Rating: 
Summary: One of the best "Why do we Suffer?" books ever written!
Review: "When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty" is one of the absolute best books I've read concerning the issue of "Why do we suffer?!?" and "Does it really matter to God?" A friend recommended this book to me, as I have struggled with my own chronic illness and the whole 'Why?' 'For what?' 'How come?' mentality. Plainly put, suffering is hard. There is nothing "glorious" about it. Since dealing with my disease and after reading this book, I've come to see that suffering takes us to a whole new level of God's grace. It accomplishes things we may not truly understand in this life. It is a teacher, albeit a difficult one alot of times, but it draws us closer to God. It produces endurance and sharpens our character. Joni Eareckson Tada co-wrote this book with her pastor friend, Steven Estes, although Tada wrote the majority of it. I receive so well from her, because of all she has endured. She is an inspriation to me. This book is scripturely based and the firm, honest, yet compassionate approach to this painful issue was very well articulated. Sometimes, that can be a difficult feat to accomplish in the face of tragedy. I think so often, we as Christians may view "suffering" as something that involoves only religious issues, when in fact, it permeates through every facet of our lives. This is another topic they touch on. She talks a little bit about some of her own struggles and gained insights over the years, and introduces us to alot of people she's met along the way, who also endure suffering. Endure meaning to live with, to cope with. She asks the hard questions, but doesn't give 'pat answers.' This book is really more about the truths of God regarding suffering, than just 'suffering,' itself. There is a difference. "When God Weeps" has been such a huge help to me. I have read it through twice and I often refer back to it a chapter here or a chapter there, especially when I'm struggling with something. And let's be honest...when you're suffering, you need compassionate & loving direction, not stern judgmental opinion. Tada/Estes provide just what I was needing. They don't pretend to have all the scrupulous answers, but direct you to the One who does. One thing I really liked was that they include a section (at the end of the book) devoted totally to scriptures on God's purpose in our sufferings. Sometimes, when you're the one trying to 'endure,' it can be difficult to even find the motivation to search the Bible for related scripture. It's layed right out here for you. Now listen, if you're so heartbroken and feel really shattered and very fragile, you may not be ready to start reading books about "WHY?" just yet. Instead, you may need to go to a trusted friend and pour your heart out to them and to God through prayer. I tried to read a "WHY?" book once before I was really ready, and it just frustrated me all the more. God will let you know when the time is right. If you feel that you are ready, then this is a really wonderful book! It gave me alot of direction, reminded me that God is still in control, and that He really does care about me and my life, regardless of how I may sometimes "feel." *There's also a Large print addition and audio cassette version of this book available.*
Rating:
Summary: One of the best "Why do we Suffer?" books ever written!
Review: "When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty" is one of the absolute best books I've read concerning the issue of "Why do we suffer?!?" and "Does it really matter to God?" A friend recommended this book to me, as I have struggled with my own chronic illness and the whole 'Why?' 'For what?' 'How come?' mentality. Plainly put, suffering is hard. There is nothing "glorious" about it. Since dealing with my disease and after reading this book, I've come to see that suffering takes us to a whole new level of God's grace. It accomplishes things we may not truly understand in this life. It is a teacher, albeit a difficult one alot of times, but it draws us closer to God. It produces endurance and sharpens our character. Joni Eareckson Tada co-wrote this book with her pastor friend, Steven Estes, although Tada wrote the majority of it. I receive so well from her, because of all she has endured. She is an inspriation to me. This book is scripturely based and the firm, honest, yet compassionate approach to this painful issue was very well articulated. Sometimes, that can be a difficult feat to accomplish in the face of tragedy. I think so often, we as Christians may view "suffering" as something that involoves only religious issues, when in fact, it permeates through every facet of our lives. This is another topic they touch on. She talks a little bit about some of her own struggles and gained insights over the years, and introduces us to alot of people she's met along the way, who also endure suffering. Endure meaning to live with, to cope with. She asks the hard questions, but doesn't give 'pat answers.' This book is really more about the truths of God regarding suffering, than just 'suffering,' itself. There is a difference. "When God Weeps" has been such a huge help to me. I have read it through twice and I often refer back to it a chapter here or a chapter there, especially when I'm struggling with something. And let's be honest...when you're suffering, you need compassionate & loving direction, not stern judgmental opinion. Tada/Estes provide just what I was needing. They don't pretend to have all the scrupulous answers, but direct you to the One who does. One thing I really liked was that they include a section (at the end of the book) devoted totally to scriptures on God's purpose in our sufferings. Sometimes, when you're the one trying to 'endure,' it can be difficult to even find the motivation to search the Bible for related scripture. It's layed right out here for you. Now listen, if you're so heartbroken and feel really shattered and very fragile, you may not be ready to start reading books about "WHY?" just yet. Instead, you may need to go to a trusted friend and pour your heart out to them and to God through prayer. I tried to read a "WHY?" book once before I was really ready, and it just frustrated me all the more. God will let you know when the time is right. If you feel that you are ready, then this is a really wonderful book! It gave me alot of direction, reminded me that God is still in control, and that He really does care about me and my life, regardless of how I may sometimes "feel." *There's also a Large print addition and audio cassette version of this book available.*
Rating:
Summary: If you are wondering if God is really in control, read this!
Review: An excellent approach to one of the toughest questions facing humankind. A wonderful balance of "in the trenches" personal experience in suffering with a very complete scriptural study of God's involvement in the affairs of men, both good and bad, happiness and suffering, joy and sorrow. If you believe in the truthfullness of the Bible, this book will leave you confidently relieved that He indeed has "his hands on the steering wheel", that the suffering in your life and those around you has a grand purpose, and that God truly weeps. As with any religious book written by men (or women!), there are bound to be imperfections and ideas of wholly human origin. But if you are suffering or know someone who is, read this book with an open heart and most importantly, an open Bible. You will be richly blessed
Rating:
Summary: When God Weeps:Why Our Suffering Matters to the Almighty
Review: As the director of a disability ministry at my church, I am always being connected with people/families dealing with disappointments, suffering and ongoing medical issues. This is a book that can help to empower Christians who are being called into areas where pain can be found, where their God-given gift of compassion will be used mightily by God.I think this is one of Joni's best books. Who better to write such a book than one who truly humbles herself daily to serve our God.Thank you Joni!And thank you Steve for listening to God and being there to encourage Joni in the early years of her suffering.I too hope that your mansion will be near hers in heaven.
Rating: 
Summary: When God Weeps
Review: I had to put this book down. I found it very harsh and terribly depressing. I found God represented in a negative way. I would not recomand this book to anyone who is suffering especially if you have issues with Gods sovereignty. I think God is weeping over the distorted image presented in this book regarding His love and plan for our lives.
Jesus said in John 10:10 that He came to give us life have it more abundantly. I would give this a 0 but you have to pick 1-5
Rating:
Summary: a brutally honest examination of the purpose of suffering.
Review: I was speaking to a friend about the cancer that had struck down a fourty five year old father of three,and I had mentioned how helpful this book had been.Her immediate response was " Is she a 'civilian?" In fact, Ms. Tada is no "civilian" but a seasoned pro having been wheelchair bound for over thirty years with quadraplegia. Her and Steve Estes account of why God weeps is the most disturbing book I have read in the last few years,but it is also the most honest,and ultimately the most satisfying. To be sure, there are no easy answers here, but her premise-that we are participants in a far greater enterprize then we realize- and that God's purposes in suffering are of far greater consequence then our senses can verify-is ,in the final analysis, a great source of comfort to those who fear that God cannot or will not "weep" over their own individual plight.This book should come with its own box of kleenex as the real life examples she give are uniformly heartbreaking! Its only when you get to the end of the book that you get the full impact of the grace and goodness of God fully seen in the midst of suffering.
Rating: 
Summary: Possibly a depressing and hopeless book
Review: Joni Eareckson is undoubtedly a genuine and great Christian; but unfortunately this book is rather one-sided. If you are suffering from some serious illness, this book could leave you in despair and without hope. There is a fallacy underlying this book; Joni Was Not Healed And Therefore God Does Not Heal Any More. That is completely false and presumptuous. Yes, it is true that God will not heal everyone; yes, there are burdens you will have to carry that might not be lifted away from you. Yes, the Health and Wealth Charismatics go to another extreme and demand prosperity and healing and comfort. But You *can* approach God in faith asking for healing and (yes!) God just might heal you. Rita Philip was diagnosed 8 years ago (in India) with a stage 4 cancer which kills 90% of women. It had spread to lungs, liver etc and she was given 3 months to live. She approached God in faith for healing. Though she *did* undergo surgery and chemotherapy, her remission was so dramatic that it amazed the doctors. Even today in the USA, atheist oncologists and doctors are amazed and say she is "very fortunate to be alive". Joni chooses to ignore the Jehovah Rapha (healer) nature of God. This is unfortunate. If you read the Psalms e.g. Psalm 22, David pleads with God again and again, to deliver him from enemies, disease etc. Each time he passes from pleading and frustration, to putting his trust in God and confidence that God will deliver. If it were David's lot only to suffer, then he would never have put his confidence in God's deliverance. Instead, he would have trusted in himself only. Sadly, as another reviewer on this website pointed out, this book could have been a wonderful resource but has instead become unbalanced.
Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful, real
Review: Joni Eareckson Tada's insights on suffering have been forged during more than thirty years in a wheelchair. In When God Weeps she and her longtime friend Pastor Steve Estes explore questions of theodicy beyond the superficial. They proclaim faith in a God `big enough to understand our suffering, wise enough to allow it." This is not your superficial "God wants everyone to be healthy right now" approach!
Their approach is radically God-centered. Rather than starting with man's concerns and then either apologizing for God (like open theism) or accusing him (like skepticism), they attempt to start with who God is. The first section of the book looks at God's gracious self-revelation in Christ. With infectious joy they attempt to describe the Trinitarian God's attributes: his beauty, his goodness, his sovereignty. Their point is that God is contented forever in his own glory. They paint a Biblical picture of a God of infinite passion and love. "Our call to suffer comes from a God tender beyond description" (p. 40).
And this God is himself a sacrificial, suffering servant. "The Trinity planned it. The Son endured it. The Spirit enabled him. The Father rejected the Son whom he loved. Jesus, the God-man from Nazareth, perished..... This is who asks us to trust him when he calls on us to suffer" (p.54). God hates suffering (p. 57), and yet, "(t)he Bible could be no clearer. God does ask his children of every nation... to suffer" (p. 65). Alluding to C.S. Lewis' famous line from the Narnia series, they conclude: "the sovereign God who holds your days in his hand is not safe. He's anything but. He's the King, I tell you. But he's good" (p. 93).
Having explored God's nature and character in very personal terms, the authors next turn to described God's actions and works in Section II (pp.97f.). As Tada learned from long, painful experience, God's Word tells us that he uses the weak of this world to accomplish his purposes, to his glory and their (our) special honor (p.113; cf. I Cor. 12:22). In this we can have fellowship in his suffering. They note, "By itself, suffering does no good. But when we see it as the thing between God and us, it has meaning" (p.135). The Cross is the key.
Rating:
Summary: This book is depressing and awful.
Review: Only read this book if you want to be depressed and feel hopeless. I threw this book in the garbage after I read it so that no other unsuspecting person would read it. Tada's writing is usually uplifting, so I find it hard to believe that her editors allowed her to write such a downer of a book. If you are going through difficult times and want to read something uplifting, read The Gift of Peace by Cardinal Bernadin. You will feel better immediately.
Rating: 
Summary: Altered my view somewhat....
Review: This book altered my view of God's role in "bad things" happening to us. I lost my wife and 2 year old daughter in a boat wreck last summer and was given this book by a friend. I think the author does a very good job of explaining her belief that God does control events in our lives and she uses scriptures that quite frankly used to scare and/or worry me, to back up her logic. I have always known that I am not immune to these tragedies and came to this book without anger toward God which some readers may have. I can understand that some will disagree with the message of this book. However after 47 years of life's events and actively seeking God for most of that time, I can only agree with the author. Of course, if you know her story you understand she does have experience with suffering.
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