Joy and pain are both aspects of the call of God for the Christian. The Bible even presents pain as a source of our joy. Ajith Fernando’s book explores how this is so, showing the connection between rejoicing and suffering, how suffering draws us nearer to God, and how suffering makes us more effective in service.

The author combines biblical exposition, keen pastoral insight, and cross-cultural wisdom in his writing. He opens reader’s eyes to a truth that we may already suspect is so: we in the West have much to learn about suffering.

By examining Paul’s words on the subject of suffering for Christ from Colossians 1:24-29, Fernando Ajith (a native of Sri Lanka) thoughtfully explains how suffering can be a blessing to the individual Christian and to the church as a whole. His book will help Christians joyfully embrace the life of service and total devotion to Jesus, despite the pain it entails.