The God Of All Comfort: Devotions Of Hope For Those Who Chronically Suffer [Paperback]

Judy Gann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2005

Gods Word is the focal point of each devotional. Both the Bible verses and the anecdotes relate to issues those with serious illness deal with daily. These issues include pain, weakness, identity, loss of independence, loneliness, and facing death. Each devotional illustrates how God uses scripture to encourage us in the midst of pain.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There are four places to find comfort-on your knees to Jesus, in the Bible, in the arms of the Father, and by reading The God of All Comfort. You will draw genuine comfort from real people decimated by dealing with actual illness and disabilities, some like yours, some like mine. Drink in, inhale these devotions, and they will calm and  soothe you like the balm of Gilead. Those in pain will keep this book close to their bedside."

-Steve Appel

Director of Communications and Media

Joni and Friends, the disability outreach of Joni Eareckson Tada

About the Author

Judy lives in Lakewood,Washington where she works as an early learing librarian.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: AMG Publishers (March 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0899571557
• ISBN-13: 978-0899571553
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #582,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read for Those Who Suffer, June 8, 2005

By 

Bonnie Bruno (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The God Of All Comfort: Devotions Of Hope For Those Who Chronically Suffer (Paperback)

Based on the author's experience of living with an often debilitating chronic illness, The God of All Comfort is a cup of cold water and an arm around the shoulder for anyone who faces similar daily challenges. This collection of stories from Ms. Gann and seventeen others in similar straits is grouped into an attractive devotional format. Each devotion offers a two-page story, applicable Scripture, and an inspirational quote. It's just the right length for encouraging and uplifting those who suffer and those who strive to understand friends and loved ones who live under the shadow of an ongoing illness.

Ms. Gann groups the devotions into eight categories:
By God's Design
Strength for the Journey
The Furnace of Affliction
Through Deep Waters
Courage in the Darkness
Springs in the Desert
Rest for the Weary
Eyes Toward Heaven

Because a chronic illness often makes a person feel as though their identity is linked only to their illness, the author has taken great care to create a book that both soothes and strengthens. Those who may feel that nobody understands their struggles will find compassion, understanding, and hope. Above all, The God of All Comfort points readers to a heavenly Father who is present 24/7 to comfort and help sufferers to cope day by day, minute by minute.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A liberal dose of hope and encouragement, May 20, 2005

By 

Candy Arrington (Spartanburg, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The God Of All Comfort: Devotions Of Hope For Those Who Chronically Suffer (Paperback)

As the wife of a husband with type 1 diabetes, it's nice to see a book that targets those who juggle illness with functioning "normally" in a world that has little compassion for weakness or pain. Judy Gann has a wonderful knack for providing nuggets of hope and encouragement for those who chronically suffer. I especially appreciated the fact that this devotional book is not about whining; it's about finding God in the midst of your circumstances. Many will draw strength and daily inspiration from this excellent book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The God Of All Comfort:Devotions of Comfort, Strength & Hope, April 2, 2005

By 

Bill Standish (Killaloe, Ontario) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The God Of All Comfort: Devotions Of Hope For Those Who Chronically Suffer (Paperback)

Judy Gann does an excellent job pointing the reader to the reality of God's presence, power and love in and through the suffering of Christians. Chronic illness in no way diminishes the identity of the saint who suffers; instead we find comfort and hope in the knowledge that God fully understands and empathises. Did not the Father and the Son both suffer on the day when Christ was crucified? Thank you Judy for reminding us that we can, through Christ's living power, offer the sacrifices of praise since we have been called to be a holy priesthood by the Father in heaven. Living saints can be reassured that nothing can take away who we are in Christ, though it may seem like the darkness of suffering overcomes us during days, weeks, and even years of real pain. Judy has brought our minds to sense again the freshness of God's mercy, the tenderness of God's love and the fulness of Christ's grace. In our sickness Christians have the All Sufficient Jesus Christ available by whom we can personally be strengthened and empowered to live one step at a time. No matter the uncertainty we face Judy exhorts us to come boldly to the throne of grace to find help in time of need. What more could we need? The incorporation of numerous personal experiences from the lives of others has given great credence to the victory made possible for Christ's followers in our sufferings. This reality is much needed in a world that teaches that suffering has no merit and is a sign of immaturity. Difficulties, if accepted, lead us to the loving embrace of the Saviour who knows suffering all so well. Judy's work points the reader to Jesus and we have but to make a choice: to take His hand and allow Him to walk us through each moment or to turn our backs on Him in prideful independance. May you choose the former and come to enjoy an intimate relationship with the God Of All Comfort.