Suffering often seems to catch us by surprise. One day we are healthy, comfortable, and happy. The next we find ourselves ill or injured, struggling, and distraught. The pain that invades our lives may come from our own suffering or that of a loved one. But no matter the source, we didn't see it coming. All too often, our perplexity prompts us to suspect God of wrongdoing. In this classic book, republished in a revised and expanded edition, Dr. R.C. Sproul argues that we should not be surprised by suffering; instead, we ...
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Suffering often seems to catch us by surprise. One day we are healthy, comfortable, and happy. The next we find ourselves ill or injured, struggling, and distraught. The pain that invades our lives may come from our own suffering or that of a loved one. But no matter the source, we didn't see it coming. All too often, our perplexity prompts us to suspect God of wrongdoing. In this classic book, republished in a revised and expanded edition, Dr. R.C. Sproul argues that we should not be surprised by suffering; instead, we should expect pain and sorrow in this life. Some are actually called to a "vocation" of suffering, and all of us are called to undergo the ultimate suffering of death. God promises in His Word that difficult times will come upon us, but He also promises that He allows suffering for our good and His glory, and He will never give us more than we can bear with His help. Dr. Sproul offers solid biblical counsel and comfort for those undergoing suffering and for those who minister to the suffering, counsel that helps believers stand in times of trial with faith in a God who is both loving and good.
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Is suffering a vocation, a calling from God? Is death a vocation? What is the purpose of our suffering?
First published in 1988, Surprised by Suffering is a resource every Christian should read sometime in their lives. In this revised and expanded release, a new chapter on Sovereignty adds much to the original version.
Having some friends experiencing a great deal of suffering, I read this book in attempt to find some wisdom to share with them. R. C. Sproul does not disappoint. His teaching in this book is very straight forward and addressing the issue of suffering in the life of a Christian exceptionally well.
If you know anything of R. C. Sproul, you will know that he does not teach a pie-in-the-sky view of Christianity. What were my favorite parts and what new insights did I gain from reading this?
He first addresses Karl Marx comment that ?religion is the opiate of the masses? ? with this comment ?There is no scandal in the mercy of God to the afflicted.? I just loved that.
And to the ?positive thinking? preacher and their teaching, he says ?The zealous person who promises us a life free from suffering has found his message from a source other than Scripture.?
But what I was looking for in this book I found in this statement ?It is when we view our suffering as meaningless ? without purpose ? that we are tempted to despair.? The knowledge that suffering has a purpose is the focus of the entire book.
The Q&A section at the end of the book was also interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I recommend it highly.
Reviewed by: Keiki Hendrix
Reviewed for: The Vessel Project
www.vesselproject.com
