when you are suffering.

When God Weeps

by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steven Estes

I had the pleasure of reading this book. I can't begin to tell you how much I loved it. Every single word of it! I have been thinking a lot about suffering lately more specifically physical pain. I went to the library looking for a book on ways to deal with chronic pain physically but instead I found a book on how to deal with chronic pain spiritually. Which in the end was really what I have been struggling with.

I've been asking myself these questions-maybe you have thought them to?

• How does God expect me to deal with pain?
• Is it possible to have a good attitude?
• Does God permit suffering or ordain it and what's the difference?
• What does it mean to consider it all joy when we face trials?
• Does God really expect me to be thankful for arthritis and fertility problems?
• Why doesn't God just take my pain away?

Ok. Here's the deal. I want real answers. I don't want to look for the silver lining, I don't want someone to spew out a bunch of bible verses. I want to know how to not be mad at God when I am up in the middle of the night for the 3rd day in a row unable to sleep because the pain is simply unbearable. That is what I want to know.

And you know what.

I found a lot of answers in this book. I was excited the whole time I read it, I couldn't put it down. So has my attitude suddenly changed? No. I am working on it though, and I am sure it will be a life long process. I could read this book a hundred times and glean new information each time. This is a start though.

I can't wait to share with you what I learned. But this post is long enough. Tune in later:)

PS-If you have any answers to the questions above please let me know the answer-thanks! :)