Don’t Waste The Pain was a difficult book for me to read, and yet very timely.

Brother and sister authors, David Lyons and Linda Lyons Richardson, take a deep look at the pain in their lives caused by cancer. Linda has dealt with cancer for a decade, while David recently lost a son to a rare form of cancer.

This book hit me pretty hard. It’s been five years since my brother Mike lost his battle with liver cancer, and now my dad is dealing with melanoma that has metastasized into several other areas of his body. Both of those are open wounds in my life.

While Don’t Waste The Pain was difficult to read, it was full of timely input into my life. At first, I didn’t really care for the style of writing, switching back and forth from David’s experiences to Linda’s. At first, I didn’t appreciate the jabbing prod into my own tender wound right now. At first, I wanted to put the book down and maybe read it later.

But I knew that if I could just get past my own mindset, I could really learn from this open and honest look into the pain of others who have dealt with similar situations.

Don’t Waste The Pain has cause me to recognize what I already knew: that God can be seen even in (especially in) the difficult circumstances of life. God is ready and willing to use these difficult times to bring glory to his name. And God will continue to work mighty things through these circumstances; I can be a part of these things if I’m willing to see things through his eyes.

David Lyons said this early in the book:

Everyone experiences pain. The making of people of destiny is often about how they respond on the anvil of pain. It’s not about what happens to you; it’s about how you respond.

Later in the book, the authors deal with the question of what happens when God says no. How do you deal with that? How can you continue to choose joy?

While it may be difficult to understand while in the midst of suffering, God can and will act in your pain. He is there. He understands. He longs to embrace you through the hurt.

I recommend that you read Don’t Waste The Pain, especially if you are experiencing hurt or loss due to a disease such as cancer. Don’t Waste The Pain will help you understand the benefits and growth that can be gained as a result of the pain.

If you are interested in reading Don’t Waste The Pain: Learning To Grow Through Suffering, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”