What do you think?
Rate this book
The Promise: God's Purpose and Plan for When Life Hurts
In his work as a priest and commentator for FOX News, Father Jonathan Morris has traveled to the troubled spots of the world, meeting with Muslim youth during the rioting in Paris, sitting down with populists at odds with the Church in Venezuela, and investigating human trafficking in Germany. Now Father Jonathan peels back the layers of questions that arise when someone asks, "Why me?" in response to human suffering. With an accessible voice and calming pastoral guidance, Father Jonathan leads readers through each step of suffering---from doubt and anger to healing and acceptance.
The Promise comprises three parts, each addressing a step in the process of healing. Part 1, "God on Trial," speaks to doubts and anger that arise when we suffer and poses tough questions such as "Does God even care?" and "Why should we trust a God who allows innocent suffering?" Part 2 takes the reader on a journey of finding emotional and spiritual healing from suffering. In part 3 Father Jonathan introduces the five "Principles for Freedom-Living." From living your personal vocation to a step-by-step guide for sketching a plan for your spiritual life, the freedom principles are practical and easily applied to everyday life. Together these five principles have the power to transform what would otherwise be useless suffering into a means of great sanctification and personal fulfillment. While pulling back the layers of philosophy and theology that surround human suffering, Father Jonathan offers not only a deeply spiritual answer but also a practical one to this most fundamental of human questions: Why do we suffer?
The Promise not only addresses how to understand and live with suffering, but also poses the toughest question regarding our relationship to God: Why do we suffer under a benevolent God? Father Jonathan delves into how we can heal from the spiritual, emotional, and even physical scars left behind by suffering. The Promise offers five principles for living a free life, or a life free of the fear that God is not there for us, and offers comfort and hope to those experiencing hard times.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
89 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Morris
9 books32 followersA native of Cleveland, Ohio (but a diehard Michigan Wolverine fan) Father Jonathan lives in New York City where he serves in campus ministry at Columbia University, as Program Director of SiriusXM’s “The Catholic Channel”, and as an analyst for the Fox News Channel.
His most recent book is The Way of Serenity: finding peace and happiness in The Serenity Prayer.
Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
His most recent book is The Way of Serenity: finding peace and happiness in The Serenity Prayer.
Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 25, 2009
There are very few books written in the Christian genre that speak the Truth. And the Truth is that suffering is allowed by a Sovereign and Loving God who has greater purposes than the human mind can conceive. In truly understanding God, we find that our suffering is an avenue to an intimate relationship with Him. Father Jonathan brings our suffering into perspective as he shares emails from his "InBox." The Promise reveals that through our sufferings there is a Promise of greater good and it is our choice to believe in the Promise or look God in the eyes and walk away. This book was written for the believer and the nonbeliever. It was written in a way where you can feel Father Jonathan's heart and the heart of God pouring out to you. "The Promise" will bring you to a crossroads in your life; you will make the decision to walk by faith or walk by sight.
Personally for me, I will share this....I have read this book more times than I have ever read any other book. (I have read ALOT of books in the Christian genre) I will tell you that never before has a book brought such amazing peace to my soul. Each time I pick it up and read, I feel as though I am entering into the presence of God and through "The Promise" He is speaking loud and clear.
Personally for me, I will share this....I have read this book more times than I have ever read any other book. (I have read ALOT of books in the Christian genre) I will tell you that never before has a book brought such amazing peace to my soul. Each time I pick it up and read, I feel as though I am entering into the presence of God and through "The Promise" He is speaking loud and clear.
February 2, 2010
This is the best book on the difficult subject of why, if God is good, does He allow so much evil in the world I have ever read. Father Jonathan gives straightforward answers . . . but that does not mean the answers are easy.
In this book, I found many challenges to the way I think about life, God, others, and myself. The father's words led me to some internal debate and increased understanding of the things that cause and have caused me pain. Beyond that, the father lays a clear path that I can follow towards growth, healing, and the pursuit of holiness.
Father Jonathan's book lays a theological foundation in simple terms; and addresses the problems of evil as well as natural disaster in a way that is slightly philosophical, highly understandable and eminently practical. The father understands well what so many of us sometimes miss - that the physical, emotional, and spiritual are all interconnected and must be addressed.
I very highly recommend this book to anyone struggling to make sense of some of the tragedies we see on the news as well as the pain we all experience in our own lives.
In this book, I found many challenges to the way I think about life, God, others, and myself. The father's words led me to some internal debate and increased understanding of the things that cause and have caused me pain. Beyond that, the father lays a clear path that I can follow towards growth, healing, and the pursuit of holiness.
Father Jonathan's book lays a theological foundation in simple terms; and addresses the problems of evil as well as natural disaster in a way that is slightly philosophical, highly understandable and eminently practical. The father understands well what so many of us sometimes miss - that the physical, emotional, and spiritual are all interconnected and must be addressed.
I very highly recommend this book to anyone struggling to make sense of some of the tragedies we see on the news as well as the pain we all experience in our own lives.
September 29, 2018
Another winner from Father Jonathan!
For those who suffer and those who would like to understand suffering a bit better, this book is a MUST read! It puts everything into its proper prospective how we can unite our suffering {big and little} to Jesus for the redemption our others. It makes peace in the pain and challenges of life.
For those who suffer and those who would like to understand suffering a bit better, this book is a MUST read! It puts everything into its proper prospective how we can unite our suffering {big and little} to Jesus for the redemption our others. It makes peace in the pain and challenges of life.
October 31, 2017
A Spiritual Guidepost
As a raised Catholic, now non denominational, I thought this a good book to align yourself to God in the darkest of hours. No one alive skates through life without being touched by situations that are black and dire. Been there. So has God. But you have to listen to realize that you are not abandoned or alone.
As a raised Catholic, now non denominational, I thought this a good book to align yourself to God in the darkest of hours. No one alive skates through life without being touched by situations that are black and dire. Been there. So has God. But you have to listen to realize that you are not abandoned or alone.
November 2, 2018
Interesting and informative
The book causeed me to reevaluate my perspective regarding suffering and li ving in an imperfect world. I enjoyed the illustrations regarding personal experiences.
The book causeed me to reevaluate my perspective regarding suffering and li ving in an imperfect world. I enjoyed the illustrations regarding personal experiences.
November 18, 2018
Great book on dealing with suffering. Although spiritual and scripture based, it also has great insights into our psychological life and the world.
February 7, 2020
Your life, your personal situation, the highs and lows, happiness and suffering - you have to face them all. Rare is the person that only sees the upside for his entire life, yet even he might 'suffer' the liability of forgetting to know our real goal of life is after death. He could end up unprepared. Many stories in this book are about people who are suffering. They may blame God, wallow in self pity, become miserable to the people who love them and more. Suffering has physical, psychological, emotional AND spirtual consequences. We need the healing of God to get us through all of these problems and put our trust in him. Loved this book for pointing this out.
February 12, 2017
This was an interesting book. I certainly enjoyed it, and was reminded of a few things about suffering. However, I desired to get more out of the book. It felt very superficial, and as though it were an introduction to joyful suffering.
November 9, 2012
This one was recommended to me by a friend who understands that life isn't always fair. I was prepared for schmaltz but Fr. Jonathan really seems to understand the depth of the pain we sometimes experience. Life isn't always fair but turning your back on God doesn't solve anything either. For some of us who carry around deep emotional scars from years of pain, it helps to know that leaving room for doubt and asking hard questions doesn't make you an outcast in God's eyes but rather makes you more faithful.
April 5, 2013
I found this book uplifting and reassuring. The Promise reveals that through our sufferings there is a Promise of greater good and it is our choice to believe in the Promise or look God in the eyes and walk away. As a believer I found reassurance in Fr. Morris' examples.
It's a beautiful reminder to always look at the blessings God bestows on us and to His unfailing love for us even when life hurts.
It's a beautiful reminder to always look at the blessings God bestows on us and to His unfailing love for us even when life hurts.
January 13, 2014
Though I am a Mormon, I found Father Jonathan's book a great description of finding our way to Jesus Christ. The book keeps things simple enough to understand, yet shows great depth of thought. In addition to helping answer one of life's great questions (Why so much suffering if there is a loving God) the book shows that understanding God requires effort not just contemplation. I'm looking forward to reading more of the Father's books!
July 12, 2008
This book was really good. I have watched Father Morris on the Fox Network for quite awhile and really liked what he had to say. I was not disappointed in this book. His answers to some of the questions I had on suffering and it's purpose were so satisfying. I took so many notes because I dind't want to take a chance on forgetting any of it.
September 7, 2008
Simplistic view of why we suffer in five parts, using philosophy and theology. These sorts of books are always useful to those going though challenges in life - and that's all of us at one time or another.
Read
February 17, 2010Thought provoking and faith-based book discussing life's hardships and maintaining a relationship with God. The use of real life questions presented to Fr. Morris makes this unique and personal reading.
February 21, 2010
I love watching Father Morris on Fox News. He is very insightful. In this book he really puts suffering into its proper perspective, and teaches alot about God's Plan and how to deal with life's struggles and hurts.
August 4, 2013
Enlightening - outs life's hardships into perspective. Well written with practical examples provided. As much as I enjoy Father Morris on Fox News I find his writing style just as informative and thoughtful.
March 30, 2015
....a very well written book.. on how to cope up and to understand suffering... I started only few pages.. I was hooked... this book helps people to understand and to deal about Suffering... And why God let these things happen to us...
October 21, 2015
Fr Jonathan does a remarkable job on this critical question.
A fantastic look into the questions about why suffering exists and a truly realistic explanation of how we as Christians can understand and overcome these challenges.
A fantastic look into the questions about why suffering exists and a truly realistic explanation of how we as Christians can understand and overcome these challenges.
June 17, 2016
The Promise
I love Fr. Jonathan! This book gives me a way of becoming closer to God and to understand my failures and how I can deal with them and find my way to eternal life in heaven.
I love Fr. Jonathan! This book gives me a way of becoming closer to God and to understand my failures and how I can deal with them and find my way to eternal life in heaven.
August 18, 2009
This is an easy to read, truthful look at suffering from the Christian perspective. I expect to suggest it to friends who are facing struggles.
September 5, 2009
This book offers great insights. It is one I will keep on my shelf and reread.
February 2, 2011
Poignant and profound at times. Contains practical advice. Ended rather abruptly.
December 2, 2014
A good book to read when wondering about why we suffer.
October 3, 2015
Very insightful, and so many great ways to improve my life! There are still some questions left, but there is a lot that was just wonderful to take in. Thank you, Fr. Morris!
December 21, 2010
Wonderful book when dealing with lose,I have read it 3 times and continue to learn.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews