The Promise: God's Purpose and Plan for When Life Hurts [Hardcover]

Jonathan Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 8, 2008

In his work as a priest and commentator for FOX News, Father Jonathan Morris has traveled to the troubled spots of the world, meeting with Muslim youth during the rioting in Paris, sitting down with populists at odds with the Church in Venezuela, and investigating human trafficking in Germany. Now Father Jonathan peels back the layers of questions that arise when someone asks, "Why me?" in response to human suffering. With an accessible voice and calming pastoral guidance, Father Jonathan leads readers through each step of suffering—from doubt and anger to healing and acceptance.

The Promise comprises three parts, each addressing a step in the process of healing. Part 1, "God on Trial," speaks to doubts and anger that arise when we suffer and poses tough questions such as "Does God even care?" and "Why should we trust a God who allows innocent suffering?" Part 2 takes the reader on a journey of finding emotional and spiritual healing from suffering. In part 3 Father Jonathan introduces the five "Principles for Freedom-Living." From living your personal vocation to a step-by-step guide for sketching a plan for your spiritual life, the freedom principles are practical and easily applied to everyday life. Together these five principles have the power to transform what would otherwise be useless suffering into a means of great sanctification and personal fulfillment. While pulling back the layers of philosophy and theology that surround human suffering, Father Jonathan offers not only a deeply spiritual answer but also a practical one to this most fundamental of human questions: Why do we suffer?

The Promise not only addresses how to understand and live with suffering, but also poses the toughest question regarding our relationship to God: Why do we suffer under a benevolent God? Father Jonathan delves into how we can heal from the spiritual, emotional, and even physical scars left behind by suffering. The Promise offers five principles for living a free life, or a life free of the fear that God is not there for us, and offers comfort and hope to those experiencing hard times.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Morris, a Roman Catholic priest and Fox News analyst, draws from his religious tradition as well as his experiences in the world of media to present understandable and genuine advice for those who suffer—in other words, everyone. The promise of the title is God's promise to bring something better out of suffering. For some, this may oversimplify the matter, but for others it will provide a glimmer of hope. One of the most useful chapters addresses the various images of God that people hold—all of which are incomplete, and some of which can be seen as spiritually harmful. The author describes these images accurately, ties them in with how people who maintain those images view suffering and uses real-life examples he has encountered in his ministry. The theodicy question (why does a loving God allow suffering?) will always present a quandary to believers of all stripes. Morris is successful in making the claim that it is possible to sustain one's faith in the midst of what is sometimes a cruel world. (Apr.)
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Review

“...Pope John Paul II spoke often and eloquently about the meaning of suffering. Father Morris has written a wonderful sequel to the Holy Father’s thoughts, but from a very different perspective: that of a young priest; a man of energy, insight, world experience and engaging popular style.” (Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Denver )

“The Promise will be for the book world what The Passion was for film--a watershed moment of inspired creativity capable of transforming lives from the inside out. Don’t believe me? Ask my wife, she read it too and is already passing it on to family and friends.” (Steve McEveety, producer of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ )

“Father Jonathan has allowed the reader entrance into his private study where he welcomes and converses with us on a personal yet riveting journey. His spiritual insight is profound!” (Sharon Deitrick, President of The Halo Foundation )

“Easy to understand, with stories that everybody can identify with, The Promise left me with a better understanding of God’s way, when life hurts. I’ve already given a copy to someone who is suffering a personal challenge...” (Steve Doocy, Author of The Mr & Mrs Happy Handbook, and host of FOX & Friends, FOX News Channel )

“A persuasive invitation to a fuller life.” (Rev. Richard John Neuhaus, Editor in Chief, First Things )

“The Promise is a must read for those experiencing life’s difficult trials. Clearly, Father Jonathan is fast establishing himself as one of the most respected religious figures of our times.” (Chris Wyatt, Founder and CEO of GodTube )

“With true compassion Father Jonathan Morris tackles a reality we will all confront sooner or later...His specific advice shows all of us how to turn tragedy and pain into spiritual gifts that can actually heal us in unexpected ways. Here’s a Promise worth keeping, and sharing with others.” (Raymond Arroyo, Author of the New York Times Bestseller, Mother Angelica )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; First Edition edition (April 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061353418
• ISBN-13: 978-0061353413
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #435,292 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

105 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life Affirming and Life Changing!, April 8, 2008

By 

GlassHalfFull - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Promise: God's Purpose and Plan for When Life Hurts (Hardcover)

`Why does God allow suffering?' - a painful question that is addressed in a compassionate, and even refreshing, way in this special book. I like to describe it as sitting down with a friend over a cup of coffee - `The Promise' is uplifting, encouraging and resonating with hope. Although this book may be directed at those going through a crisis or a difficult life experience, I think this would be an excellent read for anyone, at any stage of life, for those who consider faith important and those who do not.

I feel this book succeeds on three levels - Father Morris does an effective job in discussing both faith and reason as it relates to loss, suffering and why there is evil in the world. He also draws upon his experiences in counseling people and visiting various global `hot spots' as a journalist, which makes this book contemporary and intriguing from that perspective. I especially liked 'Letters from My In-Box' which are sprinkled throughout the book -- actual e-mails from readers of his column. Finally, Father Morris offers practical ideas and suggestions meant to enable you to better handle whatever life throws your way; he does this both in answering the heart-felt e-mails which he shares, but also in a special chapter at the end of the book.

I highly recommend this energetic and intelligent book; those who read it will definitely be blessed and will probably find that their faith has grown as well. It is clear through this book that this young priest has a heart for God and for others; I hope there will be more books from him.

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting and truthful!, April 12, 2008

By 

Mike (Silicon Valley) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Promise: God's Purpose and Plan for When Life Hurts (Hardcover)

By some odd occurrence, I happened to come across this book the day it was released here on Amazon. Based on some of his video commentaries, I went ahead and ordered the book. I simply couldn't put it down when I received it. I read it in two days. I can relate to Fr Jonathan's life examples and how there is good to be seen out of life's unfortunate situations. Well written and backed with scripture, this is a great read for anyone who wants to take an honest and open look at why life is the way it is.

79 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent, April 8, 2008

By 

Rev. Dr. John Trigilio, Jr. "Father John" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Promise: God's Purpose and Plan for When Life Hurts (Hardcover)

Father Jonathan Morris has written a superb book much along the lines of my great hero, Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR. I highly recommend this to ALL my spiritual directees, parishioners, and fans from EWTN television and radio. It is inspiring, encouraging and filled with hope while never losing focus on reality, no matter how uncomfortable or painful it may be from time to time. A classic, I am sure, years from now, when both Father Morris and I and Father Ken Brighenti are in the old priests retirement home (at least 30 years to come)