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

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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.

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.

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.

God of all Comfort is a wonderful devotional book for the millions of men and women who suffer from chronic illness. More than that, this is a book to be read by anyone who cares about hurting people. When someone suffers from a chronic illness there's often no visible evidence. Yes, Judy Gann has woven together stories, scriptures, and prayers into a lovely resource for those who suffer, but pastors, counselors, family, and friends also need to read this book so for an insider's look at the needs of those with chronic illness.

Carmen Leal, author of The Twenty-Third Psalm for Caregivers

Two weeks ago, my precious mother-in-law passed away after a long battle with cancer. As I was cleaning out her things, I discovered her journal in which she had written down each day's pulse, BP, heart rate, nausea, hair loss, etc. Right next to the journal, listing all the terrible things happening to her body, was Judy Gann's book with page after page marked with all the wonderful things God was doing in her soul. Everyday of her suffering was met with a day of God's comfort through one of these touching devotionals. Now I get to read through these devotionals, sharing the same hope - the same comfort - my mother-in-law did in her last days. Our God is indeed the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our troubles so we can comfort others when we ourselves have been comforted.

Judy's book is tender and empathetic. I've long felt that friends and family are great in a short-term crisis. But those who struggle with chronic illness (and she includes a wide variety of kinds in the book) often see their support fade away over time. It's a lonely road. Judy understands the experience, and offers bite-size wisdom for weary hearts, minds, and bodies battling trials that have no immediate end in sight.

This book is THE ideal gift for a friend or family member with ongoing health issues, or for someone newly diagnosed with a chronic illness.

Out of the estimated 3,000 promises in the Bible, Judy Gann has focused on those with special meaning for people who constantly battle illness. She writes with authenticity and compassion about those promises, since she's spent much of her life with chronic illness. The book has a gentle, encouraging spirit. Buy it as an encouragement gift for someone who faces daily, debilitating illness. They'll bless you for visible evidence that you care.

Sometimes it is hard to know what to do or say to those who chronically suffer. For me, I'm often without the right words. Thanks to Judy Gann's gem The God of all Comfort, I can now give a book filled with devotions of hope and written with compassion, courage, and conviction. I recommend this book to pastors, counselors, friends, family, and those who suffer.

As a health care provider I see people and families on the verge of losing hope against the staggering giant of chronic illness. I want to help them face the challenge with a daily dose of hope. Judy Gann provides such a resource in The God of All Comfort-Devotions of Hope for Those Who Chronically Suffer, a collection almost eight years in the writing. Rather than being overwhelmed with sadness at Judy's struggle and the seventeen others whose stories she shares, you will be encouraged with the truth that God is there. He doesn't hide from our agony but rather strides into our circumstance with His own resources. When you just don't know what to say to someone who is dealing with chronic pain or illness, let The God of All Comfort devotional speak for you.

This is an amazing little book which I have already given away to someone who also suffers from chronic pain. I now need another for myself! What a blessing to be able to cling to God's truth in the midst of suffering, it is a lifeline. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a way to cling to hope in the midst of suffering.