Book Review: Suffering is never for nothing
<- Back
Suffering is never for nothing
Book Author: Elizabeth Elliot
Review Author:
NONE Free Reformed Church
Pro Ecclesia Bookshop
Suffering is Never for Nothing – a Book Review
As committee it has been a joy to reflect on the great blessings of League Day 2023. We thank the Lord for such a wonderful day of encouragement. We had time to reflect on the joys and jubilation of life, as well as to gain a deeper understanding of the pain, suffering and sorrow that many of us dear sisters experience at some point in our life.
A beautiful book that captures these thoughts Is ‘Suffering Is Never For Nothing’ by Elisabeth Elliot. The author tells us that ‘Hard times come for all in life’, with no real explanation. However, when we walk through suffering, there are two possibilities; one has the potential to devastate and destroy, or the other is that suffering becomes the gateway to gratitude and joy.
This was very real for Elisabeth Elliot, as she was no stranger to suffering. Her first husband, Jim was a missionary to the Warani people in the Amazon. However, he was murdered before he could even start his work. Elisabeth later remarried, only for her husband to die from cancer, a few years later. Yet it was in Elisabeth’s deepest sufferings that she learned the deepest lessons about God.
For Elisabeth, her deepest desire was to know why. Why doesn’t God do something about suffering? The deepest lessons she learned was He has, He did, He is, and He will. We see this most clearly on the Cross.
It is on the cross that suffering and love are inexplicably linked. God’s love for His people is evidenced in His sending of Jesus to carry our sins, grief, and suffering on the cross. Jesus sacrificially took on what was not His, so that we would not be required to carry it. He has walked the ultimate path of suffering and pain, and He has won victory on our behalf.
When we experience suffering, we can be certain that God is teaching us indispensable truths. Elisabeth defines suffering “as having what you don’t want or wanting what you don’t have”. Although she refers to her own substantial suffering in this book, her authority is clearly drawn from the scriptures. Her uncompromising faith and trust in God and His Word are the foundation and strength of her teaching.
Already in the opening words of this book, you can see Elizabeth’s reliance on the Lord. She states, ‘There have been some hard things in my life, of course, as there have been in yours, and I cannot say to you, I know exactly what you’re going through. But I can say that I know the One who knows. And I’ve come to see that it’s through the deepest suffering that God has taught me the deepest lessons. And if we’ll trust Him for it, we can come through to the unshakeable assurance that he’s in charge. He has a loving purpose. And He can transform something terrible into something wonderful”.
Elisabeth points to what we learn in Psalm 116:8; “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the Lord.” Elisabeth explains what this means for us, and the comfort it provides. “Whatever is in the cup that God is offering to me, whether it be pain and sorrow and suffering and grief along with many joys, I’m willing to take it because I trust Him.” God comes to you and me in our sorrow. And He says, ‘Trust Me. Walk with Me.’
I highly recommend this book. It is most valuable book that has a special place on our shelf and in my heart. I would encourage you to get a copy of this book – to read it for yourself – and share it with others. May you be enriched with its timeless truth, its biblical wisdom, and its rich comfort and encouragement to all those who struggle with pain and sorrow. Because suffering is never for nothing.