Bruce's Book Blog

Christian Suffering: How the Worst Thing Can be the Best Thing

By Andy Ripley

Amazon Digital Services LLC – Kdp, 2026.

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One of the tests for any Christian book about suffering is the level of platitudes and cliches used in writing. Ripley writes with remarkably grounded clarity. The development shapes our thoughts about suffering with Church history, grounds it in Christian theology, and adds experiential strength.

Joy may be accessed anytime, including when we suffer. In fact, joy in the midst of suffering is the best Christian response, according to Ripley. He shows us how to rejoice, even when we suffer.

The book shows multiple ways to maintain, even grow, one’s relationship with God during suffering. The pathway includes multiple positive outcomes from suffering, something that seems counter-intuitive. Suffering leads to reliance on God. Suffering leads to knowing Jesus in a greater way, since He suffered as well.

There are many books written about the subject of suffering, from a Christian perspective. This one surprised me because of the depth, clarity, and yet poignancy with which it approaches the subject of suffering. Some books are short on explanation but long on stories; while other books go the opposite direction. Ripley writes in a balanced way, with contemporary stories, as well as stories throughout Church history.