Walking by Faith While Living in Pain

Following a service in which my subject had been on faith, a dear lady asked me, “How can you preach on faith when you are not healed?” In a few words, she defined the theme of this work. Can faith and illness coexist comfortably in today's Christian community of thought and literature?

Many will have a negative reply to this question, while others will quietly try to ignore this uncomfortable theological situation. Some will be stoutly resolute regarding their position of faith and those who are not healed. This simply states, "If you have enough faith, nothing is impossible, and your healing is assured." Another form of this answer may be, "If you quote these scriptures and pray this prayer, you will be healed." There are various combinations of answers, but they ultimately may be summarized that with the correct faith, healing will occur.

Where does this leave those with birth defects, blinded eyes and crippled bodies who are faithful believers yet have not received their healing? There are thousands of people with chronic illnesses and terminal diseases that may feel like second-class Christians because they have not had their miracle of healing. These struggle daily just to have some type of a normal life. How would Helen Keller have responded to those who might question her faith and walk with Christ?

These questions and more are addressed within these pages. You may see your own health and faith situation and finally be able to say, "I can live with this." On the other hand, you might find your own sense of worth and self-esteem restored as you realize that you are not alone and God has not given up on you. If you are a caregiver, you too will find that you are needed and loved.

This multifaceted approach to faith and pain seeks to satisfy the troubled soul and bring new joy to the believer. Instead of solely seeking theological explanations to the issue of chronic pain and illness, this text will supply practical solutions.

This book does not seek to disprove those who teach or follow the "word of faith" movement, but it seeks to find the smooth road to a balanced walk with our Lord. We rejoice with those who are healed miraculously and celebrate those who have faced life's hardships and retained their love for Him. Regardless of your personal life in Christ, you will be lifted up and encouraged to go on.

The theme of this writing comes from this verse: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things" (Philippians 4:8).

I pray that you will be richly blessed and ministered to while reading Walking by Faith While Living in Pain.

A reader reviewed this book with these comments: Thomas Endicott writes a readable, deeply comforting book on how to wrestle with pain and faith. He shares his own insights and makes profound and genuine insights into how to deal with pain if even not knowing why the pain is there.

Pain is no stranger to any of us. For some pain is occasional, for some it is intermittent, and for some it is chronic. No matter who we are or what we believe, at times we will be confronted by pain.

Theologically, pain poses a problem to many. Some will wonder why a good God allows it. They seem to ignore the far-reaching ramifications of the fallen, sinful condition of the world in which we live. Others will ponder why at times it persists in light of Scriptural promises. While all of us have experienced pain in varying forms, many of us have also experienced times when its power has been divinely broken and its persistence alleviated. So . . . what can a person do when caught in the tension between the reality of persistent pain and the prayerful longing for its release?

We know life is terminal. We don't know why pain, sickness, and illness are a part of life. But, in wearing the pain and weathering the false piety of those who say pain is not God's plan, Thomas points the reader to the God of all comfort who comforts in a time of pain. I was tremendously lifted by this easily readable work.

Are you struggling with accepting your pain? Do you feel like you have failed in life because of your pain? Have you met "Job's friends," who in their well-meaning, but damaging counsel, have added salt to your wounds and made you question your faith and stance with God? Have you agonized while watching a loved one in pain and wondered how God could let such a thing happen? If so, this book will provide much-needed encouragement and comfort.

This easy-read book is like no other.