Skip to content ↓

5 Audiobooks That Speak to Suffering

This week the blog is sponsored by christianaudio.com, and this post is written by Carissa Arend.

Suffering is an inevitable part of the Christian life, and we need reminders of gospel hope in everyday difficulties as well as in life-shattering trials. The following audiobooks offer noteworthy and unique perspectives on suffering.

Trusting God

Jerry Bridges grapples with questions of God’s sovereignty, love, and power in the midst of pain. He gives insight into the nature of trust when hard circumstances defy explanation.

Noteworthy quote:

Trust is not a passive state of mind. It is a vigorous act of the soul by which we choose to lay hold on the promises of God and cling to them despite the adversity that at times seeks to overwhelms us.

A Grief Observed

A Grief Observed is a poignant glimpse into C.S. Lewis’s loss of his wife to cancer. As he wrestles with psalmic sadness, Lewis uses vivid word pictures to describe the nature of faith, grief, and love.

Noteworthy quote:

God has not been trying an experiment on my faith or love in order to find out their quality. He knew it already. It was I who didn’t. In this trial He makes us occupy the dock, the witness box, and the bench all at once. He always knew that my temple was a house of cards. His only way of making me realize the fact was to knock it down.

Kiss the Wave

Dealing with daily chronic pain, Dave Furman offers a hopeful picture of God’s purpose in trials––against a dark backdrop of affliction. He writes with clarity about depression, weakness, and God’s grace.

Noteworthy quote:

When you have heaven in view, you don’t need a more comfortable and easier ‘now’ to bring you joy. What you need is a forever to reshape your here and now. Living in light of eternity doesn’t remove our pain, but it allows us to have hope in our moments of pain.

A Place of Healing

Place of healing

Joni Eareckson Tada provides wise perspective on healing and hope through the lens of her experience as a quadriplegic. As she narrates her book, Tada communicates compelling truths about God’s character with grit and grace.

Noteworthy quote:

The truth is, in this world it’s a 100 percent guarantee that we will suffer. But at the same time, Jesus Christ is 100 percent certain to meet us, encourage us, comfort us, grace us with strength and perseverance, and yes, even restore joy in our lives. Your Savior is 100 percent certain to be with you through every challenge.

ESV Hear the Word Audio Bible

The Bible is truly the most extensive resource on enduring trials. From raw lament to triumphant joy, Scripture paints a nuanced portrait of Christian living and eternal hope in suffering.

Noteworthy verse (among many):

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” –1 Peter 5:10

Find these titles and more during our Twice-Yearly Sale at christianaudio.com. Over 7,500 audiobooks are only $7.49 (up to 95% off through December 22). Purchase any of these 5 titles for an additional 20% off by using the code “CHALLIES18” at checkout.


  • Sermon Introduction

    Three Levels of Sermon Introduction

    Though every sermon necessarily needs a beginning, it does not necessarily need a formal introduction. Though it has to begin somewhere, there is no rule that it must begin with some kind of story or illustration. A preacher can jump straight into his text if he so desires. Some do.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 4)

    A LA Carte: Causes of division in the church / Union with Christians / The 1%-er rhetoric / Pray or sleep? / Distinguishing shame from guilt / Many more Kindle deals / and so on.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 3)

    A La Carte: Never too late to learn how to pray / Walking with those who weep / Rethinking the role of pastor’s wife / What does the Bible mean when it teaches wives to submit? / Does God want some to go to hell? / Kindle deals / and more.

  • The Most Pleasant Show on Television

    The Most Pleasant Show on Television

    I rarely review, recommend, or even mention movies and television programs. I rarely do so because I am aware that tastes vary and so too do family rules and personal consciences. Not only that, but I am not very adept at understanding the themes or messages in visual media and wouldn’t wish to inadvertently lead…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 2)

    A La Carte: Our dance with distinction / You are not your theology / The challenges of motherhood / God hates sin / Random thoughts on preaching / and more.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 1)

    A La Carte: John Piper evaluates Jordon Peterson / Church coffee / Disciplines to help your marriage / “Love is Blind” / A knife at her throat / So many Kindle deals / and more.