Under His Wings
He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4 God is attentive to the needs of his children. And he is aware of your fears.
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Category: Suffering
Three Benefits of Paul’s “Thorn in the Flesh”
What were God’s reasons for bringing a thorn of suffering into Paul’s life? The apostle reveals three benefits that he experienced. Suffering Prevents Conceit First, God gave the apostle his affliction in order to cultivate an increase in humility: “So
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Our Weakness Is a Platform for God’s Grace
It’s common for some Christians to say to others who suffer, “Rest assured, God will not give you more than you can handle.” But I often wonder what they really mean and whether it’s true. If what they mean is
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“I Will Be With You”
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 Comfort
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“God’s Hand Is Intimately Mixed Up in Our Troubles”
The title of this blog post was created by David Powlison, a friend and mentor who entered eternal Glory last summer. This statement first appears within the second sentence of the Introduction to David’s book, God’s Grace in Your Suffering.
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The Refiner’s Fire
God ordains trials to test the reality of our faith in a way that’s similar to the process of purifying precious metals. Gold, for example, is purified through a process of high temperature heating or chemical exposure. According to Sciencing,
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The Testing of Your Faith Produces Endurance
Four weeks is a long time to be cooped up, isn’t it? Well, perhaps you are getting weary and are in need of a word of biblical encouragement. One morning, last week, the Holy Spirit drew me back into the
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The Man of Sorrows Understands Your Grief
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Isaiah 53:3 Jesus understands your pain, no matter what is causing it. There is no sadness, hurt, or loss he does not know personally. He
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Seeing God in Our Suffering (12-Minute Podcast)
Last October, I had the privilege to teach at the annual conference of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). During the week it was also a great joy to sit down with executive director Dale Johnson, to talk about
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Bearing the Fruit of Joy
Joy is a settled state of mind and heart produced by the Holy Spirit, resulting in contentment and hope-filled confidence in God’s trustworthy character and good purposes. It’s a settled state, not a passing feeling, of mind and heart; that
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God Never Promised to Answer the “Why” of Our Suffering
Yesterday, the Holy Spirit ministered deeply to my heart through what may be the best sermon I’ve heard on the book of Job. An area pastor graciously responded to my request to preach to our congregation on the subject of
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36 Purposes of God in Our Suffering
Joni Eareckson Tada has given us many books on the subject of God’s tender care for His children in times of suffering. She strikes the chord of authenticity with us so well, because suffering is the world she lives in
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Accepting Your “New Normal” after Someone You Love Dies by Suicide
As dark as life gets when you lose someone to suicide, you can truly experience hope. You may have serious doubts today, and wonder how you can possibly go on, but you will survive. Your life will never be the
Continue readingTogether at Last
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. (Rev. 21:1) There is much to think about…so much that is packed in
Continue readingA Guide through Lamentations for Pastors and Counselors
I’m exceedingly thankful to the Lord for the renewed interest in biblical lament, as evidenced by the popularity of some recent books. If you are a pastor or counselor, or going through a deep valley of suffering yourself, studying the
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Suffering In 3-D
As Christians, we are not to walk alone in our suffering, or inadvertently force others to deal with personal suffering on their own. The church, as a spiritual hospital, the family of God, and a discipleship culture, is to be
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The One Who Looks After You
So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” (Genesis 16:13) God hears and sees you in the
Continue readingGod Does Not Delight to Grieve the Children of Men
For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men. (Lamentations
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