This book finds a tender intersection between theology, liturgy and chronic suffering. Readers are reminded, ever so gently, that we're part of his redemptive story. What we know now is not our forever reality. She points to ways we can draw near to God in our suffering, realizing an intimacy we would not have found without it.

Highly recommend for someone who is struggling or dealing with a recent health diagnosis.

This Too Shall Last by K.J. Ramsey is a beautiful, thought provoking and encouraging read on suffering. Where our culture treats suffering as something that needs to be fixed fast, K.J. Ramsey does the opposite and suggests that we sit with our suffering, that we see the grace that holds us when suffering lingers and look to the story that is bigger than us, the story that we are only a part of.

This book is the best, the most beautiful book on suffering that I have read -- and I know I will be rereading it, as well as giving this to friends.

This. Book.

For those of us who have learned to sit in the darkness and survive, on our own or beside others, the truth held in these pages is a balm for the soul.

“Some hard things stay in our lives until Jesus returns, so I’m here to tell a story from the middle, where so many of us live yet so few describe.”

Yes. Yes. Yes.

The story of those who cling on without any outward sign of rest are the ones I want to hear from. The ways that God shows up with kindness we might miss if we aren’t keeping our souls open.

This will be on my shelf and will be gifted to as many fellow witnesses of pain and suffering that lingers far longer than any of us imagine possible.

Ramsey takes readers deep into her experiences with pain, showing the surprising things she's learned about God in the midst and even because of the pain she's experienced. She complements these stories with theological insights partially based on the works of her mentor, Kelly M. Kapic.
A terrific memoir-meets-thesis on pain and how God meets us in it.

"You don't need another before and after story; you need grace for the middle of your story."

I went into this book with few expectations, knowing that I could really use some help at this time in my life. I was immediately drawn in by K.J.'s credentials - she was a vibrant twenty-year-old college student when she suddenly fell sick with a mysterious chronic illness that made it impossible for her to move without excruciating pain. Now, she is a licensed Christian counselor. Say what! If my twenty-four-year-old butt is going to listen to someone talk about pain, it will be someone as relatable as her.

"This Too Shall Last" is a highly theological read that draws on the studies of psychology and neuroscience, which is unlike anything I've read before. To be sure, it was not an easy read, with no encouraging "you got this!" content or an empathetic tone for an old girlfriend. Rather, it's a long, solemn walk through suffering, both K.J.'s and yours.

I've learned that the Christendom often leads us to believe that the "everything will get better" narrative is the only one to follow; that our pain must have some deeper meaning, and that suffering is a problem that needs to be fixed. Our broader society emphasizes the importance of being self-sufficient and entirely in control, as weakness of our minds and bodies causes shame. But the desire to be limitless is not what God intended! We can't treat our bodies with suspicion and minimize our emotion for the comfort of others because we are home to the Holy Spirit. The key is sharing our suffering with other trustworthy people as well as receiving theirs because listening and being listened to releases oxytocin, allowing us to trust God and receive grace. We can't hide our suffering, but feel every bit of it with faith to relieve shame and invite connection.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.