"The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10
Suffering comes to us all. It may be disease or debilitation, pain or persecution. Our difficulties may be invisible to others or impossible to hide. Sometimes we suffer because of our Christian witness. Other times it's simply part of living in a fallen world. But suffering affects us all, in ways we don't always anticipate.
Christians today are often not prepared to suffer well and have a shortsighted view of pain and trials. Ken Boa shows how God uses suffering to shape his children for eternity and to grow them in Christlike character. The book of 1 Peter tells us suffering is both a guarantee and comparatively brief; we shouldn't be surprised when it comes to us. The nature of our affliction is not as important as our response to it. God is at work through our hardships and wants to use them to prepare us for eternal life.
Suffering can make us bitter or better. Rediscover living hope, present joy, and a glorious future.
264 pages
"This book is superb—rich, deep, wise, and warm. It fills a glaring gap in responses to the challenges of suffering and will be read as God's great hug for all who are in pain."
--- Os Guinness, author of Carpe Diem Redeemed
Introduction
1. The Crucible of Suffering
2. The Alchemy of Grace
3. A Living Hope
4. A Present Joy
5. Preparing to Suffer
6. Imitating Christ
7. Submitting to God
8. Submitting to Authority
9. Ministering to Others
10. An Eternal Glory
11. A Clear Calling
Acknowledgments
Appendix 1: How Can a Good God Allow Evil and Suffering? A Brief Theodicy
Appendix 2: Ten Intercessory Prayer Tips
Appendix 3: Powerful Prayers for Yourself and Others
Appendix 4: Psalms of Lament
Appendix 5: Scripture for an Eternal Perspective on Suffering
Study Guide
Notes
Shaped by Suffering How Temporary Hardships Prepare Us for Our Eternal Home is in the following collections:
