Thoughts on Scripture and life
for the glory of Jesus Christ
Help Me, Lord!
In desperation, the father says to Jesus, “If you can do anything…” He just doesn’t know if Jesus can. Jesus gently rebukes him, basically answering his question with, “I can. But do you believe?” The father then replies with one of the most heart wrenching statements in the book of Mark: “I believe! Help my unbelief!” This, tragically, summarizes the Christian life.
God's Vindication in the Book of Job
An essay on the main theme of the book of Job. (Spoiler alert: it’s not primarily about suffering!)
Some Practical Advice for Helping Suffering Christians
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
the clouds ye so much dread
are big with mercy, and shall break
in blessings on your head.Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
but trust him for his grace;
behind a frowning providence
he hides a smiling face.His purposes will ripen fast,
unfolding ev'ry hour;
the bud may have a bitter taste,
but sweet will be the flow'r.Blind unbelief is sure to err,
and scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
and he will make it plain.[1]
Behold Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant
What could be more everyday suffering than griefs, sorrows, illnesses, and diseases? This means that Jesus carried not only our sin, but also our suffering to the cross. Yes, He absolutely suffered under the wrath of God for our sin; that is the dominant note of Isaiah 53. But He also took even the temporal effects of sin—earthly suffering—for us. Cancer, depression, loneliness, disability, abuse, sickness, sadness, betrayal, abandonment, conflict.
What Suffering People Need Most
But what was it for you? When your suffering blocked out the sun, when you didn’t even know what to pray, when your world was one of confusion, fear, chaos, what was it like? I don’t know your deepest sufferings, but I do know your prayer:
Where are you God? Don’t You see? Don’t You care?
In those moments, when your fiancé dies, when your cousin commits suicide, when you’re diagnosed with cancer, when no one understands you, when your entire country has been ravaged and bodies are strewn in the streets and the temple of God is no more, what do we need the most? Someone to throw a truth grenade at us? To ‘just let go and let God’? To believe that ‘Everything happens for a reason’?
That’s not enough for me. A Band-Aid just won’t do. So we’re back at our question: “What does a suffering person need most?”
Suffering is Never Simplistic
The question posed to me was this: how do we counsel suffering brothers and sisters in Christ?
To start, let’s dive into a book all about horrific suffering: Lamentations.
You know the famous words from Lamentations 3:22-23 from the hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.[1]
But I wonder, have you ever heard the context of those words?
Weekly Roundup: Suffering and Lament
The deepest pains of the human heart are not healed with a trite truth or by quoting a Bible verse. Indeed, the first response of the faithful often ought to be lament: a raw, crying out to God of faith that ultimately rests in Him. This week’s articles are all about lament: what it is, it’s importance, and how to do so. May you be freed to cry out to God as His beloved child.
Weekly Roundup: Comforting Sufferers
This week’s roundup has some resources on how to love and help those who are suffering.
Weekly Roundup: Stories of Suffering
Unless you were born yesterday, you have suffered. Welcome to the human condition. This week’s roundup features stories from fellow sufferers. May you find hope in their struggle, as they share how they found hope in our faithful God.
Weekly Roundup: Depression
Articles on depression: depression and the holidays, William Cowper, pastoring amidst depression, and counselors and depression.
God Moves in a Mysterious Way by Indelible Grace
Christ is Mine Forevermore by CityAlight
Christ is Mine Forevermore by CityAlight
Weekly Roundup: 2019.07.12
The pain of seeing people go, suffering and Psalm 119, and Calvin on how the Christian man is constantly mortifying the flesh.
Suffering and Psalm 119 by David Powlison
“If Your law had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my affliction.” - Psalm 119:92
Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken by Bob Kauflin
Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken by Bob Kauflin
Satisfied in You - The Sing Team
Why are you downcast, oh my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
I can remember when You showed Your face to me
As a deer pants for water so my soul thirsts for You
And when I behold Your glory You so faithfully renew
Like a bed of rest for my fainting flesh
I am satisfied in You
Where Were You - Ghost Ship
"God, I do not understand this world
Everything is dying and broken
Why do I see nothing but suffering?
"God, I'm asking could this be Your plan?
Sin has taken hold of this whole land
Will You not say anything else to me?"
How Firm a Foundation
"Fear not!" is one of the most common commands/encouragements in the Scriptures. And overwhelmingly, it is said like this: "Fear not! Because God is with you, for you, will support you!" When there is fear of circumstance or of possible danger and uncertainty, God presents Himself as the solution. He is the remedy to faithless fear.