The God of All Comfort by Dee Brestin
Reviewed by Dale Lewis
"...a healing balm for those in the valley of the grieving process."
Simply put, I loved this book. With overwhelming compassion and uncanny spiritual wisdom, Dee Brestin authentically shares the difficult beauty of her own story of pain and soul-searching due to the loss of her 59 year old husband to cancer. To be honest, as a man I was wary of reading this book due to Brestin being a woman author. Be assured that’s not a sexist statement . . . more like a “blinders on both sides” reveal! I was hoping for, but not expecting much more than a “read and review.” It has been several years since I lost my Mom to cancer and Dad to heart failure and I had read plenty of books on the grieving journey and loss . . . but oh, how I needed Dee’s biblical perspective!
Each of us will travel down
the road of bereavement or have our dreams shattered by others. She doesn’t sugarcoat the concept of suffering
as if it is a “necessary evil” nor does she abuse the worn
cliches’ spoken so often, (because silence is uncomfortable and only
listening is unnerving at times). Emotions are not discounted. Tears are
greatly encouraged.
Her well-developed skills as a Bible teacher afford her the opportunity
to offer the reader deeply biblical comfort and hope. Brestin shares how
meditating on the psalms, as well as hymns and spiritual songs, encouraged
her wounded and hurting spirit. We often lose the lyrical richness and
depth of the words in hymns because we don’t like singing six verses
in a row without a break. I’ve been challenged to begin reading the
psalms as well as listen more as I sing hymns while worshipping the Almighty.
Her chapter on Job’s three encounters with God in “I Know That
My Redeemer Lives” was profoundly insightful and one that I will
revisit often. The thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter
also help bring clarity to her poignant insights.
I wholeheartedly recommend The God of All Comfort as a healing balm for
those in the valley of the grieving process. There are moments of sweet
communion and worship within each of the pages.
Brestin has found a perfect peace in the mysterious, amazing, infinite
and all-consuming love of God. She wants you to experience it too!
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