In the Hands of a Fiercely Tender God: 31 Days of Hope, Honesty, and Encouragement for the Sufferer

by Colleen Elisabeth Chao

Is it possible to face the darkest days of life with hope and joy and purpose?    The life of Colleen Chao was bright and beautiful—it was brimming with hope and possibility. She was a talented, confident, and ambitious young woman. So, Colleen never imagined that she’d swim through two decades of deep-water anxiety and depression. She didn’t guess that she’d marry late, suffer years of chronic pain and illness, and give birth to a child with health complications. And never in her life did she imagine hearing the “ Cancer. Stage four. Terminal.”   In the Hands of a Fiercely Tender God is born of the suffering that on its own could have crushed Colleen. Her pain, instead, opened her eyes to eternal realities and has wrought a soul of indestructible joy. How do we suffer long and well? What do we do when we feel cheated? How do we face pressing darkness? One thing Colleen has learned is that we cannot bear the suffering alone. We need lots of help. To that end, Colleen shares a precious devotional gift with the suffering thirty-one days of wisdom, hope, and encouragement. Drawing upon stories from past saints, rich truths from Scripture, and habits that build joyful endurance, Colleen helps fellow sufferers to embrace one day at a time, to trust and love Jesus more, and put themselves In the Hands of a Fiercely Tender God.

Genres: Christian, Faith, Nonfiction, Devotional, Theology, Inspirational, Christian Living

192 pages, Paperback

Published October 25, 2022

About the author

COLLEEN CHAO has written extensively about finding God's goodness in the unexpected chapters of her life, including singleness, chronic illness, and terminal cancer. She's worked as an editor and writer for global organizations, and an English teacher to some of her favorite people on earth—teenagers. When she's not wrangling words, she enjoys beautiful hikes, side-splitting laughter, and half-read books piled bedside. She makes her home just outside Boise, Idaho with her husband Eddie, their son Jeremy, and Willow the dog.

Reviews

[Kati Davis]

oh man oh man. i want to give this little book to every single person who has ever experienced suffering on any level. i admit that my skeptical heart is often suspicious of people who talk about faith and pain, but knowing colleen's story, i trust every word she writes about God's goodness and love in the midst of the very hard things she's been/is going through.

it's meant to be read as a devotional, but i started it one night and read half the book with a lump in my throat the whole time. in a good way.

please read this

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I have words to review this book. It is one I plan to read again and again. It is a book so gentle and firm and hopeful that I can only attribute it to the Holy Spirit guiding Colleen's words. She is going through something awful and yet doesn't discriminate about what experiences constitute suffering - just shares the truth that whatever you are feeling God will meet you there and guide you. Scripture, writings from sufferers throughout the ages, deep pain and unfathomable beauty in Christ's plan - it's all here. Such a blend of feeling deeply seen and understood while also being brought decisively to the foot of the cross and then walking to the open tomb to rejoice in the ultimate victory we all can share in.

[Brittany Sprague · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound reflections of God and encouragement from a fellow sufferer. Deeply appreciated not only her wise insights but the way she pulled from the stories of other saints.

[Alice Moeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful and true books I have ever read. I will be rereading it for years to come.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Yes, this present suffering may be indescribably hard, but the King loves you too much to spare you from it, for He knows it is the way into more of His love.”

This is the book I want to give to everyone who is facing suffering…it is the smallest, simplest, most approachable little handbook on grief and suffering, yet has more depth, more insight, more truth, and more eternity packed into its pages than I can express.

It is a book like this that makes me want to add extra star, if only to emphasize that this book is in a class all of its own. If you are in a season of suffering, of any kind, buy this book. Read it, mark it up, pray through it, cling to its truth, and be reminded of the fiercely tender love your King has for you.

[Gretchen Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been opening this book over and over again since it was published, giving it as a gift and recommending it to everyone. But I finally, slowly, made my way through the entire book, start to finish, savoring the wisdom in each short chapter. And now I want to start it all over again...

I've cried over the paragraphs, texted pictures of the pages to friends, and highlighted key points for quick review.

Thank you, dear Colleen, for sharing your heart with each of us. Our suffering may look different, but our fiercely tender God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book that reminds me that my suffering isn’t arbitrary. That God never leaves His children to suffer alone. That He makes all things good. Highly recommend.

[Jennifer Skoog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This precious woman felt like a lifelong friend sitting with me over coffee. The joy she displayed through her suffering and her endurance in pain were so encouraging to me as a cancer survivor. All of our days are numbered, and this little book was a beautiful reminder that He will use every one of them for His glory if we trust Him.

[Lauren DuPrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Hands of A Fiercely Tender God is the debut title by Colleen Chao. This 31 day devotional encourages readers with the hope of Jesus even on their darkest days. Colleen wrote this devotional in the midst of facing a cancer diagnosis. What encourages me about Colleen’s story is that she is honest about her hardships yet remains hopeful in Jesus. Her book is a beautiful testament to the faithfulness of God to His people. What sweet fruit to be produced in the valley of the shadow of death.

The content for each day is brief, encouraging, and Scripture centered which makes it a perfect fit for sufferers or those who are just hoping to be encouraged. When enduring trials, it can become easy to question God’s character and consider that He is punishing His children when they suffer. In the Hands of A Fiercely Tender God reminds readers that God doesn’t punish His children because He punished Jesus in their place. I really enjoyed this incredibly encouraging devotional and am pleased to give it my highest recommendation.

I received In the Hands of A Fiercely Tender God compliments of Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the tears and all the joy mixed into one! I had the privilege of hearing @colleen.chao speak at the @reviveourhearts conference and was thrilled when I found out she wrote a book. Colleen is no stranger to chronic pain and suffering. I picked this up after I was diagnosed with yet another devastating autoimmune disease.

Her book spoke to my heart in such a profound way. She taught me to pray for big things in the midst of suffering, such as unexplainable joy and peace and to remember that He loves me and my loved ones who suffer with me.

Definitely a book to gift to someone enduring any type of suffering and to reread often!

[eg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The devotionals themselves were encouraging, inspiring, and oh-so-emotional. It really reaches down to your grieving spirit. I cried throughout this book and was deeply moved. Everyone—and I mean everyone—should read this (even if you’re not currently in any affliction because at some point in life, we do end up suffering). These devotionals will help you gain the joyful endurance Colleen valiantly, courageously, and beautifully displays.

[Crystal Solano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colleen Chao does not minimize the grief or sorrow of any fellow saint. She takes the zoom out feature of our lives and shows us God. She then takes the zoom in x100 feature of our lives and shows us the heart of Christ. & boy, his heart, his tenderness, his grace are engulfing.

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I repent

May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my inner being never utter “It’s not fair” about anything.

[Landrie Elstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are grieving, depressed, anxious, suffering, or just simply feeling the weight of this world, run to get this book. I want to give this little book to anyone & everyone who has experienced any of the above.

The way Coleen describes the heart of the Father toward those who are suffering is so beautiful, and personal, and moving. I can just see how intimate her relationship w the Lord was through the way she describes His heart. The content is very digestible & is perfect for a quick read before or after being in the Word. Highly recommend!!

[Anna Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend gifted this to me and it has been the sweetest gift. Putting it on here bc I wish I could gift it to everyone. If you are in or have a friend in a season of suffering, this is a balm to your soul 💗

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This lady is on another level of Christ-likeness, to the point that I find it a bit hard to relate. And yet, she points the way to joy and peace in unspeakably difficult circumstances, and I want more of that. Lead on, Colleen, lead on.

[Shelby Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have read in a very long time. It was a gift from a dear friend of mine during the peak of a dark depression. I wish I had opened it sooner, but like many others, I was skeptical about the entire concept and was apprehensive that this would be just another self help book that is filled with useless advice and uneducated opinions. This was anything but. The author speaks from a place of her own pain and attests to the faithfulness of God through her suffering. Her story is inspiring and I can attest that it is the perfect gift for a friend who is grieving.

It is meant to be read as a 31-day devotional but I read through it, sometimes chapters at a time, and other times I had to put it away for a few days in order to process what I had read. I highly recommend keeping a journal close by for readers to record and preserve their thoughts on each chapter.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This woman knows whereof she speaks. The authenticity and dedication to trusting the goodness of God was tender indeed. It was a beautiful read. Love the quotes she has curated on suffering. I don’t care for the overly casual writing style where she writes as if talking, I.e., “you know what I mean?” Maybe she didn’t use that phrase, but I prefer a more distilled writing. It���s a little loose, but it’s friendly and packed with very distilled thoughts. I closed the book thanking God for her beautiful thankfulness that lifted my heart in the midst of much less severe circumstances than she is facing. I would definitely consider giving this to a friend who isn’t much of a reader who is going through a hard time.

[jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just finished 12 grueling chemo treatments, each lasting 4.5 hrs, yada yada, I was individually sensitized to Colleen Chao’s beautiful book sent to me by a personal friend who is herself in the throes of diminishing health and dead ended cures with a strong recommendation to read this book. I have. I recommend it to you. Chao’s writing reflects a beautiful and wise heart forged by great suffering and even greater hope and an even greater and loving God. Each chapter, a short and powerfully worded life experience is inspiring and uplifting. Each reading brightened my heart and brought me some joy, insight, hope, and a deeper delight in the goodness of God.

[Terry Sternad]

This phrase is over used but this book is an ABSOLUTE MUST READ for all who suffer from any affliction, and should be read by all Christians. Colleen Chao’s beautiful heart is laid bare in her written words. She simply expresses over and over that our troubles can drive us to an ever closer relationship with our Creator. I can’t give a better endorsement for this book than to tell you that I have already given away fourteen copies, and it is the only item on my Christmas list this year so that I can give even more copies to hurting people and those with a heart to help them.

[Audrey Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read and I’m so grateful for it. In hard seasons of life, Colleen points us to eternal hope, Jesus’ lavish love, and invites us to reflect on the Word of God. I imagine this book would be like honey even in seasons without trials because of the Truth she packs into it to prepare for difficult circumstances and suffering to come in life.

Thankful God gave Colleen the grace to write these pages.

[Claire Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish everyone would read this book, it was that good! This short 31 day devotional has what I experienced as the perfect mix of truth & hope on the topic of suffering & sorrow. It sounds like this might be a debby downer type book but it’s truly far from it! There were few chapters that didn’t leave me in tears of happiness & gratitude after reading how good & compassionate & kind our God is & how much hope that brings us in our hardships!

[Abigail Westbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful little book! It’s likely the best one I’ll read all year. Each chapter is full of humble, honest struggles met with the solid truth of God’s love. I also appreciated the quotes from great Christians of the past, and all the reassuring Scriptures. This is a book all believers should read, especially those facing deep suffering or grief.

[Erica Donoho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suffering is real and it is hard. God is real and his purpose is greater than all. His presence is with us and will never leave us. When we are our weakest, his strength can carry us if we will bring it to Him.
I loved all the reminders of Christ's tenderness when our lives feel upside down and impossibly painful.

[Beth Kul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d like to buy a case of these books to have on hand to share with fellow sufferers. I’ve read a number of devotional books, and this one might be my all-time favorite. The author writes in a very readable fashion, including Scripture and quotes and stories to bring home her very encouraging points. She lifts our eyes from the mire of current sufferings to wonderful eternal realities.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book 15 stars, I would. Such a powerful little book packed with truth and encouragement. This is one I will reread time and time again. Her writing is so beautifully stated, so Christ-focused, and so challenging for my daily walk…both is seasons of suffering and seasons of calm. Can’t recommend it enough.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendous writing about suffering and God's place in our lives. Chao is a cancer sufferer, but the book is applicable for all kinds of suffering (which Elisabeth Elliot has defined as "anything in your life that you have but do not want, or do not have but do want."). I found myself moved to tears at several places. Highly recommended.

[McKayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have an admittedly difficult time with the “everything happens for a reason” / “suffering is God’s gift” ideology, so much of this devotional was hard to swallow. But Chao’s resilience and grace in immense suffering and pain is admirable and a testament to her faith and joy and the Source of her hope. Maybe she’s on to something ;)

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone dying with Stage IV Cancer this book has been immensely helpful & encouraging along the way.

Colleen's gifted ability to put these kind of sufferings into such relatable words is sometimes shocking but always comforting.

I've read & reread it several times & think it may be one of the essential modern reads for suffering saints.

[Alisa Birmingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an abundantly treasure filled book!! A highly recommended read for anyone suffering through any of life's troubles, or anyone feeling forgotten, or anyone hurting from loss, or just for anyone!!! This book provides such amazing, heart felt and loving guidance for those who are facing the valleys of this life on earth!!! A book I shall cherish and read again and again!!!