The Problem of Suffering: A Review of Be Still, My Soul: Embracing God's Purpose and Provision in Suffering

Suffering will always be with us. How we should handle suffering, even in the best of times for the most devoted follower of Christ, may not always be clear to us. In Be Still, My Soul: Embracing God's Purpose and Provision in Suffering we have a memorable collection of essays from theologians, past and present, sharing their experience and pastoral advice.

The authors in this valuable compilation range from John Newton to Corrie Ten Boom, from Augustine to D.A. Carson, each, in his or her own way, sharing an encouraging and comforting message. Editor Nancy Guthrie has done a brilliant job selecting each essay for the book. Reflecting on pain and suffering is something we spend far too little time on today. Suffering will affect your life someday and this work will enlighten as it informs its reader to God’s merciful work in trials.

A Review of "Does Grace Grow Best in Winter"

Suffering is coming. If you’ve never suffered, be assured that one day you will. Now, before the time of trials and suffering, is the best time to develop a personal theology of suffering. Does Grace Grow Best in Winter? by Ligon Duncan is a book that can help you do that. And if you’re suffering now, this book is especially for you.The first sentence of chapter one sets the tone for the book, “This book considers suffering in light of the sovereignty of our wise and loving God.” That is the thrust of the work.

Each chapter, titled as a question, answers the questions we all ask when we are suffering such as chapter one, “Why Me?” Duncan biblically takes hold of these questions and answers them tenderly and lovingly while teaching us that we must turn the focus away from ourselves and to the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you’re seeking answers to suffering, in whatever form it has taken, I warmly recommend this book to you. It will be beneficial to you as it strengthens your faith.

Joy Cometh in the Morning

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” - Psalm 30:5

Christian! If thou art in a night of trial, think of the morrow; cheer up thy heart with the thought of the coming of thy Lord. Be patient, for

“Lo! He comes with clouds descending.”

Be patient! The Husbandman waits until he reaps his harvest. Be patient; for you know who has said, “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his work shall be.” If you are never so wretched now, remember
“A few more rolling suns, at most,
Will land thee on fair Canaan’s coast.”

Thy head may be crowned with thorny troubles now, but it shall wear a starry crown ere long; thy hand may be filled with cares-it shall sweep the strings of the harp of heaven soon. Thy garments may be soiled with dust now; they shall be white by-and-by. Wait a little longer. Ah! how despicable our troubles and trials will seem when we look back upon them! Looking at them here in the prospect, they seem immense; but when we get to heaven we shall then
“With transporting joys recount,
The labours of our feet.”

Our trials will then seem light and momentary afflictions. Let us go on boldly; if the night be never so dark, the morning cometh, which is more than they can say who are shut up in the darkness of hell. Do you know what it is thus to live on the future-to live on expectation-to antedate heaven? Happy believer, to have so sure, so comforting a hope. It may be all dark now, but it will soon be light; it may be all trial now, but it will soon be all happiness. What matters it though “weeping may endure for a night,” when “joy cometh in the morning?” C.H. Spurgeon

Consider this...

Consider the following quote from Joseph Hall the next time you are enduring a trial, physical pain or some type of affliction:

Not to be afflicted is a sign of weakness; for, therefore God imposeth no more on me, because He sees I can bear no more. -Joseph Hall

May we all bear up under the trials God puts before us so that we may endure more for His glory and our good.

Tentatio (Trial)

Lastly, we come to part three of Luther's instruction to study theology: Third, there is the tentatio, the trial. This is the touchstone. It teaches you not only to know and understand, but also to experience how right, how true, how sweet, how lovely, how mighty, how comforting God's Word is: it is wisdom supreme. This is why you observe that, in the psalm indicated, David so often complains of all sorts of enemies...For as soon as God's Word becomes known through you, the devil will afflict you, will make a real [theologian] of you (from What Luther Says: An Anthology compiled by Ewald M. Plass).

Psalm 119

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

Suffering to Worship

Again, Mark Driscoll serves up a thoughtful sermon on suffering. Suffering to Worship offers many insights on 1 Peter 4:12-19 that we should not miss. The video and notes are found here. Take advantage and learn now what you can about suffering. Develop a "theology of suffering," as Don Carson so aptly refers to it, before suffering in what ever form strikes. Learn what the Lord could and is doing for you. Suffering is never wasted. Learn from it.

How To Profit From Sickness Direct. IV

Direct IV. When affliction calleth you to the use and exercise of your graces, you have a great help to be better acquainted with the strength or weakness of them. When you are called so loudly to the use of faith, and love, and patience, and heavenly-mindedness, you may better know what measure of every one of these you have, than you could when you had no such help. Mark therefore what your hearts prove in the trial, and what each grace doth show itself to be in the exercise. (Taken from A Christian Directory by Richard Baxter.)