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Finished Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain by Paul Meier and David L. Henderson for Thomas Nelson.

The thesis with this book is that hard times can either bring you closer to God or drive you farther from God.  When bad things happen, it tends to be for one of two reasons:

1)  God is using these incidents to improve you in some way.  For instance, if you have a problem with patience, perhaps you will be put in situations where you have no choice but to develop that quality. :)

2)  God didn't want this to happen, but will work within these circumstances so your life will continue to be what He wants.  This is where free will comes in.  He doesn't "let" you get mugged, but if you trust Him, He can take your fear away.  (as an example.)

I don't think this would be a good book to read while you're going through difficult times (although maybe that's just me; hearing about how God works in mysterious ways after my dad died made me want to hit people in the face) but I think it'd be comforting to read after, once things are calming down a little.

I do have some issues with some of the things the authors said.  First, as someone who's struggled with faith, I can tell you that atheists don't think that there's no point in being a good person in this life.  You can be a moral or ethical person without believing in God.  (And really, isn't there something to be said for doing the right thing because it's the right thing, not 'cause you think God will smite you?)

And second, they trotted out Carrie Prejean as an example of faith and not, say, prejudice.  Yes, she has every right to believe whatever she wants.  But let's not act like she isn't a bigot.  If she had said that she didn't think black people/Hindu people/atheists/immigrants or any other group shouldn't be allowed to get married, we wouldn't even have to have discussions on whether or not she's prejudiced.  And yes, it is the same thing. :)

Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain: Uncover the Hidden Potential in Life's Most Common Struggles

Paul Meier M.D.