Customer Reviews

From Grief To Glory

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2 star:		(1)
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For those who have suffered bereavement, especially the loss of a child, this book is essential reading. The author has passed through that valley during which he found comfort in reading the experiences of an array of men and women of God from former times who had suffered sometimes the early passing of several of their children. He gathers together quotations from a number of these Christians and weaves them with his own thoughts in each chapter. There is comfort from God here coupled with a widening of our appreciation that no one pioneers the path themselves, many have gone before and found grace from God sufficient and enlargement of heart too.

This book is a must read for someone that is grieving. I have read over 15 books on my study of grieving and this is my favorite. This book is not so much about the 5 steps of grieving or advice on how to grieve, but rather the author shares his story and then stories of many others. Having lost a 12 year old son, I understand the tremendous pain. I am shocked at some of the great men and women of God that have lost children through the ages. You are able to read their stories and draw strength from some amazing things they said and wrote in the darkest hour. This is a very inspirational book and I highly recommend it.

This book touched me more than I could ever say. When my daughter died my world collapsed. The words of truth in this book presented by a man who has suffered grief, spoke peace to my grieving heart. While there are many books on grief and loss, I recommend this one especially to Christian men who may be reluctant to share or not have someone to share with who understands. I shared with those in this book across time and found great solace.

This book should be read by everyone who knows of someone going through hard times or are themselves. This is a easy short read.

What I wish I had known before I read this book...

Some good things found in the pages:

* A wide variety of stories throughout history of Christians who have gone through trials in losing children, wives, husbands, and other loved ones.

* Some interesting background on the sufferings of these often well-known Christian people, and some good quotes from their letters, memoirs, etc.

* A genuine desire to see the Lord glorified through trial.

* A genuine desire to encourage Christians to put their hope in the promises of God - in the reality of Heaven and our great reunion there, for "all who have longed for Christ's glorious appearing."

And while all of these things were good, I still found the book very lacking in comfort.

I hesitate to say this, because the author and his wife know real suffering. They lost their own infant son, so they aren't "civilians" who know nothing about real death. I don't know what they would be like to talk with in person, either.

This quote from the book, though, sums up some things:

"I do hope and pray that God may give you grace to exercise a faith which will humble, comfort, and cheer your inmost soul. But if you cannot so believe, at least lay your hands on your bleeding and darkened spirit, and drag it along the way of duty."

This book, taken overall, reminded me of many things that Christians have said to "exhort" our family during ten years of on-going, severe suffering. Everyone seems so concerned that you remember "God Is Sovereign" (yes, obviously!) and that you aren't somehow dishonoring Him by continuing to feel pain.

The guidance in this book, for me at least, seemed very "should-based" and duty based - as in, "this is how you SHOULD feel" and "this is how you SHOULD act."

There was undue focus on the "lessons" God was teaching through inflicting suffering on the lives of believers. When I tried to picture this book being given to Job - or to Jesus in the garden, awaiting His betrayal and death - I could not see either one of them being much comforted.

Yes, the true grief of suffering was mentioned (even mentioned frequently), but that never happened without a very quick, thorough push to move on to Glory (get your chin up, Christian). The reality of lasting, penetrating, ripping, tearing, life-long suffering was not there.

Grief is my mother tongue, and I would not recommend this book to my friends going through it. I do know others have liked it, and that's how grief is...you can't tell people what should comfort them. It's probably the main thing I didn't like about From Grief to Glory.

All this having been said, I fully expect to enjoy Heaven alongside James W. Bruce, his wife, his son, and the many others who are now worshiping before the great throne of God. I don't think this is a salvation issue. I just don't think comfort can be put in a box and prescribed.