Beyond Suffering Bible NLT: Where Struggles Seem Endless, God's Hope Is Infinite - eBook

This year I have been reading the Beyond Suffering Bible during my Bible study time in the morning. I received a free copy through the Tyndale Blog Network, and I am loving it! The Beyond Suffering Bible is an encouraging and helpful resource. If you are wondering what the Bible says about suffering, disabilities, illness, and healing, but aren't sure how to look for answers, this study Bible is a good place to start. It is filled with devotions, study notes, articles, profiles, letters from Joni, and more!

While reading the Beyond Suffering Bible this year, I have been reading through various whole books of the Bible, plus the study notes and other resources contained within those pages. But if you wish to follow a reading plan or a topical guide, those are available too.

At the beginning of each book of the Bible there is a one page overview that explains the suffering and disability themes found in that book. This is one of my favorite features in this study Bible. Another favorite part is the profile pages. Some of the profiles feature people from the Bible. Other profiles feature people who are living today with disabilities or who are facing suffering in other ways.

I am enjoying the Beyond Suffering Bible. This is a book I plan to keep in my library for a very long time. I received a paperback copy of this book, but I would not recommend the paperback version. The paperback cover is too thin and flimsy for such a big book that will be used often. If you are looking to buy a copy of the Beyond Suffering Bible, I would recommend getting either the hardback or one of the leatherlike bindings.

I received a complimentary copy of the Beyond Suffering Bible from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Essentially, the Beyond Suffering Bible is a Bible for those suffering: disability, weakness, illness, and so on. There are special features in it that make it so: for instance, small devotionals like "Cruelty to Persons with Disability" or "Facing the Golden Years," geared with a focus for those suffering.

Joni Eareckson Tada is a quadriplegic (after breaking her spinal chord while diving), and she has faced so much suffering in her life. Despite it all, she still brings glory to God while motivating others. She is the perfect person to put together the first study Bible for people suffering.

This is a NLT translation (which I don't really understand/care about, but some people do so). I really like the book headers, that have an introduction to the book, and also the biography things, which highlight people.

Overall, I really like the study Bible aspects of the Beyond Suffering Bible. My personal Bible doesn't have study Bible-y things (connection points, and the aforementioned book headers and biographies), so having this background is really nice.

As for aesthetics, it IS a soft-cover book, which is kind of odd for a Bible (at least, in my opinion), and the pages are essentially the dictionary/Bible thin pages.

This review was originally found on RockandMinerals4Him: https://rockandminerals4him.wordpress.com/2017/03/21/book-review-beyond-suffering-bible/

What makes this Bible different from others already on the market? It was the first question I asked myself when Tyndale looked for people willing to do some specific tasks. The goal of the tasks I think was to help people know what was included aside from the Word of God in the NLT and to have time to let God speak to individual hearts as they read.

For me, another thought was that we all suffer in some way; some suffering is more easily identifiable than others. For example, we see someone with a cane and can tell there is a probable physical ailment whereas if someone has cancer, that isnt as easily seen especially at first. One of the benefits I got from reading some of the articles included was understanding how some people suffer through their eyes, which I had neither experiential knowledge nor understanding. Another benefit is reading through the Users Guide to help know how the extra material was formatted.

Here is a quote as to why this Bible is available: The Beyond Suffering Bible is for people who want to understand what it looks like to think and live like a Christian in the midst of suffering. (pg. A11). There are also included aids like Connection Points, Topical Guide to Features that point to topics or an aspect of Gods character for people to look up, read and contemplate.

As a former caregiver, reading through the articles, features and notes in this Bible, I can see where it would be helpful to have this reference with the scriptures when going to help, comfort, or sit with someone who is hurting. Caregivers suffer too in various ways that at times are hard to verbalize at the moment or be able to read even when a task which was hard for me. I would read a Bible verse or passage but be unable to comprehend it or apply it; this Bible would have helped.

Ultimately, in my life I have learned that waiting until the Holy Spirit leads and how He wants me to do or not do something is imperative. Also knowing the Word but just speaking it because silence was uncomfortable has been a big learning curve. Sitting down next to someone who is hurting and just being there brings comfort in a way I cannot describe; in many ways its a mystery to me. Other times when a person has shared a Scripture verse as I went through a hard season was like a cold drink of water on a really hot day.

The bottom line is there is no one way to approach or help those who suffer; we must let the Spirit lead us. We must also be self-feeders on the Word daily so we can be ready should a call for help arise. God will prepare you beforehand. He has been faithful to me in that way more than I can express. So, here is a Bible that will help all of us because it is Gods Word. It will also help as we seek to be comforted in our daily life in any suffering we are experiencing or be ready to go and be what someone needs in their moment of pain.

What is suffering? Is it long-term physical pain, deep grief, or emotional issues that cut like a knifeperhaps some or all of the above? Any or all of these things can leave you reeling, and if it doesnt go away and becomes chronic, facing it daily can be overwhelming.

Although friends and family may want to be supportive, long-term problems can wear down relationships. Turning to God and the Bible for help are excellent ideas. The Beyond Suffering Bible hopes to take that a step further by offering support for those living with continuous challenges. Along with the regular scriptures, throughout this Bible are some inserts written from the point of view of people with persisting problems.

This Bible is the result of a partnership with Joni Eareckson Tada and Tyndale House Publishing. Joni is no stranger to a life that has struggles and challenges. She is a paraplegic who has been wheel chair bound for the last five decades after a diving accident when she was a teenager. She is very honest about the hardships she has faced since then. Surprisingly because of that, she has a strong faith in God, and always points to Him for help.

Another title for this Bible could be The Encouragement Bible. It does not pretend that hard things will not come our way, but it also offers hope to face those really big hard life struggles. It encourages.

Many of us are blessed to own at least one Bible, and often as not, many of us have more than one, sometimes we even own multiple translations. So why would anyone want to buy one more Bible, especially if they already have this translation, the New Living one? Get it because of the perspective this Bible is written from. As a Bible itself, the front it is printed in is one of the best I have seen for a long time, and the volume is very pleasing to the eye. So getting this just to use as a Bible alone would be a good choice, but it offers so much more.

Everyone will have something hard to live through, it may not be a disability, but it will be something hard, and that makes this Bible one that is relatable to everyone. According to the Bible Gateway article of July 14, 2016, one in five Americans live with a physical disability, one in six live with a chronic condition and 10 million yearly experience a mental illness.* Chances are you interact or know one of these peopleor are one yourself. This is a valuable resource for anyone suffering, or anyone who cares about someone who is.

On a personal note, I have been living with a chronic health problem for more than two decades. In the past year, I have also faced a time of deep grieving. I found this Bible to be very supportive, and up-lifting. I highly recommend it.

As the cover of the Bible states, where struggles seem endless, Gods hope is infinite.

Tyndale House Publishing has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of the Beyond Suffering Bible, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255.

For many years, Bible publishers have released many types of application Bibles where the intention is to aid a specific target group of readers to better understand God's Word as it applies to them. The first application Bibles I can remember were Men's Study Bibles, Women's Study Bibles, and Teen Study Bibles. These books consisted of the Scripture of a complete Bible, but with added commentary pages, footnotes, and marginal notes from the targeted point of view. Now, you can find boys' application Bibles, girls' application Bibles, students' applications Bibles, Warrior Application Bibles for those who were or are in the military, and life lessons from certain individuals' points of view (such as the Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible). I remember fondly the Scofield Bible my grandmother gave to me so many years ago. I loved all the extra insights written in the margins and footnotes. Now I have a new favorite Application Bible: The Beyond Suffering Bible.

Application Bibles come in many translations. This particular Bible uses the New Living Translation. In the first few introductory pages you'll find an explanation of the different types of translations. The NLT is meant to be a thought by thought translation written to flow smoothly as it's read aloud. This is one of the reasons I love this Bible so well. It is easy to read and understand. A person suffering from physical or mental anguish does not need to struggle with a language or cultural barrier while they are seeking God's help in enduring their various trials. I believe this translation is a great fit for this type of application Bible.

Another reason I love this book is for its devotional aspect. This feature is where the rubber meets the road! Interspersed among the pages of each chapter are page-long devotionals written with the sufferer or their caregivers and supporters in mind. The Foundation that has partnered with Tyndale House to publish this unique Bible is Joni and Friends. Joni Eareckson Tada herself has been a quadriplegic since 1967. Her organization has spearheaded an outreach ministry called the International Disability Center which reaches out to people all over the world affected by disabilities of all kinds. They are uniquely qualified to write devotions that will touch the reader's heart, no matter what has caused their suffering.

I could go on and on and tell you more about the variety of features packed into this special book, but I would like to share with you how this book particularly impacts my life. There are many kinds of disabilities. None of them are worse than any other kind of disability. For example, there are physical and very visible disabilities, physical but invisible afflictions, and invisible and perhaps not-so-physical disabilities. My own malady is invisible: Bipolar Type 2. There are people who think mental illnesses are not a legitimate disorder but a by-product of an overly self-centered society; that may contribute to it, but the affliction is very real to me. I know dozens of others who would agree with me. Several Mental illnesses are difficult to diagnose, and patients get treated more or less by trial and error. I need to rely heavily on God and a support group to help cope with the inner turmoil that hits me in cycles. This resource is a Godsend for me. I can see how much this Bible will mean to many who suffer in silence and without a good support system in their lives. I plan on using this Bible as much as possible in my devotions.

So now you know how excited I am about this resource. I just know it's going to be proven invaluable for so many individuals, support churches, caregivers, support organizations, those who bear the burden of any type of disability, whether visible or invisible, and indeed, anyone who suffers. There are no other books out there quite like this one. I encourage you to purchase one of these for yourself or share one with someone you know who may benefit from it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.