Job's Friends Should Have Read This

My pastor has been preaching through the book of Job.  One obvious lesson from Job's friends is how easy it is to give bad "encouragement" to people who are suffering. 

Kay Arthur's book As Silver Refined is an example of the opposite of Job's friends.  It's filled with Scriptures, true stories, and warm encouragement for people who are in a season of suffering.

My only complaint is that the book meanders.  Joni Tada's When God Weeps is a highly organized, Biblical answer to the problem of suffering that could be used as the basis for a college class.  But As Silver Refined is more like a sit-down conversation with a good friend over a cup of tea.  The topics repeat in slightly different ways throughout the book.  Part of this may be because As Silver Refined was originally a series of messages Kay gave on her radio program.

And actually, this repetitiveness is probably just what a sufferer needs.  When we're hurting, we don't primarily need concise answers; we need repeated, caring, truthful encouragement from Scripture.  And that is what Kay Arthur delivers in this book.  If you know a woman who is going through a trial, this book would make a great gift.

You can download chapter 1 for free here.

Disclaimer: I got this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for writing a review.  My review was not required to be positive.