You might
need the tissues near when you read this book. Sit down, find a quiet place and
let it hit you. Gut wrenching, painful and beautiful in equal measure. Joy
in the Sorrow tells the story of various people in TVC (The Village Church,
Texas) who have encountered pain, sorrow, suffering, grief and loss. It is not
an easy read. But it is a good and important read. The sudden death of a child,
the death of a father, miscarriage after miscarriage, a life-changing accident…Pain
and suffering on every page. Matt Chandler is also candid about his own journey
- the brain tumour, the operation, gruelling treatment, depression, long
recovery, 2-year prognosis.
Pause, catch
your breath, reach for the tissue. Hold your loved ones tight. Phone your mum,
tell her you love her. Phew. Now read on…more pain, more sorrow.
And yet this
book is also filled with hope, joy, finding God, leaning into His Word, leaning
into church family, discovering joy in the sorrow. This is a painful and
necessary book. We will all face suffering, pain and sorrow. The question is,
will we find joy in the midst of it? Will we find God in the midst of our
sorrow? This book helps.
If you are
going through a difficult time, this book is for you. If you know someone going
through a difficult time, they will find comfort in the stories of others.
Matt
Chandler is 10 years on from his tumour. He is doing well. Others in the book
are still experiencing sorrow and joy. The final three words of the book are
fitting for us all: “Run to Him”.
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