We all wonder how we will cope in times of terrible suffering, and how we can best support others who are suffering. And we all ask the question: how does suffering square with God’s character and purpose?
As a young pastor, Matt Chandler knew he needed to learn how to help hurting people. He studied the Scriptures, and he learned from people at the Village Church who remained joyful in their suffering. And then suddenly he was having to live what he'd learned.
This is the moving story of Matt's battle with a potentially fatal brain tumor. But it's also the stories of those who taught him, and teach him, how to walk with joy in sorrow.
This book will make you cry, laugh, and worship God. And you will see how you can live with joy when times of sorrow come, and how you can support others going through tough times.
| Contributors | Matt Chandler |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781784984540 |
| Format | eBook |
| First published | September 2019 |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 240 |
| Publisher | The Good Book Company |
An incredible, personal, insightful journey led by one of my favorite teachers, Matt Chandler, as he and some of his friends share lessons brought to them by that greatest of all teachers in the Christian life—suffering. Martin Luther said that suffering, combined with prayer and meditation, is God’s instrument to turn us into faithful theologians. You’ll see that in this book, and you’ll be changed yourself for the reading. Likely, you’ll find yourself recommending it to someone even before you’re finished.
Theologically rich. Profoundly God-centered. Unflinchingly honest. Joy in the Sorrow is a deeply moving account of how unexpected suffering undergirded by faith in Christ leads to joy and hope. I will carry these people, their stories, and their extraordinary joy with me for a long time; they have changed me. Buy this book, read it, and give it to those you love who are suffering.
How does one face suffering with faith? Where do we quarry the resolve and courage? Is God good, even when the circumstances are not? Matt Chandler has wrestled with these questions. He addresses them with wisdom, love, and balance. This is a welcome book for all who suffer.
For most of us, life can feel like a struggle. We get used to that.
But then something happens that turns your life upside down, dropping you in a world that you no longer know, trying to piece together a broken life.
Being a Christian doesn’t protect us from these meteors that leave suffering in their wake.... continue reading
To some, the Christian life is a series of successes and victories. To others, the Christian life is rife with pain and tragedy on most days. For most of us, we find ourselves ascending and descending the hills and valleys of success and suffering. Though we all face adversity in life, some seasons are far more catastrophic than we could have ever imagined.
This is Matt Chandler's story. It's also the story of the many of his friends.... continue reading
In this book you hear the story of Matt Chandler, lead pastor of the Village Church in Texas. Out of the blue he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and told he would have two to three years to live. Joy in the sorrow is his story but also the story of other people in the Village Church who have been through some horrific things.... continue reading
I really appreciated the style of this book sharing a number of stories of joy in suffering with interludes between them tracing the story of Matt Chandler's battle with a brain tumour. Some brave testimony grappling with the Word and coming out with such challenging and inspiring joy
I experienced tears, brokenness and joy when reading this book. The honest and courageous faith of the contributors and pastor Matt himself is incredible. I was moved by these stories of suffering and faith. Every Christian should read this book.
