Customer Reviews

When God Weeps

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Being no stranger to struggles and pain, i sought to read this book. What i got through this book is far more than i expected: i expected a warm, fluffy book full of inspirational stories and sympathy. The book does have that, but it has something else, too: DOCTRINE. Joni shows us popular opinions of God's role in suffering, and then she picks up the sledgehammer of Doctrine and skillfully smashes the false notion into pieces. She masterfully backs up everything she says with references in the Holy Bible (there's even an entire appendix delegated to giving an outline of concepts expressed in the book and detailed Biblical verses to back it up). I heartily reccommend this book, it really blew me away. (I also bought "Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul". While that book was ok, it was nothing compared to "When God Weeps.")

"When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty" is one of the absolute best books I've read concerning the issue of "Why do we suffer?!?" and "Does it really matter to God?" A friend recommended this book to me, as I have struggled with my own chronic illness and the whole 'Why?' 'For what?' 'How come?' mentality. Plainly put, suffering is hard. There is nothing "glorious" about it. Since dealing with my disease and after reading this book, I've come to see that suffering takes us to a whole new level of God's grace. It accomplishes things we may not truly understand in this life. It is a teacher, albeit a difficult one alot of times, but it draws us closer to God. It produces endurance and sharpens our character. Joni Eareckson Tada co-wrote this book with her pastor friend, Steven Estes, although Tada wrote the majority of it. I receive so well from her, because of all she has endured. She is an inspriation to me. This book is scripturely based and the firm, honest, yet compassionate approach to this painful issue was very well articulated. Sometimes, that can be a difficult feat to accomplish in the face of tragedy. I think so often, we as Christians may view "suffering" as something that involoves only religious issues, when in fact, it permeates through every facet of our lives. This is another topic they touch on. She talks a little bit about some of her own struggles and gained insights over the years, and introduces us to alot of people she's met along the way, who also endure suffering. Endure meaning to live with, to cope with. She asks the hard questions, but doesn't give 'pat answers.' This book is really more about the truths of God regarding suffering, than just 'suffering,' itself. There is a difference.

"When God Weeps" has been such a huge help to me. I have read it through twice and I often refer back to it a chapter here or a chapter there, especially when I'm struggling with something. And let's be honest...when you're suffering, you need compassionate & loving direction, not stern judgmental opinion. Tada/Estes provide just what I was needing. They don't pretend to have all the scrupulous answers, but direct you to the One who does. One thing I really liked was that they include a section (at the end of the book) devoted totally to scriptures on God's purpose in our sufferings. Sometimes, when you're the one trying to 'endure,' it can be difficult to even find the motivation to search the Bible for related scripture. It's layed right out here for you.

Now listen, if you're so heartbroken and feel really shattered and very fragile, you may not be ready to start reading books about "WHY?" just yet. Instead, you may need to go to a trusted friend and pour your heart out to them and to God through prayer. I tried to read a "WHY?" book once before I was really ready, and it just frustrated me all the more. God will let you know when the time is right. If you feel that you are ready, then this is a really wonderful book! It gave me alot of direction, reminded me that God is still in control, and that He really does care about me and my life, regardless of how I may sometimes "feel." *There's also a Large print addition and audio cassette version of this book available.*

Less than a month ago, I had a miscarriage. After the Dr's appointment when we found out the baby had died, The father drove me home, kissed me goodbye and told me he would be back after work to be with me. It is the last time I ever saw or heard from him. Within a week of that horrible day, my very best friend in the world abandoned me without explanation, ignoring my calls and emails to this day. At my very lowest, contemplating suicide, I went home to visit my parents, and picked up this book next to my mother's chair. I hate to read, but God had other plans for me that day. I could not put this book down, and thank goodness I couldn't. This book made evrything so clear to me. My whole sky opened back up. Life seemed worth living again, so that I could serve God. This book truly saved my life, and I would recommend, no, insist that anyone struggling through a hopeless situation read this. Joni is a true messenger of God and His word.

This is a hard book to read because it hits you right between the eyes with stark reality. But the book when When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty, by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steve Estes, is probably the best book I have ever read, it's deep but readable. Joni, is a paraplegic and has been wheel chair bound for 30 years. She is not only a woman of great faith, she is my new hero. From page to page the words leaps off the page with everlasting truth, and heart stopping, tear choking reality.

All Christians are called to suffer and all people are called to the vocation of dying. We all have loved ones who are going through, or have experienced terrible trials of suffering, and death. This book unlike any other I have ever read on the subject, paints a Biblical portrait of why we suffer. So get some kleenex along with this book, and get some ice cream too, because reading it is not all sad, but it is a magnificent testimony of immeasurable faith and truth after quotable truth.

Heaven will all be worth it someday.

Thanks Joni & Steve

Last summer my 63 year old husband of 30 years walked out on our marriage because he "fell in love" with a married woman with 2 pre-school children who is half his age. I found out by "accident" and when I realized what this seminary graduate, pillar of the Christian community, had been doing for so long, my heart and my soul...my very world...were shattered forever.

When the truth sank in, I fell on my face before God, weeping as only someone who has lost all she held dear can weep. I was sobbing and begging, "Why, Lord? Why? What did I do that was SO terrible that You would allow this to happen to me?"

God never answered that question, but what He did do is reach down and take me by the hand and lead me through the deepest waters I have ever experienced. And in that process of leading, loving, guiding, He led me to this extraordinary little book, WHEN GOD WEEPS.

Next to the Bible itself, this book (along with one other I've read and absorbed) has shown me the "why" of my soul sorrow and pain to the extent that God will allow me to know it. It has given me a perspective that is beyond myself and my own suffering. WHEN GOD WEEPS should be "must" reading in every household because every household will experience sorrow and grief and suffering--at some time and in some way.

What this book leaves me knowing is that...for all my pain and grief...I know my God better than I have ever known Him. He is eloquent in His silence, persevering in His leading, tender in His loving provision, and relentless in the refining of my character.

WHEN GOD WEEPS is a beautiful, realistic testament to the pain of living in a fallen world. If you are in deep sorrow and grief...if, because of some soul shattering experience, you feel that you will never smile again or that God isn't there, please read WHEN GOD WEEPS.

You will see a God you have never known and you will see Him as He truly is....the God of all Glory, never failing, all sufficient, an ever present help in times of trouble.

I was speaking to a friend about the cancer that had struck down a fourty five year old father of three,and I had mentioned how helpful this book had been.Her immediate response was " Is she a 'civilian?" In fact, Ms. Tada is no "civilian" but a seasoned pro having been wheelchair bound for over thirty years with quadraplegia. Her and Steve Estes account of why God weeps is the most disturbing book I have read in the last few years,but it is also the most honest,and ultimately the most satisfying. To be sure, there are no easy answers here, but her premise-that we are participants in a far greater enterprize then we realize- and that God's purposes in suffering are of far greater consequence then our senses can verify-is ,in the final analysis, a great source of comfort to those who fear that God cannot or will not "weep" over their own individual plight.This book should come with its own box of kleenex as the real life examples she give are uniformly heartbreaking! Its only when you get to the end of the book that you get the full impact of the grace and goodness of God fully seen in the midst of suffering.

This book altered my view of God's role in "bad things" happening to us. I lost my wife and 2 year old daughter in a boat wreck last summer and was given this book by a friend. I think the author does a very good job of explaining her belief that God does control events in our lives and she uses scriptures that quite frankly used to scare and/or worry me, to back up her logic. I have always known that I am not immune to these tragedies and came to this book without anger toward God which some readers may have. I can understand that some will disagree with the message of this book. However after 47 years of life's events and actively seeking God for most of that time, I can only agree with the author. Of course, if you know her story you understand she does have experience with suffering.

As an able-bodied person, I have never had an appreciation for the suffering of others. In fact, suffering was something I preferred not to think about. But, out of curiosity, I decided to read Joni's book. I cried when she described the real-life struggles of friends, and I cried even more when she revealed to me God's loving use of suffering. I recommend "When God Weeps" to anyone who wants to gain insight on why bad things happen to good people.

An excellent approach to one of the toughest questions facing humankind. A wonderful balance of "in the trenches" personal experience in suffering with a very complete scriptural study of God's involvement in the affairs of men, both good and bad, happiness and suffering, joy and sorrow. If you believe in the truthfullness of the Bible, this book will leave you confidently relieved that He indeed has "his hands on the steering wheel", that the suffering in your life and those around you has a grand purpose, and that God truly weeps.

As with any religious book written by men (or women!), there are bound to be imperfections and ideas of wholly human origin. But if you are suffering or know someone who is, read this book with an open heart and most importantly, an open Bible. You will be richly blessed

This was an EXCELLENT book! We lost our 7 day old son this year due to a random chromosomal problem. I knew from the day we got the diagonsis that God had a plan for Ian's life whether he healed him on this earth or in heaven. This book has helped me put into words some of the things I've felt the Lord was showing me. Even though suffering is hard, the authors look at it from the perspective of heavenly rewards for the suffering we experience.

The way Tada/Estes explain God in chapters 2-6 is exceptional. The use of others experiences and their response to their sufferings help emphasize the points.

I cannot say enough WONDERFUL things about this book.