The Sweet Side of Suffering

So often, Christians who are suffering try to put on a happy face, thinking if they were better followers of Christ that their lives would be filled with only "good" things - material success, obedient children, good health etc. When they experience hardship as scripture insures God's people will, they sometimes believe they are being punished for shortcomings, and that every trial must be met with equanimity. Unfortunately many unscriptural beliefs have crept into sound doctrine and what the Bible truly says, robbing sufferers of hope and comfort. Bless Ms. Lovejoy for reminding us of the why and wherefore that we might draw closer to the one who loves us most of all. Gift yourself or anyone you know with this "balm" to sooth your souls and strengthen your faith. He has overcome this world and surely his peace and joy will sustain us until we reach our heavenly home where there is no more sickness or sadness. Thank you Ms. Lovejoy, Discovery House Publishers and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC and provide a personal, honest review.

This book is a beautiful meditation on the many ways God loves us through our suffering. Ms. Lovejoy has experienced great suffering over the course of her life, and the reflections and life lessons she shares in this book demonstrate how there truly is a sweet side to suffering, if we are willing to see it.

Each chapter focus on a different "sweetness of" such as knowing God, hearing God, etc. She provides copious examples from the Bible as well as illustrative stories from her life. My favorite chapter was on the ways God shows he cares, in which she provided numerous examples of the little (and big) ways God revealed himself to her family by providing them with little sweetnesses and surprises, even in times of great need.

The overarching message of this book is that God loves us and wants us to run to Him, no matter our circumstances. He is there to protect and provide, and we can trust Him.

I recommend this book for anyone, because we all face suffering in our lives and this little volume can provide great comfort in those times.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a review copy of this title for me.

This was a great book...showing that even at times of hardship...you still need to know that God is with us! This author is really good too! How she writes...it's an enjoyable style of writing!