Afflictions

Faith in God does not exempt Christian believers from suffering. In fact, Scripture teaches that affliction-both for faith and common to all people-is part of life in a fallen world. Afflictions examines this difficult truth through Scripture and personal experience, offering hope to believers whose faith has been shaken by suffering.

In Afflictions, Dr. James L. Pirkle shares his deeply personal journey after receiving a life-altering diagnosis of cancer. As a physician accustomed to caring for others, he was suddenly confronted with fear, uncertainty, and spiritual crisis as a patient. Having already endured years of profound loss through multiple miscarriages, his faith in God was tested at its core.

Drawing heavily from Biblical Scripture, Pirkle explores the different types of suffering Christian believers face, including hardships that do not appear to result from living out one's faith. He wrestles honestly with questions many believers ask in seasons of pain: How can God's promises be true when suffering strikes? Is God still present when affliction feels overwhelming? Through reflections shaped by illness, loss, and restored faith, Afflictions offers encouragement to believers navigating grief, doubt, and despair. This Scripture-based work reminds readers that common suffering does not mean abandonment by God, but can be used for refinement, growth, and His glory. Afflictions points believers back to God's sovereignty, presence, and enduring faithfulness-even in the darkest trials.