Shaped by Suffering: How Temporary Hardships Prepare Us for Our Eternal Home
"The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10 Suffering comes to us all. It may be disease or debilitation, pain or persecution. Our difficulties may be invisible to others or impossible to hide. Sometimes we suffer because of our Christian witness. Other times it's simply part of living in a fallen world. But suffering affects us all, in ways we don't always anticipate. Christians today are often not prepared to suffer well and have a shortsighted view of pain and trials. Ken Boa shows how God uses suffering to shape his children for eternity and to grow them in Christlike character. The book of 1 Peter tells us suffering is both a guarantee and comparatively brief; we shouldn't be surprised when it comes to us. The nature of our affliction is not as important as our response to it. God is at work through our hardships and wants to use them to prepare us for eternal life. Suffering can make us bitter or better. Rediscover living hope, present joy, and a glorious future.
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Jenny Abel is an editor and a writer for Reflections Ministries and Omnibus Media Ministries. She coauthored A Guide to Practicing God's Presence with Kenneth Boa and edited Life in the Presence of God. She lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Kenneth Boa is the president of Reflections Ministries, Omnibus Media Ministries, and Trinity House Publishers. His many books include Conformed to His Image, Faith Has Its Reasons, Rewriting Your Broken Story, and Life in the Presence of God. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
"We don't typically think of the words suffering and joy as going together. But Ken Boa teaches us that--in the context of God's goodness and sovereignty--they do. Shaped by Suffering contains fresh insight on just about every page, which is no surprise to those of us who have come to love Ken Boa and his work. He is truly one of the wise men of the church today, and like the wise men of old, he has a special gift for seeing the glory of God first, before the rest of us. Also like the wise men of Scripture, Ken Boa does not keep the secret to himself but shares it with the world. Shaped By Suffering may be his best yet."--Warren Cole Smith, president of MinistryWatch.com
"Why is there suffering in this world? This is one of the hardest questions we face as Christians, and many books have been written to try to answer it and to provide help for those struggling with pain and sorrow. Rather than following the well-trodden paths, this book explores how God uses suffering to prepare us for our eternal home. In showing us a purpose for our suffering, Shaped by Suffering does something even more important than giving us a theodicy: it offers a perspective that brings hope and even joy in the midst of hardship."--Glenn Sunshine, senior fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, professor of history at Central Connecticut State University
"I am a devout follower of Ken Boa's writing and resources because of their ongoing impact in my personal growth and ministry, and Shaped by Suffering delivers a desperately needed message for our personal challenges, injustices, and afflictions. Drawing from the wisdom of 1 Peter, Ken and coauthor Jenny Abel teach us how to 'lean in' and leverage our suffering to accomplish God's ultimate agenda--to make us like Jesus and bring honor and glory to himself. I highly recommend it!"--Chip Ingram, teaching pastor and author, Living on the Edge Media and Discipleship Ministry
"Suffering comes for all of us. When it does, we're filled with questions: Why did this happen? Is there a purpose behind it? Is there hope of healing? Perhaps the most important question we can work through is the one Shaped by Suffering takes up: How shall I respond? With rich insight, a long view of eternity, and a careful handling of Scripture, Boa and Abel offer preparation for those soon to suffer, help for those in the midst of suffering, and comfort for those who have emerged on the other side."--Russ Ramsey, pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church's Cool Springs location in Nashville, Tennessee, and author of Struck: One Christian's Reflections on Encountering Death
"Ken Boa has done it again. Shaped by Suffering takes us to a deeper, richer, and, in my opinion, a more accurate understanding of suffering in this world. Boa's discerning and comprehensive grasp of Scripture releases new insights about the methods and motivation of the Master Craftsman of our lives as he refines and purifies our character to better reflect the image of His Son."--Pat MacMillan, president of Triaxia Partners
