Shaped by Suffering: How Temporary Hardships Prepare Us for Our Eternal Home

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“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 5:10

Suffering 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.

Reviews

“This book is superb—rich, deep, wise, and warm. It fills a glaring gap in responses to the challenges of suffering and will be read as God’s great hug for all who are in pain.”

—Os Guinness, author of Carpe Diem Redeemed

“In case you are thinking this is just another book on suffering—think again. Ken Boa has crafted a perspective on suffering that is often overlooked yet significantly relevant. Boa reminds us that suffering is not random and that we are not just vulnerable victims of the whims of fate. Understanding God’s work to not just transform us but to prepare us for our eternity with him gives strength of meaning and purpose to all who journey through the dark downturns of life. This is a ‘must read’ for those who are experiencing difficult times, for your friends who suffer, and for any of us who wrestle with why a good God would permit pain. Thanks, Ken, for this indispensable contribution to the upside of down!”

—Joe Stowell, president of Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, Michigan

“I cannot think of a better person to write such a book. Ken has spent his life focusing on people and on ministry to them. He is one of the best-read individuals I know, and his love of Scripture, his knowledge of apologetics, and his deep passion for practical spirituality have touched the lives of many over the years. This is a timely book. The topic is vitally relevant and, as you will see, the message speaks to the heart as it informs the mind. The mystery of suffering hits all, and we need wise counsel to navigate through the hardships it brings. This book is a great resource and one you will want to share with others. I heartily commend it.”

—Stuart McAllister, global support specialist with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries

“I am a devout follower of Ken Boa’s writing and resources because of their ongoing impact in my personal growth and ministry, and Shaped by Suffering delivers a desperately needed message for our personal challenges, injustices, and afflictions. Drawing from the wisdom of 1 Peter, Ken and coauthor Jenny Abel teach us how to ‘lean in’ and leverage our suffering to accomplish God’s ultimate agenda—to make us like Jesus and bring honor and glory to himself. I highly recommend it!”

—Chip Ingram, teaching pastor and author, Living on the Edge Media and Discipleship Ministry

“Outside those who steward the message of Christ, there remain almost no resources in our culture to help people who suffer—with hope, with meaning, with purpose. Ken has done us all a great service here, bringing the truth and hope of the gospel to bear exactly where we need it to speak most. Not only does this book point us beyond our suffering to the One who suffered on our behalf, it will equip us to point others to him as well.”

—John Stonestreet, president of the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview