A Handbook For Surviving Suffering

By Tanya Nemley

Wait! You're suffering hardships and you don't know how to cope with it? Are your problems and trials overwhelming you? You might think nobody understands your plight? Somebody does! Me, Tanya Nemley. I graduated from the School of Trials. I have a PHD in suffering. During my life I have gone through a full gamut of tribulations. From illnesses to many of life's extreme circumstances. This book is my life's journey through surviving trials. I do not have all the answers for what has happened to me, but I will reveal how I am surviving it. I'm so sorry you are going through so much! I hope my handbook for surviving suffering can bring you some assistance along with a ray of hope at this difficult time in your life. God bless you!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jul 3, 2024
• ISBN: 9798350962352

Tanya Nemley

Rev. Tanya Nemley is a licensed minister, mother of 6 children, grandmother of 2, and married to, Rev. James A. Nemley. She is the author of 2 other books "Obsessed with God and A Layman's view of the Holiness of God". She is a recording artist and avid blogger at "Godspeaks-i-listen.com." Tanya can also be seen performing her ventriloquist act with her sidekick, "Miss Jae" at "Samantha's Lil' Bit of Heaven" in East Northport, NY. She has been serving the Lord in ministry for over 50 years.

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Cover of A Handbook For Surviving Suffering by Tanya Nemley

Copyright © 2024 Tanya Nemley

*Author’s Note: Scriptures taken from the New International Version®, NIV®.

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. 

*THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language

Copyright © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.

THE MESSAGE Numbered Edition copyright © 2005

*The King James Bible

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information

storage and retrieval system now known or invented, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, or broadcast.

Print ISBN: 979-8-35096-234-5

ebook ISBN: 979-8-35096-235-2

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Dedications

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1. My health challenges

Chapter 2. My past emotional pain

Chapter 3. The Kings of suffering

Chapter 4. What is a hard-core trial?

Chapter 5. Why does God allow suffering?

Chapter 6. Aunt Mae

Chapter 7. It is well with my soul

Chapter 8. Accepting God’s sovereignty during a crisis

Chapter 9. What suffering has accomplished in my life-Part One

Chapter 10. What suffering has accomplished in my life-Part Two

Chapter 11. What is the grace of God?

Chapter 12. Valley experiences with God

Chapter 13. When afflicted, worship God

Chapter 14. When you lose your will to live

Chapter 15. When suffering makes no sense

Chapter 16. Don’t attend the devil’s pity party

Chapter 17. Keeping hope alive!

Chapter 18. God is everywhere

Chapter 19. Finding sunshine when you are standing in the rain

Chapter 20. The fellowship of His sufferings, whoa!

Chapter 21. Goodness and mercy will follow me?

Chapter 22. Finding a new normal in abnormality

Chapter 23. The place of humility Has when faced with trials

Chapter 24. Give thanks in every circumstance

Chapter 25. Defeating fear

Chapter 26. The Bible Is your guide through suffering

Chapter 27. What’s In your spiritual toolbox?

Chapter 28. How our suffering affects others

Chapter 29. God still answers prayer!

Chapter 30. How to stay positive

Chapter 31. A great day is a comin’

Conclusion

Postscript. If you don’t know about Jesus Christ

Closing Prayer. By Reverend James A. Nemley

Dedications

To my Father God.

The best thing my earthly father did for me was to take me to church as a small child. That’s when I first learned about you God! In my childhood you became my best friend! I talked to you all the time. I remember the first big miracle you did for me in my teens that let me know you are real. As an adult I crippled along my way and did not consult with you too much until one day in 1983.

That was the year you healed my mind and I never suffered from clinical depression again. When you did that for me, I committed my heart, mind, and soul to you forever! I became obsessed with you and decided to work for your kingdom until my last day on earth.

This illness I suffer with, and these hard-core trials have been quite difficult for me. It’s a good thing you warned me not to lean on my own understanding, but unfortunately, I did go there. Because of all the help you gave me in your word and with the comfort and help from the Holy Spirit, I’ve made it for 71 years and counting. I’ve learned quite a bit along the way, so I need this book to remind myself of all that you have taught me over the years. I also pray this book will help others with their hard-core journey.

Father God, you have been so good to me with all the tremendous amount of grace you have given me. It has been sufficient although there were times, I didn’t agree with your assessment of your answers about my situation. But I trust that you know what you are doing. I’m still here to give you the glory and will continue to do so until you are ready for me to come home.

Jesus, thank you for carrying me around everywhere now since I fainted from my trials last year. You have surely made my burden lighter. Holy Spirit, what would I do without you! All day every day you have kept the word fresh in my mind, and all the pep-talks you have given me are priceless! You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have been team Tanya Nemley all the way!

Thank you so much God. I love you so much!

To my husband James A. Nemley.

There are not enough words to say thank you for all the incredible support you have given me throughout these entire 48 years of marriage.

You married me with my boatload of medical and emotional baggage. You never complained or got tired of the many times I leaned on you for support which became daily for the past 35 years from when my mystery episodes started. When you had to go to work and leave me in my poor and frightening condition, you prayed over me every morning before you went to work. That went on for 3 decades until you retired. And now you pray over me throughout the day as I suffer all day every day!

In 2023 I was the sickest I have ever been in my life. In my extreme distress I told you I didn’t need any more sermons! I also said, Don’t quote me any scripture verses! At this point I was very overwhelmed. I said to you Just pray for me! That is all I needed at that time from you or anybody else for that matter. I was so sick in the months that followed, you would lie next to me while I was having a severe episode and hug me and hold my hand until I felt better. Sometimes you had to do this every day for weeks.

Your strength during my cancer diagnosis and treatment meant so much to me! Even now as you yourself are battling your own hard-core health issues you still are supporting me daily. I thank the Lord you are a patient and loving husband! I have suffered from sickness our entire marriage and you have always treated me in this compassionate way. I’m trusting God will give you tremendous rewards for your years of support and care you have given me.

My best days to come will be when we are both in heaven together looking upon God’s face with our new glorified bodies! Thank you so much! I love you dearly!

To my wonderful Mother-in-Law

Alice Mary Nemley had endured more illnesses, suffering and hard-core trials than anyone I have ever known. She is no longer suffering and is in the loving arms of God.

Alice was a very strong woman and truly devoted in her faith to our Lord and Savior. Because of her experience with sickness, one day I asked her how she dealt with all her extreme medical conditions. She started looking around in her belongings and pulled out a book and handed it to me. The book was entitled, Asked for Healing Given Grace by Margaret James. In her book Mrs. James asked the question, Since God is all-powerful and can heal me if He wishes, how do I interpret it when He chooses not to?

I graciously took the book and thanked her for it. I didn’t read it until years later when I rediscovered it in a dresser drawer. The book is about Margaret James’ journey with her diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

I read the small book and cried as I understood why my mother-in-law gave it to me. Although Alice suffered from her many surgeries and illnesses, she suffered the most from her battle with congestive heart failure. The thing that really touched me about her battle is that she never lost her faith in God.

Thank you Alice Mary Nemley for the book and the great example of how to endure hard-core trials with faith, grace and trust in our Lord and Savior. I know that you are at this very second enjoying all that God has promised us.

My mother-in-law will never suffer again! Hallelujah, Glory to God!

Foreword

Rev. Jim Nemley speaks of his wife in Proverbs 31 terms: A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Proverbs 31:10 (The Message). The love he has for her shows in every gesture, every glance, every movement they share.

I first met Tanya Nemley when she and Rev. Jim spoke at Samantha’s Li’l Bit of Heaven coffee house in East Northport, NY. They walked in looking like they had just stepped out of a band box as my grandmother used to say. Impeccably dressed, incredible peaceful demeanor, the souls of kindness. Over time, I learned that they live lives of service. There is no need too great or too small for them to want to be of assistance.

I learned from Rev. Tanya, that she suffers from a mystery disease that has caused her a great deal of suffering. This condition mystifies doctors, family members, friends. And yet, her attitude remains, though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. Job 13:15a (KJV).

Tanya has been a keen observer of