Why Does God Allow Suffering?
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Series: An M.D. Examines |
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Several inspiring true-life stories are presented, including the account of how Steven Curtis Chapman faced the “thunder” and “lightening” in his own life. The chapter, “When Our Children Die” includes a heart-wrenching interview with a Christian family who lost three boys in eight years: two to suicide and one in a snowmobile accident.
Their losses took them through the pounding storms of heartache, guilt, pain, and physical and mental illness. But through it all, God delivered a sunrise of hope and transformed faith that pierced even their darkest night.
It also contains a unique story that helps us to understand the real question at the heart of the matter: How can God be altogether just, kind, holy, righteous and loving in the midst of our suffering?
Why Does God Allow Suffering? also includes a study guide at the back of the book, making it ideal for large or small group studies.
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Jon Said:
on October 12, 2006 at 3:06 pm
I recently read a book titled “Everything Belongs – The Gift of Contemplative Prayer” by Richard Rohr.
In his book he suggests that most of us live our lives on the periphery of reality or the superficial of what is seen in the temporal environment we call life.
For this reason, adversity and trials shake us and forces us to take a journey, like Jonah into the whale’s belly, into the core of truth where in the darkness we truly discover God and ultimately ourselves and His purpose for our life.
Over the past 12 months I have experienced what many would consider to be devastating loss (millions of dollars gone, a business that sat perilously on the precipice of collapse, an acrimonious divorce that ate away what savings had remained, and burdensome debts that continue to create challenges. However in each of these things I remain grateful to a glorious God whose master plan is unfolding before my eyes.
As I continue to devote my time to daily bible readings and quiet contemplation and prayer, combined with the timely (through God’s intervention) introduction of books such as Rohr\’s by strangers who enter the stage of my life from unexpected places, God\’s word comes alive.
Powerful messages such as Isaiah 45:3 “I will give you the treasures of darkness; And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel, tell me that these initially unwanted journey’s into the darkness is where we must go to find true love and peace. To find God who is waiting with open arms to share His greatest gift, which is Himself?
As has often been the case during this journey, I was moved to watch 100 Huntley Street where Dr. Burke was being interviewed. It was not so much by words that this instruction was delivered, but by a knowing within my soul. Unspoken, yet powerful. Needless to say, I was riveted to the interview because I truly believe that there is a major change that is on the near horizon. A return to the core elements of true faith based on the surrender of our collective wills and limited understanding to a Mighty and Powerful God whose desire to Love and be Loved and known is part of his master plan.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus says the Lord:
“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor the rich man glory in his riches;
But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me
That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight,” says the Lord.
Dr. Burke’s statement during the interview that the answers to suffering are ultimately found in the word if you dig deep enough is ultimately true. It is through daily reading and contemplative prayer that God reveals Himself to his children.
And as Colossians 3:14-15 states, “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful,” I too am thankful for a Loving God in whose care and divine wisdom I willingly surrender that which is rightfully His . . . my life.