1. An Existential Positive Psychology Framework / 3
2. Existential Themes of Suffering / 19
3. Sunset: The Sting of Suffering / 31
4. Dusk: Into the Darkness / 55
5. Midnight: The Deconstruction Process / 71
6. Dawn: The Reconstruction Process / 87
7. Daylight: Living Authentically / 109
8. A Flourishing Life / 133
Epilogue . 151
Acknowledgments / 155
Notes 157Index / 165
About the Authors / 173
Daryl R. Van Tongeren, PhD, is an associate professor of
psychology at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Daryl is a social
psychologist and has published over 150 scholarly articles and
chapters on topics such as meaning in life, religion, virtues
(including forgiveness and humility), relationships, and
well-being. His research has been supported by numerous grants from
the John Templeton Foundation to explore topics including meaning
in life, religion and religious de-identification, and humility,
and his research has won national and international awards. He
received a 2016 Rising Star designation from the Association for
Psychological Science (APS), and he was named a Fellow of the
International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) and a Fellow
of the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA). Currently, he is
an associate editor for The Journal of Positive Psychology, and a
consulting editor for Psychology of Religion and Spirituality and
The Journal of Social Psychology.
Sara A. Showalter Van Tongeren, LCSW, is a licensed clinical
social worker in the states of Michigan and Virginia and is a
graduate of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social
Work in Richmond, Virginia. Sara has more than twelve years of
clinical social work experience in settings such as private
practice, foster care, inpatient hospitals and outpatient Courage
medical clinics, interpartner violence shelters, and behavioral
health. She is a member of the National Association of Social
Workers (NASW). Currently, she owns a private practice in Holland,
Michigan, where she works with individuals, couples, families, and
children to help them cultivate a sense of meaning and develop
narratives of resilience following trauma and unexpected life
events. Sara specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy,
mindfulness, existential psychotherapy, narrative therapy,
brainspotting, and acceptance commitment therapy.
“[A] timely gift. . . . The Courage to Suffer deserves a place on
every therapist’s shelves, in every pastor’s library, and in the
hands of every person concerned with cultivating meaning and
finding flourishing in the darkness. Here is a book that instills
what its title upholds.”
—Reformed Journal
“This volume is a treasure chest for individuals, clients,
therapists, and anyone who fears addressing their pain and
suffering. The authors present a gentle approach to dealing with
core issues in every person’s life and give sensitive guidance. The
book’s content is impressively authentic; the reader can recognize
that the authors know what they are talking about, the suffering,
the pain, and the resurrection toward increased flourishing and
meaning. But not only that: they also present the reader with a
great, practical knowledge of existential interventions—based on
various cases which are well chosen—and explain how to apply them
and make them usable in therapy or for the self.”
—Frontiers in Psychology
“This book is an absolute must read for therapists.”
—The Therapist’s Bookshelf
“Daryl and Sara skillfully weave together psychological theory,
research findings, clinical wisdom, and their own story to create a
powerful and insightful narrative useful to therapists,
researchers, and anyone suffering.”
—Crystal Park, PhD, professor of psychology, University of
Connecticut
“A courageous, poignant, and helpful guide to living bravely
through the downs and ups of suffering. Regardless of whether you
are a professional counselor, you—and people you care about and
seek to help—can benefit from this synthesis of personal life,
existential thought, and positive psychology.”
—Everett L. Worthington, Jr., PhD, Commonwealth Professor Emeritus,
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University and
author of How Do I Forgive?
“If you are facing adversity, this is a must-read book. Daryl and
Sara offer a new framework for the important task of helping people
flourish and find meaning amidst suffering by developing the
courage to engage it.”
—Jamie Aten, PhD, Blanchard Chair of Humanitarian Disaster
Leadership, Wheaton College, and author of A Walking Disaster
“Guided by a helpful sunset-to-daylight metaphor and enriched by
case examples, psychological research and theory, and specific
clinical suggestions, this book is a must-have for anyone wanting
to engage tough issues about suffering—whether inside or outside a
therapy context.”
—Julie J. Exline, PhD, Professor, Department of Psychological
Sciences, Case Western Reserve University and coeditor of APA
Handbook of Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality
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