by Loni Stel

Created on: August 12, 2010

" . . . I feel that you really have to have passed through extreme suffering in order to understand the ideas and conclusions presented within these pages.  The reason for this is that this book is primarily written to those people in the kingdom of God who do not have the option of hoping for circumstantial relief from suffering.  These people cannot have the horrific circumstances that have caused their hardship reversed for removed.  The people I am talking about here are those who have lost someone to death, people who have permanent physical medical conditions that cannot be healed like amputees and quadriplegics:  people who have permanent physical pain."

As the author shares above in the first chapter, this is a book for those who have walked through great suffering.  It's a deep encouraging book, not one to read in an afternoon, but to read and contemplate, little by little.

As I read  through this book, I am amazed at the depth  and wisdom of this author, Sean Nolan, only 28 years old.   Though he has struggled with great pain in his life, this book is not all about him (actually very little) but shares of others, and filled with Scripture, showing the eternal perspectives and present whys of suffering. Having buried two children and walked through other deep valleys with another child who has heart complications, much of this book touched my heart.

"If suffering were a tree, its fruit would be unique and extremely rare. The reason why the Lord uses the painful process of suffering to sanctify us (conform us into the image of His Son) is that suffering produces unique and extremely rare fruit that cannot be grown or cultivated by any other means."

This is a book that one can read and reread to glean and grow from.  Though our circumstances  may not change, as we follow God, our suffering is not in vain.  I highly recommend To Those Who Suffer. 

" . . . I want you to know that the purpose of this book is not to be another 'warm fuzzy' that will carry you through a day or week of hardship.  The purpose of this book is to bring you to a place where you can intelligently decide that you are going to trust God in your situation of suffering."

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