I often see the popular meme, “Choose joy” and it can make me feel condemned when I’m in agonizing pain, overwhelming fatigue, sad tears of loss, or just numb. If I’m not feeling emotionally happy, am I letting God down? Read more…
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. (“Holy, Holy, Holy,” Heber, R., 1826) If you’re like me, you’ve sung this hymn thousands of times, usually as opening praise in a worship Read more…
The book of Lamentations is a book of agony and lament. Everything was falling apart as God’s people suffered. In the middle of the writer’s grief and fear, he interrupts his suffering by reminding his soul of an important truth Read more…
Have you heard the exasperated cry of someone suffering, “This just isn’t fair!” Have you lamented the injustices and evils of this world? Do you resonate with Job when he cries to God, “Does it seem good to you to Read more…
It’s so easy for me to forget God’s trustworthy hold on me as I suffer. It’s so easy to forget my trustworthy Lord when I focus on the pain I’m enduring. My troubles scream loud and I quickly fixate on Read more…
“I’m so stressed out and exhausted.” “The continual challenges and changes overwhelm me.” “The many voices conflict, arguing for their own opinions. Who do I believe and trust anymore?” “The pictures, videos, and clanging words in this world make me Read more…
Do you feel like you’re constantly waiting for God to do something? Does your life feel like one giant waiting game? Suffering requires so much waiting, doesn’t it? My latest round of suffering has brought a newly convicting awareness of Read more…
I’ve noticed that the hardest suffering for many women has to do with mothering, in multiple ways. Mothering starts with the anguish of labor, yet it’s mingled with joy (John 16:21). In the sacrificial love required, exhaustion of child-care, and Read more…
Do you ever feel Job-like when suffering doesn’t go away? What if they say it’s permanent and incurable? What if God’s answers to our prayers seem to be “no” or “not yet?” Could these situations be God’s leading us to Read more…
Are Job’s words echoes of your thoughts? I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, but trouble comes (Job 3:26 ESV). Like Job, suffering trial after trial, we don’t understand why this is happening. How could Read more…
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