Book Review: Hope When It Hurts

Book Review: Hope When It Hurts

Hope. It’s what we crave most when suffering. We long to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We long to know that our pain isn’t random or senseless.

It’s because of this longing that Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton wrote Hope When It Hurts: Biblical Reflections to Help You Grasp God’s Purpose in Your Suffering.

I have read many books on suffering, but Hope When It Hurts is a favorite. It’s one that I reread every year and often flip open when I’m struggling the most.

I love this book because Kristen and Sarah don't shy away from hard realities but write about them with compassion and a gospel perspective. They vulnerably share their own struggles and show how God is at work on even their worst days. Their book is a “balm for weary hearts,” as Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth put it.

This is a book for anyone suffering, be it physical, emotional, or psychological. The cloth cover and ribbon bookmark may appeal more to women, but men will be blessed as well. Each chapter ends with a prayer, a few questions for reflection, and a page to journal your thoughts. It reads like a devotional, but it is deep and rich.

In 30 brief chapters, Kristen and Sarah work their way through 2 Corinthians 4 and 5 and show that it is possible to suffer and not lose heart. They remind us that God is with us, that He brings purpose to our pain, and that He understands suffering because He has suffered Himself. They remind us of heaven and encourage us to fix our eyes on the unseen. They point us to hope, even when it hurts.

​To learn more about Kristen and Sarah's book and to hear their testimony as they struggle with lyme disease, watch their 3.5 minute video here. You can buy their book, download free wallpaper, and read Stories of Hope (mine is included) on Kristen and Sarah's website hopewhenithurts.com.

Hope When It Hurts is also available on Amazon and Christian Book Distributors.

What is a favorite Christian book you've read on suffering? Share your recommendation below.

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