We all face challenges and adversities in life—the loss of loved ones, questions about the nature of God, debilitating illnesses, or other serious difficulties. These experiences are often painful and difficult to make sense of. Why would loving heavenly parents allow us to suffer? How can we find comfort and joy amid—and not despite—our challenges?

Discomfort by Design is a book for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by adversity and hardship. In it, author Zachary McLeod Hutchins reminds us of what he terms the doctrine of discomfort: that, in order to become more like our Savior Jesus Christ and our heavenly parents, we must experience hardship and opposition. Because learning is the purpose for which we entered mortality, God will consecrate all adversity to our benefit if we let Him.

Discomfort by Design reminds all who read it that discomfort is part of the plan. Though at times we will all wade through afflictions, we can find hope in the promises of Jesus Christ, our “nail in a sure place” (Isaiah 22:23). Though it doesn’t always come as we anticipate it or in the timing we’d prefer, God’s love is available to all of us, in the midst of all our challenges.