Chronic Pain: Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering

Sylvia says: I am an avid reader and one of my priorities is to learn something about the author to see if a book is worthy of my time. I read the Bible because I know the Author. ("All Scripture is given by inspiration of God." II Timothy 3:16) I am acquainted with the writer of CHRONIC PAIN since he was my pastor for many years. He was successful in preaching the Gospel while his congregation was unaware that he was suffering from an excruciating headache.In this book,Pastor Rob takes a positive approach to the difficult malady that he lives with. Within the contents he shares that when the headaches are raging, all his senses are heightened, including his spiritual sense. He prays with a greater urgency. I loved his reference to a prayer champion, Epaphras, as mentioned in Colossians 4:12-13. Pastor Rob knows how to dramatize a story so that you feel like you are actually at the scene.I have had to apply to my own life something that Rob Prince refers to in another chapter where he says: Praying a difficult prayer is submitting to the sovereignty of God even when it might be contrary to our wishes and desires.The humor with which this author makes a point, is refreshing and often brings an unexpected chuckle, whether it is listening to one of his sermons or reading this book. The best example is found on pages 94 and 95 where he almost feels God is literally speaking to him through the PA system at a Wal-Mart. I won't give it away. You need to read it for yourself.This book is filled with an honest approach to a problem that would keep a lesser man from accomplishing the job that God has called him to do. I have observed how he approached his multiple tasks with enthusiasm. That makes this book believable. On a personal level, I witnessed grace and mercy demonstrated by this author when he sat with me and my terminally ill husband for hours in the ER. If Pastor Rob was dealing with a headache that awful night, he never let on. Finding hope is what this book is all about - whether it is headaches or heartaches.

Chronic Pain is Pastor Rob’s story of how he has had to deal with an aneurysm, migraine headaches, and quarterly injections of Botox where he figuratively becomes a human pin cushion. And if you are going through chronic pain or debilitating illness or disease, Pastor Rob comes alongside you as he shares his stories.I am not afflicted with chronic pain. If I had to deal with what Pastor Rob describes, I would be done. Finished. Over. But you do not have to be going through chronic pain in order for God to use this book to speak to you.You see, Chronic Pain is Rob Prince’s story of what we all go through as Christians. Just because we are Christian doesn’t make us immune from pain and suffering. When we say yes to Jesus, not everything is going to be hunky-dory, apple pie-in-the-sky-by-and-by. Our prayers may not be answered instantly. Our prayers may not be answered the way that we want them to be answered. But Pastor Rob uses God’s Word to remind us that we are not alone, that God is with us in the midst of any of the storms that we may be going through, be they physical, work-related, relational, or whatever your storm may be.He also explains (spoiler alert) how when we feel like our prayers are just ricocheting off the ceiling, when we are wondering where God is, wondering if He cares, and wondering if God is really listening to us, he reminds us that God can use anything, even a Fats Domino song, to remind us that He is with us and He loves us very much!Lastly, he does a great job in challenging all of us to take a look in the mirror and see “who we are” as we deal with people going through life’s struggles. (Spoiler alert) Lord, help me to always be a “sincere person of prayer!”Pastor Rob’s “Chronic Pain” reminds us of God’s sovereignty. It encourages us that there is hope. It definitely makes me want to pray more, and in doing so, strengthen and deepen my relationship with God.

This book really opened my eyes. I am a fairly healthy person that doesn't suffer from any type of medical condition other than my turf toe and that only hurts when I run so I don't run. However, this book opened my eyes to the bigger world where people do suffer. "Chronic Pain" will serve as a great help in my everyday dealings with people who may not be as healthy as I. And if it does come to pass that I develop a condition where I have chronic pain I will be even more indebted to the author Rob prince than I already am for this book. The author's greatest reminder is that we are never alone in our suffering that the promise of Jesus that "I will never leave you nor forsake you" is true.The book is informative and easy to read. Prince's sense of humor off sets the seriousness of the subject and makes the book also enjoyable. I highly recommend it to anyone—even Buckeye fans!I hate to be the first one to not give it 5 stars; however I reserve that status only for the best of the best. I'll probably end up losing sleep over not giving it five stars. Oh, what the heck, simply based on how helpful I think this book is—5 stars it is!

The author is a pastor that suffers from horrible migraine headaches. He has a humorous way of helping one relate their own pain to how he struggles daily with pounding headaches. He relates ailments we face with Scripture that truly inspires. I suffer with Fibromyalgia and his testimony and anecdotes were such a positive encouragement for me. I am sure I will read again.