Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain by Paul Meier, MD, and David L. Henderson, MD

This book is about dealing effectively with “seven universal struggles”: injustice, rejection, loneliness, loss, discipline, failure, and death.

Each section of the book explores the problems caused by each struggle and then provides steps and practical encouragement toward overcoming each struggle. For example, in addressing loneliness, the experience is described as both physical and emotional, with obstacles of modern comforts, limited scope, objectification, pride, segregation, and time. The reader is pointed to Jesus’ example, encouraged to relate to God, know oneself, and improve one’s relationships by avoiding complacency, removing the plank from one’s own eye, changing the face of one’s prayers, turning conflict into opportunity, look to future reward, be encouraged by what is learned, and be teachable. Each chapter is this thorough and deep, with much food for thought.

This book was very interesting and challenging, causing me to examine myself. It is written in a very readable fashion and is cohesive and appealing. Biblical truth is effectively conveyed and is an integral part of the writing.

I recommend this book

Fresh Start by Doug Fields

Fresh Start emphasizes timeless biblical principles, such as perseverance in the face of temptation, quickly seeking God's forgiveness when we sin, replacing pride with God-directed dreams in our life, viewing those who hurt us through God's eyes, practicing forgiveness, and gaining God's perspective in hurtful situations. This book encourages believers to depend on God's faithfulness and draw upon our Heavenly Father's grace, kindness and direction. Fields utilizes contemporary illustrations and examples from his own life to encourage the reader not to give up on God down the sometimes rocky road of discipleship and intimacy with Jesus Christ.

Notable chapters include chapter 4, “Beyond Your Past,” in which we are encouraged not to let poor choices and wrong decisions weigh down our lives, and chapter 5, “Freedom From Hurt,” which may be the book's most important chapter because it helps us prevent the poison of hate from invading our lives.

This is a relevant, biblically accurate read that will encourage the new Christian or older saint, and I highly recommend it as an aid in staying focused on the centrality of Jesus Christ in our life.