Suffering by Paul David Tripp

Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense by Paul David Tripp ISBN-13: 9781433556777 Hardback: 224 pages Publisher: Crossway Books Released: Sept. 30, 2018

Source: Advanced review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Sometimes life doesn't make sense. When death, illness, unemployment, or a difficult relationship challenges everything we thought we knew, we can feel utterly unprepared to cope. Best-selling author Paul David Tripp weaves together his personal story, years of counseling experience, and biblical insights to help us in the midst of suffering, identifying 6 traps to avoid--including doubt, discouragement, and denial--and 6 comforts to embrace--including God's presence, God's people, and God's grace. Exploring a wide range of common experiences, this raw yet hope-filled book will empower readers to cling to God's promises when trials come and then move forward with the hope of the gospel.


My Review:
Suffering talked about the traps we can fall into (and why they're not helpful) and the hope that we have in God. The author talked about how anyone who suffers may ask "why?", doubt, be afraid, envy others who are doing well, be discouraged, and/or deny the seriousness of what they're facing. However, he shared stories of real people who took these to a degree that left them hopeless. They had a distorted view of God because they let circumstances define their view of God rather than looking to what the Bible says about God. The author also told his own story and how he was challenged in some of these ways.

He then talked about the hope we have if we look to what Scripture says about God and suffering. He quoted Scripture and explained why this is a comfort. Things like how we have hope because God is with us and will not forsake us. God is good and in control, but he cares more about our character than our comfort. Since the author has gone through and is continuing to suffer, you know he's thought through these things and isn't just giving the "standard answer." I felt that he had good theology and managed to convey it in a easy-to-understand and sympathetic manner. Overall, I'd recommend this insightful book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.