Nine Christian Books on Suffering
Author: Stan Guthrie
May 25, 2023
Last Sunday’s message by Dr. Harry Shields, A Second Look at Those Terrible Trials, touched on a perennial and deeply personal issue: suffering. To help you think more deeply about it—especially if you are in the middle of a trial right now—I have compiled a list with some of the best Christian books on the topic. Written by a variety of authors, these volumes, taken together, offer biblical insight and encouragement no matter what you’re facing.
The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis (HarperOne, 2015) – This classic work explores the existence of pain and suffering in a universe run by God, offering philosophical and theological insights.
A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis (HarperOne, 2015) – Following the untimely death of his wife, Lewis provides a raw and powerful account of wrestling with suffering.
Where Is God When It Hurts? by Philip Yancey (Zondervan, 2002) - Yancey explores various kinds of pain and delves into the question of God’s presence in times of suffering.
Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller (Dutton, 2013) - Keller provides a thoughtful examination of the nature of suffering and offers practical guidance.
The Scars That Have Shaped Me: How God Meets Us in Suffering by Vaneetha Rendall Risner (CreateSpace, 2016) - A personal journey through suffering and God’s sustaining grace.
Lament for a Son by Nicholas Wolterstorff (Eerdmans, 1987) - Wolterstorff, a noted philosopher, reveals his profound grief after the tragic death of his son and points readers to hope.
Hope When It Hurts: Biblical Reflections to Help You Grasp God’s Purpose in Your Suffering by Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton (The Good Book Company, 2017) - Provides biblical reflections and encouragement for women experiencing suffering.
A Path Through Suffering: Discovering the Relationship Between God’s Mercy and Our Pain by Elisabeth Elliot (Revell, 2021) - Elliot, drawing from her own experiences of suffering and loss, offers insights into finding purpose, and God’s mercy, in the midst of hardship.
A Grace Revealed: How God Redeems the Story of Your Life by Jerry Sittser (Zondervan, 2012) – Sittser—who lost his wife, daughter, and mother in a car accident—shares how God seeks to use the hard things in our lives to shape us and bless the world.
Stan Guthrie, NCC’s minister of communications, is author of Victorious: Corrie ten Boom and The Hiding Place and other books.
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