When the Journey Hurts

""Given how ancient and ubiquitous our human suffering is, one would think that we would have said all that can be said about it. But it is because of its very nature that we continually, deeply need voices that remind us afresh of what it means to suffer as we follow Jesus. With When the Journey Hurts, it is to this need that Kelly M. Kapic, M. Elizabeth Hall, and Jason McMartin have so compassionately written, while remaining unflinching in the face of how anguishing our suffering can be. Read this for clarity. Read this to find mercy. But most of all, read this to know that you are not alone on the road of suffering that you and others are traveling."" -- Curt Thompson, psychiatrist and author of The Deepest Place and The Soul of Desire ""In times of suffering, we often seek advice from others who have gone through similar difficulties, hoping to find comfort, reassurance, and answers to our search for how we, too, might survive and thrive. Never satisfied with trite or predictable responses, the authors instead lay out a potential roadmap through the dark days of anguish, illness, and trouble with fresh words of hope that stirred my soul."" -- Kay Warren, founder of Hope for Brighter Tomorrows and author of Choose Joy: When Happiness Isn't Enough ""When the Journey Hurts is a beautifully written and deeply moving book that invites readers to encounter God's presence in the midst of suffering. Kelly M. Kapic, M. Elizabeth Hall, and Jason McMartin bring rare wisdom, honesty, and compassion to some of life's hardest questions. Their words offer both comfort and courage, helping us see that faith can grow stronger and more tender in the face of adversity. This book is a true gift to the church and to anyone walking through difficult seasons."" -- Jamie Aten, cofounder of Spiritual First Aid and Blanchard Chair of Humanitarian and Disaster Leadership at Wheaton College's Humanitarian Disaster Institute ""'The journey through suffering, while unwanted, can be the road to flourishing—the hard road to glory.' The authors back up that hope-filled statement with stirring testimonies, careful research, and penetrating insight that reveal the mysterious value of suffering. They don't celebrate or explain away our pain; instead, they remind us that God is with us in our trials and that they are never without purpose. After reading When the Journey Hurts, you'll be convinced that, even in life's fiercest storms, God is redeeming what once threatened to undo us."" -- Vaneetha Rendall Risner, author of Watching for the Morning ""A question Dallas Willard often asked was, 'Does the gospel we preach and teach bring comfort and strength, hope and meaning, to those who are suffering? If it does not, it is not Jesus' good news.' This book brings the gospel to those who are suffering. It is the best book I have read on the subject of how to find purpose in and through suffering."" -- James Bryan Smith, author of The Good and Beautiful God ""When the Journey Hurts addresses two difficult, timeless questions: How can I make sense of my suffering? And how can I best deal with suffering? This book uniquely offers both biblical and psychological insights that can be immediately applied to your life or the lives of those you love. It is full of stories, insights, and hope for those who suffer. I hope you will prayerfully read it and also share what you have learned with a friend."" -- Sean McDowell, professor of apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, author, and YouTuber