Today I'm adding the 'Help! I have breast cancer' by Brenda Frields (Available from Amazon) to the Master Reading List under the category of Suffering.
Suffering is a difficult subject to understand in any context, yet because of the painful world we live in, it cries out to be understood.
Books on the Christian response to suffering abound. Some end up being very philosophical and difficult to read, while others appear too simplistic and shallow.
Frields' small book is one of the best resources I know on the subject.
Firstly Frields' work is Biblically sound. The gospel is clearly affirmed as the primary hope for sufferers and explained in detail (meaning this book could be given to a suffering non-Christian). It also provides an excellent list of thirteen Scriptural reasons why suffering is a gift from the sovereign Lord.
Secondly the book is from someone highly qualified to speak on the subject. Frields has experienced the suffering of cancer and speaks honestly of her experience and the heart searching that it brought. Hence, a whole chapter is dedicated to the common question among sufferers, 'Is God punishing me?'
Thirdly, the book is easy to read and short. Although some sufferers may be ready to delve into heavy, long works on suffering, from my experience the suffering itself may keep people from having the stamina to read such books. Whereas Frields' book is readily accessible.
The only problem with the book is that it has a strong focus on cancer, even to the extent of including the word 'cancer' in the title. Thus people with another form of suffering may consider the book irrelevant for them. That would be an unfortunate conclusion. I think the teaching in this book can be applied to most suffering contexts. Republication as simply a good book on suffering would be a most welcome development.
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