For many, life’s hurts do run deep. The trials, pains and sorrows of our lives can cut deep canyons into our hearts. The impact of loss, abuse, rejection, and debilitating illness can wreak havoc in our lives for many years. We may cry out and question God asking, “Why?”
Why does God allow such pain in our lives and how do we get through it?
This is the question that Kay Arthur addresses in her book titled “When the Hurt Runs Deep.” As a gifted Bible study teacher, she takes us deep into Scripture for the answers we need. She teaches through much of the book of Job, in verse by verse fashion, showing the source and reasons for suffering. She emphasizes God’s sovereignty in all things, including our pain, hurt, and suffering. Kay Arthur points out errors in common thinking that Christians should and will be free of suffering and goes into detail describing the reasons why God allows deep pain in our lives. Her tone is compassionate, yet continually affirms the truth in God’s word.
She takes us to Scripture as well for the answers on how to handle suffering. There are a few passages in Scripture that she recommends memorizing to give hope when the hurt runs deep. She also uses example of friends she has known who went through great trials, sharing how their faith strengthened them. She also shares with great transparency about her own hurts, all the while lovingly directing us to the Source of all healing.
When I chose this book to review, I selected it because I knew Kay Arthur would address the problem of pain biblically and I wasn’t wrong. I appreciated the compassion and understanding tone in her writing. The practical helps and verses to study brought me directly to the lap of my Father, the God of all comfort. I believe strongly in the importance of developing a theology of suffering before tragedy or trial strikes. This book will be an essential aid to anyone desiring to do just that.
This book also includes a study guide at the back of the book. It can be used individually or in groups. For more information on this book, visit her website Precept Ministries. Want to read chapter one? Click here. For more information about Kay Arthur, click here.
Interested in a free copy of this book? Leave a comment in the comment box below and you’ll be entered in the drawing to be done on 3/24.
Update 3/24: Random.org randomly selected KanalyKoaster as the winner of this book. Congratulation!
I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers in exchange for this review.
I love your blog and relate to all you write. This is the only time I have tried to win anything on any blog. I have a few people in mind who are asking those questions. I would like to read the book and give it to them to better minister to them. I have experienced extreme pain and healing from the Lord and by sharing His Love and the book it will really help others He has brought to me. Thank you . Mirinda
Christina, I want you to know that I left the nicest comment – it was sweet – it was touching – it was a REALLY REALLY nice comment. Then when I posted it – WordPress.com. did a nasty thing – it redirected me – and ate my comment - and it’s not the first time somebody’s WordPress.com website is done this – it told me my e-mail address was associated with WordPress.com in some way(and it’s not - I’m a WordPress.org guy) – and it told me to login. And then I looked into logging in with Twitter – but it said it could read my tweets and do other stuff – I trust you explicitly – I don’t trust WordPress.com very much. .
Anyway, now my fingers are tired and they don’t want to type anymore so I’ll just say thank you – you would’ve really liked the comment – it was something about Kay - and how I’ve hearted reading you for as long as I’ve been blogging – and other stuff. Anyway, God bless and keep you and each and every one of yours Christina. Oh, and I’m putting in an old AOL e-mail address instead of my .att e-mail address because that makes WordPress.com not be so nasty for some reason – see – you can tell I’ve run into this before.
I’m sorry:( I’ve had others tell me the same thing. I’ve actually had lots of problems when leaving comments with Blogger. Frustrating. Thanks for your kind words!
Oh bummer, I wrote out a comment on Kay too and it wouldn’t let me leave it either. I love Kay Arthur. When I started my walk with God in college, she was my spiritual mother. I did precept upon precept studies one right after another. I stopped only when I had my first child because I don’t have that kind of time anymore. I do BSF now. I have wanted to read more of her recent trials with her son, but haven’t gotten the book yet. Would love to win it. Sounds fantastic. I know her past and how she found grace in it helped me with mine. I know this book on dealing with hurt here and now would be awesome too!