The Apostle Paul had a sickness that was so grievous that he called it "a thorn in the flesh". He begged the LORD three times that it be taken away from him, but the LORD said, "My grace is sufficient for thee". While this sickness was not specifically identified, what we do know is that it was a source of major grief for the Apostle Paul. Are you dealing with a "thorn in the flesh" that has you feeling anxious and downhearted? Do you need encouragement to help you to endure the testing of your faith when it comes to various health issues?

Or, are you grieving hard over the death of a loved one, and finding it difficult to cope?

We know that God promises that there will come a time when death will be no more, and neither will sorrow, nor crying, nor pain be anymore. We have heard that there will be a resurrection of the dead; and that sickness and suffering will be a thing of the past. We have heard these things over, and over; but sometimes, when sicknesses and death hit close to home, it becomes hard to keep believing, it becomes hard to hang on to our hope.

Sometimes, we need more than a little reminder to help us to not let go of our hope in the promises of Christ, especially when the suffering that is happening all around us hits home, touching our families and friends. Sometimes, we need the testimony of others who have gone through similar trials. Sometimes, we need to see how others endured great heartache. Sometimes, we need to hear the testimony of others who love God, but are not afraid to admit that there were times that they too felt angry with God over the death of a loved one; and we need to know how they made it past that anger. We need to know that we too can get back to the place where we can keep believing, the place where we again have a hope, in spite of the great pain of heart that we have endured. Sometimes, we need to be comforted.

Comfort For the Grieving Heart is a writing that started off as a powerful faith-inspired message which was shared at the funeral of a friend whose mom had died as a comfort to the family and friends of the deceased; encouraging them to not let go of their hope in God's promise that they will see their loved one alive again in the resurrection that God promised. Encouragement For Those Suffering with a Terminal Illness is a writing that started off as a letter that was written to encourage a family member who was in Stage Four of a battle with Cancer. Both writings reach into the core of fear, anger, and pain to plant seeds of HOPE for the Future.

Following the unexpected death of her mom, Jodi L. Serino-Barbour decided to combine both writings into one book called Comfort and Encouragement and present them as a journal/keepsake in which the holder of the book is encouraged at the end of each chapter to write how they feel to God. It is through the communication in prayer with God that the door is opened to begin the process of emotional healing from the ravages that depression and grief leave behind. Journalling is very helpful when dealing with strong emotions of depression and grief. After one's feelings have been shared, Comfort and Encouragement then becomes a keepsake that family will enjoy for generations as they remember their beloved deceased and find encouragement in the words left behind by their loved one.

Comfort and Encouragement - the book you didn't know you needed until you received it.