Suffering with hope

When Hard Places Become Holy Places

Suffering. How can one small word hold so much complexity? Even beyond the complexity of what the circumstances entail, whether or not you believe there’s a God, and whether you believe he’s good and sovereign, will completely change the way you interpret the word. Even in the Christian community, the way each interprets the pain,… Continue reading When Hard Places Become Holy Places

Suffering with hope

Walking in Faith in a World of Fear

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash “Mom, hurry up and get home,” Carter blurted out before the car door had fully closed. “What’s going on?” his mom asked. This was the third day in a row that Carter seemed rushed to get home after school. “I don’t ever want to use the school bathroom during… Continue reading Walking in Faith in a World of Fear

Suffering with hope

The Clouds of Shame and Unbelief Distort the Glory of God’s Goodness

This weekend, my husband and I cautiously drove along the winding, somewhat treacherous, Million Dollar Highway in Ouray, Colorado. Around every turn, the vivid colors of fall burst forth with a glorious array of oranges, yellows, and reds. Little by little, the low hanging clouds of an impending cold front began to cloak the mountain… Continue reading The Clouds of Shame and Unbelief Distort the Glory of God’s Goodness

Suffering with hope

The Rush to Redeem Suffering: Acknowledging Pain for What It Is

Suffering. How can one small word hold so much complexity? It can elicit fear, dread, anxiety, bitterness, anger, and panic. It can also stir up courage, strength, growth, humility, and faith. Suffering is so painfully complex that we struggle to find answers to it, yet it demands answers nonetheless. Which is why, I believe, we… Continue reading The Rush to Redeem Suffering: Acknowledging Pain for What It Is

Suffering with hope

There is no Pit so Deep That He is Not Deeper Still

Mom! Dad! Something keeps biting me!” one of our children yelled. We ran into the family room to investigate what was happening. As soon as I realized the cause, I froze. Fleas! Nope, no way, this was too much. Everything in me wanted to run for the hills, escape the horror we were living in, and… Continue reading There is no Pit so Deep That He is Not Deeper Still

Suffering with hope

Fear Takes You Where Grace Has Not Yet Gone

I don’t have to tell you that there’s a lot to fear in this world. And we don’t have the promise that our fears won’t become reality. We’ll all be faced with some degree of unwanted sorrows, hardships, and disappointments simply because we live in a fallen world that still groans under the curse of… Continue reading Fear Takes You Where Grace Has Not Yet Gone

Suffering with hope

Trusting Our Shepherd in the Darkness

Encouragement for Today: If today feels dark and difficult, know that Jesus walks with you through it and the light will dawn again. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4-5)… Continue reading Trusting Our Shepherd in the Darkness

Suffering with hope

He Sees Your Hidden Pain

At a moment’s notice, chaos could erupt in our home. But it never failed that our most difficult moments with our child's challenges often occurred on the mornings I was determined to make it to my bible study. And this particular morning was no different.  Although every day was difficult with his illness when he… Continue reading He Sees Your Hidden Pain

Suffering with hope

A Tested Faith Will Stand

Have you ever wondered why trials seem to come in abundance and with a vengeance in the lives of believers? Although we’d like to think that following Christ means we’ll be protected from earthly harm, it doesn’t take long to realize the fallacy of that belief. We’re then left to face the question, “Why?” If… Continue reading A Tested Faith Will Stand

Suffering with hope

Answering Kids’ Hardest Questions: What Makes Me Special?

https://www.youtube.com/embed/yAGkzi1Tk7E?si=M2Ug3Xiid2i4Qxv2 This article (or video) is part of the Answering Kids’ Hardest Questions series. Your purpose now is not to figure out who you are, it’s to figure out and know who God is because he created you in his image. We Seek God, Not Gifts What makes me special? This is the very air that our kids… Continue reading Answering Kids’ Hardest Questions: What Makes Me Special?