This Too Shall Last

By K.J. Ramsey

Book Overview

This book is not a before-and-after story.

Our culture treats suffering like a problem to fix, a blight to hide, or the sad start of a transformation story. We silently, secretly wither under the pressure of living as though suffering is a predicament we can avoid or annihilate by working hard enough or having enough faith. When your prayers for healing haven't been answered, the fog of depression isn't lifting, your marriage is ending in divorce, or grief won't go away, it's easy to feel you've failed God and, worse, he's failed you. If God loves us, why does he allow us to hurt?

Over a decade ago chronic illness plunged therapist and writer K.J. Ramsey straight into this paradox. Before her illness, faith made sense. But when pain came and never left, K.J. had to find a way across the widening canyon that seemed to separate God's goodness from her excruciating circumstances.

She wanted to conquer suffering. Instead, she encountered the God who chose it. She wanted to make pain past-tense. Instead, God invited her into a bigger story.

This Too Shall Last offers an antidote to our cultural idolatry of effort and ease. Through personal story and insights from neuroscience and theology, Ramsey invites us to let our tears become lenses of the wonder that before God ever rescues us, he stands in solidarity with us. We are all mid-story in circumstances we did not choose, wondering when our hard things will end and where grace will come if they don't. We don't need to make suffering a before-and-after story. Together we can encounter the grace that enters the middle of our stories, where living with suffering that lingers means receiving God's presence that lasts.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310107253
• ISBN13: 9780310107255
• Release Date: May 2020
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Finding Grace

This book is so needed in society (and our churches) today. For the first time, I read a book that shed serious light on what it's like to suffer long-term. The kind of suffering that puts you on a roller coaster through life- that doesn't seem to have an end. I read in this book how Jesus meets us there, the grace that's found, and how hope keeps us afloat as we suffer long. KJ Ramsey writes with fervor and truth and wisdom. She knows what it's like to sit in this place and not be seen. And she connects with fellow sufferers on a level that others can't. I can't recommend this book enough- if you are suffering or have any type of pain, if you know someone in your life who suffers, if you counsel,  if you are a ministry leader.. the list could go on. Basically, it's an excellent read for anyone. It is meaty though, so know upfront you will want to take your time and absorb it slowly.