|PIC1|This little book, which takes less than an hour to read, is designed to help those who are distressed by questions about suffering and are in need of comfort. Yancey, well-known for his popular book What’s so Amazing about Grace?, looks at questions like ‘Why does God allow the innocent to suffer?’ and ‘How can I be sure God cares for me personally?’ Drawing particularly from the Psalms, Job and the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ suffering, and using illustrations from his personal experience, the author gently opens a way back to God for the questioning sufferer.

In the final chapter, we are inspired and challenged by the true story of a doubting twenty-six year old woman who suffered terribly from a fatal illness, but finally encountered the love of Christ through the remarkable caring of Christian neighbours in her last few weeks.

It may well be worthwhile getting a copy and keeping it on your bookshelf to lend to anyone you know personally for whom wrestling with suffering becomes an issue. It could be particularly useful as something to leave in the hands of someone with whom you have already had a conversation. I think the style of this book makes it more suitable for someone with a Christian background who is in a place of struggle, or someone who wants to know what the Bible says, rather than for the complete outsider.


When Life Hurts - Philip Yancey - Hodder 2004 - £5.99 Hb 59pp ISBN 034086290





Kevin Vaughan
CMF Associate General Secretary