When God Doesn't Make Sense

by James C. Dobson

1994 Gold Medallion Award winner!
Every person who lives long enough will eventually encounter circumstances that are difficult to explain theologically. From years of counselling experience, Dr. James Dobson offers assurance of God's constant care, even when human suffering is beyond our comprehension.

Genres: Christian, Religion, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Spirituality, Faith, Theology

250 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

James C. Dobson, Ph.D., hosts the daily radio program Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk.

A licensed psychologist and marriage, family, and child counselor, he is a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. For 14 years Dr. Dobson was an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine, and he served for 17 years on the attending staff of Children's Hospital Los Angeles in the Division of Child Development and Medical Genetics. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California (1967) in the field of child development.

He is the author of more than 50 books, including The New Dare to Discipline, The New Strong-Willed Child, When God Doesn't Make Sense, Night Light, Bringing Up Boys, and the New York Times bestseller Bringing Up Girls.

Heavily involved in influencing governmental policies related to the family, Dr. Dobson was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the National Advisory Commission to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. He has also served on the Attorney General's Advisory Board on Missing and Exploited Children, the Department of Health and Human Services' Panel on Teen Pregnancy Prevention, and the Commission on Child and Family Welfare. He was elected in 2008 to the National Radio Hall of Fame, and in 2009 received the Ronald Reagan Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Dobson is married to Shirley and is the father of two grown children, Danae and Ryan, and the grandfather of Lincoln and Luci Rose. He resides in Colorado.

Connect with Dr. Dobson on:
DrJamesDobson.org
Twitter
Facebook

Reviews

[Gabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I had an idea of how this book would be but I was totally wrong. I have never had a strong religious background and to be honest I have been intimidated in conversations with people with strong faith. I almost feel inadequate discussing deep topics such as religion because I keep my mind open and my open mind makes me feel like I have weak opinions when discussing these topics with individuals with stronger faith. I was given this book after such a discussion and felt like this might be the book to sway me from my indecisiveness.

I found that this book is not for those who lack a relationship with God but those who have a strong relationship with God but have hit a rocky patch in their life. Dobson discusses the importance of faith in great detail with many stories that really dig deep into the extreme hardships experienced in life. It was definitely not what I expected but is definitely a good read for those who have faith but have been experiencing tough times in their lives. I think I would have found this book very helpful a few years ago when I had to deal with a few deaths, a shaky view of my future, and questionable relationships.

I definitely took away a good point when Dobson discusses the value of prayer in dealing with trying to get someone to value a relationship with God. He explained that God would not just put a relationship in place but guide a person into meeting the right people to make a relationship possible which really made me think. And isn't that what a good book is for?

[Jeff Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Harold Kushner's "When Bad Things Happen to Good People," and this book stomps that into the mud. Dr. Dobson hits some very sensitive nerves but never flinches, himself. The book is for every Christian who ever wept and asked God, "Why?" or maybe just tilted their head and thought "Huh... what's God up to here?" It's a great book, and I highly recommend it.

[Oscar López Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muchas veces nos preguntamos ¿Por qué Dios está permitiendo que me pase esto? Muchas de las veces que hacemos esa pregunta nunca recibiremos una respuesta.

Es difícil aceptar la realidad de que no conocemos toda la imagen completa de lo que pasa en nuestras vidas. Conocemos el presento, el momento inmediato, pero Dios lo conoce todo.

Éste libro no responde a la pregunta ¿Por que Dios hace cosas aparentemente sin sentido? No brinda una guía de respuestas a cada situación difícil que vivimos, solamente suple de un descanso explicándonos que todo sigue bajo el control de Dios aunque no lo parezca.

Cuando lo que Dios hace no tiene sentido, no nos queda más opciones de creer en Él, confiar en Él, esperar en Él y dejar de cuestionarnos y cuestionarle ¿Por qué haces esto?

[Cone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isaiah 55:8-9
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

The secret things belong to the Lord...an eye-opener.

[Ai ViCo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente libro, muy recomendable. Muchos de los testimonios me tenían el lágrimas, realmente me ha ayudado a reiterar mi fe y mi caminar con Dios, y pienso que es un gran toque de frescura necesario en la vida de cada Hijo de Dios

[FeyLetras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un libro excelente lleno de historias de vida que conmueven el corazón, ver como todos sufrimos penalidades y a todos nis llega momentos en los que no entendemos que pasa. Pero Dios siempre esta atento. Agradezco haber leido este libro, dio paz a mi corazón.

[Joshua Choi · Rating 4 out of 5]

arrived in my hands at a very random, yet very needed point in life as i wrestled with suffering

anecdotes can get repetitive but help to consistently hit the main idea: when grappling with heart wrenching, exhausting, crushing situations that may seem unfair or not make sense, we have the choice of either wallowing and living in despair, or trusting that the Lord is at hand supporting us even if He doesn’t provide us an answer for why we are suffering (for He is not obligated to give us one, nor would it always be in our best interests for Him to do so)

will probably hit even harder in the future but for now grateful to have this one on the shelf

[Karen & Gerard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holding on to your faith even When God Doesn't Make Sense deals with the topic of trusting God through hard times or times that just don't seem fair. The author gives many illustrations of times when people had bad things happen that just don't make sense, including illustrations from his own life. He gives some basic fundamental principles such as:

God is sovereign and is not accountable to man. No where does God promise to explain why he does anything or doesn't do something.

God wants us to trust Him regardless of our circumstances and even when we do not understand the "why" of something. Faith is the key that we have to hold on to no matter what.

Basically, God is sovereign, loves us but suffering is part of the Christian life too. Can’t understand everything but that’s when we need to exercise faith. God is not accountable to us. We need to commit everything to God whether we understand the circumstances or not and not expect perfection in this world. Rejoice always and know that God uses everything to accomplish His purpose. When crisis comes, we have only two choices--acceptance or despair.

Many times we hear of people who are ill and many people pray for them and they do not get better. Obviously, everyone dies sometime. Even Lazarus who Jesus physically raised from the dead died later on. If God would always answer the prayers granting our will when we pray for the sick, believers would never die.

If believers did not go through the same trials and problems as unbelievers, and the Christian's life was all sunshine and roses and smooth sailing all the time, people would come to Christ for the wrong reason, just so they would have an easy life. This is not Biblical.

At the end of the book, Dr. Dobson lists several questions often asked and answers them as best he can. I believe this book can help people who are questioning God to a degree, but it still comes down to one's personal faith in God and a surrender to His will.

I found some parts boring, but other parts very interesting. Overall, I liked it.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really digging the dr's ideas on giving God time with issues. That prayer is not wasted. he had several good points on how God works in our lives. all until he got to the part about The Beatles. It stinks that his view point on peaceful band is that they started demon music and got the listeners to start using drugs. I understand the Dr is conservative but I feel that he didn't do his research here and it soured me on the rest of his ideas (I know this might seem petty but it is how I feel). I really wanted to like this book but I can find similar teachings by authors who do their research. books like this give Christians a bad rep.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well this was a book someone told me I should read and lent it to me. Although the thought was kind it really was contrary to some things that I believe from my studies of the bible. So it took me a long time to read and upon my finishing it, I still felt like I did in the first chapter, not a book for me.

[Annette]

Definitivamente los caminos del Señor son más altos que nos nuestros, y solo la fe nos mantiene en la senda de la vida en espera de la muerte, la cual realmente no es muerte.
No estoy molesta con Dios ni le refuto los actos sucedidos, recomiendo el libro a quienes sí lo están y a quienes necesitan reafirmar y hacer crecer su fe, a quienes atraviesan el peor de los momentos.

Un abrazo

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, James Dobson, for this book. I lost my father six months ago today and it has been the hardest thing I've ever had to endure in my life. Thank you for tackling the issue of grief and suffering with unflinching honesty but also hope. We don't need platitudes; we need a good grip on reality. Some questions are unanswerable in this life, but God is for us. No matter what.

[Kim Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this while grasping for something to help me cope with infertility. I was disappointed with this book-- maybe it's better for other struggles in life but the raw emotions I feel and the way he deals with them totally clash.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get into it.

[Craig Evans · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was one of the reasons I left Christianity. I think it was intended to be a bit of apologetics, but it had the opposite effect on me.

[Artur Mata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un súper libro que te ayudará a vencer la duda y los daños que causan las aficiones. Recomiendo este libro 100% si estas teniendo luchas con tu fe y relación con Dios este libro es para ti y tanto para personas que quieren seguir aprendiendo a como mantenerse firmes en Dios y vencer hasta el fin. El Autor es espectacular . Recomiendo que lo leas despacio para entender bien las ideas que plantea el autor.

[Lourdes Varela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hermoso libro!! Ideal para leer en estos momentos inciertos, OJO no te da una respuesta directa PERO al menos intenta dar paz al lector en momentos de aflicción.
Lo más importante en confiar en que Dios siempre tiene el control aunque no entendamos lo que sucede.

[Stephen E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sensitive answer to the challenge that suffering brings to every Christian. A very helpful text.

[Douglas · Rating 1 out of 5]

An odd book about an odd faith that says in response to misfortunes, "who knows the mind of god?" but will happily greet good fortune for Christians as miracles or god looking out for his own, rather than also, "who knows the mind of god?" Dobson blames the Beatles or somebody for the decline of society. Nixon+Wallace got 57% of the vote in 1968 and Nixon was reelected with nearly 61% of the popular vote in 1972 so it would seem Dobson like many who should know better scores cultural points by overemphasising the moral impact of the 60s. Predictably "relativism,” most pointedly of other Christians, comes under attack. Dobson believes himself well aware of god's thoughts, but shouldn't it be "who knows the mind of god?" In the first few pages he refers to someone as a "drag on society". In the last few he sums up his point as, with god “we are relieved of the responsibility of trying to figure out life’s trials and tribulations”. Ok... though Dobson is waiting with his own explanations once you give up on your own. Psst: forgiveness and overcoming resentments is good policy, faith or no faith, no god required.

Dobson sensibly condemns the prosperity gospel scam here, but in other channels has issued full-throated support for Trump. Both are deals with the devil for supposed gains, but it is not at all going to turn out as they hope. Dobson's behaviours show he prefers power politics and social coercion, rather than taking Christianity's slow decline as perhaps a sign from god that things ought to be approached differently. Dobson's statement that Trump is a "baby Christian" can't be understood any other way. Dobson's not that naive: it is not a statement about Trump, it is a lie Dobson is willing to tell to convince the faithful to support Trump.

His books sound mostly reasonable, but his public statements do not. This has been true since long before Trump, but Trump just made it more obvious. In this I suppose he's not that different from those many Christians we all know who think they're reasonable but when scratched, out comes the bile. His statement in this book that parents greatest wish for their children must be that the children are believers is a power play, *not* good family advice: he is saying, sacrifice your relationship with your children, if need be, in a gambit to make them believe as you do. According to Dobson, faith must not only be the most important thing in your life, but you must force your faith to be the most important thing in others’ lives as well.

Christianity could be an embraceable faith, but it ain't Dobson's hateful version, that's for sure.

[Linda Lioun · Rating 5 out of 5]

لدي مجموعه كتب في ibook في هاتفي معظمها قد حملتها على هاتفي من صفحه مسيحيه على الانترنيت حوالي ٣٠ كتاب و اكثر ...
كنت في سفره الى لبنان و خلال بحثي على الهاتف صدفه وقع هذا الكتاب امام عيني
ما اقصد قوله كأن ظهوره امامي وفتره قرأتي له كانت بالفعل مناسبه جدا جدا.....
كانت تساورني معظم اسئله التي تناقش في هذا الكتاب بالرغم من اني لم احصل على اجابه منطقيه ملموسه انما كانت تبدو لي الاجابات البسيطه منطقيه و قريبه من قلبي و قابله للفهم
فكره الكتاب كانت لمانواجه الالم وعلى من يقع الذنب و كيف نتعامل مع هكذا حالات . كنت ابكي عندما كنت اقرا بعض الصفحات احس انها تعبر عني كثيرا وتذكرني بالكثير من الامور.
انه كتاب يعزي القلوب المنكسره، ينمي و يقوي ايماننا .
ما استطعت ان استنتجه هو الله يحبنا و يحب خيرنا اما الالم و الضيقات التي نعانيها فالله سيستخدمها لخيرنا لتحقيق مقاصده المباركه
و له توقيته المناسب للاستجابه على صلواتنا و توقيتاته مختلفه عن توقيتاتنا سيأتي حتى لو فات الاوان او نظن ان تأخر .
لكم بعض المقتبسات التي الهمتني و اعطتني ايمانا واقنعتني:
١)(جامعه١١ : ٥) : "كما انك لست تعلم ماهي طريق الريح، ولاكيف( تتكون) العظام في بطن الحبلى ، كذلك لا تعلم اعمال الله الذي يصنع الجميع "
و كذلك (اشعيا٥٥: ٨-٩) :" لان افكاري ليست افكاركم،ولاطرقكم طرقي يقول الرب، لانه كما علت السماوات عن الارض، هكذا علت طرقي عن طرقكم، وافكاري عن افكاركم"
٢)هناك اجابات الهيه عندما لانفهم:
أ) الله حاضر في حياتنا،ويعنيه ما يحدث فيها ،حتى عندما يبدو انه لا يسمعنا، اوغائب عنا.
ب) توقيتات الله مثاليه،وان بدت متأخره الى حد الكارثه.
ج) لاسباب من المستحيل شرحها قيمه البشر عند الله ثمينه جدا.
د) ان ذراعك اقصر من ان تصارع مع الله،فلا تحاول ذلك .

٣)( عندما يواجه شخص ما ضيقه شديده يجب ان يضبط نفسه ليخرج منها اكثر صلابه : فالانين و رثاء الذات بالرغم من وجود ما يبررهما ، الا انهما استسلام مميت . والانسان في وقت الازمات اما ان يصبح اكثر صلابه ، او يفقد روحه المعنويه . و بالطبع فان المحنه، الى حد ما يكون لها تأثير ايجابي على الافراد ، بما يساعدهم على بناء شخصياتهم . اما بالنسبه للمؤمنين فيخبرنا الكتاب المقدس ان المحنه و الضيقه تنمي لدينا صفه شخصيه اسمها الايمان(يعقوب١: ٢-٤))

[Friday Otuya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to title it ''What to do when God seem not to make Sense''. The author who is very experienced in these matters, highlights how biblical characters as well as everyday people, found themselves in dire circumstances where God's will seem not to make sense. They felt embarrassed, disappointed, disillusioned, hated, rejected, dejected and all the other 'ecteds'. They looked unto the God in whom they had built their faith overtime, but got no answer.
But what are we supposed to do in times such as these?
Ultimately, God is Almighty. He is the source of all things and by him do all things subsist. We should hold on to God in total submission and trust, says the author.
The author affirms the omnipotence and wisdom of God in all things. The book therefore enjoins christians to stand fast and be strong in God's word in times of adversity, knowing that the trial of their faith worketh patience (James 1:2-3).

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly helpful, considering I don't necessarily count myself as a fan of Dr. Dobson and/or Focus on the Family. The book made some really good points that I hadn't thought about. It was also reassuring that Dobson did not trivialize the real pain that certain people are going through, and he didn't blame it on them either by saying it was their "fault" or their sin that was causing the problems. There is a part toward the end of the book that discusses briefly pain caused by our own sin, but most of the book was focused primarily on the kind of tragedy that strikes suddenly and is no one's fault (such as the death of a loved one, etc.). Don't expect all the answers from this book or any huge revelations, but still worth the read if you sometimes doubt your faith.

[Klaristy Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

James ابدع كعادته
-ليس من عادة الله ان يسرع بتفسير الأمور التي يفعلها
-من الواضح انه إذ لم يختر الله أن يوضح نفسه لنا ، وهو الشئ الذي لا يفعله دائما ،فإن مقاصده واغراضه تظل بعيدة عن متناول الانسان المائت.
-الألم ليس في حد ذاته هو مصدر الخطر ،بل الحيرة والتشويش هما اللذان يحطمان الإيمان
-النفس البشرية قادرة علي تحمل أعظم الشدائد،  حتي مواجهة الم الموت ، ولكن بشرط أن تكون ملابسات القضية مفهومة .
-التوقع هو الذي يهيئ الطريق الي التشكك
-السبب الرئيسي الذي جعل أيوب يصاب بأشد إحباط هو عجزه /فشله في أن يجد الله
-إن الرب يسمح لمعظم المؤمنين أن يجتازوا في أودية مظلمة روحيا ومعنويا بهدف اختبار إيمانهم في بوتقة النار .لماذا؟ لأن الإيمان يأتي علي رأس قائمة الأولويات في نظر الله
- الإصرار علي الإيمان مع غياب الأدلة،  ومع بقاء الأسئلة بدون إجابة،  هذا الإيمان هو محور علاقتنا مع الله .
- اننا نظن اننا نعرف مانحتاج إليه في لحظات الأزمة،  لكن الله غالبًا ما يكون له رأي آخر.
- إننا نحاول أن نخرج من المأزق بأي ثمن قبل أن تتضح الصورة الكاملة .
- ليس محظورا علينا أن نحاول أن نفهم ، ولكن المطلوب منا ألا "نعتمد" علي قدرتنا الشخصية في فهم ومحاولة إيجاد معني للأحداث الحياتية المختلفة التي بلا تفسير ووضعها في إطارها النهائي.،، لأن هذا يعني اننا نحاول بأي طريقة أن نجد الإجابة ، والا فسوف نطرح ايماننا جانبا إذا لم نحصل على إجابة مقنعة .
- من الأفضل أن نعترف بأننا لانعرف إلا القليل جدا بحيث لا يمكننا أن نفسر كل الآلام الموجودة في عالمنا الساقط
- الله يتوقع منا أن نعيش أيامنا يوما بيوم مكتفين بما لدينا من فهم غير كامل
- الشئ الذي جعل الله يسر من يوسف هو أمانته حتي عندما لم تكن الأمور مفهومة .
- أربع زوايا محددة عن طرق تعامل الله معنا :
١.  أن الله موجود ومتداخل في جميع أمور حياتنا حتي عندما يبدو وكأنه غائب أو غير مبال .
٢. توقيتات الله مضبوطة،  حتي عندما يبدو أنه قد تأخر تأخيرا مأساويا.
٣. اننا نحن البشر لنا ثمن غال جدا في نظر الله،  وذلك لاسباب لايمكن شرحها
٤. أن يديك أقصر من أن تلاكم مع الله ، فلا تحاول أن تفعل ذلك أبدًا
- لم تكن الوعود المعطاة لإبراهيم تعتمد على إسحق بالمرة،  ولكنها كانت تعتمد بالكامل علي الله .
-احترس ، فعندما تلجأ الي تقديم اجابات سقيمة عن أسباب الألم فأنك تنكر علي الشخص المتألم انسانيته، وتهين الله الذي يحب المتألمين ويتعاطف معهم
- لذلك فإن تحطم السفينة ليس نهاية الكون ٠ ولكنه يساعدنا على عدم الدخول فى تجربة ، تجربة النظر إلى الأمور التي تري
- صحيح أن الرب كثيرا ما يتدخل بصورة معجزية في حياة الناس المتألمين، لكنه -الله- وحده هو الذي يحدد طريقة التدخل .
- أفكاره ليست فقط غير معروفة لنا ، بل هي غير قابلة للفحص " الله غير مطالب بأن يعطي حسابا للإنسان "
- في الكتاب المقدس كله لم يتكلم الله ولا مرة واحدة بلهجة دفاعية ، ولم يطلب موافقة من أحد علي أفعاله،  ولكنه يقول لنا فقط " ضع ثقتك في "
- ليس من الصعب علينا أن نؤمن أن الله يستطيع أن يصنع العجائب "هو القادر على كل شيء "فالايمان به مسألة بديهية لاتحمل اي مخاطر ،، أما الثقة فيه،  فإنها تأخذنا الي خطوة أبعد،  فهي تتضمن عنصر المخاطرة ، انها تتطلب منك أن تعتمد عليه وتثق في انه يحفظ الوعود حتي في عدم وجود أي دليل " انها الاستمرار في الإيمان حتي عندما تشير الأدلة الي الاتجاه العكسي
-حضور الرب ثابت ، احساسك بحضوره هو الذي يتغير
- إني أعرف يد الرب تمامًا عندما أراها
- لازالت المعجزات تحدث في زماننا كما في أزمنة الكتاب المقدس،  لكنها غالبًا ما تحدث بطريقة خاصة بحيث تظل هناك الحاجة للإيمان. ، وحتي الذين يشاهدوها فإنهم يحتاجون ان يختاروا إ��ا أن يصدقوها أو لا يصدقوها.
- عندما تتضاءل توقعات الإنسان إلى الصفر،  فإنه يشعر عندئذ بالقيمة الحقيقية لكل شئ يملكه "ستيفن هوكنج"
- اذا كنت معوقا فيجب أن توجه كل طاقاتك إلي الجوانب غير المعوقة لديك ، يجب أن تركز علي الأشياء التي تقدر أن تعملها بدلا من أن تنوح علي الأشياء التي لا تقدر عليها . "ستيفن هوكنج "
-المناخ الصعب الذي تعيش فيه يساعدك علي ثباتك وصلابتك.
- الرخاء هو المحك الحقيقي للأخلاقيات وليس الشدائد.
- أفضل طريقة لقتل أو إضعاف الكنيسة هو إزالة جميع الصعوبات والتحديات من أمامها
- أليس من المحتمل أن أبينا السماوي يسمح لنا بالضيقات لكي يضمن لنا القوة ؟
- "مرقس ١٠ : ٢٥ " يقر بأن الغني والوفرة يجعلاننا نعتمد على حياة الراحة والرفاهية .
-"أمثال ٢٧ : ٢١ " كما أن الفضة تختبر في البوتقة ، والذهب يختبر بالنار ، كذلك فإن الإنسان يختبر من خلال المدح الذي يتلقاه
- أحيانا يسمح الرب لنا أن نكون " معذبين في الجوف " حتي نعترف بأننا محتاجين إليه،  بهذه الطريقة هو يعطي الفرصة لايماننا لكي يتقوي وينضج.
- الفرق يكمن في طبيعة الأنين والشكوى،  هل مصبوبة في قالب الإيمان والثقة في الله ، ام في عدم ثقة في الله
-قديما ، كان المؤمنون يسيرون مسيرة حرب يتقدمهم فيها صليب يسوع مدركين مسئولياتهم، ، أما الآن فأصبح تركيزنا ينصب علي تسخير قوة الله لتحقيق النجاح في الحياة ،من الواضح أن هناك شيئا ضاع منا في الطريق.
- الخطية دائما تدمر الشعب الذي يعتنقها
-جميع الخطايا تحمل في مضمونها هذه الخاصية المميتة ، ليس أن الله يجلس في السماء لكي ينزل الاذي بالذين يخطئون ، ولكنه منع البشر من بعض السلوكيات لأنه يعرف انها تدمر ضحاياها. فليس الله هو الذي يميتهم بل الخطية.
- منذ اللقاء الأول بين الحية وحواء في جنة عدن،  والجنس البشري يريد أن يخطئ بدون أن ينال عقابا
-الأساس الأخلاقي للكون هو تعبير عن ذات طبيعة الله.
- الله يغضب من إلحاحنا في الصلاة ، فهو يحثنا الا نستسلم بل أن نزلزل السماء بطلبات قلوبنا ( لو ١٨ :١-٨ )
-الاولوية الاولي للوالدين أن يقودوا أولادهم الي الراعي . لا تكفوا عن الصلاة الي أن يتحقق هذا الهدف.
- لكننا نعيش في عالم حيث المرض والموت هما اللعنة التي جلبها الإنسان علي نفسه
-الروح القدس يصلي من أجلي ومن أجلك بحب لا تستطيع اللغة البشرية أن تصفه.
- الله لا يريد أن يجيب علي هذه الأسئلة في هذه الحياة. هو لن يعرض علينا خططه للتصديق عليها . يجب الا ننسي انه هو الله.
- افضل طريقة للتخلص من المرارة هي أن تسامح الله "ليس هو مصدر ألمك " ، ثم تطلب منه العفو بسبب عدم إيمانك.. تسمي تلك العملية المصالحة.، تلك هي الطريقة الوحيدة للحصول على الحرية الكاملة .
- ان المرارة بكل أنواعها حتي تلك التي تبدو في محلها تدمر الإنسان روحيا وعاطفيا.
-الله لا يريد منا شئ سوي أن نمارس الإيمان ، وهو لا يقتحم أبدًا هذا الإيمان،  كما اننا لا نستطيع أن نرضيه بدون إيمان .
- تعريف " الإيمان " : هو تصديق ما ليس له دليل أو برهان (عب ١١ : ١ ) ، انه التمسك والتشبث في الوقت الذي تشير فيه كل الدلائل الي ضرورة التراجع .

[Casey Spencer hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book after a hard time in my life and I'm SO thankful for it--what a wonderful gift at such a sad time in my life.

It is very well written, easy to follow and filled with insight! I have quoted it many times to others who have gone through tough situations and I would love to read other James C. Dobson books!!!

I recommend this to everyone--whether you've gone through a painful time in your life or not--we all will have sad times to endure and this book definitely reminded me that God is ALWAYS with me.

[Delene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Dobson is a well respected Christian author and speaker for good reason. In this book he explores, with many real life examples, reasons why we feel that God doesn't make sense. We all have the opportunity to ask why or wonder about God's involvement in our situation at some point in our life. "When God doesn't make sense" doesn't answer all of the why's but sure helps put many of our questions and even some of our circumstances into a biblical perspective that is comforting and thought provoking.

[Emmanuel Obu · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when after trusting God, being faithful to him and yet trouble and inexplicable fate befalls you? This is a book that helps answer hard question about things we can't just reason out, why terrible things at times happen to God's people. Today People are hurting and discouraged in serving and believing God because of their troubles,Jame Dobson in this book clearly shows God is still a caring father at all time and knows exactly how to pull us through any situation. This book restores hope in God even in trying terrible times.

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Easy to read. The title explains it all. If you have ever had thoughts of "why?" and "how come?" directed toward the Creator, this book by Dobson gives some great, down to earth, biblically sound answers. He doesn't sing song his way around the difficult questions but embraces them. Dobson deals wonderfully with the doctrine of suffering and how it fits into the lifestyle of being a follower of Christ and a human just living on the earth.

[John Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his patient and kind way, Dr. Dobson tackles some tough questions believers may have when life throws us curve balls. Dobson's answers are backed with Scripture, and I found myself stopping at several points to walk away and digest what I just read. This is helpful advice from a noted authority, and he shares ample examples from his life to show he's been in the turmoil right along with the rest of us.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A person I highly respect told me this was one of the most important books he had ever read and it helped shaped his faith at a formative time. I found it very good as well, although it wasn't anything "new" at this point in my life. Very real in how it looks at life's pains; very encouraging in relating the faithfulness and heart of God in those dark valleys.

[Jonimarie Whiting · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book at least 3 times over the last 10 years and it has helped encourage me through times when I was completely at the end of my rope and felt as though I was literally drowning. I'm so thankful that even when we don't feel God with us He is with us and He is in fact holding onto us and protecting us. :-)