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Over four decades ago, a diving accident left Joni Eareckson Tada a quadriplegic. Since that time, she has become a beloved writer and speaker to millions. But today, Joni faces a new battle: chronic, unrelenting pain. As she writes,
Just as I said to God years ago when I was first injured, I find myself praying, Lord, I can’t live like this for the rest of my life! This ongoing urgency has forced me to look back on familiar scriptures and examine them from new angles. Does God miraculously intervene in the lives of all who pray for release from migraine headaches, multiple sclerosis, cancer—or, in my case, chronic pain?
And if not, why not?
Here Joni invites you to walk with her through an intense and baffling season of her life. Her words offer not a bundle of ivory-tower theological conclusions but intimate insight from a woman on a journey—a woman who believes in healing from a God who chooses when that healing will come.
Thankful for These ... 11
Foreword 13
Introduction 15
1 Report from the Front Lines 21
2 God and Healing: What's the Real Question? 37
3 Healer ... and Lord 57
4 What Benefit Is There to My Pain? 79
5 How Can I Go on Like This? 95
6 How Can I Bring Him Glory? 113
7 How Do I Regain My Perspective? 135
8 Ultimate Healing 153
9 Suffering ... and the Harvest 171
10 Thank You, God, for This Wheelchair 191
Epilogue 209
Notes 211
Resources 215
Why does God allow pain? Is God concerned with suffering and involved in it? Plato, C.S. Lewis, Rabbi Harold Kushner, Henri Nouwen, the apostle Paul and others have all addressed these age-old questions. Instead of focusing on how God is involved in the problem of pain, Joni Eareckson Tada chooses instead in her book, A Place of Healing, to examine how God can use pain to draw her closer to Himself and lift her above her human sufferings. Joni, left a quadriplegic from a diving accident four decades ago, is the author of over fifty books and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization devoted to accelerating Christian outreach among those with disabilities. She will serve as the Honorary Chairman of the 2011 National Day of Prayer, held on the First Thursday of May. In addition to coping with the struggles of living from a wheelchair, Joni now has new challenges. She is assaulted with unrelenting, chronic pain and has been diagnosed with cancer. Her reactions? "Suffering may be a part of God's.mysterious plan, but God's intention is always to demonstrate compassion and unfailing love." Joni illustrates over and over in her book how powerfully God's love touches her at her deepest point of need. Her chapter headings ask difficult questions: . What Benefit is there to My Pain? . How Can I Go On Like This? . How Can I Bring Him Glory? . How Do I Regain My Perspective? This devout, genuine woman answers each question with tender, heartfelt examples from her walk in faith. Suffering can make us bitter or compassionate. Suffering can drive us away from God or make us fly into His arms. A Place of Healing is her testament to the restorative power of loving, committed service to God, no matter what our circumstances. She rejoices in the fact that God had plans for her life much wider, higher and more profound than she ever could imagine. Her last chapter entitled, "Thank you, God, for this Wheelchair" demonstrates that because of her circumstances, not in spite of them, she is happier as a child of God than she ever dreamed possible. Do you have a friend or relative struggling with grief, financial loss, health issues or physical pain? Give them a copy of A Place of Healing. May they find comfort in the profound testimony of someone who treads where they walk, albeit, in a wheelchair. Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.jomom5
Posted July 24, 2012
I love all of Joni's books, but this one is extra special. Realistically dealing with the problem of suffering, and also suffering "yet again", this solidly Biblical book points you straight to Jesus Christ. A real encouragement, and a counterbalance to the "just have faith and everything will be all right" mentality that is so prevalent today.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 6, 2012
This book was very timely for my family, I read it in 2 days and immediately gave it to another family member who also read it quickly. Tada does an excellent job of speaking honestly about suffering and how you can wrestle with it while simultaneously embrace God's grace in the midst of it. I plan to buy extra copies to share with others who go through times of inexplainable suffering and loss.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Moose62
Posted September 29, 2011
I have a chronic illness that causes me a lot of pain. Though I am surrounded by wonderful friends and family, it was still hard because none of them really understood what I was going through. My mom got this book for me and it was amazing! I felt like Joni Eareckson Tada knew exactly how I felt and was such an encouragement! I recommend this to anyone who has or knows someone with a chronic illness. It'll be an encouragement to the sick and help friends and family members understand what life is like for you.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 25, 2012
Ok thanks!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 25, 2012
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Posted July 22, 2012
Book will help you understand healing better. It's nice because it's easy reading. The author is a very strong women, who deals well with her health issues.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 19, 2012
This book cleared up many of the struggles I have had with why God does not heal sometimes. I was so encouraged with Joni's frankness about her struggles and how God made her stronger and closer to Him in the process. I highly recommend this book.
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Posted June 25, 2012
Recommend to anyone who needs peace in the midst of pain, and others to understand what they go through.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.J_C-RBC
Posted February 11, 2012
What an inspiration! If you have cronic pain, a disability or live with or know someone with these conditions, Joni gives you courage, hope and where to find faith. She is now in my daily prayers along with many.
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Posted July 23, 2012
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Posted January 19, 2013
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Posted July 1, 2011
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Posted May 8, 2012
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Overview
Over four decades ago, a diving accident left Joni Eareckson Tada a quadriplegic. Since that time, she has become a beloved writer and speaker to millions. But today, Joni faces a new battle: chronic, unrelenting pain. As she writes,
Just as I said to God years ago when I was first injured, I find myself praying, Lord, I can’t live like this for the rest of my life! This ongoing urgency has forced me to look back on familiar scriptures and examine them from new angles. Does God ...