Shaped by Suffering - by Kenneth Boa (Paperback)

About the Book

Suffering comes to us all. But Christians today are often not prepared to suffer well and have a shortsighted view of pain and trials. In this book Ken Boa shows how God uses suffering to shape his children for eternity and to grow them in Christlike character. The nature of our affliction is not as important as our response to it, and God is at work through our hardships and wants to use them to prepare us for eternal life.

Book Synopsis

"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 5:10Suffering 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.

Review Quotes

"For decades, Ken Boa's writings have directed readers' thoughts toward worship, spiritual formation, and living in light of eternity. Now, in Shaped by Suffering--which is arguably his most profound book--he offers hope, meaning, and perspective on our suffering. In Ken's words, get ready 'to let God use our difficulties to pry our fingers off the tight grip we have on our expectations and turn our attention to a living hope--one that won't let us down.'"

--Paul Borthwick, senior consultant for Development Associates International, coauthor of Fellowship of the Suffering

"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

About the Author

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.

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.