Introduction
In this life and world of tribulation (John 16:33), Christ has not left us comfortless. He has blessed His people with His Spirit, His Word, and fellow brethren in Christ who can console us (2 Corinthians 1:3-7).
If you know someone, to whom the LORD has lovingly sent a season of suffering, do not leave them alone! Yes, we are often at a loss for words, but giving a book like one of these may just be the timely comfort and strengthening they need in the heat of the spiritual battle.
We pray that by journeying through various Bible verses and examples on suffering, these sources of nourishing soul-meat will encourage you to endure your unique trial(s), resist Satan’s temptations of sin, hope in Christ the Author and Finisher of your faith, and hold fast to the end.
These books do not merely provide a Biblical perspective on suffering, but guide and instruct the reader towards the appropriate Christian response, along with the practical helps to endure suffering with joy, for our sanctification and spiritual maturity.
We pray that most of all, by journeying through various Bible verses and examples on suffering, these sources of nourishing soul-meat will encourage believers to endure their unique trials, hope and hold fast to the end.
BOOKS
1) Surprised by Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in the Christian Life by R.C. Sproul
2) Strength for the Weary by Derek Thomas
3) Does Grace grow best in Winter? by Ligon Duncan
4) Deserted by God? By Sinclair Ferguson
5) Christians get Depressed too by David Murray
6) Silent Shades of Sorrow by Charles Spurgeon
Each book has a slightly different focus.
Let’s compare the first 3 books in this list.
Sproul addresses head-on the most common question that arises from amid our suffering WHY? He provides a holistic Biblical framework on Christian suffering in 2 parts “Unto Death” and “After Death” all in his idiosyncratically engaging and clear manner.
Thomas focuses on the process finding hope and strength in the midst of suffering by pointing readers to the God of Comfort and consolation, as declared and promised in the second half of the book of Isaiah. He exalts the majesty and sovereignty of God in suffering, while grounding readers in the sufficiency of Christ’s grace, thus lifting downtrodden readers out of despair and pain. Duncan focuses on the fruit of suffering the growth of our faith in concise language and a pithy paperback of just 96 pages. A nice touch to this book is the thoughtful study questions for reflection or group discussion, ensuring that readers pause to prayerfully apply Scriptural truths to their lives.
Surprised by Suffering
Surprised by Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in the Christian Life by R.C. Sproul has been helping Christians cope with suffering for over 30 years. It is a timeless classic that is still relevant today. The edition on our website is the sturdy hardback, revised and expanded by
@ligonierministries, US. Here’s a look at the 10 chapters, not to mention an appendix of questions and answers, scripture index and subject index:
Chapter One: SUFFERING, PERPLEXITY, AND DESPAIR
Chapter Two: WALKING THE VIA DOLOROSA
Chapter Three: A CASE STUDY IN SUFFERING
Chapter Four: PURPOSE IN SUFFERING
Chapter Five: THE FINAL CALLING
Chapter Six: DYING IN FAITH
PART TWO: After Death
Chapter Seven: SPECULATIONS ON LIFE AFTER DEATH
Chapter Eight: JESUS AND THE AFTERLIFE
Chapter Nine: TO DIE IS GAIN
Chapter Ten: A VISION OF THINGS TO COME
Appraisals for Surprised by Suffering:
“It’s a real gift to the church when a seasoned theologian, with insights gained from years of personal experience and biblical study, handles a tough topic like suffering. Here you will find the wisdom of biblical perspective combined with the eternal hope of the gospel leading you to greater rest in your Savior, even in times of trouble. I am thankful for the new edition of this book.”
Dr. Paul David Tripp, President, Paul Tripp Ministries, Philadelphia
“As an oncologist, I have the privilege of caring for people as they ‘walk through the valley of the shadow of death.’ In such times, people of faith find themselves faced with the most troubling questions of human existence, namely those raised by suffering and death. In Surprised by Suffering, R. C. Sproul concisely and sensitively affirms what I believe to be the three critical truths we need to grasp in order to persevere through suffering and death. First, the inevitable and vocational nature of death/suffering; second, God’s sovereign redemptive purposes in suffering; and finally, the certainty of eternal life in perfect fellowship with Him and our fellow believers. I was delighted to learn of this book’s republication, and my reading of the manuscript reaffirmed why we do not grieve as those who have no hope.”
Dr. James W. Lynch Jr., Professor of medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Fla.
“In Surprised by Suffering, John Calvin meets Florence Nightingale. This is a rare work, a melding of the theologian and the pastor—a book that looks straightforwardly at suffering and teaches, explains, confronts, and comforts. Buy a dozen, as you will be giving this one away to someone who is hurting in the world around you.”
Rev. John P. Sartelle Sr., Senior minister, Christ Presbyterian Church, Oakland, Tennessee, US
Strength for the Weary includes his own experiences of suffering, and he offers words of hope and encouragement that are both biblical and practical. Thomas reminds us that weariness is not a sign of weakness, but a normal human experience.
1 Strength for the Weary
2 Who Rules the World?
3 I Am the Only God There Is
4 The Burden-Bearing God
Interlude: The Servant, Jesus
5 The Waters of Life
6 A Well-Watered Garden
7 My Delight Is in Her
8 New Heavens and New Earth
Appraisals for Strength for the Weary:
Some Christians (and pastors) excel in afflicting the comforted while others comfort the afflicted. Few have the grace to do both. The prophet Isaiah was one of those who could, and reading these pages based on his great prophecies will convince you that Dr. Derek Thomas has learned to be another. Here is a spiritual treat, giving us both an exalted view of the majesty of God and a deep sense that Christ’s grace is sufficient for all our needs. Strength for the Weary is simply a feast of good things–truly nourishing spiritual fare, skillfully prepared and lovingly presented.
Sinclair B. Ferguson, Professor of Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary
Derek Thomas is one of the few men in the world who can blend the highest degree of biblical and theological scholarship together with the most insightful, practical, and pastoral wisdom and grace and do it in such a way that everyone can understand and benefit from it. Strength for the Weary is Derek Thomas at his best. If you are a Christian, you can be sure that you will experience struggle and opposition in this life. Jesus told us it would be so. That is why you need to read this book. And, as you do, you will find your heart warmed, your soul encouraged, your mind expanded, and your faith strengthened. You will find the help that you need as you strive to walk by faith and not by sight in every situation of your life.
Guy M. Richard, Executive Director and Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary
One of the things I have long admired about Derek Thomas is the deliberate way he seeks to comfort weary Christians with clear biblical teaching. Drawing from select passages in Isaiah, Dr. Thomas combines the insights of a theologian, the skill of a preacher, and the concern of a pastor in a devotional book written for the purpose of encouraging downtrodden pilgrims. I needed this book. I suspect you do as well. Reading these straightforward but carefully crafted meditations on God’s Word may not provide immediate relief from your pain. But this book will direct you to the God of all comfort. For that reason, Derek Thomas’ Strength for the Weary is a much-needed resource for finding lasting rest in a world of constant sorrow.
John W. Tweeddale, Academic Dean and Professor of Theology, Reformation Bible College
Does Grace grow best in Winter?
In his book Does Grace Grow Best in Winter?, Dr. J. Ligon Duncan argues that suffering can be a time of spiritual growth. The book has few chapters, each answering a question about suffering:
1. Why me? : This chapter explains the biblical doctrine of sin and its consequences, and how we are all deserving of God’s wrath and judgment.
2. What is God up to? : This chapter explores the biblical teaching on God’s sovereignty, wisdom and goodness, and how he works all things for his glory and our good.
3. How can I endure? :This chapter shows the biblical resources and promises that God gives us to sustain us in our trials, such as his grace, his Spirit, his Word and his people.
4. How can I grow? :This chapter teaches the biblical purposes and benefits of suffering, such as sanctification, maturity, fruitfulness and reward⁴.
Best quotes:
The suffering of the Christian is for the good of the individual as well as the collective church (35).
The question is not whether Jesus can empathize with you; the question is whether you can empathize with what Jesus experienced. The answer is no.
Consider it your job to be prepared to suffer” (46).
It is never stated that Jesus laughed (68). His suffering is emphasized throughout the gospels.
All three are written by well-known 21st century pastor theologians.
R. C. Sproul (1939-2017) an American Reformed theologian, ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America, and founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries. He was a prolific author, speaker, and radio host, and his work has been influential in the Reformed and evangelical communities.
Derek Thomas is a Reformed pastor and theologian from Wales, known for his teaching, writing and editorial work. He is the senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina and distinguished visiting professor of systematic and historical theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. He has served as a pastor in Wales, Northern Ireland, and the United States
Dr. Duncan is a well-known American pastor and theologian, serving as the Chancellor and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary. His teachings primarily focus on Reformed theology and biblical studies.
These books will bring you through various Bible verses and examples on suffering.
Let’s compare the next 3.
Deserted by God? By Sinclair Ferguson 📚Banner of Truth – Delves into Old Testament characters’ experiences of depression and draw insights from the Psalms to address spiritual struggles.
Answers questions such as “Why has this happened to me?”, “Has God abandoned me?“, “Can nobody help?”
Contents:
1 Can Anyone Help Me
2 How Long, Lord?
3 Dark Valleys
4 Discouragement
5 My Sin
6 No Escape?
7 Slipping Feet
8 Singing the Blues
9 Can I Be Pure?
10 Learning Contentment
11 Never Deserted
Christians get Depressed too by David Murray
📚Reformation Heritage Books Many Christians mistakenly believe that true Christians don’t get depressed and this misconception heaps additional pain and guilt onto Christians who are suffering from mental and emotional distress. Author David P. Murray comes to the defense of depressed Christians, asserting that Christians do get depressed! He explains why and how Christians should study depression what depression is, and the approaches caregivers, pastors, and churches can take to help those who are suffering from it. With clarity and wise biblical insight, Dr. Murray offers help and hope to those suffering from depression the family members and friends who care for them, and pastors ministering to these wounded members of their flock. Murray combines biblical principles, personal anecdotes, and practical advice to offer encouragement and support for Christians dealing with depression. He addresses the issue with a six-pronged approach to depression – The Crisis, The Complexity, The Condition, The Causes, The Cures, The Caregivers.
“l heartily commend this new and helpful book on depression and psychiatric illness. It is the condensed result of much reading and pastoral wisdom, digested into a few non-technical chapters. It is full of Christian love for those who suffer in this way and who need our utmost compassion and tactful sympathy. I wish I had known the things written in these pages when I was a much younger minister.” —Maurice Roberts, Minister of the Inverness congregation of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)
“If I felt depressed, Christians Get Depressed Too is the first place I would turn. If I had a family or church member fighting depression, it is the first book I would hand out. This clear, concise, and compassionate book by my esteemed colleague, Dr. David Murray, is disarmingly simple and eminently practical. In these pages you will find a world of sound, wise, scriptural advice for handling a variety of cases of depression.” —Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids DAVID P. MURRAY is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was born in Scotland and served as a pastor and lecturer there. Dr. Murray and his wife Shona have four children.
Silent Shades of Sorrow by Charles Spurgeon
📚Christian Focus Publications
Personal and devotional, warm and compassionate A collection of six sermons on suffering, including one on Elijah and another on Christ, the “Man of Sorrows”
Personal and devotional, warm and compassionate
A collection of Spurgeon’s sermons on suffering
1. A Frail Leaf
2. Sweet Stimulants for the Fainting Soul
3. Faintness and Refreshing
4. Elijah Fainting
5. The Man of Sorrows
6. Healing for the Wounded
WHICH BOOK IS BEST FOR YOU?
Surprised by Suffering is a good general introduction to the topic of suffering, while Strength for the Weary is more focused on providing practical help for those who are feeling weary and discouraged.
Deserted by God? is a good resource for those who are struggling with doubts about God, while Christians Get Depressed Too is a helpful guide for those who are struggling specifically with depression.
Does Grace Grow Best in Winter? is a short but thought-provoking book that explores how God can use suffering to grow our faith and character. Silent Shades of Sorrow is a collection of Spurgeon’s sermons on suffering, which offer wise and compassionate counsel.
For a short read, go with Does Grace grow best in Winter?
CONCLUDING ENCOURAGEMENT
How could David proclaim, “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise” while he was fleeing from Saul & hiding in the cave (Psalm 57)?
How could he have such fullness of confidence and assurance to declare, “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God”, when Ahimelech and fellow priests had just been mercilessly murdered (Psalm 52)?
The aforementioned authors do not shy away from the difficult questions about suffering, pain and doubts. Each with the giftedness given by God address head-on the questions of why God allows suffering, whether suffering can be redemptive, and how we can find hope in the midst of pain. They provide not just a theological and Biblical perspective on suffering, but guide you into the
appropriate response with superior spiritual helps to endure it with joy, for your sanctification and spiritual maturity.
We pray these books will not merely encourage you in your trials, but strengthen you as His pilgrim child to respond to the divinely bestowed suffering in a way that is faithful, pleasing and acceptable to Him, looking forward to His second coming. Just as “the shaken tree takes firmer root” (- Henry Law), we pray that these books will intensify your faith’s desire to glorify God in your trials.