When the World Breaks: Suffering, Hope, and the Mysteries That Put Us Back Together

The world is broken, and many are struggling to make sense of a world that is not what they thought it was. This book explores the possibilities for hope hidden in the paradoxes Jesus spoke when he taught the eight blessings - often called the Beatitudes - recorded in the beginning of Matthew chapter 5. It offers readers hope that God is with them in their suffering and helps them become the kind of people who can put things back together.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2023
Publisher: Time Warner Trade Publishing

The past few years have been a challenging and uncertain time for many people around the world. It has become increasingly clear that the world we thought we knew is not the same as the one we are living in today. The world we thought we knew has vanished, leaving many of us struggling to make sense of a world that seems to be falling apart at the seams.

This book explores what happens when the fundamental picture we have relied on, our sense of how everything holds together, falls apart. For some, this moment comes when a global pandemic upends our security, while for others, it is the loss of a loved one, a terrible diagnosis, or a partner leaving. Many of us have experienced our worlds breaking when long-held beliefs about God or faith slip through our hands. Whether the details are global or personal, the experience is the same: we discover that the framing reality we were living in has fractured.

However, it is important to remember that the world has been breaking for as long as we can remember. We have been through difficult times before, and we have the wisdom of ancient, perennial wisdom to help us navigate these urgent problems. In When the World Breaks, Jason Adam Miller explores the possibilities for hope hidden in the paradoxes Jesus spoke when he taught the eight blessings, often called the Beatitudes, recorded in the beginning of Matthew chapter 5. These strange blessings name our experiences of suffering and are built on a particular kind of hope.

This book is a meditation on those teachings as a transformative way forward when we suffer. It is lyrically written, theologically rich, and supremely accessible, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking hope and guidance in these challenging times.

One of the key insights of this book is that the Beatitudes are not just a list of blessings but a call to action. They are not just about receiving God's grace but about becoming the kind of people who can put things back together. The Beatitudes teach us that we can find hope in our suffering, that we can be agents of change in the world, and that we can bring healing and restoration to those around us.

In the face of uncertainty and adversity, the Beatitudes offer us a way to orient ourselves and find meaning in our lives. They remind us that we are not alone in our suffering and that there is a greater power at work in the world. They encourage us to cultivate compassion, empathy, and forgiveness, and to live in a way that is aligned with the values of love, justice, and peace.

One of the most powerful aspects of this book is its ability to bring the teachings of the Beatitudes to life in a way that is relevant and accessible to modern readers. Miller uses contemporary examples and stories to illustrate the lessons of the Beatitudes and to show how they can be applied to our own lives. He also provides practical guidance and exercises to help readers apply these teachings to their daily lives and to cultivate a sense of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, When the World Breaks is a powerful and transformative book that offers hope and guidance to anyone who is struggling to make sense of a world that seems to be falling apart. It is a call to action, a meditation on the teachings of the Beatitudes, and a resource for anyone seeking to cultivate a sense of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Whether you are facing personal challenges or are concerned about the state of the world, this book can help you find meaning and purpose in your life and become a agent of change in the world.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 234 x 158 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781546003502