Comfort in the Ashes delicately unpacks the book of Job through both a general biblical lens, while also exploring intimately how much there is to be gleaned for anyone who has experienced trauma or even for those with loved ones or people around them who have. Right from the beginning of the book, Keener has such a beautiful way with words and is very intentional in her language. This subject is not an easy one, but there is a careful manner to the book while remaining deeply personal. While leaning into care and gentleness, there is so much encouragement and support woven in. While this has a clear target, I would recommend this to any Christian, especially anyone wanting to dive more into the old testament. The OT, when compared to the NT, can seem daunting and confusing, and a book like this is great to invite readers not only into the story, but continues to apply it to something else tangentially. Overall, I loved this read and hope it reaches more people upon publication!

"Trauma," writes Michelle K. Keener in the introduction to her book Comfort in the Ashes, "isn't just sadness on steroids. It is not stepping on a Lego twice or forgetting to record your favorite show. Trauma is an event that goes beyond our ordinary capacity for coping and functioning. Trauma devastates. It dismantles. It goes to the heart of our most deeply held beliefs about God, the world, and our place in it."

And with that, Keener sets out to proffer a Biblically based and psychologically sound approach to handling trauma in our lives, our relationships, our churches, and our communities, based on the Book of Job from the Old Testament. Part well-developed inductive Bible study through Job from beginning to end, part research-based training about trauma, and part heartfelt exhortation to her readers, this book is an exceedingly in-depth look at what trauma is, the ways trauma manifests in religious contexts and relationships, and how professing Christians might begin to operate from a compassionate, open, trauma-informed heart within their respective circles.

The work is dense with research and footnotes, and I'll make mention of the fact that the Kindle e-book formatting of the ARC left much to be desired; however, I imagine that's been summarily corrected for its actual publication release. There were some sections that felt fairly repetitive, not in a way that might serve as a reminder to readers of previous sections but in a way that seemed as though chunks of the book had been drafted separately, perhaps as individual articles, and then compiled, such that an editorial eye from beginning to end to smooth transitions and eliminate those repeated passages might have been helpful.

The authorial tone is one of genuine care and concern for those who have experienced trauma as well as encouragement and support for those who are in contact with people who have experienced trauma (and, really, by this time in history, who among us can say we have escaped entirely unscathed?). Job feels like the perfect part of the Bible to use in support of her thesis, and she builds an excellent case for the contention that trauma-informed care and living are, in point of fact, not only Biblically sound but also Biblically based. Her book synthesizes many experts in trauma and psychology and makes their work approachable. Comfort in the Ashes is a work that would be of utmost benefit and effectiveness for every pastor and priest, elder and church leader, church small group and ministry leader, church member, and professing Christian to read, with a highlighter in hand for the dozens of passages that bear remembering. Thorough, engaging, methodical, and critically important for the age in which we live, Comfort in the Ashes is going on my personal bookshelves for (frequent) future reference.

Content Warnings: Do be aware that the very subject matter and content of this book centers on trauma, in all its challenges and difficulties.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary advanced reader copy (ARC) of this work from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions herein expressed are my own.

Gratitude: I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Some books educate. Some books challenge. Comfort in the Ashes does both—and then some. Michelle Keener doesn’t just analyze the book of Job; she pulls it off the dusty theological shelf and places it right in the middle of today’s world, where trauma is everywhere and quick-fix theology does more harm than good.

This isn’t just about Job’s suffering—it’s about how the church responds to suffering. Keener exposes the well-meaning but deeply flawed ways Christians often engage with trauma survivors, offering instead a model that is both biblically rooted and psychologically informed. She walks through the painful realities of trauma, showing how Job’s story speaks to shattered worldviews, isolation, and the struggle to find God in the darkness. And she’s not afraid to call out Job’s friends—the original bad comforters—as a warning for us today.

But this isn’t just critique; it’s a guide. With reflection questions, practical advice, and a deep well of compassion, Keener equips readers—whether pastors, friends, or family members—to sit in the ashes with those who are suffering, instead of trying to preach them out of their pain.

If you’ve ever wondered how to truly help someone in their deepest grief, start here. This book is a gift.

I recently read this new book by IVP. It was a beautiful and fascinating study of the book of Job, with trauma as the lens of focus. The author, Michelle Keener, observes how churches are all too often unprepared to journey with people who have survived trauma. 

"As pastors, church leaders, and believers, we know we live in a broken world filled with broken people... We know hurt and loss and sorrow will come, and we are often prepared with neat and tidy Christian responses for when bad things happen...As counterintuitive as it may feel, sometimes we need to stop trying to provide an answer and provide our presence instead.... When we're in the ashes of our trauma, we need someone who is willing to sit in the dirt with us." --page 2 of the introduction

This book provides a good introduction to what trauma is and how it affects us. Keener walks the reader through the book of Job, and how Job's story has much to teach us (and the church) about trauma and ministering to those who have survived trauma. Written in a very readable and relatable style, I really appreciated what this book shares. Each chapter also provides concise summaries at the end of the chapter and guided reflection questions.

"Job shows us that we can scream and cry and struggle and God will still be with us. When we feel alone, when nothing makes sense, God is still there holding everything together. We don't have to dress up and act like everything is alright... " -page 189

Coming from a person who struggles with PTSD this was a freshing perspective on trauma and how to have a biblical perspective of trauma. The book of Job is one of my favorites in the bible. Although I have read the Job before I have not read it with this point of view of the context. Seeing now that trauma does in fact come in many different forms. I love how the author perfectly draws the connection between what trauma does to our faith and our mind. My first interpretation for this title did not compare to the deliverance of the writing. The author has strategically conducted a well research on the topic, which has taught me a lot more than what I have known on this topic before. The author has also implemented sympathy for us readers who suffer with this type of trauma and pain. I am so happy the author has decided to write and bring this to the attention of the church and I hope that it begins to have churches bring the right support for survivors of trauma.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was a really insightful and interesting read which will be extremely useful for me in the future to help me work with religious people. I also liked the scripture index being provided along with a bibliography as I myself am not deeply religious so didn’t recognise many and it will be useful to refer back to.

Comfort in the Ashes was an excellent read. The author did a great job with defining what trauma is and helping readers understand trauma using the book of Job and the things he experienced in his life. This book should be read by anyone looking to understand and help people who have experienced trauma in their life and those who have experienced trauma themselves

Thank you NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review

A Book Review

Comfort in the Ashes written by Michelle K. Keener uses the book of Job to support trauma survivors. It begins by defining trauma and ends by describing a church of dust and ashes. Post trauma – there is nothing we can do about the past. However, we can use our experience of the past to help us heal in the present and be healed for our future. The book market is full of autobiographical account of childhood trauma. Two notable ones that I have read are The Child Called It and Hillbilly Elegy. Davel Pellman and J.D. Vance are the authors who have come out of the abusive childhoods and have written those narratives for people to read.

Trauma, Michelle says, is not sadness on steroids. There is something more to trauma than just experiencing a situation. Michelle then goes on to explain a little more about trauma unpacking it as she considers her own lived experience with it. She is at pains to explain that healing from trauma is a process, there will be good days and there will be bad days, there will be ups and downs.

Sometimes when somebody is in trauma, it can affect their behavior significantly. It can also affect them if they are in the process of recovering from trauma. I have heard more than once someone say about someone else – “they should be over that by now.” Keener helpfully explains that the process length is not the important factor and each person’s trauma is their own.

I remember when my son was going through his trauma experience, I read the book of Job to him. I suppose it was not helpful at the time. As he went through the healing process, he returned to Job’s story time and again. This book is vitally helpful to him today.

The bibliography, I am delighted to say, has a good amount of female academics. However, the sweetness of this book is not a gender thing at all. It is taking a book from the bible and applying it to everyday life. This book is for practitioners and those who come to a trauma-based practice.

The foreword by Scot McKnight will add weight to this volume. Although not inserted yet as this is a copy for reviewing purposes, I look forward to reading it. Using Job’s story, I believe, will help trauma survivors with the “Why me?” “How could they do that to me?” and “I want them to take responsibility for what they did.”

Ostensibly an academic read. It is based on research carried out as part of her PhD. I think this has a place on the bookshelves of those we help and ourselves. Wounded hearts – may they always find peace in the arms of Jesus.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc. This is a thorough, well researched and thoughtful look at the theology of trauma with excellent pastorally practical application,

Michelle Keener shows us that the book of Job provides embodied and practical answers for the church today, this is very needed for pastors like me, and another trauma survivor to help people with post traumatic syndrome.

A wonderful resource for the church in using the Book of Job to help trauma survivors to heal. Should be in every church library in the land!

A compassionate, empathetic, pastoral examination of the book of Job through the lens of trauma and the long journey of healing in community. Very helpful and thoughtful, written in a way that honors trauma survivors.

(I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)