SPIRITUALITY & RELIGION

Companions in Suffering: Comfort for Times of Loss and Loneliness

by Wendy Alsup
IVP. Jun. 2020. 192p. ISBN 9780830845866. pap. $16. REL
COPY ISBN
Is there any comfort for Christians who experience chronic pain or suffering? Alsup (Is the Bible Good for Women?) uses her personal experience dealing with miscarriage, a divorce, breast cancer, and numerous surgeries to offer advice to others. Her purpose is to walk alongside those living with emotional or physical pain or suffering by providing encouragement and direction, partly from personal insights but primarily through scripture. She notes that the Bible focuses significant attention to suffering, and draws on figures such as Jesus, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, while also focusing on the psalms of David and Asaph. Alsup’s interest is not in providing answers to the question of human suffering, but rather in helping others to see their experiences in a broader theological context.
VERDICT People interested in theodicy and readers who live with chronic pain, or work with those experiencing it, will find this meditative book helpful.
Reviewed by John Jaeger, Johnson Univ., Knoxville, TN , May 01, 2020

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

NONFICTION

The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song
by Gates, Henry Louis
NONFICTION

A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene Peterson, Translator of the Message
by Collier, Winn
NONFICTION

The Gospels
by Ruden, Sarah
NONFICTION

Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone
by Martin, James
NONFICTION

The Woman Who Raised the Buddha: The Extraordinary Life of Mahaprajapati
by Garling, Wendy
NONFICTION

Faith After Doubt: Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do about It
by McLaren, Brian D
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?