Tag: suffering
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God Endures
I often read Hebrews 11 when I need a reminder that hard and perplexing circumstances can be endured by faith. It helps me to persist, seeking to honor God by faith when my sight feels dim. But. Recently it struck me that the “heroes of the faith” remembered in the passage weren’t the only ones…
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No More Wincing
Sometimes suffering involves less weeping than wincing. When we love someone who never quite crosses the line to push us away completely, but is unkind enough, often enough, that we never get close. When we face many little health challenges that don’t warrant visits with specialists and intense intervention, but ensure we’re always well-stocked with…
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3 Biblical Responses to Others’ Struggles
Jesus’ words are clear: “in this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). We expect it. Often, though, we wish that “you” wasn’t so all-inclusive. It can be harder to watch those we love struggle than it is to suffer ourselves. We don’t always know how to help. During the holiday season of 2020, this…
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Dealing With What You Didn’t Choose
One of the greatest evidences of sin, in my experience, is this: Victims must confess the crimes committed against them. For criminals to go behind bars, victims have to share what was done to them. Those harmed in ways that cause lasting damage have to live everyday with someone else’s choices. There are things outside…
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The Blessing of Endurance
Isn’t it interesting that we tend to count our blessings most when hard things happen? It is after a major accident that we are glad to be alive, or post-loss that we are grateful for those who truly love us. It seems that we need disruptions to remind us that life isn’t actually in our…
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The Value of Asking “Why Me?”
Why Me? Reading straight through Scripture, I knew the book of Job was coming next. Sighing to my husband, I began to prepare myself. Job is one of those books that I stiffen up reading. His story begins like a fairytale- prosperity, happiness, abundance. That almost makes what happens next worse. Satan comes before God….
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3 Biblical Responses to Others’ Struggles
Jesus’ words are clear: “in this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Often, harder than facing our own troubles is watching those we love struggle. We don’t always know how to help. 1. “Weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15 NLT) When Lazarus died and his sisters mourned, Jesus wept. Standing with His friends,…
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It’s (Not) Going to Get Better
I’m not a pessimist. In fact, I tend far too much toward optimism. However, I’ve learned that belligerent optimism isn’t helpful when equally stubborn hardship prevails. The reality is that we should expect suffering as a result of sin. Believers should expect the added difficulties of persecution and living apart from the pattern of the…
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Knowledge Isn’t All Powerful (4/6)
This post is the 4th in a 6-part series on Idolizing Knowledge. Read the rest of the posts here. Guest directory info is available here. Sitting down to play a board game is relaxing. Until it isn’t. One game in particular gets my wheels spinning with a frustration that is probably healthy for me….
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Frustration, Faithfulness, and God’s Timing + CD Giveaway
One of the unique differences between Christian artists and the majority of other musicians is openness about the muse for music. Christian art is about testifying to the God who is, glorifying Him through song. The story behind Kari Jobe’s new album The Garden is a real life example of the reason for the hope…