeño libro, nos ayudara a cambiar la perspectiva con respecto a la vida y como vemos la vida con miras a la eternidad. Dios los bendiga

[Keidy Sheilyn Reinoso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un tratado extenso pero un libro corto de cómo la eternidad y un cambio de perspectiva hacen diferencia en medio de nuestro dolor y sufrimiento.

[Gabrielle Link · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think anger by David Powlison and this one go hand in hand. I love this book too.

[Bulldog · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a much needed reality check, this little booklet helped me to address my anger toward God after a permanent work injury. A must read for anyone struggling to believe in God's goodness.