Welcome to my world. I accepted the assignment to review this book because I thought it was about what I have lived as the husband of a pastor who has been in pain, bad pain, ever since she was in the seventh grade or so. I was right.

This book talks about how people in unrelenting chronic pain relate to the world and how they are treated by the church. The problem is abysmal and shameful in many cases. I remember once when my wife was told that if our daughter died from her cancer it would be my wife’s fault because our daughter was young in the faith and any healing would be the result of my wife’s faith. So she was responsible for the healing. What a stupid, insensitive, hateful, heathen, ignorant, … I could go on forever.

The church does not deal well with pain

Todd’s book is an excellent exposition of this problem and it is a severe problem. The Bible never promises that we will all be beautiful, strong, sexy, powerful, rich, comfortable, healthy, and anything else like that which would salve our flesh. We all have trials and tribulations. Jesus promised us that we would. Our call is to hang onto Him and take the peace and rest provided by His presence.

Todd covers these events and circumstances throughly and honestly. Chronic pain is a reality. The same is true of cancer, poverty, servitude, and all the rest of the horrible things found in our fallen world of sin. He gives me hope. It was an amazing blessing to discover that he, too, in the midst of all his pain can count on no pain when he preaches. My wife discovered the same in her life.

If you know nothing of this part of the normal Christian life, you need to read this book for your education. If you are in the midst of attempting to maintain your faith in an often overwhelming world of constant pain, this book will encourage you.

This book earns my highest compliment:

You will find truth here!

As always, you will discover that Jesus is the answer. You will also discover [if you do not know this already], that some problems are not fixable—yet your life can still be transformed for the better. It is an excellent book.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through the Book Crash book review program. I was not compensated, expected to, or required to write a positive review. I was expected to write the truth as I see it.  The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Related articles

• Life’s A Pain by Todd Rettberg (create-with-joy.com)
• Chronic Unfixable Pain (lastingvictory.com)