preface

1.
Understanding pain
Why the pain?
Causes of Suffering as Seen in the Bible
Pain is desperate
Pain is a reality of human existence
Pain is a fact of life
Establishing a true relationship with God
The right image of God
Suffering is God's gamble

2.
How to resolve suffering?
Endure pain
Enduring Suffering Within God's Timetable
Accepting the pain
Real pain and imagined pain
Don't be pessimistic about your whole life in the face of one pain.
Love more
Praise God with complete trust in Him

3.
Two Attitudes Toward Pain

Understanding the true meaning of pain

“Every time we experience pain, whether physical or psychological, in our short and precious journey through life, we must ask ourselves:
“Is this suffering I'm going through now maturing and training me? Or is it making me miserable and helpless?” (p. 9)

Seeing how people who suffer can easily crumble when they experience pain without any value, the author seeks to broaden our understanding of pain.
Based on an understanding of suffering, we explore ways to resolve suffering and present two ways to face the suffering we face.
It explains that the choice is a decision of the sufferer's free will, and that the outcome of the choice can make a huge difference.
If suffering is inevitable in human life, the vision suggests that we actively accept and overcome the suffering and move forward toward growth.

Everyone wants to avoid pain, but pain is still with us today.
We hope that this book will empower more people to discover the value of suffering and choose to move forward on the path of growth in the face of the pain they face. We have revamped the cover and content.
Artist Lim Ji-yoon, who designed the cover, said that she patterned it with the image of “a human boat floating on the river of life.”
Additionally, most of the quoted Bible verses were changed to CBCK 『Bible』, and the font size was increased and redesigned.


Look at pain properly

"What exactly causes suffering? What causes those who suffer to cry out, 'Why is this happening to me?', 'What did I do wrong?'" (p. 13)

The author examines suffering from the perspectives of other religions, focusing on the Bible, and identifies five causes.
However, he says that it is impossible to determine a single most convincing cause, as the answer varies depending on the nature and nature of the pain each person is experiencing.

“We can know for ourselves what is the cause of the suffering we are experiencing now.
“Because you can never deceive yourself or God.” (p. 45)

And through the characters in the Bible, we examine the various tendencies that emanate from suffering, and guide our attitudes toward those who are suffering and avoid making hasty judgments.
Can the pain be resolved?

“Pain is something to be accepted.
When we accept our pain, we can rest in it.
When we accept pain, the painful situation still exists, but a place of peace is created.
…when we accept suffering, we find peace even in the midst of suffering.
Have hope even in difficult times.
But when we don't accept the pain, we become desperate.
And that pain will torment us endlessly.” (pp. 86-87)

He mentions that suffering is an insoluble part of human existence, and that all religions teach us to accept suffering rather than avoid it. He introduces seven ways to accept suffering.

How should we accept suffering?

The ideal attitude toward accepting suffering is shown through two specific characters in the Bible, Jacob and Joseph.

“Jacob’s persistence and Joseph’s obedience are the reasons for this.
Jacob was so stubborn that he was late in surrendering to God.
Meanwhile, Joseph trusted God and lived according to nature in all circumstances, so blessings are highlighted rather than suffering.” (pp. 131-132)

Through this, the author guides those in pain to make the right choice by believing and trusting in God, which is the only choice they have in the face of suffering.