Joni Eareckson was born October 15, 1949, in Baltimore, Maryland,
The youngest of four daughters, to John and Lindy Eareckson.[1]
Joni was named for her father, John Eareckson, so her name is pronounced “Johnny”.[1] Her father participated in the 1932 Summer Olympics as an alternate for the U.S. wrestling team and was honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in 1996.[2][3] Tada was also a member of Bishop Cummins Reformed Episcopal Church, where she was confirmed as a young woman.[4]
With the example of her parents,
Tada lived a very active life all through her growing-up years, enjoying riding horses, hiking, tennis, and swimming. On July 30, 1967, when she was 17 years old, she dove into the Chesapeake Bay after misjudging the shallowness of the water. And she had a fracture between the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae and became a quadriplegic (or tetraplegic), paralyzed from the shoulders down.[1]
During Tada’s two years of rehabilitation, according to her autobiography Joni,
she experienced anger, depression, suicidal thoughts, and religious doubts. However,
during occupational therapy, she learned to paint with a brush between her teeth and began selling her artwork.
She also writes this way, although for most writing tasks she relies on voice recognition software. To date, she has written over forty books, recorded several musical albums,
and starred in an autobiographical movie of her life, and is an advocate for people with disabilities.[1] Source: Joni Eareckson Tada – Wikipedia
Even in the midst of suffering, God is still good.
Music is one of my absolute favorites among God’s many beautiful gifts to mankind.
I heartily agree with Martin Luther, who said, “Next to the word of God, the noble art
of music is the greatest treasure in the world.”
Music has particularly been dear to me in times of affliction. During trials, music—
especially old hymns—uplift my spirit, encourage me and draw me closer to the
God of all comforts.
When Joni Eareckson Tada was 17, she took a dive into shallow water in the Chesapeake Bay that left her paralyzed from the neck down. Over 55 years later, she also wrestled with chronic pain, lung problems, and cancer. And during her seasons of intense suffering, she drew comfort and hope from timeless hymns of the faith.
Joni Eareckson Tada breast cancer – Bing video
In 2010, Tada announced that she had been diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer.
She underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy.[38][39] Her treatment proved successful, and she was declared cancer-free in 2015.[40] In November 2018, Tada was diagnosed with a malignant nodule on her chest wall near the site of her original cancer.[40] Radiation treatments for the nodule proved successful, and, in July 2019, she announced that she had once again been declared cancer-free.[41] You can read Joni’s cancer updates here.
Even so, her focus is not on the darkness she’s been exposed to, but on the light of her Savior in the midst of the valleys. Her experience has taught her that one cannot hope in their circumstances, but in Christ alone, and that a great way to stir this hope is through singing hymns and spiritual songs rich with scriptural wisdom. Lessons From Cancer | Joni and Friends. A Purpose in the Pain: An Interview with Joni Eareckson Tada
by Joni Eareckson Tada (ligonier.org)
Therefore, she wrote Songs of Suffering: 25 Hymns and Devotions for Weary Souls to teach us the songs that helped her persevere in her pain. Tada handpicked these songs to encourage and edify weary Christians. She says, “The song must possess enough spiritual muscle to barge into my soul and shake awake a hopeful response.
It must be a hymn whose lyrics raise me onto a different plane spiritually; it must summon in me the emotional wherewithal to remember my station in life so that I can rise above my circumstances. A well-crafted song of suffering—filled with truths about life and God—has power to do that. It grinds biblical truth into our souls, like a pestle grinding powder
in a crucible.”
The 25 hymns are arranged in three main sections: Songs of Comfort, Songs of Strength, and Songs of Hope. They feature hymns such as Abide With Me, Wonderful Peace, Dear Refuge of my Weary Soul, Faith is the Victory, The Deep Deep Love of Jesus, and Face to Face with Christ, My Savior. Each hymn has lyrics, a devotional lesson, related Scripture, gorgeous artwork, and sheet music.
Songs of Suffering is a delightful and encouraging devotional song!
In God’s providence, I read this book while in pain, and I was blessed by Joni’s inspiring example and the biblically rich lyrics of the songs. The devotional not only comforted me, but it also strengthened me, instructed me on suffering like Jesus, helped me refocus on Christ, and reminded me of my eternal hope in Him. One feature I particularly enjoyed was the quotes from past saints, particularly my favorite, Charles Spurgeon.
I cannot praise Songs of Sufferings enough, and I highly recommend it!
This devotion deserves to be in your library and regularly visited as you experience
new seasons of sorrow. Don’t only read the devotional; learn the hymns, memorize them, and practice singing glorious praises to our God amidst adversity. *Crossway publishers graciously gave me a review copy, and this is my honest review.*
Buy from Amazon or WTS Books here!
Like this: Songs of Suffering: 25 Hymns and Devotions for Weary Souls
By Joni Eareckson Tada, Foreword by Keith and Kristyn Getty
Joni Eareckson Tada Offers 25 Hymns for Worship for Difficult Times
As an author, speaker, and advocate for people with disabilities, Joni Eareckson Tada
has inspired people around the world with her story of faith in the midst of suffering.
In this beautiful collection of hymns and devotions she acts as a “song leader,”
guiding readers through their own painful seasons with heartfelt praises to God.
Songs of Suffering includes 25 hymns with accompanying devotions and photography designed to spark hope in hardship. Opening with a special message from hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty, this book is a source of comfort for anyone who needs biblical encouragement, prompting readers to seek refuge in the Lord and rejoice
in his goodness.
A Beautifully Designed Book from Joni Eareckson Tada: Includes 25 hymns
with sheet music, devotionals, and photography. An Uplifting Call to Worship:
Emphasizes the Bible’s command to sing and leads readers in hope-filled praise.
Comfort for the Hurting: Makes a thoughtful gift for friends or family dealing with pain, illness, or loss. Opens with a Message from Keith and Kristyn Getty: Read their reflections on worship and Joni Eareckson Tada’s inspiring ministry. Read Chapter 1
In this book, Songs of Suffering, Joni includes 25 hymns with accompanying devotions and photography designed to spark hope in hardship. Order Songs of Suffering: Songs of Suffering | Joni and Friends Learn more about Joni: Our Leadership | Joni and Friends Learn more about Joni and Friends: About | Joni and Friends #JoniEarecksonTada #JoniAndFriends #Wheelchair #Disability #SongsOfSuffering Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of this global movement at Joni and Friends | Sharing Hope Through Hardship
Suffering Redeemed will teach you who you are.
It’s a textbook that will show you the stuff of which you are made.
And sometimes it’s not very pretty. Suffering will squeeze that out of you.
We say we know Christ. The next time you suffer hard, find out what comes
out of your mouth. That will show you how much you know Jesus.
And in that sense, it’s good.”
No one has spoken more personally and insightfully into
the intersection of suffering and faith than Joni Eareckson Tada.
In this 13-minute documentary, hear more from Joni herself about her story,
how she reacted when she learned 55 years ago that she would never walk again,
and what she does to find the heartbeat of Christ within her daily struggle with
chronic pain and quadriplegia. Joni Eareckson Tada’s Songs of Suffering:
25 Hymns and Devotions for Weary Souls – YouTube
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Songs of Suffering – Christ is Strength In Affliction
“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and deliverer,
my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, and
my stronghold.” – Psalm 18:1-2
In her book, Songs of Suffering: 25 Hymns and Devotions for Weary Souls, Joni Eareckson Tada unpacks the beauty and truths of 25 timeless hymns that gave her strength when she felt tempted to despair. Through a diving accident just after her high school graduation in 1967, young diver Joni became paralyzed from the shoulder down. The doctors permanently diagnosed her with quadriplegia.
Joni honestly shares many of her feelings from the past few decades, recounting her physical, emotional, and spiritual turmoil. However, shares how she firmly held to Scripture, even singing aloud on her bed unto the Lord.
Sanctification in Suffering
Throughout her book, Joni sprinkles the message of sanctification in the midst of suffering. She uses examples of others who allow their season of suffering to mature
them and press them into the image of Christ. Using certain hymns as her literary of remembrance, Joni invites readers to press deeper into worship in the midst of suffering. Pressing into the worship of Almighty God also grants us the unshakeable peace that we
“may not be moved” by our physical distress.
Suffering Does Not Always Mean Failure
It’s important to understand that suffering does not equal failure or punishment.
There are many people today who God has entrusted with affliction. Much like these people, Joni has allowed God to use her suffering for His glory. She views her imitation
of Christ in her affliction as a beautiful aroma to God. Doing Battle with Song: A Book Review on Songs of Suffering — Vera Christian
If you’d like to learn more about Joni Eareckson Tada, her ministry, and her book,
You can find more: Songs of Suffering : 25 Hymns and Devotions for Weary Souls.
BONUS: Omega 3 and cancer spread – Search (bing.com)