Where Is God?
There are never quick fixes or easy answers when it comes to suffering. But even when we can’t immediately see God’s hand—when the struggle is hard and painful—he is working. Weaving together Scripture, personal stories, and the words of the classic hymn “How Firm a Foundation,” David Powlison brings an experienced counselor’s touch to exploring how God enters into our sufferings, helping us see God working in our own particular struggles—and discover how God’s grace goes deeper than we could ever imagine.
About the Author
David Powlison (MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary) is a teacher, a counselor, and the executive director of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation. He is also the senior editor of the Journal of Biblical Counseling and the author of Seeing with New Eyes, Good & Angry, and Speaking Truth in Love.
Praise for GOD’S GRACE IN YOUR SUFFERING
Joni Eareckson Tada, Founder, Joni and Friends International Disability Center:
Whenever my friend David Powlison offers insights on handling hardships, I listen. Far from dispensing ivory-tower platitudes, David takes anchors from Scripture and bolts them firmly into our thinking, providing practical steps in embracing the God of the Bible who, incidentally, wrote the book on suffering. David’s wisdom has helped me through a significant portion of my years as a quadriplegic, and I highly commend God’s Grace in Your Suffering. What a great guide for those who, every day, journey the hard, bloodstained path to Calvary.
Gloria Furman, author, Missional Motherhood and Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full:
Sometimes navigating the advice of others while in the midst of suffering can be an added trial. Powlison puts all of that to rest by giving readers the gospel—showing them the firm foundation of the Word. He puts the compass of God’s Word in our trembling hands and points us to true north: Christ himself.
Vaneetha Rendall Risner, author, The Scars That Have Shaped Me: How God Meets Us in Suffering:
Tender, refreshing, and thoroughly biblical, God’s Grace in Your Suffering is a cup of cold water for those in the desert of suffering. Writing from the perspective of both a fellow sufferer and a wise counselor, Powlison gently leads us to find God’s goodness, grace, and comforting presence in our pain. We see how God is at work in our trials and can bring gold out of our afflictions. My copy is well marked as I know I will refer to this insightful book again and again!
Juan R. Sanchez, Senior Pastor, High Pointe Baptist Church, Austin, Texas; author, 1 Peter for You and Seven Dangers Facing Your Church:
Because David Powlison understands that ‘profound good in our lives often emerges in a crucible of significant suffering,’ he is fit to lead us in a workshop on suffering and God’s grace. And that’s exactly what God’s Grace in Your Suffering is—a workshop where Powlison walks us through Scripture, the hymn ‘How Firm a Foundation,’ and our (and his) experiences, that we may see God’s goodness and seek God’s grace in and through our suffering.
Nancy Guthrie, author, Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament Bible study series:
Here’s a short book that is long on biblical wisdom for real life. I look forward to putting this book into the hands of those who struggle to connect the promises of the Bible with the painful realities of life in this world in a way that brings peace.
Elizabeth W. D. Groves, Lecturer in Old Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary; author, Grief Undone and Becoming a Widow:
Yes and amen! David Powlison brings together suffering and the powerful, tender God who is with us in our sufferings and in whom they have meaning and purpose. You will find a big-picture view that breathes hope and encouragement, as well as profound nuggets that you will want to tape up over the kitchen sink to savor. As always, David makes things practical, personal, and ‘ordinary.’ If you live in this broken world, you will want to read this book!