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Dont Waste Your Sorrows: Finding God's Purpose in the Midst of Pain
Discovering God's Miracle of Growth Through Times of Suffering
Published almost thirty years ago, this book speaks to every generation of Christian believers, helping them to gain an eternal perspective on life's sometimes painful experiences. Knowing that God has planned for the church to be trained through such circumstances will help readers to accept what they usually go to great lengths to avoid. Billheimer shows clearly that it is not the mere presence of pain in our lives that gives benefit, however. It is in a proper response to it that God is able to mature and prepare His church for her glorious future as the reigning bride of Christ. Christians of all ages learn how the difficulties they encounter in life can work for their good--if they don't "waste" them.
Published almost thirty years ago, this book speaks to every generation of Christian believers, helping them to gain an eternal perspective on life's sometimes painful experiences. Knowing that God has planned for the church to be trained through such circumstances will help readers to accept what they usually go to great lengths to avoid. Billheimer shows clearly that it is not the mere presence of pain in our lives that gives benefit, however. It is in a proper response to it that God is able to mature and prepare His church for her glorious future as the reigning bride of Christ. Christians of all ages learn how the difficulties they encounter in life can work for their good--if they don't "waste" them.
128 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1977
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 5, 2015
An amazing book, first published in 1977, which addresses the most vexing issue of modern Christians, “Why do good people suffer?” Billheimer’s answer, simply, is that "suffering is inherent in God's economy." That’s how people grow spiritually. Not seeking the easy path. Not awards or riches, but perseverance through sorrow and suffering grows character. "There is no such thing as a saint who has not suffered." "All life is intended to be a pathway to God," Alexander Maclaren.
He offers support from the Bible and historic and contemporary (for his time) Christian sources. (Billy Graham is cited. His place in the American Christian community much the same forty years ago as today.) Most of Billheimer’s exposition is logical, straight-forward and easy to follow. Slightly repetitive, but that fits with the teaching character of the book.
Those of other faith or non-faith communities will find it opaque. More a teaching than a devotional reading, but worthwhile for Christians.
(Gets better with every subsequent reading. For one thing his opaque style and vocabulary become clearer.)
He offers support from the Bible and historic and contemporary (for his time) Christian sources. (Billy Graham is cited. His place in the American Christian community much the same forty years ago as today.) Most of Billheimer’s exposition is logical, straight-forward and easy to follow. Slightly repetitive, but that fits with the teaching character of the book.
Those of other faith or non-faith communities will find it opaque. More a teaching than a devotional reading, but worthwhile for Christians.
(Gets better with every subsequent reading. For one thing his opaque style and vocabulary become clearer.)
November 24, 2020
The main thesis of this book was compelling and beautiful. The author's explanation of it was redundant and unpredictable. I found the digression into his views on mental health and marriages problematic, over-simplified, and potentially destructive depending on the reader's experiences. There were some fascinating principles I will continue to process and think about, but I would not recommend anyone read this without a thorough disclaimer.
October 11, 2012
Been a long time since I read this little jewel, but the fact a quote from it popped in my head today is a testament to its value. A different take on trouble and suffering in one's life.
October 2, 2014
Read it years ago when my husband Chris was ill with leukaemia and subsequently died. I found it helpful.
December 10, 2016
"Life is for learning love, not for sensual pleasure, nor for accumulating riches, nor fame; not for building great manufacturing, commercial, or military empires, nor political power. It is not for exploration, travel, or conquest of out space. It is not for learning science, history, economics, philosophy, or even theology; not for delivering great orations, preaching great sermons, or holding immense religious campaigns, not for building of great institutions such as hospitals, churches, schools and colleges; nor for publishing books, magazines, or other periodicals. All of these are of value only as they grow out of or contribute to the learning or expression of love. (Paul E. Billheimer, Don't Waste Your Sorrows, Page 118-119)
God uses sorrows in our life; that is what this book is about. He uses them to produce love in our life and get us, the church, ready as The Bride of Christ...having no spot, wrinkle or shame. Sorrow produces in us "an eternal weight of glory" (See 2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
The author seeks to explain that just because you are a Christian does not mean you will never have sorrows. The opposite is actually true. The good news is Jesus took our sorrows and pain on the cross. However, sometimes God uses these sorrows to help us to grow into the image of the Christ, the head of the Church.
God's plan is grow us in love and "decentralize self". Sorrow can sometimes be the tool He uses to do this.
God uses sorrows in our life; that is what this book is about. He uses them to produce love in our life and get us, the church, ready as The Bride of Christ...having no spot, wrinkle or shame. Sorrow produces in us "an eternal weight of glory" (See 2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
The author seeks to explain that just because you are a Christian does not mean you will never have sorrows. The opposite is actually true. The good news is Jesus took our sorrows and pain on the cross. However, sometimes God uses these sorrows to help us to grow into the image of the Christ, the head of the Church.
God's plan is grow us in love and "decentralize self". Sorrow can sometimes be the tool He uses to do this.
December 2, 2022
No. That is not what it says; sadly you've missed it. You don't push your feelings down, you pick them up and lay them at the foot of the bloody cross; for that is EXACTLY where God receives and deals with all sin and pain. Pain in life is inescapable. And many religions even touch on this. Sorrows like anything else in the life of the truly regenerate believer are to be used for God's Glory, which inevitably brings about eternal good and light to all that would come into it. Prayers and Blessings from Christ to you.
Read this book many years ago and have recommended it to others, and this is also In Reply to this dear person's comment below:
This book was written in 1977, and in that sense it has not aged well. Billheimer has a section in which he berates psychology and Freudianism. (Remember him?) Since the 1970s, there have been so many advances in the field of psychology and neuroscience, that it is hard to keep demonizing psychology as if it has nothing to offer. This book is pre-Prozac and it shows.
Also conspicuous in this book is the classic Baby Boomer "just suck it up" ideology. He doesn't say it that way exactly, but he asserts that there is no place for whining for the suffering Christian. As my favorite boomer Marge Simpson said, "just push all your feelings down to your toes, and then the boys will like you." That's what Billheimer sounds like at times.
I didn't finish the book, but decided to take the message on love and cut my losses.
Read this book many years ago and have recommended it to others, and this is also In Reply to this dear person's comment below:
This book was written in 1977, and in that sense it has not aged well. Billheimer has a section in which he berates psychology and Freudianism. (Remember him?) Since the 1970s, there have been so many advances in the field of psychology and neuroscience, that it is hard to keep demonizing psychology as if it has nothing to offer. This book is pre-Prozac and it shows.
Also conspicuous in this book is the classic Baby Boomer "just suck it up" ideology. He doesn't say it that way exactly, but he asserts that there is no place for whining for the suffering Christian. As my favorite boomer Marge Simpson said, "just push all your feelings down to your toes, and then the boys will like you." That's what Billheimer sounds like at times.
I didn't finish the book, but decided to take the message on love and cut my losses.
April 4, 2021
There are few things I liked about this book, mainly that the thesis is that God uses our pain and suffering to become more loving people. God's goal is for the church to be characterized by Agape love. And in this current climate of Christian Nationalism, that is a lost narrative. God is love, who knew? It was almost like, "wait, I've never heard this before!" Certainly it has been a long time since I have heard a sermon on God's love, or the transformation of our character individually and collectively as believers.
This book was written in 1977, and in that sense it has not aged well. Billheimer has a section in which he berates psychology and Freudianism. (Remember him?) Since the 1970s, there have been so many advances in the field of psychology and neuroscience, that it is hard to keep demonizing psychology as if it has nothing to offer. This book is pre-Prozac and it shows.
Also conspicuous in this book is the classic Baby Boomer "just suck it up" ideology. He doesn't say it that way exactly, but he asserts that there is no place for whining for the suffering Christian. As my favorite boomer Marge Simpson said, "just push all your feelings down to your toes, and then the boys will like you." That's what Billheimer sounds like at times.
I didn't finish the book, but decided to take the message on love and cut my losses.
This book was written in 1977, and in that sense it has not aged well. Billheimer has a section in which he berates psychology and Freudianism. (Remember him?) Since the 1970s, there have been so many advances in the field of psychology and neuroscience, that it is hard to keep demonizing psychology as if it has nothing to offer. This book is pre-Prozac and it shows.
Also conspicuous in this book is the classic Baby Boomer "just suck it up" ideology. He doesn't say it that way exactly, but he asserts that there is no place for whining for the suffering Christian. As my favorite boomer Marge Simpson said, "just push all your feelings down to your toes, and then the boys will like you." That's what Billheimer sounds like at times.
I didn't finish the book, but decided to take the message on love and cut my losses.
March 9, 2023
Destined for the Throne was a book that challenged and changed the way I thought about prayer. That God will not go over the head of his bride in spite of her. But wants to partner with her in prayer to enforce the victory already complete at Calvary on this earth.
It surprised me how relevant this book was until the chapter on mental health. I don’t Fault him totally. It’s just misunderstanding…guess what? The church still misunderstands it. They want to have the answer but mostly they just say you have to be in the Word more…you have to pray more…nothing is more damaging to someone who is doing all those things yet still suffering with mental trauma. That’s why most of this book was amazing because, I and others I know have suffered..not instantly healed but made to walk through the “press” for his glory. My wife can look back into her mental ( she has me call it brain health ) health and see the the Father was in it the whole time.
It’s important to remember that Jesus speaks to us in the language we speak. This book has wonderful revelation on sufferings, but is incredibly dated in the chapter about mental health, and the practice of psychology. Just like the enemy could use anything to harm, the Lord can use anything to heal.
It surprised me how relevant this book was until the chapter on mental health. I don’t Fault him totally. It’s just misunderstanding…guess what? The church still misunderstands it. They want to have the answer but mostly they just say you have to be in the Word more…you have to pray more…nothing is more damaging to someone who is doing all those things yet still suffering with mental trauma. That’s why most of this book was amazing because, I and others I know have suffered..not instantly healed but made to walk through the “press” for his glory. My wife can look back into her mental ( she has me call it brain health ) health and see the the Father was in it the whole time.
It’s important to remember that Jesus speaks to us in the language we speak. This book has wonderful revelation on sufferings, but is incredibly dated in the chapter about mental health, and the practice of psychology. Just like the enemy could use anything to harm, the Lord can use anything to heal.
July 28, 2026
I’ve read a lot of books on suffering. This one was theologically rich… and quite blunt. Some of the theological concepts went over my head, however, it was overall a balm for a weary soul. I have several things I took from this book that I will remember forever to bolster my own faith and to comfort grieving friends. The author’s main point is that the Lord uses this life as a training ground to build character in His people. We should see our sorrows as such and lean into them with grateful hearts, trusting God to do as He has promised; He is preparing an eternal role of rulership in Heaven for us, which is far more real than the life around us now. Worth the read!
January 9, 2023
Written in 1977, this little gem has been on my list for awhile. It is a primer on what suffering is and its purpose. So many nuggets of wisdom. This one gave me pause to think and reflect on my own life. Higly recommend.
September 18, 2017
This little book has precious insights about allowing tragedies and disappointments to mold your character to be more Christ-like and loving. There are some mid-century pentecostal oddities, but they only add to the book's uniqueness.
February 21, 2020
Had some great points and poems. Had a few things I disagreed with.
May 10, 2022
A great book which I read several years ago.
We learn so much more about life and ourselves during the hard times then during the 'good' ones.
We learn so much more about life and ourselves during the hard times then during the 'good' ones.
January 16, 2023
This was a helpful book on the topic of suffering.
June 21, 2023
Probably the worst book I've read on suffering. A hotchpotch of quotes from other authors and verses of songs and poems patched together to convince people that God wants them to suffer.
September 14, 2023
This book had many great aspects that deepened my faith. While it's an order book it's still very relevant to today's living. Highly recommend!
April 7, 2026
the first 2/3 of this book was really great and spoke to me. the last third of the book seemed forced.
September 22, 2014
This is definitely not an easy read -- not because it was emotional or draining, but because much of it required some thought and processing. Ultimately, the book puts forth that Christians are meant to rule with Christ, and as such, we must become like Christ. As others have said, this tends to happen best through pain, trauma, and sorrow. It is only when we learn these lessons and grow in our ability to agape love others will we not waste the sorrow God has allowed in our lives. While this is a book I would recommend, I caution that you do not try to speed through it, but save it for a time when you can read slowly.
March 30, 2014
Although this is not my favorite book; it has brought me great peace and joy. My journal is now full of quotes from known and unknown authors as well as suggestions for other books to read. This book one goal is for you to seek the face of God. That I am and will, as I will not waste my sorrow. Thank you Mr. Billheimer! God bless you!
October 28, 2012
The one great contribution that this book makes is in reminding all believers that suffering and adversity have a purpose in the Christian life. It offers meaning in the face of tragedy, persecution, and trials.
August 18, 2017
This book was lent to me by a friend. While I had trouble with his jargon and repetitiveness, the essential truth is important. That there is sometimes temporal and always eternal/spiritual value in suffering. And not just to "get through it", but to view it as an opportunity for growth.
February 26, 2012
I appreciate getting this book as a gift from someone I would have never expected.
February 2, 2013
Two words: agape love.
July 13, 2020
A Christian classic, that has stayed with me throughtout the years. It has some profound insights into the purpose of suffering in the mysterious plans of God in our lives.
February 27, 2013
favorite book of all times. my life book . will change your life. what else can i say.
April 12, 2017
Authored by a man who lived the faith.
Read
November 5, 2018For older people who think they have failed, this is essential reading.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews