I highly recommend Maureen Pratt’s book “Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus and Joy” for those who suffer from chronic illness and/or pain. In three easy-to-read sections, the author delves into the things we can learn from studying the suffering of both Jesus and Job. She also offers practical advice and strategies to help believers find joy in the midst of life’s difficulties.

Pratt shares fresh insights from Scripture while retaining a traditional biblical stance. She also reveals her own struggles with pain and illness, which makes her advice more relatable. The book includes sidebars with questions and activities to prompt readers into thinking deeply about Scriptural themes and application. Those takeaways seem especially important in light of the volume’s topic.

“Beyond Pain” is written from a Catholic perspective, but the book would benefit readers from a wide variety of Christian backgrounds. Its inspirational yet realistic tone encouraged me, because I also deal with chronic pain and illness. I believe “Beyond Pain” would also find a ready audience in people who care for loved ones with chronic conditions.