The Scars That Have Shaped Me: How God Meets Us in Suffering

I downloaded this book last Friday (11/04/16) to my PC Kindle. I read it slowly, with the text on one-half of my screen and my e-Sword Bible on the other half. Vaneetha (I do not know the author personally; I refer to her by her first name because I feel as if she knows me) – – as I was saying, Vaneetha took me back to Scripture, oftentimes with new eyes and certainly with joy. This is not a Bible study per se. It is rather a treatise on living life with gratitude, not in a namby-pamby, martyred sort of way AT ALL. And she is certainly not a Pollyanna. She admits to self-pity, whining, depression, anger – – all the places I have been to and partway back from. Life is hard, no bones about it. Hers. Mine. Probably yours. We all have scars. There are more to come. But – – no, not "but" – – rather "And" grace is the intimate companion of each misery. Grace to sustain us through and/or grace to deliver us from: "And this grace is accompanied by the intimate presence of the living God." Vaneetha has some specific strategies throughout the volume for knowing this presence, especially through Scripture: "Read the Bible," she says, "even when it feels like eating cardboard. And pray even when it feels like talking to a wall." I do cherish this book and recommend it to friends and strangers alike.

This book is for the sufferer. The personal tone of the book and the short chapters make it a perfectly suitable gift to give someone in the midst of suffering. This is no abstract, academic approach. It's raw and revealing. Vaneetha has suffered intensely herself, so she offers counsel that is battle-tested. She highlights the importance of not glossing over suffering with plastic happiness. Don't cover up your grief with happy stoicism. Only those who embrace lament can fully understand their need for God. At the same time she reminds the sufferer where to go in the midst of suffering: the Bible and prayer. "Read the Bible even when it feels like eating cardboard. And pray even when it feels like talking to a wall."This book is also for those walking alongside the sufferer. As a pastor, I was helped to see various passages of Scripture from the "sufferer's perspective." We are listening in as Vaneetha shares her story and counsels her own soul from the Word in the midst of suffering. And the counsel she gives herself is also instructive regarding how to help someone walk well through suffering.A wonderful guide for the sufferer and those who walk with them, pointing to gospel hope and the goodness of the Father as we walk by the Spirit in the midst of life's pain.

Thank you Vaneetha Rendall Risner! As a person who lives with rare, chronic and severe illness herself, l have found that often times, the hardest part is the lack of understanding from others, regardless of the severity of the pain. Although l would never be glad to see someone suffer as she has, by sharing her story, she has helped me tremendously by letting me know l am not the only one with a horrible disease that you feel like you can’t talk about because others don’t get it. My journey has been filled with loneliness and misunderstanding as l have an immune deficiency that has led to numerous rare diseases no one has heard of. Despite the fact that l am a committed Christian, l have wanted to throw the towel in more times than l can count. How l would love to talk to you Ms. Risner! Thank you for reminding me of the most important thing, that God is not only there with us during the hardest times, He’s carrying us through them, transforming our relationship with Him in ways that only great pain and suffering can. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to know God better, but especially for someone who maybe living with pain birthed from illness that leaves you feeling alone because of the rarity of your illness(s).

Vaneetha Risner shares her pain and brokenness with us but somehow we are left hopeful and encouraged. The sufficiency of Christ, in even the most difficult circumstances, shines through on every page.I really like the 31 short but substantive chapters - perfect to read through over a month as a devotional. This will be the book I offer to the hurting people in my life.

As someone who is in pain 100% of the time, this book drew me in immediately. It spoke of unanswered prayer and the value of a life which is comprised of pain and sitting on the sidelines. These are all relevant issues for me and although i have read everything I can get my hands on about the topic of suffering this book explored previously unencountered truths....It was not redundant or unnecessary in its message. I love how the issue of prayer is all throughout this book. Prayer is the one thing a person laid aside in sickness and pain, can still do. But first we must come to terms with the fact that our prayers may be answered differently than we would like...and not give up the faith. Thank you Vaneetha for a cogent, well-presented treatise on suffering, prayer, loss and heartache --and that you did not descend into gloom or hopelessness in its pages.

Excellent book written with love, understanding and honesty. It's not a "novel" so you can dip in and out taking what you need when you need it. We all have scars some obvious some hidden... her faith shines forth with a wonderful clear cut honesty, warts and all.

A wonderful story of how suffering intense loss and ongoing pain, has drawn the authoress closwr to God.She tackles real problems like scars that disfigure, loss of husband,:death of her child.The profound sovereignty of God and how looking this this lens, we can find and be comforted by God's intense live for us.Each chapter is short and readable and can stand alone.So book can be dipped intoand out of.

One of the most powerful testimonies I have ever read.The truths revealed in these, pages are so deep and will set you free. Old mind sets are shattered and the Truth revealed.An excellent book. Praise be to our God.

A book that speaks of the riches to be found in the most desolate of places. This is no Pollyanna style faith that smiles and pretends all is well. This is faith that struggles and wrestles and finds that God is always good, always faithful. I highly recommend this book.

Words with the wisdom and legitimacy only found by decades of pain and endurance through terrible ordeals. The strength of Vaneetha's rooted, unshakeable faith is because of, not despite, the suffering she has experienced.Found it really helpful to guide my thoughts as I go through a period of processing loss and uncertainty in my own life.