Does God Really Care About Our Suffering?
Does God care? Here’s a link to a free white paper which examine that topic.
I often embark on a writing mission with a goal in mind only to find that the focus of the words shifts directions along the way. For example in the novel I recently completed I was as surprised as some of my faithful readers at the positive character traits revealed by an antagonist we all thought to be bad through and through. For the past weeks I have been reading/studying the concept of suffering. Many excellent writers have undertaken the gargantuan task of explaining human suffering in light of our image of a loving God, and yet humans continue to ache for definitive answers as to the “Why?” of our personal adversities. Adversity which is unexplained and seemingly undeserved drives many people to abandon their faith.
I had hoped to distill pithy one–liners from the big-name authors and create my own cheat sheet that I might refer to when trouble arrives or in those moments when the circumstances seem insurmountable. But the deeper I dug and the more I read the clearer the message became. Like Job of Old Testament fame I realized that even if I had an audience with God to question His tactics in my current set of affairs I would be unable to fathom His explanation. In fact, He owes me no explanation in the first place.
Shift in focus
That awareness seemed hollow consolation but something happened. I shifted from trying to explain suffering to asking what I might learn of God through His interactions in three familiar Bible accounts. Suffering, no matter the intensity should drive me to praise God and give thanks for His character rather than questioning His motives at every turn. Ouch! That has not been my method of operation at all. Perhaps I can now begin to practice the words of James:
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
James 1:2-3 NASB
I’ve shared my findings in a white paper which you can access at the link below. Comments and feedback are welcomed.
Does God Care About My Suffering?
Thanks for being a faithful reader.
Merry Christmas and Happy 2022!
