Are you in a period of suffering? A time of questions without answers? The book The Louder Song meets readers in the pain and ache of life. It answers the question of what to do when you’re in a period of Suffering and Not Yet. No cliches or easy answers here. Instead, author Aubrey Sampson leads readers to learn the concept of lament–the rope that keeps us tethered to God’s presence.
Written in a time when she experienced a debilitating illness and a loss of a family member, Aubrey admits she wanted to handle suffering well. She wanted to learn whatever lesson God was teaching and move on. But things didn’t happen that way. So when her life crises didn’t neatly resolve, she went to God’s Word and discovered the power of lament.
God knows life is often hard and so He included songs of lament in Scripture. Aubrey writes:
Laments minds the gap between current hopelessness and coming hope. Lament anticipates new creation but also acknowledges the painful reality of now.
God gives us the laments of those who have gone before us as a way to talk honestly with him, as a way to enter into the biblical story, as a way to connect with the suffering people of God, and as a tool for thrusting our anger and our mysteries and our losses at him.
The title of the book comes from an experience that Aubrey had at a concert where a choir walked onto a stage and sang a slow funeral dirge. The atmosphere in the theater grew dark and heavy. Then slowly another choir slowly filled the room and surrounded the audience singing a much more hopeful song. The second song gradually drowned out the dirge and Aubrey realized that the experienced mirrored spiritual life. Our existence often appears dark and plays in a minor key, but God sings to us a louder song of hope, of love, of His presence with us.
Throughout the book, Sampson weaves stories of her own sufferings with an examination of lament songs in Scripture. She reminds us that it’s OK to be honest with God and that authenticity can open our hearts to an awareness of God’s presence in the midst of our pain.
In the middle of your bleakest times, discover that lament can lead you back to hope because God sings a louder song than suffering ever could. Listen to His song of love for you. Hear His melody of promise.
I encourage you to grab a copy of The Louder Song. If you’re in a period of suffering, waiting, or illness, this is the book for you.
I surely could use this right now Sharla. Working on my own book project on loss and in the space of 24 hrs this week lost two very dear furry friends. With human losses wr have the blessed hope of reunion on Resurrection Day but furry friends we have no assurance. Their absence leaves a large gaping hole. I could use some comfort in these difficult days right now. Hugs and love to you
Betty, so sorry to hear of your loss. May God comfort you in this tough time.
I could use this book for my daughter who is suffering from a severe concussion. Progress is happening in but she may lose her job in the waiting. She is ready for God’s direction because she realizes that she may never be able to do what she did before.
Carolyn, I pray that your daughter recovers completely and quickly–although I know it often takes a long time to recover. May God give her peace during this time of waiting.
I appreciate that God pursued me when I felt like distancing myself from Him in the hard time and that He sent people to share His Word and let me know I wasn’t forgotten.
Heidi, God is like that isn’t He! When we feel like pulling away, He constantly draws us close. I echo your gratitude for brothers and sisters in Christ who point us to Him in His Word!
God has held me close to His heart many times throughout the years. He has met me in His Word, the Lords Supper, and through His people.
Michelle, what blessings we have in God’s Word and the Lord’s Supper! God comforts us and speaks His love!
This would be a great help for myself and friends going through life struggles.
Janet, I’m praying for you and your friends!
Dear Sharla,
Your review convinces me that this book will help me as I consider becoming a Stephen Minister. God has brought me through two life threatening illnesses and sent me a godly man to marry! Blessings to you!
Barbara, this book would be a help in your ministry as a Stephen Minister! Praise God for His gift of healing for you!
I need to read this book – it seems to be something that would help support me through the grief of losing my husband recently.
Elizabeth, I ‘m so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. May God comfort you during this hard time.
Elizabeth, you are the winner of The Louder Song! Please email me your mailing address! sharla@sharlafritz.com
I’d love to read this book. Similarly tonthe author, I suffer from several ongoing health issues slowly stealing my physicality and have overcome a lot of trauma relationally in life and trusted Jesus for the outcome and He is faithful. Sometimes though, the ‘hope you feel better’ well-meaning (Just get happy, okay? All thing work for good, right?) people miss out on the blessing that is sitting in the pain with Jesus. Looking back on the most difficult times I see a supernatural sweetness there between Christ and me that I would not have experienced otherwise.
Amy, thanks for sharing of your pain and realtionship trauma. It’s not easy to open about those things. In the book, Aubrey talks about how being open and honest with God can be a stepping stone to healing. I so agree that in the most difficult times, God often seems closest.