It's Not Supposed to be This Way by Lysa Terkeurst

The life Terkeurst was experiencing was certainly not the life she had planned. Serious abdominal issues and surgery, a marriage broken by betrayal, and then the diagnosis of breast cancer. She shares the lessons she is learning through the adversity. She is free with her raw pain but she is also free with her steadfast faith in God.

She is learning yet again to trust in God. “I forget,” she writes, “that this kind of trusting in God is often forged in the crucible of longsuffering.” (95)

The most enlightening part of the book for me was her setting straight the lie that God will never give you more than you can handle. Sometimes He will, she says. (iii) He doesn't expect us to handle it. We are to rely on His strength.

“In the middle of our disappointments and hard times, we must seek to be transformed into thinking biblically, processing with truth instinctively, and trusting God implicitly.” (183)

Terkeurst has provided some great aids for readers. She gives encouraging Scripture at the end of each chapter as well as questions for reflection and a written prayer. At the end of the book Terkeurst has listed lies we might be tempted to believe when struggling and the truth from Scripture. There is also a final list of Scriptures that go along with each chapter in the book.

I highly recommend this book for those experiencing challenges they never anticipated would be part of their lives. You will read of the pain and struggles of another. You will also read how she continued to trust God. You will be given much practical encouragement to help you in your own faith journey.

You can watch the book trailer here.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Lysa Terkeurst is president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and a New York Times bestselling author. You can find out more about her at www.LysaTerKeurst.com.

Thomas Nelson, 256 pages.

Becoming Resilient by Donna Gibbs

As a professional Christian counselor, Gibbs has seen the deep pain suffered because of tragedy. She offers her practical thoughts on how to make it through that pain. This book contains a wealth of information and good suggestions.

Many have tried to explain why a good God allows suffering. I like what Gibbs concludes. “I have come to the conclusion that God allows some suffering in our lives to expose the fullness of His character – His love and mercy, His compassion and concern, His forgiveness and redemption, His grace.” (Loc 111/2666) That really makes sense to me. We could not know those aspects of God without suffering.

I like Gibbs' suggestion that we move beyond the “why.” Getting stuck there is fruitless. She helps us see the causes of suffering and its various kinds. She reminds us that Scripture tells us suffering will be part of our Christian life. We need practical help in experiencing the suffering, coming through it well.

She helps us identify the kind of behavior that gets us stuck in coping. I appreciated her identifying behavior that is a normal reaction to abnormal events but when we stay in that behavior, it turns into a psychological dysfunctional state creating further suffering. She has good information and suggestions for developing the right coping skills.

She includes many illustrations of people who have made it through suffering and came out well on the other side. She also includes biblical illustrations and some of her own experience of suffering. The stories are positive examples of people who allowed their suffering to be used for a greater purpose.

Gibbs assigns homework to her patients and she does the same in this book. She also includes application questions. She suggests we discuss these questions with a trusted friend.

I highly recommend this book to those who are suffering and are ready to allow God to use it for good. You'll read many encouraging stories and be offered practical suggestions to help you get unstuck and get through to living with resilience. Gibbs is clear that this will take work. This book will inspire you and help you on your path.

Food for thought: “If you want resilience, giving up is simply not an option.” (Loc 2089/2666)

More food for thought: “Remember, God ultimately provides our resilience. We simply cooperate.” (Loc 2289/2666)

You can find out more and read a chapter at https://www.becomingresilientbook.com/.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Donna Gibbs is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, a National Certified Counselor, and a Board Certified Christian Counselor. She earned a PhD in Christian Counseling and Psychology from Louisiana Baptist University in 2007. She is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and is on the referral network for Focus on the Family and Crisis Care Network. She is director of A Clear Word Counseling Center and of marriage and support ministries for Mud Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville, North Carolina. She and her husband have four sons. You can find out more at www.clearwordcounseling.org. (Author Photo: © Tanya Leshe Photography)

Revell, 208 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review. 

Shattered Prayers by Kenneth Ching

When Ching and his wife had their baby boy, Joshua was born with Pierre Robin Sequence, an abnormally small jaw causing the baby's tongue to be pressed into the back of the mouth. Joshua was taken to NICU as he had difficulty breathing. Then the flight to a children's hospital and the possibility of additional disorders.

Ching has given us an account of his life during that trying time. He is very honest in his messy feelings. His hope is that others going through trials will see that they are not alone. He also shows that God can meet us when we are at our worst.

This is a moving book. Ching is very open about his experiences. He struggled with his faith, at times wondering if God had caused his son's troubles, wondering if he could trust God, wondering if God would help Joshua. “And, yet, I keep praying. I pray angrily. I pray cursing. But I keep praying.” (45) He came to the realization that God did not give the disease to Joshua. “God is waging a holy war through these people and things, and he's warring to save Joshua's life.” (53)

Ching shares many of his spiritual insights, especially those that can be gained only through suffering. He writes about the experience being a marathon, having to have strength for the long period of tests, surgeries, therapists, and feeding tubes.

He has insights for visitors, too. He writes of his feelings when a local pastor told him the “Remember, God is sovereign” platitude. For those coming alongside, Ching writes, “They have permission not to say anything at all.” (89) “Showing up is good enough.” (119) Those ministering to others in need would benefit from reading this book and paying attention to the insights it contains.

I highly recommend this book to those who are suffering. Reading this book will help you realize you are not alone in your struggles to trust God. Like Ching, you will realize that you can come through the experience still loving and trusting God. You may not have many answers. God did not promise to answer all your questions but He did promise to save you and ultimately wipe away every tear.

You can request a sample chapter here.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Kenneth Ching is an attorney in Reno, Nevada. He has worked as a journalist and law professor and held positions at organizations such as World Vision and Regent University. You can find out more at http://www.kennethching.com/.

Kirkdale Press, 166 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

When There Are No Easy Answers by John S. Feinberg

Free Kindle download today.

Feinberg is an academic and had intellectually studied the problem of evil. Then his wife was diagnosed with Huntington's chorea. In shock, surprise, and pain, he found his intellectual work was of no comfort. What he shares here is his personal story of how he came to still love and serve the God who allows the suffering.

We would like to think that if we are really trying to seek God's will and be obedient, evil will not befall us. When it does, we wonder if we really want to still worship a God who rewards faithfulness with severe affliction. (17) A crisis of faith often results.

That is the kind of raw honesty with which Feinberg writes. He shares the stages he went through after his wife's diagnosis. I was interested to read that he realized intellectual answers were of little value for him. This was an emotional problem. A personal experience of affliction, he says, requires pastoral care, not an intellectual discussion.

The issue, Feiberg writes, is how to live with a God who doesn't prevent or stop the suffering. In helping others live with this reality, he gives good suggestions on what not to say. He lets us know what helped him, such as others allowing him to talk and really listening to him.

He honestly attacks questions like why some Christians have to suffer so much and others do not. He reveals the error of our expecting God to treat everyone the same, extending the grace of pain free living to all instead of just some. He does explain that affliction is part of living in a sinful world and that the more we follow God, the more we can expect attacks from Satan.

I recommend this book to those who minister to the afflicted. You won't find any cold intellectual writing about why Christians suffer. You will find an honest account of how one man came to grips with his relationship to God in the midst of affliction. You will receive some good insight into what the afflicted need in the way of ministry. You will also have some good information with which you can think and talk about God and suffering, as an Appendix includes several goals God may want to accomplish in the suffering.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

John S. Feinberg is professor of biblical and systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has also been a pastor, a staff member for Chosen People Ministries, and has taught at Western Seminary and Liberty University.

Kregel, 160 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

When Trouble Comes by Philip Graham Ryken

Jesus told his disciples they would have trouble (John 16:33). That's true for us too. Trouble will come. Ryken looks at the lives of several people in the Bible and clarifies what they did when trouble came. He gleans lessons for us today from their examples.

From Isaiah we learn our part of confessing our sins and God's part of atoning for that sin. From Elijah we learn about spiritual depression, its causes and cures. From Ruth we see that some blame God for their troubles while others, like Ruth, continue to go with God. From David we learn about sexual sin and from Jeremiah, about the dark night of the soul. Mary is an example of being devoted to God. Ryken reminds us that Jesus understands our troubles. Jesus did not try to get out of his troubles but embraced his calling. He gives us our highest motivation, a commitment to God's glory. Lastly, Paul yields encouragement for being persecuted because of faith.

Ryken's final words are based on those of Jesus too. “Take heart.” If Christ has overcome the world, then we can overcome the world, resist temptation, persevere through persecution, live and die for Christ and his kingdom.

There is a great deal of encouragement in this book. “So do not take the easy way out, make the hard choice instead. When the situation is desperate and even God seems to be going against you, do not give up, but trust his good plan.” And, “Don't give up and don't give in. Keep offering your life for the plans and purposes of God.”

What the book lacks is practical suggestions for doing what Ryken encourages. I thought perhaps the Discussion Guide would have some. Unfortunately, it does not. One of the questions is, “What activities or disciplines might renew your spirit and help you experience God's grace in times of trouble?” Apparently readers must come up with their own ideas as to not giving up, persevering, etc.

The best part of the book, I thought, was Ryken sharing what helped him when he was experiencing trouble. Knowing that his trouble was a normal part of life, trying to live the ordinary routines of life, friends, and God's Word were what sustained him.

From the way the book is written and structured, I suggest it be read and discussed within a group of trusted friends. People can share with others what worked for them when trouble came. This is a short book so it would not be intimidating for new Christians.

Food for thought: “Jesus did not get out of trouble, but went through it, and everything he went through brought glory to God.”

You can watch a video of Ryken on this topic here.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Philip Graham Ryken is the eighth president of Wheaton College. He formerly served as senior minister of Philadelphia's historic Tenth Presbyterian Church. He has written or edited more than 40 books. He has lectured and preached at universities and seminaries worldwide.

Crossway, 176 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

Between Pain and Grace by Gerald W. Peterman and Andrew J. Schmutzer

The authors have provided a biblical theology of suffering for pastors, ministry leaders, counselors, and others in church leadership. It is aimed at understanding our suffering based on biblical texts. It centers on what the Bible says about suffering well and helping others in their suffering.

There are some thought provoking issues in this book. The one that struck me with the most force is our lack of lament. There is no place for lament in our church services, even though a good percentage of those in the pews are suffering. The authors draw attention to "our dis-ease with engaging suffering in corporate worship." Expressions of pain and suffering are not welcome in church. We wear facades instead. This section of the book made me wonder how the church can engage misery and give voice to those suffering.

Another issue is the suffering of God. The authors investigate that concept and how an understanding of the suffering of God helps those who have known pain. I found their discussion of fear was interesting too, especially whether it is always a sin. We are reminded of Jesus' experience of fear in the garden. There is also a discussion of the role of anger and how it can be redemptive. An exploration of forgiveness is included too.

An insightful topic for me was the difference between pain and suffering. Pain is external and objective. It is a thing. Suffering is internal and subjective. It is an experience. Their discussion about the relationship of suffering to desires, goals, and sin was very enlightening.

This is a good book for pastors, counselors, and others who want to help people live through suffering with grace, maturity, patience, insight, and proper action. The authors have included great chapters on the dysfunctional family, sexual abuse and mental illness. It is rather academic in style (for example, writing about the “relational ecosystem” in Genesis). Lay people may find it a bit too academic. There are questions included at the end of each chapter so the book could be used as a study by a church or counseling staff.

I was raised in a denomination that was rather stoic. This book really helped me understand the necessity of giving voice to suffering. Silencing the voice only intensifies the suffering. I recommend this book to leaders, hoping others will also gain a glimpse of the importance of giving voice to the suffering. It is not a book to give to those in the midst of suffering, however.

You can read an excerpt here.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Gerald W. Peterman is a Bible professor at Moody Bible Institute and the director of the Biblical and Theological Studies program at Moody Theological Seminary. He and his wife have two adult daughters.

Andrew J. Schmutzer is Professor of Biblical Studies at Moody Bible Institute.

Moody Press, 352 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

Hunting Hope by Nika Maples

I have read several books to help Christians understand suffering. This one is the best I've read in ages.

Lest we think Maples doesn't know suffering, she shares her own story. She was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus at twelve years old. She suffered a massive brainstem stroke at twenty that almost killed her. Although she learned to walk and talk again through rehabilitation, she lives every day with the challenge of chronic illness and disability. She still has a limping gait, using a cane on good days and a walker on bad ones.

I really like her attitude that it is about God's sovereignty. Either He is in control or He is not. “If God is in control, then what we know about God is more important than what we know about our circumstances.” She does an excellent job in showing how God uses the darkness of suffering for character formation, drawing us closer to Him, preparing us for something new, and more.

Maples writes about the unexpected blessing of suffering, encouraging us to know that all of God's actions are out of love, even if we do not understand them. She uses examples of biblical characters to remind us that we often do not know God's plan until we walk through the suffering in obedience.

The lessons she shares from the Bible and her own experience are insightful and practical. I really liked her insight of 2 Corinthians 6. Before Paul lists his troubles, he declares that it was the time of God's favor. Paul expected to see God in the midst of his times of suffering. What a lesson for us.

I highly recommend this book to anyone in need of encouragement for going through suffering. Maples' insight from her own suffering and her understanding of God's character will boost your faith in a loving God Who is working out His plan for your life.

Food for thought: “Maybe it doesn't matter what causes suffering in our lives as much as it matters what suffering causes in our lives.”

You can find out more about the book and her amazing story at http://nikamaples.com/. You can watch her TEDx talk here.

I am taking part in a blog tour of this book and you can read other reviews here.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Nika Maples was twenty years old when she had a massive brainstem stroke leaving her unable to walk, speak, even blink. Doctors told her family she had 48 hours to live. Her faith sustained her and a year later she was able to walk onto her college campus. She went on to earn a BS in mass communications and an MA in English Education. In 2007 she was named the Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. She now writes and speaks full time, sharing her story of hope and endurance across the country. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas.

Worthy Inspired, 240 pages. You can purchase a copy here.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Litfuse for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

Hunting Hope by Nika Maples

I have read several books to help Christians understand suffering. This one is the best I've read in ages.

Lest we think Maples doesn't know suffering, she shares her own story. She was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus at twelve years old. She suffered a massive brainstem stroke at twenty that almost killed her. Although she learned to walk and talk again through rehabilitation, she lives every day with the challenge of chronic illness and disability. She still has a limping gait, using a cane on good days and a walker on bad ones.

I really like her attitude that it is about God's sovereignty. Either He is in control or He is not. “If God is in control, then what we know about God is more important than what we know about our circumstances.” She does an excellent job in showing how God uses the darkness of suffering for character formation, drawing us closer to Him, preparing us for something new, and more.

Maples writes about the unexpected blessing of suffering, encouraging us to know that all of God's actions are out of love, even if we do not understand them. She uses examples of biblical characters to remind us that we often do not know God's plan until we walk through the suffering in obedience.

The lessons she shares from the Bible and her own experience are insightful and practical. I really liked her insight of 2 Corinthians 6. Before Paul lists his troubles, he declares that it was the time of God's favor. Paul expected to see God in the midst of his times of suffering. What a lesson for us.

I highly recommend this book to anyone in need of encouragement for going through suffering. Maples' insight from her own suffering and her understanding of God's character will boost your faith in a loving God Who is working out His plan for your life.

Food for thought: “Maybe it doesn't matter what causes suffering in our lives as much as it matters what suffering causes in our lives.”

You can find out more about the book and watch a video at http://nikamaples.com/.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Nika Maples was twenty years old when she had a massive brainstem stroke leaving her unable to walk, speak, even blink. Doctors told her family she had 48 hours to live. Her faith sustained her and a year later she was able to walk onto her college campus. She went on to earn a BS in mass communications and an MA in English Education. In 2007 she was named the Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. She now writes and speaks full time, sharing her story of hope and endurance across the country. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas.

Worthy Inspired, 240 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

I Am Strong by John S Dickerson

We need encouragement and hope when we are hurting. Dickerson reminds us that the only hope that is real and meaningful is from God. “God's strength best invades our lives through our weaknesses and pain.”

We have all kinds of questions when we suffer. Why am I suffering? Why haven't I been healed? Is God mad at me? Dickerson answers these kinds of questions as he helps us put suffering into an eternal perspective.

Dickerson writes from his own experience. He has hemiplegic migraines. They have debilitating stroke like symptoms. A few times a year he looses his ability to form words and to even think. It's his thorn in the flesh.

He shares how he is daily discovering the comfort of God's presence. He is convinced God is repurposing our temporary pains for our eternal good. We must push ourselves to trust God. There is an inner rest and strength that comes from that relationship with God. “The secret of finding joy, peace, and contentment has nothing to do with your circumstances and everything to do with Christ's strength.”

Dickerson has done an excellent job of helping us understand why there is suffering in the world. He shows that we can have peace and contentment that rise above our circumstances. He has great illustrations, stories of people and from the Bible, to support his teaching.

The message came through clearly that peace and contentment in our circumstances is not something instant. It requires our spiritual growth and is a skill we must learn. Here is how Dickerson describes ultimate spiritual adulthood: “When we really trust God the Father so much more than we trust ourselves. … When we really want His desires more than our desires.”

This is the most honest and realistic book I have read on suffering in a long time. He doesn't promise relief from suffering. He still suffers. But he has learned that God wants to give power and strength through that suffering. That's the truth he has for us too.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is hurting. You'll read of people who have risen above their pain through Christ's strength. You'll begin to understand what God is doing in your pain and what it means to surrender to His plan. You'll be encouraged by the example of Jesus and His suffering.

It would be a good book to give to someone who is hurting. Perhaps you don't know what to say or how to encourage. This book would be a great help.

Food for thought:

“Your greatest contribution in life may result from your greatest pain or weakness, surrendered.”

Find out more at www.IamStrongBook.com, where you can download a free chapter.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

John S. Dickerson has written for The New York Times, USA Today, CNN and others. His previous book, The Great Evangelical Recession, assessed the health of the church in the United States. He has earned dozens of honors for his writing. He serves as the Teaching Pastor in Residence at Venture Christian Church in Los Gatos, California. He lives in Silicon Valley with his wife and children. You can find out more at www.JohnSDickerson.com.

Zondervan, 224 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

Stronger by Clayton King

God has a plan to make you stronger – and it is not what you think.

“Just as smooth seas don't create skilled sailors, an easy life has no power to purify us and make us stronger,” King writes. “Hard times, on the other hand, have the power to transform us in ways that no other force could.” (17)

That might not be exactly what we want to hear. But King learned that truth above through experience. He shares his own story. He was called to preach at age fourteen. He was mentored and his life was blessed. Fast forward twenty years. He was now a husband and dad. His intense learning experience began when he received the telephone call that his mother was at emergency. Then he found out she died. He was traveling out of country and was stuck. He felt his life was out of his control.

That was the first of a number of deaths in his immediate family in a short amount of time. King shares the lessons he learned from the pain, the crippling depression and the anxiety. He realized that brokenness shows how fragile we are and how much we must depend on God's strength. He learned of his own weakness. He reached the end of his own ability and learned about humility. He also learned the meaning of true strength.

I am impressed with the teaching in this book. It contains a good balance of stories from King's life and teaching from the Bible. I like his insights as to why we go through painful times. His section on understanding was particularly good. I also really liked his teaching about sharing our stories and why it is important to do so. Sharing our vulnerable times has the ability to inspire and encourage others. I really appreciated his teaching on worship and glory too.

This is a book that offers hope and promise and encouragement to those of us in hard times. It helps us see the bigger picture and purpose God has in mind. As King reminds us, nobody gets an exemption from hard times. I recommend this book as a great source of understanding and encouragement. It's a good book for pastors and others who help those going through hard times as well.

Food for thought:

“Weakness is a welcome sign hanging on the door of our lives, inviting God inside.” (20)

“Your current trial is your future testimony, so don't hesitate to tell your story.” (81)

Clayton King was born to a teen mother who chose adoption over abortion. He converted to faith in Christ at age fourteen and began speaking in prisons, churches, and public school assemblies. He began traveling internationally in high school. He is the founder of Crossroads Summer Camps and Crossroads Missions. He is also president of Clayton King Ministries, a non-profit ministry and humanitarian organization. He is a distinguished professor of evangelism at Anderson University, a teaching pastor at NewSpring Church, and the author of twelve books. For more information, visit www.claytonking.com, www.cowithcr.com, and www.crossroadssummercamp.com.

Baker Books, 240 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review. 

If God Is So Good, Why Do I Hurt So Bad? by David Biebel

This is a book written from the heart of a man who has suffered and desires to share what he has learned, giving hope to others.

Pastor Biebel and his wife lost their three year old son to an undiagnosed condition. He shares his pain, grieving, and his depression. They had another son a year later but then he came down with what was probably the same extremely rare disease.

But this is not a depressing book. It is full of encouragement. His message is that, as he made it through the pain, so will readers. He takes us through the stages one goes through, drawing from his journal and his correspondence with others. He describes the process as a spiral. Emotions may be revisited again and again. He writes of disintegration, reintegration, and then authentic living.

Biebel asks his readers to take a risk – to believe that God is more loving, understanding, and forgiving that we ever imagined. He reminds us that a crisis is both a danger and an opportunity. Much of how we emerge from a painful experience depends on our view. Faith is essential but he does note that first that faith will generate many questions before is provides the ultimate comfort. It will get harder before it gets easier. “The good news is,” he writes, “that walking with him by faith remains the only way to transform your pain into anything other than pain.”

Biebel encourages readers, reminding us that we know the love of God in a special way through suffering. Perhaps, he says, the only way to really learn about the love of God is through pain. He encourages us to let Jesus in our pain, helping us to see beyond now to eternity, “...transforming your chaos into coherence through his presence in the center.” But it will take time as the journey is long.

This is a book written from the heart of a man who has gone through the pain of loss. It is full of information on the journey with encouragement along the path. I highly recommend it.

David B. Biebel has a DMin from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has authored or coauthored nineteen books. His books have been translated into dozens of languages worldwide. He founded Healthy Life Press to help new authors writing on wholeness get their books in print.

Healthy Life Press, 220 pages.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through the Book Club Network for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

Hope During Heartache by Cheri Swalwell

I can't imagine there is anything more painful than losing a child, regardless of the circumstances. It is important, Swalwell writes, that parents have the freedom to share their feelings with others who understand. This book comes out of her own experience and the desire to find a book that would comfort her and offer hope despite the pain. She has compiled these stores as evidence of personal tragedy and yet with ultimate victory.

At first, I found these stories heart breaking. Each of the thirteen contributors share their own pain, emotional and physical. I read about the grief and the anger. Some expressed feelings of guilt (What did I do wrong?). Some thought they were being punished by God. Then I realized each person shared their recovery. These people were survivors and their stories encourage each of us. We will survive too. As the last story, written by the father of a ten year old who died of cancer, reveals, one will never be the same. But there is a new place of realizing that Christians do not grieve as those who have no hope. There will come a time when the entire family will be united again, in heaven.

This is a good book for those who want to understand the experience of losing a child, whether it be through miscarriage or the death of an older child. Although I have not lost a child, I can now begin to understand what the experience brings with it in pain and grief.

Swalwell reports that 25% of women experience a miscarriage. If that includes you, you will find kindred souls in this book. Men and women who have experienced the same kind of pain. And if you have not experienced that pain, reading this book will help you minister to those who have. I highly recommend it.

Cheri Swalwell is the mother of three children who live with her and husband and one child they will meet in heaven some day. She is a regular contributor for Book Fun Magazine and Life to the Fullest. Check out her blog at www.chariswalwell.com or “like” her on Facebook.

Spoken from the Heart, 216 pages. You can buy the book here.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through The Book Club Network for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

The Dave Test by Frederick W. Schmidt

Seven years ago Frederick's brother Dave, a gifted hand surgeon, got a brain tumor in the prime of life. He went from 120 surgeries a month to zero. Dave, a Christian, was frustrated with what other Christians told him. Their words were useless platitudes. They didn't pass the “Dave test.”

“The Dave Test,” Frederick writes, “is a set of ten questions you can ask yourself when life sucks or before you talk to someone whose life is in the same sort of place.” (6) These questions will help us stay honest about life, present with our friends, and in touch with God. They will keep us from saying hurtful things or using “stained-glass” language. We'll be less likely to defend wrong ideas about God or look for our own comfort at the expense of others. (7)

One question deals with being honest about just how hard and ugly life can be. Another deals with our views of God and how to find a vision of God we can hold onto, One who suffers alongside us. He wants us to question our churchy, stained-glass (and useless) words and asks us to use the language of reality. He asks if we can admit that some things will never get better – we're mortal. He confronts our magical thinking. He brings us up short on fooling ourselves, blowing smoke, failing to confront the truth. He suggests steps we can take to say something that helps the sufferer. He explores how we can grieve with another. He asks if we can walk in the transparency of our own wounded self. And finally, how to be a friend, be available, be vulnerable.

He does a great job of analyzing why we say those useless, “stained-glass” kinds of things. We wish we had some control. We so want life to make sense. Sometimes it just does not. Like the psalmist, we wonder why the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper. Sometimes is just is. He has a helpful discussion on the various views of God's sovereignty and control.

Frederick has certainly given me a great deal of food for thought as to how I relate to those suffering. This is a very honest and penetrating book. It's not fluff. It deals with a hard subject of great importance.

Some Christians will find this book offensive, I am sure. There is “language.” There is vulgarity. So be warned. Sometimes the reality of suffering isn't neat and tidy and surrounded by stained-glass language. I didn't read anything I haven't heard people say in the midst of pain, so I understood why it was included.

Frederick W. Schmidt holds the Rueben P. Job Chair in Spiritual Formation and directs the Rueben P. Job Institute for Spiritual Formation at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. He is an Episcopal priest, spiritual director, and retreat leader. He has written numerous articles and seven previous books. He and his wife life in Chicago.

Abingdon Press, 176 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the author for the purpose of this review.

Why God Why? by Karen Jensen

Awful things happen. Haven't you cried out, “Why, God, why?”

Karen has written this book from her own experience to help those in painful situations. She knows that God will bring you through the hard times. He wants to heal your broken heart and help you embrace a bright future.

Karen's husband died suddenly at age thirty-seven. She asked God serious questions and encourages you to do the same. Be honest with God, she advises.

What is crucial, Karen writes, is what you do after you've asked the questions. That is the main purpose of her book – to help you find out what to do after you've asked the questions.

She helps you understand how to control and replace your thoughts, to relax in God's hold on you, to trust God's plan for your life, to know that others are praying for you, to trust in an unchanging God, to understand the reason evil things happen, to walk in the vision the Bible has for your life, be assured your place in heaven is secure, and that God's love will never fail.

She uses biblical stories and those from people she knows to illustrate the truths she promotes. At the end of each chapter Karen has included a “Now Engage” section with Scripture and affirmations related to the truth in it. These are great for meditation and memorization.

Karen writes from a charismatic viewpoint that includes the following: “It is never His will for people to be sick. It is always His will to heal us.” “God doesn't cause sickness or any other trial or trouble.” (89) She fails to address Paul's so called thorn in the flesh, nor does she write about God disciplining those He loves and how He might do that. Because of those omissions, I rate the book four stars, not five.

Watch a promotional video here.

Karen Jensen has been in ministry for almost thirty years and has been writing for almost forty. She and her husband traveled as itinerant ministers and pioneered two churches. Her husband died unexpectedly in 1997 and she became senior pastor of their church in Boise, Idaho. She raised her two teenage sons to be on fire for the Lord. She is now an instructor at Rhema Bible Training College in Oklahoma. She also travels internationally to share her message. Find out more about her and her ministry at www.karenjensen.org.

Charisma House, 226 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.