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Where Is God When It Hurts?

by Philip Yancey (Goodreads Author)

4.17 of 5 stars 4.17 · rating details · 4,483 ratings · 128 reviews

Philip Yancey's updating of his modern classic answers questions about how to come to terms with the tough times in your life.

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Published February 25th 1997 by Zondervan (first published January 1st 1977)

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Dec 27, 2012 Jennifer Kaster rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: spirtuality, religion, god, non-fiction, inspiration

When I picked up this book, I was at the lowest point in my life I could possibly be. I was struggling to deal with the loss of my mother and father, dealing with the loss of my innocence that was so violently ripped away from me, I was a single mother who had just gone through a string of bad relationships and I had lost my faith in God. I wondered why God had abandon me, why He took my parents from me and why I had experienced so many horrible things in my life. I thought I was being punished...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Bryon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Book Review: Where is God When It Hurts

I've been trying to work through an extremely tall stack of books lately In the past six months, I think I've completed one full book. And it was a novel. I've been in a season in my life where there has been little to no routine and I've not been able to focus on completing one book all the way through unless the book has been incredibly compelling. I've started at least twenty books in the past six months. That is probably a low estimate. I've tried theol...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Steve Miller rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was written more than 40 years ago and is still in print. It's nearly impossible for a book to do that, and is an indication of its importance.

I saw somewhere that this is the revised edition. My copy is the original edition, though I expect the core of the book to be much the same as this edition.

The book, while not long, has three sections: 1) Why is there such a thing as pain? 2) How people respond to pain, and 3) How can we cope with pain?

The first section is the most surprising an...more

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Jul 13, 2011 Alyssia Cooke rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sorry, I appear to have moved back onto theology books but this is a fantastic book of theology. It has won the Gold Medallion award and has been a best-seller for over fifty years, and this edition is the revised edition by the author so he could explore issues that had arisen during this time. Philip Yancey uses this book as an opportunity to discuss pain - physical, emotional and spiritual - in such a way as to help both the reader and himself to understand why we suffer from pain and how we...more

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May 09, 2011 Hannah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I am continually amazed by God’s amazing power and love. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It gave me a new perspective on pain. I highly recommend this book for everyone, especially Christians. It helps explain the reason for pain. Many people view pain as God’s one big mistake or as something to be avoided at all costs. In this book, Yancey points out that pain is a gift from God and that we should be thanking Him for the blessing of pain. He describes in depth the ways in which pain ben...more

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Jun 28, 2010 Mark rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Thanks Philip you have although not your intention convinced me there is no God. At least not the loving heavenly Father that the bible, church and Christians think he is. Appreciate your insights but life experienced contradicts the reasons you tried your best to offer. God should thank you for defending him but I quite doubt he cares at all about you or the world if He exists at all in the manner the church thru the lens of the bible thinks. ............Pg 245 the fact that Jesus came to earth...more

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Mar 25, 2010 Bob Hoffman rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Where is God When It Hurts?—This is one of those questions of the ages and Yancey approaches it with an awareness of how profoundly difficult the subject matter is. He also acknowledges that a great deal of damage has been done by persons who have given inappropriate advice to individuals who are suffering.

Yancey has written a virtual encyclopedia on the subject, but perhaps his biggest contribution is to approach the subject as a student. In order to write this book, the author spent more than...more Where is God When It Hurts?—This is one of those questions of the ages and Yancey approaches it with an awareness of how profoundly difficult the subject matter is. He also acknowledges that a great deal of damage has been done by persons who have given inappropriate advice to individuals who are suffering.

Yancey has written a virtual encyclopedia on the subject, but perhaps his biggest contribution is to approach the subject as a student. In order to write this book, the author spent more than a year as part of a ‘Make Today Count’ support group for individuals with terminal illnesses. He visited individuals who had suffered complete paralysis, individuals whose very daily existence if mostly defined by pain from the moment they wake in the morning till the moment they go to sleep. And he studied the writings of a host of historical figures who had suffered, including John Donne, Leo Tolstoy, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Fyodor Dostoyevski, Elie Wiesel, Viktor Frankl, and Corrie Ten Boom.

Through his time spent with Dr. Paul Brand, a long-time physician to patients with Leprosy, Yancey learned how pain could be seen as a gift from God, because individuals with Leprosy and Diabetes, for instance, often lose their ability to sense pain in the extremities and thus suffer more tissue damage when they do not notice injuries.

And during his time listening to the words of individuals who suffer chronic pain—the other type of pain that Dr. Brand says rages out of control and cannot be switched off—Yancey began to understand that he didn’t know how to comfort people who suffer. But that, too, was an important lesson, because perhaps the most important thing that those who suffer need is the presence in their lives of people who care, whether they know what to say or not. Presence may be far more important that words.

Fear, loneliness, hopelessness, helplessness, and loss of meaning can intensify pain and suffering—and these emotions are problematic with almost all individuals who suffer. But the steady, loving presence of friends and family members during suffering—whether we have words to say or not—is perhaps the greatest gift that we can give.

In Old Testament times, men like Job and Jeremiah used to complain to God over their pain and suffering, even accusing God of not having ears to listen to their prayers and petitions.

But, Yancey reminds us, when Jesus Christ came to earth, God took on ears—human ears—and because Jesus walked among us, because he suffered and died, God is truly with us when we hurt.

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Jan 22, 2013 Terry rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Pain, hurt, suffering, trials are never well received in our world, yet Yancey attempts to analyse this difficult aspect of life. He effectively puts forward the case for pain, and concludes that it is not a curse, but a strange gift from God.

He then seeks to ask the question of why pain and suffering exist, and uses the Book of Job from the Bible as a major inspiration, as it too has already approached that question. In the process he also look to the lives of real life people who have been thr...more

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Sep 01, 2012 Lindsey Benage rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle

I read this book when I was struggling with having to put one of my dogs to sleep. While I consider myself a spiritual and not a religious person this book was gifted to me and I did really enjoy it. It helped me to understand and appreciate the reason for pain both in a physical and emotional manner which helped both with my current situation at the time as well as my struggle with chronic pain due to my illness.

Favorite Quotes:

"Often the most intense pleasure comes after prolonged struggle."

"...more

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Jan 30, 2013 Mike rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christianity, kindle-ebook, non-fiction

This book is a gem! Yancey does a great job of using real life examples to show the true purpose and benefit of physical pain and emotional suffering. I think this book could be helpful for anyone going through physical, spiritual or emotional pain or for those that want to support someone in pain. Well researched, well written and well done!

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May 23, 2013 Nathan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is a treasure. Yancey's look at pain in all it's angles–clinical, psychological, sociological, ecclesiological, and theological, is no superficial exploration. He addresses the problem of pain in all it's ugliness, offering solutions and perspectives on it's reality and much of it's nuanced dynamics. What I appreciate the most about this book is how real it is. Yancey offers no bumpersticker quips for the suffering, but instead acknowledges and validates the journey of pain. Yancey als...more

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May 21, 2013 Louis Fritz v rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Having dealt with pain and depression the good part of my Christian life, Yancey's title really stood out to me as something important to both read and use as a tool in my counsel. Yancey's ability to understand the totality of perspectives due to his journalistic background would be a valuable asset in a topic which is dealt with so heavily in our culture especially in the events of crises.

Indeed, Yancey's overall talent for handling his topics is revealed within this text. Rather than simply a...more Having dealt with pain and depression the good part of my Christian life, Yancey's title really stood out to me as something important to both read and use as a tool in my counsel. Yancey's ability to understand the totality of perspectives due to his journalistic background would be a valuable asset in a topic which is dealt with so heavily in our culture especially in the events of crises.

Indeed, Yancey's overall talent for handling his topics is revealed within this text. Rather than simply analyze suffering from Scripture or take the perspectives of the common man, Yancey approaches the topic in the very heart of people who suffer: meeting with people in a "Make Today Count" group, a group focused on people who are dying from a variety of terminal diseases. In his encounters with such people, Yancey brings to light the struggles with those who know their days are numbered as well as the ways in which God has worked within such lives through the support group and through people around these sufferers.

Furthermore, through his asset in the medical field, Dr. Paul Brand, who studied leprosy, Yancey was able to enlighten his readers into the valuable nature pain can have over those, such as lepers, who are unable to feel physical pain. Through pain, Yancey proposes, humanity is able to recognize both its own mortality in light of life and recognize those factors which may be inciting serious harm. This is reflected both in the pain receptors people feel through simple aches to serious withdrawal from abusive substances and in the pain of guilt which people face in performing acts known to cause serious emotional and mental damage to all involved. Thus, Yancey shows, God is at work in individuals who may feel pain or suffering to encourage them in spite of their difficulties.

Yet, Yancey does not ignore those who needlessly suffer either. Rather, he reveals the lives of individuals, e.g. Joni Eareckson Tada, who may have suffered unwillingly who allowed God to give them strength amidst their difficulties inspiring people around the world to take comfort in the God who does care for all. Furthermore, Yancey reminds the reader of the role of the church in providing for people in the midst of suffering. It is a true challenge that other religious organizations may be more willing to care for those in need than Christians who may promote heinous acts as roles of God's wrath.

To close his text, Yancey relates how pain and suffering impact the individual, impact other people, and impact the rest of the world through relating the life of Christ and how His suffering impacted himself and those around Him. In the end, there is great assurance in a high priest who suffered in many of the same ways as humans, though Yancey is right in attesting that Jesus may not have suffered the same debilitating effects as certain diseases today [yet that does not belittle the depths of which Christ suffered the entire ordeal both of being whipped, having to carry a heavy cross while bearing a shattered body, and suffocating for lengths on end upon the Cross]. In Yancey's mind though, the final word should not be, "Where is God in the midst of this pain?" The question should be "Where is God's People, the Church, in the midst of such tragedy?"

This analysis does not mean to propose Yancey's text without its faults. His point of those who are needlessly struggling and the depths of their pain, although seemingly important in reflecting the nuance of those who suffer, seems belabored early on rather than arriving to the point as he does later in the text. This is not to say the extremes with which some people suffer are not important. In fact, the early part of Yancey's text does an excellent job of showing how physical pain can be enhanced when individuals poorly execute "God's Love" to them. Yet, Yancey does little to reveal how the Church can go about providing consideration for those who are suffering, especially in relation to the physical ailments for which little can be done without professional care. This is not to say his emphasis on the role of the Church was not executed excellently. Rather, experience has shown that many in the Church need a better way of handling those who suffer than they do in knowing the importance of the Church in the midst of suffering.(less)

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Sep 16, 2008 Ron rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: religion-philosophy, christian_life

A contemporary re-visitation of the Problem of Pain. Well done. Yancy feels our pain, even if he doesn't have any particular help for it.

Worth re-reading.

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Jun 08, 2012 Michael rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Do you like classical music? I do. A couple of years ago, I was blessed enough to be able to attend Jose Carreras’ final concert -- my friend who was related to the concert gave me a ticket. It was a cold and rainy night. Limousines and dressed up people showed up quietly, like attending a serious ceremony. In the concert hall, it felt like right before a worship service at a Presbyterian Church because everyone was very quiet and solemnly expecting the Master’s appearance. When I opened the pro...more Do you like classical music? I do. A couple of years ago, I was blessed enough to be able to attend Jose Carreras’ final concert -- my friend who was related to the concert gave me a ticket. It was a cold and rainy night. Limousines and dressed up people showed up quietly, like attending a serious ceremony. In the concert hall, it felt like right before a worship service at a Presbyterian Church because everyone was very quiet and solemnly expecting the Master’s appearance. When I opened the program, I was surprised and shocked because almost all the songs which Jose Carreras was going to sing were about hopeless love and sadness. Perfect matches to the weather and atmosphere at that day.

If I am correct, it was right after Massenet’s “Tu ca nun chiagne.” For the first time in my life, I start to bursting into tears at a concert, because not only his technique and live skills were beautiful and better than audio, but also, there were something inside of his spirit and heart crying out and reaching me. I dropped tears like a crazy K-Pop fan (Girls’ Generation, Kara, Big Bang, 2PM, whatever your pick is) after each song was sung. When I looked around, almost everyone was crying too. I guess that was because we were deeply touched by the beauty of the sadness of the songs. And, also, that was because we all could guess that the Master’s fight against deadly disease, leukemia, and his beautiful but hopeless love story were probably related to the song choices.

For me, this book is like the concert that I mentioned above. Yancey brings out a long list of sad stories of human lives in serious atmosphere, shares each of those with us, and asks the LORD where HE was when it hurt. When each chapter ends, I come to cry with others, and ask Yancey to tell us more about where HE was when it hurt. He uses his typical prose and ways of approach -- interviews, researches, studies, etc. -- to tell us answers about the question he started. In this book, he is like an arbitrator -- as Moses did, as Habakkuk did, as Jeremiah did, as Jonah did, and, above all, as Jesus Christ did, Yancey stands between the GOD and us, appeals to the GOD as a defender of us, and conveys HIS answers to us as a messenger of HIM.

This book is very meaningful to me because Yancey asks us to ask questions to the GOD. In fact, questioning and appealing (complaining, I should say) to the GOD about misfortunes are very important subjects in the entire Bible. It was the theme of the book of Job, the most of Psalms, and many other books in the Bible. Like Yancey says in his other book, “Prayer,” the GOD actually encourages us to ask HIM and argue with HIM, unlike many Churches teach in these days. Also, Yancey talks about how pain works good for us and how we can fight against chronicle pains by having presence of people who care. Although it will not resolve our sufferings, it certainly can help us go through the difficult time. It is great to know the GOD’s purpose of pain, sometimes we feel it is too much though.

Life is not easy. Christians’ have no exception. We don’t need to talk about 500,000 children who many of them are Christians and who need foods right now at the Eastern Africa or Christians who are being persecuted for their beliefs in north Korea. Everyday, just like non-Christians, Christians die for deadly disease, experience miserable car accidents, lose their jobs, and get divorced (according to Yancey, there are not much differences in divorce rate between Christians and non-Christians). Christians suffer from depression and other psychological disorders. And, Christians’ children die for unknown diseases. If the GOD is almighty as the Bible says and if the Bible is true, we come to ask a question that where HE was when it hurt. In terms of that perspective, I think Yancey’s questions and approach are what we really need at least once in our lifetime. And, Yancey’s explanation -- because Jesus Christ suffered and died, HE truly can understand us and be with us when we hurt -- is a great comfort to us.

Let me conclude this review with a testimony. This book followed me during my trip to Spain. One of my friends, who was suffering from serious problems in his life, kept complaining about the GOD and asking me where HE was when he was hurting. I tried my best to defend the GOD by using the contents of this book. However, in front of the gabs between what the Bible says and his reality, my efforts did not work. All the exotic beauty of Spain was covered with his grief and anger toward the GOD and became meaningless. For him, it seemed like Gaudi had moved to an Amish town at somewhere in Ohio to become an Amish mechanic, and Picasso had moved to Chim Sai Choi, Hong Kong to become an assistant professor of a college of Art. Chagall was just a name of an alcohol. To make the matter worse, he lost his very expensive camera without a case (as a photograph mania, the camera meant so much to him). When we all gave up and arrived at a Church, a guide, who absolutely had no ideas about what was going on, introduced us a prayers’ room. She said if we prayed for anything we lost in the room, we could receive it back. He barely prayed for it, but did not believe it. One month later, the camera he had lost was founded, delivered all the way from Spain to his country, where was the other side of the earth, without any problems.

We have pains. We suffer. We have doubts. We feel insecure. We are afraid. However, Yancey tells us that the GOD knows everything and HE is with us when we hurt. And HE listens to our sighs, just like the Bible says. Since presence of someone who can be with us during tough time is very important, having the LORD as a companion and being able to cry together mean so much to all of us.

This book led me to Yancey’s another great work, “What’s so amazing about grace.” And this book also has changed my questions to the LORD; “Where is GOD when I hurt others?”

I highly recommend this book.(less)

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Mar 11, 2012 Greg Weatherd rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Once again Yancey does not disappoint. I have come to greatly appreciate his ability to approach the messiness of life from a Christian perspective that gives honor to God without sugarcoating the reality of the human experience. And suffering, whether physical, emotional or spiritual is one of the biggest stumbling blocks we face (Christian and non-Christian) as it relates to reconciling where God is in the midst of our suffering.

For me, Yancey sums this up in his own words on pg. 256, "My ange...more

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Jan 27, 2013 Andy.com rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An Interesting look at pain in peoples lives. Yancey first gives us the basic physiology of pain and then links it in to real life experiences of people and how devastating it can be to your life if you don't feel pain. He shows us Gods purpose for pain and gives a reasonable argument as to why God doesn't respond and take away our pain. I felt real empathy for the people in the examples he gives, and found myself thinking that something is very wrong that God continues to allow such suffering....more

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May 11, 2012 Mar rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was re-issued right after the 9-11 tragedy in our country (with a different cover), it's still in print today. I read it in the late '90s. I like Yancey's books, find them thought provoking and real. For those of you who have never read anything by him, don't be put-off by the beginnings of his books. He sort of plays the devil's advocate to raise questions that many of us have asked, and that many non-believers must ask who don't know the grace of GOD firsthand. Go with it. He answers...more

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Mar 14, 2010 Barry rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is an excellent book that covers not only physical pain, but mental and emotional anguish as well. Though focusing mostly on physical pain with references to emotional pain, the principles that Mr. Yancey introduces can easily be applied to any painful situation or experience. Mr. Yancey does a good job of taking theory and applying it to real-life situations, and freely admits that when a person is in pain, these theories often fly out the window. Whether you are in a painful situation or...more

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Feb 17, 2013 Steve rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A good read and written over 30 years ago, it's still considered the best book on the subject of pain, both physical and emotional. Discusses cause and effect, pain's purpose and how to look forward instead of dwelling on "why me" or " when is God going to heal me". Leprosy sufferers don't feel pain and wish they did. We deal relatively well with acute pain but not chronic. Maybe it's best to use your situation to help and encourage others rather than getting stuck in self pity while waiting for...more

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May 06, 2012 Magdalene Lim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Christians, people hurting, care-givers

Recommended to Magdalene by: Geraldine Lim

No one really talks about pain and suffering in a way that "outsiders" can understand. Yancey does a pretty darn good job answering one one of life's biggest questions — Where is God when it hurts? He gives great advice on how someone who is hurt could be comforted and explains the reason for pain, how people can go either way in the face of adversity in easy-to- read anecdotes. Truly, it would take someone with his wealth of experience to talk about a subject often avoided because tell me, just...more

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Jan 22, 2013 Teena Myers rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In the revised edition of Where is God When it Hurts, Yancey acknowledges he was too young to tackle the problem of pain when he wrote the initial manuscript while in his twenties. In the second edition, he exercises greater caution in addressing the cause and benefits of human suffering and quickly moves from the unexplainable cause to how we should respond to pain. He also made a statement that made a permanent home in my consciousness. “We are not put on earth merely to satisfy our desires, t...more In the revised edition of Where is God When it Hurts, Yancey acknowledges he was too young to tackle the problem of pain when he wrote the initial manuscript while in his twenties. In the second edition, he exercises greater caution in addressing the cause and benefits of human suffering and quickly moves from the unexplainable cause to how we should respond to pain. He also made a statement that made a permanent home in my consciousness. “We are not put on earth merely to satisfy our desires, to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. We are here to be changed…”

Unfortunately, Yancey discusses Job’s experience without addressing how undeserved suffering changed Job. He portrays Job as the unwitting victim in a cosmic contest between God and Satan to prove God has given humanity true freedom. Those who truly love God do so without incentive. Yancey suggests Job clung to God’s justice without reason, making Job the stellar example of human perfection who suffered at the hands of a deity attempting to prove something to an unreasonable, wicked being – the devil. I found this contrary to God's character. When Jesus the image of God was challenged by Satan to prove he was the son of God, Jesus refused. The thought that God needed to prove something to the devil is disturbing. That God needed to prove something to himself is even less appealing considering the extent of Job's suffering.

Yancey is one of my favorite authors. His books, including Where is God When it Hurts, helped me navigate some dark seasons of life. But I think Yancey missed the boat where Job is concerned. “…I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes” is the last thing Job said after God confronted him (Job 42:6, NIV). Yancey didn’t explain why the innocent one who unjustly suffered repented, which might have revealed how Job changed making some sense out of human suffering.

Aside from my disagreement with the way Yancey dealt with Job, the book is an excellent exposition on the benefits of pain, and how we should respond to pain.
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Sep 14, 2009 Sheng Dico rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book helped me get through my direst time. It made me open my eyes to the fact that pain, however meaningless it seemed to me at the moment, is a gift to be treasured and given attention to. We cannot turn it off no matter how we desperately want to BECAUSE it is meant to warn us of something we should stay away from. Pain serves as a warning system and makes us aware of the things we are not to do again. And no matter how we try to run away from pain, it'll still hurt and will hurt some mo...more

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Dec 14, 2009 Lauren rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I believe this book should be an absolute must-read for anyone who professes the Christian faith.

A sentence like that usually rings hollow to me, but honestly, there is nothing hollow about this book. I wish I could physically take the words from the pages and permanently implant them in my brain because there is so much truth to them.

The main point of the book is about suffering and pain and it attempts to address some of the common questions about the subject - why is there suffering, how do...more I believe this book should be an absolute must-read for anyone who professes the Christian faith.

A sentence like that usually rings hollow to me, but honestly, there is nothing hollow about this book. I wish I could physically take the words from the pages and permanently implant them in my brain because there is so much truth to them.

The main point of the book is about suffering and pain and it attempts to address some of the common questions about the subject - why is there suffering, how do you deal with suffering people, what are the ramifications of suffering, how do we do even more damage to suffering people?

Yancey begins his book by explaining the benefits of physical pain by taking us on a journey through the lives of lepers who, because of their disease, no longer feel any pain - and the damage that occurs to them because they can't feel pain. From there the book delves into where is God in suffering, examples of suffering people, and then flourishes into an explanation of how God has suffered, the hope that we have in spite of our suffering, how we can use suffering to transform our lives, and why Christianity - of all the world religions - is particularly equipped to handle suffering.

Yancey limits his tome to just dealing with people in physical pain and suffering. He mentions mental anguish only in how it relates to the physical pain of people and how it causes them to question a loving God, and not as a subject in and of itself, but the lessons and advice that he draws from dealing with people in physical pain can certainly be brought to those that deal with emotional and mental pain and suffering.

What I loved most about this book is the reminder to Christians of the hope inherent in the resurrection that allows us to cope with suffering. That death is Not the end, and death doesn't need to be "accepted" - death is painful and hurts, but because of Jesus, it has been overcome, and because of Jesus we get to share in that victory. I also loved how Yancey reminds us that for a moment in time, God put on flesh in the person of Jesus and came to this earth, and suffered with us. Every time that Jesus encountered a suffering person, He not only healed them, but He also transformed them. And now we have the Holy Spirit, God within us, who hears our suffering groans and brings them to the feet of the Father and Son.

The other thing that I loved about this book is how it gives advice on how to help suffering people. You cannot go through life without encountering suffering people, and Christians, in particular, are called to be the body of Christ to these individuals. But how do we, imperfect people with even more imperfect words, help the suffering? It is a hard question that Yancey addresses with particular insight and I feel better equipped for it.

My only wish is that I had read this book a long time ago, for I've seen, lived with, and tried to walk through suffering with a lot of people. I just hope that going forward I will be able to overcome my own revulsion to pain and suffering and walk alongside those broken hearts and bodies, offering the real and true hope of Christ to those I have yet to encounter.(less)

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Sep 06, 2011 Nicola Hopwood rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Even though I have not been through much suffering in my life this book helped me to see God's heart toward mankind. We live in a fallen world but God's love for me has never changed and never will. We put God in a box and expect him to conform to this world and the way in which we live - he doesn't fit into our moulds and thank goodness for that! He is so much bigger than we can imagine and his sovereignty is so immense that we cannot comprehend it.

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Feb 14, 2008 Lizzy B rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: spirituality

A clear engagement with the question which is upon the lips of anyone who has ever queried the exisitance of a God of love who created all things: how can their be pain, suffering or evil too?

If you are feeling fragile, then do not fear this book for it does not take a steam roller approach by any stretch of the imagination. I like the approach Yancey takes for he is open and honest sharing personal experience and the thoughts he too has wresled with. Yancey doesn't assume he has all the answer...more

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Jan 24, 2013 Tom Park rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a very compelling read. It does not give pat answers, but does go into a lot of detail about pain and various reactions to it both from the sufferer and the onlooker. Knowing what seems to be a lot of people suffering the challenge of cancer, I found some help in what to say and not say, or how to act or not act. No one solution fits all and that may be the main message of the book aside from the strength of religion and faith.

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Jan 12, 2012 Cj Horecky rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Great practical read. Begins with a theological approach to the problem of pain, but is relatively light in this area. Focuses much more heavily on what to do about it (how to love those who are hurting, and how to deal with pain in a healthy way yourself). Very practical, packed full of personal anecdotes and case-studies as well as statistics and larger-scale info. A great field guide on how to biblically love those who suffer.

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Jun 06, 2013 Lynn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Yancey makes some good points: we can't function very well in the world, as creatures, without pain, which warns us of injury or illness when it's physical, and helps bring us together in a caring community when it's emotional. We can't fully understand God's plans for us, and how pain, suffering, and distress are part of soul-making. Sometimes our ideas of healing and what should happen aren't what God has in mind for us. God suffers for us now, suffered for us in the person of Jesus, and walks...more

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Jul 24, 2012 Elizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I heard Philip Yancey speak several years ago in Exeter, and found it fascinating ti listen to his ideas. One thing he said has really stuck with me. He said he doesn't write books because he has the answers, but because he wants to ask the questions. I find it very refreshing to follow his thought process, and sometimes not necessarily reach a conclusion, but rather to ask the questions with him.

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Jan 02, 2013 Matt Miles rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Philip Yancey explores the problem of pain with intelligence, compassion and a stubborn faith in a God so much better than many well-meaning but misguided responses many of us tend to offer. He uses biology, biographies, and examples from the Bible to do justice to a tough question we all face. This book deals primarily with pain and sickness, but much of it can apply to suffering in general as well. It's practical, heartfelt, honest, and compassionate. I can't recommend it enough.

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About Philip Yancey

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Philip Yancey earned graduate degrees in Communications and English from Wheaton College Graduate School and the University of Chicago. He joined the staff of Campus Life Magazine in 1971, and worked there as Editor and then Publisher. He looks on those years with gratitude, because teenagers are demanding readers, and writing for them taught him a lasting principle:...more

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Books by Philip Yancey

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“God wants us to choose to love him freely, even when that choice involves pain, because we are committed to him, not to our own good feelings and rewards. He wants us to cleave to him, as Job did, even when we have every reason to deny him hotly. That, I believe, is the central message of Job. Satan had taunted God with the accusation that humans are not truly free. Was Job being faithful simply because God had allowed him a prosperous life? Job's fiery trials proved the answer beyond doubt. Job clung to God's justice when he was the best example in history of God's apparent injustice. He did not seek the Giver because of his gifts; when all gifts were removed he still sought the Giver.” — 45 people liked it

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