For many years, my grandmother, Josephine Sechrist, suffered from a trio of miserable conditions all at once - arthritis, diabetes, and neuropathy. Though any one of these invisible conditions is hard to bear, the convergence of all three intensified her suffering to an indescribable degree. To make matters worse, one prescription medication frequently conflicted with another, increasing her complications and discomfort even more. Though I've never experienced either of these maladies myself, hearing about her struggles touched my heart and deepened both my appreciation and respect for those who suffer in similar ways.

This book, When Suffering is Redemptive: Stories of How Pain and Anguish Accomplish God's Mission, makes a similar impression. (Joni Eareckson Tada provides the forward.) It builds the bridge from sympathy to empathy, between those who do not suffer and those who do. This is an important benefit because though we all suffer in this life, we don't all suffer to the same degree.

This book serves those who suffer by offering the transparent, faith-oriented perspectives of eight ordinary Christians who suffered excruciating things:

1. Larry Waters shares his experience with cluster headaches, "the worst pain know to man."
2. Mark Talbot shares his experience with paralysis, from age 17 onward.
3. Mark McGinniss (my Hebrew prof) shares his experience with trigeminal neuralgia (including his treatment by Dr. Ben Carson).
4. Mary Klenztman shares her experience raising a child with a physical disability.
5. Steve Calvert shares his experiences with the trauma of being a first responder.
6. Rick Rood shares his experience with caring for a disabled spouse.
7. Wayne Walker shares his experience shares his experience serving the homeless in Texas.
8. Bill Bryan shares his experience with coping from his father's suicide.

Each contributor writes in his or her own unique style and voice and shares profound, biblical lessons they learned from their suffering. They also share some new opportunities God opened for them through their suffering, opportunities for meaningful ministry to others. As the book makes clear, "Though the stories do not seek to explain the why of suffering, they present creative ways that God redeems suffering both in the life of the individual and in the Christian community."

Though the stories do not seek to explain the why of suffering, they present creative ways that God redeems suffering both in the life of the individual and in the Christian community.

Whether you endure difficult suffering or want to empathize with those who do, this book will help you to discover God's redemptive purposes for the suffering that you see and experience. The discussion questions and recommended resources at the end of each chapter make it even more valuable.