When we’re in a precarious place, some things are better off unsaid: “Oh, my brother went through the same exact thing once.” “Honey, you’re still young. This won’t be the worst thing ever.” And then there’s my most un-favorite: “Remember, God won’t give you more than...
“Paul never suggests that believers deny the grief or pain that adversity brings but rather that they recognize, even in the midst of hardship, God’s spirit infusing us with joy. Such mirth can’t be self-produced; it is a gift of God and evidence of the Spirit. This...
I cringe when people suggest that becoming a follower of Jesus will provide a shield from hurt, pain, and loss. After all, Jesus was nailed to a tree, betrayed by a best friend, and stared death in the eyes. Yes, he triumphed, but he also never went numb. He felt. He...
