We ache for good news in medical challenges. We pray for good outcomes to the hardships our kids and grandkids are experiencing. We grieve when good things disappear. We live in a fallen and fearful world in which sin and resulting suffering affect everything. We need good news, don’t we? Read more
Perhaps this is one of the deepest universal questions, driving us into cognitive dissonance when suffering lingers. When layers of grief and loss take us under, we can barely breathe. We feel like Job. But when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, darkness came (Job Read more
How can a loving God let this happen to me? Including Job and myself, I don’t know one person who’s experienced deep suffering and hasn’t asked this question in moments of pain and despair. As a mature believer, Job lamented to God, “I loathe my life…do not condemn me…I am Read more
Lord, I want this pain to end on earth because it’s so difficult. Sometimes, it all makes me feel hopeless. You compassionately understand that feeling, giving us Job’s words to express it: “Where is my hope?” (Job 17:15). Just like when Job’s “plans and desires” were shattered, bringing despair (Job Read more
Father, As the New Year approaches, I praise You for Your promise to “make all things new.” This promise refers to the gloriously planned day when You will restore all things into a new heaven and earth (Is. 65:17; Rev. 21)! This is my sure hope! I’ll live in a Read more
Father, It’s a week of thanksgiving, but many of us feel so wearied by evil. What can we do but turn to You and Your Word? David’s words to evil enemies become our words, when we ache over pervasive evil around us. We too see the lying work of Your Read more
Oh Father, I am grieving today. Loss surrounds me. My dreams, my plans, my abilities, my desires. Those I love, things I love, experiences I love. I am allotted months of emptiness, and nights of misery are apportioned to me (Job 7:3 ESV). Like Job, it feels like loss is Read more
Lord, Job’s words match my sighs, my groans, my losses. My sighing comes instead of my bread, and my groanings are poured out like water. For the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me (Job 3:24-25 ESV). I’m slogging through today, Father. Things seem to be worsening. I can’t Read more
God, I cherish Your name as my Savior (Is. 43:11; Hos. 13:4). Into my suffering today, please remind me of Your love story in my Savior, Jesus Christ. Chapter 1: Creation and Fall In the beginning of the love story, You declared everything in Your creation as “very good” (Gen. Read more
My patient Father, I’m coming to You today as I ponder the beautiful Hebrew word for patient… ”longsuffering.” My suffering feels so long right now. So, please grant me Your longsuffering patience right now, into my impatience. Amid continual trouble, please help me to be patient as Galatians 5 fruit Read more
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