some thoughts on the theology of suffering

1. God is great, sovereign, and good in the midst of suffering. High view of God.
2. Humble view of man, our sinful depravity. 
3. Suffering exists to exalt the glory of God's graces and the sacrifice of His son for our sins.
4. We have a limited perspective and cannot see the whole picture. Multiple purposes for suffering in God's word.
5. We can expect suffering but it will be worth the price.

Can Anguish and Joy Coexist?

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! Psalm 30:11-12

I am thankful for the insight God has revealed this morning as I gathered with some other moms during co-op. Together we listened to Beth Moore dissect God's word to illustrate that anguish and joy CAN coexist . 

²⁰ Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. ²¹ A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. ²² So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. ²³ In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. ²⁴ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:20-24

This scripture seems all too relevant as I have 4 months left to go before another baby Leet joins the world. Despite its relevancy to childbirth, my heart has been heavy with grief for the friends around me going through difficult circumstances. I have been questioning God's goodness. My unbelief is present in the midst of the grief and I believe it is because I have yet to grasp who God really is. It is one thing to praise with my mouth that God is GOOD and it is another to BELIEVE with my heart and soul that God IS good. I have been praying for a few weeks now that God would allow me to taste and see His goodness (Psalm 34:8). I often compartmentalize that if difficult circumstances and/or suffering are present then God is absent or perhaps punishing. In the last few years, I can sense my understanding of this shifting. 

Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experiences various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. James 1:2-3 

God turns our grief to joy...He turns our mourning into dancing, DANCING! May we allow God to re-wire how we think/feel about suffering. May we remember how labor pains (which is the most physical pain I have ever been in) produced a beautiful baby. Anguish, suffering, and difficult circumstances will birth something precious and beautiful.

October Faces

I love this kid so much. These faces were captured within a few minutes. His personality makes me giggle!