The Kindness of God: Beholding His Goodness in a Cruel World

by Nate Pickowicz

Kindness has fallen on hard times. Almost daily, we witness or experience cynicism, impatience, or incivility. And it begins to wear on a soul. Overall, we’re not doing well. We need hope. We need truth. We need God. In Better Than Life , pastor and teacher Nate Pickowicz shows how our lives must be understood and lived in light of God’s kindness. Pickowicz brings the reader along a joy-filled journey of discovering God’s lifegiving lovingkindness and compassion. This book is for Christians overwhelmed with their life circumstances. It’s for anyone who is feeling disappointment or hurt from a fractured relationship. It’s for all those who are discouraged by caustic political discourse. And it’s for those who are saddened or frustrated, desiring more from life . . . more from God. This book offers biblical salve to spiritual wounds and answers how God's own character remains intact even when wounds are inflicted by others. You will come away from this book, marveling and thanking God for His immeasurable kindness. And you will come to reflect His kindness more deeply in your own life toward others. In a world that can feel dark and cold, this resource is a light of God’s kindness!

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Christian Non Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

Published February 6, 2024

About the author

Nate Pickowicz (B.A., Muhlenberg College, M.A., Trinity Theological Seminary) is the pastor/planter of Harvest Bible Church in Gilmanton Iron Works, New Hampshire. He also writes for EntreatingFavor.com and Servantsofgrace.org. He and his wife, Jessica, have two children.

Reviews

[Laura Eder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find it helpful to think well about the various attributes of God and am always game for reading a book about His kindness. I appreciated the author's attempts to bring this characteristic of God to light in a world often filled with cruelty and suffering. I find the subtitle even more intriguing but wondered early if the goal would be accomplished when one of the first observations made was not to confuse God's goodness with His kindness.

There are a couple of gems in this book - page 17, God is not the sum of his parts, nor is he part good, part kind, part love...He is all love, all goodness, all kindness, etc. Pickowicz does well to use Scripture to prove God's kindness is not owed to us. He also brings the gospel to the forefront in explaining God's mercy and kindness are not earned, nor do we deserve his grace. He offered that trials and suffering can be the platform by which God "detoxifies us from worldliness" which is a kindness from an eternal perspective.

This wasn't a life-changing read, but it was an easy and encouraging one.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kindness of God was a really good read. I listened to the audiobook and it was very easy to follow along. I have read and loved How to Eat Your Bible by this author and so I was excited to try another book of his. This was great at reaffirming how God works all things for His purpose. Nothing takes Him by surprise and we can take comfort in knowing that. I can see myself rereading this as it is a shorter read and very good.

"[28] And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 ESV

"[16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

When life is overwhelming, where does God’s light shine through? In The Kindness of God, Nate Pickowicz helps you behold God’s goodness in a cruel world.


Grace and Mercy

Pickowicz begins by defining God’s kindness as the demonstration of his goodness towards his people. I was most moved to read of God’s kindness in salvation and dying for us – his enemies.

Grace is unmerited favor. Mercy is undeserved forebearance. Grace is giving to others what they have not earned. Mercy is the witholding of earned punishment. The gift of repentance - of a heart that truly wants to turn to God - is a gift and kindness itself.


Sanctification and Suffering

I was most interested to learn of sanctification as a kindness. The gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Word, and prayer are of utmost importance in the Christian walk. I tend to take my spiritual disciplines for granted – but now clearly see them as God’s kindness towards me.

In an especially memorable section, Pickowicz shows God’s kindness in suffering. It proves that we belong to God, reveals our weakness and sins, dislodges our hearts from the world, disciplines us as beloved children, humbles us, realigns our focus on God and brings us closer to him, tests our faith and makes it stronger, makes us spiritually indestructible, conforms us to the image of Christ, deepens our love for other Christians, bears witness to the power of thee Gospel, and displays God’s glory and power.


Christ’s Compassionate Heart

The book ends by explaining how God’s kindness is reflected in the life of the believer and goes out to the nations. After reading this book, I am challenged to better have the compassionate heart of Christ.


I received a media copy of The Kindness of God and this is my honest review.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

At a time when there is so much emphasis in our culture on hatred, division, and anger, Nate Pickowicz provides us with a much needed discourse on the kindness of God. Starting with the attributes of God’s goodness and kindness, Nate shows us that the demonstrations of His kindness to us extend from His very nature.

He then takes the reader through numerous ways in which God shows kindness to His people and even to the world at large. In His salvation, sanctification, in blessings, and even sufferings, God bestows His goodness and kindness on us daily. Nate shows that this is to motivate us, as believers, to show the same kindness to the world around us.

Christians will be immensely blessed by this work. It will open your eyes to the various ways in which God is working in your life, showing you kindness in both mundane and unexpected ways. This text should be in the library of every Christian and read regularly.

[Kelsi Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this and narrated aloud it read like an elongated sermon. I thought it was just lovely. I don’t think we can be reminded enough of the extent of God’s heart and kindness for us. This book was a blessing. The scripture references were so good and I found myself taking notes. Highly recommend if you are looking for a sweet time to reflect deeper on the goodness of God. My favorite part was something to the effect of, God is not wrath wrath wrath, He is holy holy holy….what a beautiful reminder of the holiness of our Lord!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had been reading reviews about this book and it immediately captivated me to read it. A book about Gods kindness in this world, yes please! A book that explains suffering and cruelty, I want to hear it.

However, this book fell short in my opinion. The book was slow moving and the last two chapters summed up the entire message of what the author was attempting to get across to his readers. While I appreciated what the author was trying to do, I felt it was mostly rambling.

[Mitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent primer for Christians. It provides refreshing reminders for those who have been following Christ for several years. It is encouragingly informative for new Christians. Nate covers topics that we tend to neglect over time and reminds the reader how God is working in each of those areas (salvation, relationships, sanctification etc.)
It is an easy read. I recommend giving it to new believers in the Church. It would also be a good book club choice.

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Other than a silly definition of Christian Nationalism, I didn't find anything objectionable here. Just a simple, straightforward treatment of the subject. It could have used some better copyediting, though. There were a number of grammar bloopers.

Didn't love the narrator. There are certain voices that just remind me of Ted Baxter.

[Benjamin]

An excellent, topical exposition on God’s kindness through various intersections in scripture and through our lives. An encouragement and a wonderful study on our loving and kind redeemer.

[Gareth Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good little books about Gods kindness to us and how we should reflect that same kindness to each other.

[SarahReadsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

God really is so kind. We deserve no kindness from him and yet he chooses to bestow his loving kindness on us anyways. Great reminders of different ways God does this in our lives.

[RJ Gernant]

Read paperback. Good insights. Best chapter imho was the Lord’s kindness in suffering.

[April Parman · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ Good Biblical Counseling or discipleship book. I especially liked the chapter on God’s kindness in suffering.

[Tristany Corgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We live in a rather cruel world, don’t we? This isn’t exactly a surprise. Ever since the Garden of Eden, our earth has been permanently marred and mutilated by sin and the sinful choices of mankind. But this doesn’t make it any easier to watch the horrible events that take place on a daily basis. To watch young women with bright futures be assaulted or murdered by wicked criminals. To watch foreign military forces bomb civilian areas in neighboring nations. To watch our loved ones become so hopeless that they turn to drugs, drinking, debt, or even their own death.

When we observe all that happens in our world as it rotates on its axis, it can be difficult to look upon all that cruelty, wickedness, and sin and remember the goodness and kindness of God. It calls up that age-old question we all consider from time to time—“How can a God that is truly good allow such bad things to happen?” But Nate Pickowicz wrote his newest book, The Kindness of God, to remind us of how we can see and behold God’s kindness in nearly every aspect of our lives…”

Continue reading the review at: https://tristanycorgan.com/blog-theki...