Palmer Chinchen knows that while many Christians would like to be able to tie up the loose ends left by the question of suffering in a nice neat bow, the reality is that they tend to flap loosely—and can threaten to entangle and trip.

So in place of a simplistic answer to an age-old problem, the Chandler, Ariz., pastor and former college ministry leader offers a multilayered perspective on how to find faith and hope in the midst of troubled unknowing, in God Can't Sleep (978-1-434-70057-5, $12.99, David C. Cook), released this month.

Subtitled "Waiting for Daylight on Life's Dark Nights," the 240-page book is no academic exercise. Chinchen draws on a wide range of personal experiences, from growing up as a fearful missionary kid in Africa to serving as pastor of a growing church.

He tells of the young African girl who died when a Christmas Eve candlelight service went wrong and a group of children were enveloped in flames, a young mom parishioner who committed suicide and having to flee war-torn Liberia with his heavily pregnant wife. He also writes of the tragedies he has witnessed in places like Haiti.

Though not all suffering is on the scale that makes world headlines, its personal impact is equally felt by those facing disease, divorce or other domestic trials, he notes. But Western Christians may be less equipped to deal with catastrophe because "the messiness of pain simply doesn't fit with polished shopping malls, granite countertops and cushioned pews," he observes.

While he has no single answer to suffering, Chinchen does have suggested approaches—including being honest about how sin impacts the world and being involved in issues of justice. "Like a smoggy day in Los Angeles, injustice is the dark cloud that turns God's beautiful creation gray," he writes.

Chinchen also cautions against the lure of narcissism and encourages reducing the busyness of life to allow more room for God, while looking for "snapshots of heaven" in everyday life, from children and friends to music. Above all, he says, don't quit because there is always hope.

In addition to pulling from his personal files, Chinchen references thoughts by other Christian writers, the likes of C.S. Lewis, Brennan Manning and Dr. Paul Brand. In the Bible, he looks at lessons from Obadiah, King Saul and the Psalms. 

He observes how Jesus "always gave the same brief speech at funerals"—the two-word exhortation, "get up," spoken to Talitha, the boy in Nain and Lazarus. "Life is not meant to be lived in dark places," Chinchen adds. "The days God gives you on earth are not meant to be covered with gray clouds, so get up and live. Really, really live."

By sharing cliffhanger personal stories, telling the rest of them later in the book, Chinchen illustrates how what may seem to be hopeless can yet be turned around. He encourages readers that "God uses the dark and difficult days to mature us spiritually in a way that won't happen on the days when the sun shines and the flowers bloom."

Though he urges people to look up when life casts them down, Chinchen acknowledges it can be tough to respond well at times—admitting to wishing one man dead who abused, terrorized and tried to kill his girlfriend and offering to help beat up a man who was having an affair with a friend.

To order, call 800-323-7543, or visit bookstores.cookministries.com.

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