TowardsTowardsA Pastoral Theology A Pastoral Theology

of Sufferingof Suffering

Aisha HolmanAisha HolmanEthan WhiteEthan White

Jeff BuczynskiJeff BuczynskiJulianna McWilliamsJulianna McWilliams

Maud LewMaud LewMike HolmesMike Holmes

Nathaniel WilsonNathaniel Wilson

with TEARSTEARS 2 JOY

OutlineOutline

Zosia’s Story & ResponsesZosia’s Story & Responses The Scandal of Innocent SufferingThe Scandal of Innocent Suffering The Solution to Radical Evil & SufferingThe Solution to Radical Evil & Suffering The Suffering ServantThe Suffering Servant Counseling a Trauma VictimCounseling a Trauma Victim Pastoral CounselingPastoral Counseling The Fellowship of His SufferingsThe Fellowship of His Sufferings

Why Did Little Zosia Have Why Did Little Zosia Have Her Eyes Gouged Out?Her Eyes Gouged Out?

How Many Victims?How Many Victims?

Responses to Zosia’s Suffering*Responses to Zosia’s Suffering*

Liberal Christian:Liberal Christian: “Zosia wasn’t meant to suffer. “Zosia wasn’t meant to suffer. Suffering usually happens to let us know we are doing Suffering usually happens to let us know we are doing something wrong or we lost the ‘light of God.’ Blame the something wrong or we lost the ‘light of God.’ Blame the soldiers? No, we can’t judge: ‘Evil’ is a strong word.”soldiers? No, we can’t judge: ‘Evil’ is a strong word.”

BuddhistBuddhist: “The cause of suffering is craving due to : “The cause of suffering is craving due to ignorance. We bring this suffering upon ourselves. ignorance. We bring this suffering upon ourselves. Zosia must learn to free herself from all attachment in Zosia must learn to free herself from all attachment in her next life.”her next life.”

MuslimMuslim: “All suffering is a trial from Allah. To the : “All suffering is a trial from Allah. To the righteous, it comes as a test. To sinners, it comes as righteous, it comes as a test. To sinners, it comes as punishment. Since Zosia was not of the faithful, it was punishment. Since Zosia was not of the faithful, it was a punishment from Allah.”a punishment from Allah.”

Doesn’t Evil Cause Doesn’t Evil Cause Suffering? Suffering?

Atheist / Humanist:Atheist / Humanist: The soldiers were ignorant. The soldiers were ignorant. They didn’t know Jews aren’t evil because they’re a They didn’t know Jews aren’t evil because they’re a different religion. Evil is collective, and what is evil in different religion. Evil is collective, and what is evil in our society may not have been evil in Nazi Germany. our society may not have been evil in Nazi Germany. But superstitiously believing in a god probably added But superstitiously believing in a god probably added to their problem.to their problem.

Secular PostmodernSecular Postmodern:: “Evil is a concept we learn. It “Evil is a concept we learn. It is a standard of disapproval taught by our elders and is a standard of disapproval taught by our elders and our peers as we mature. It changes and it is not the our peers as we mature. It changes and it is not the same for everybody. The innocent behavior of a child same for everybody. The innocent behavior of a child is the evil behavior of an adult. is the evil behavior of an adult. We fight and cause We fight and cause suffering over the definition of evilsuffering over the definition of evil. Though an . Though an individual may have his own ideas about good and individual may have his own ideas about good and evil, the general definition is collective.”evil, the general definition is collective.”

What’s good for one is evil for anotherWhat’s good for one is evil for another No absolutes standards of good and evilNo absolutes standards of good and evil Defining evil leads to conflict & sufferingDefining evil leads to conflict & suffering Judging others is unreasonable (problematic)Judging others is unreasonable (problematic) Personal accountability is a choicePersonal accountability is a choice Man’s goal: Pursue pleasure, reduce sufferingMan’s goal: Pursue pleasure, reduce suffering

Hear no evil, See no evil, Speak no evil

Politically

Corre

ct

AssumptionsAssumptions Notions of good and evil are a form of social repressionNotions of good and evil are a form of social repression by a by a

collective conscience whose capricious standards change over collective conscience whose capricious standards change over time and between cultures.time and between cultures.

We can return to primitive innocence (blank slate) by doing away We can return to primitive innocence (blank slate) by doing away with repressive notions of good and evilwith repressive notions of good and evil (Ex: primitive utopias of (Ex: primitive utopias of cultural anthropologists, nudist colonies, liberal agenda).cultural anthropologists, nudist colonies, liberal agenda).

RealityReality Most people decide that Most people decide that if everybody does it, it’s okay to do it.if everybody does it, it’s okay to do it. Pursue whose pleasure, reduce whose suffering?Pursue whose pleasure, reduce whose suffering? Who cares Who cares

about suffering depends on how selfish a man’s priorities are.about suffering depends on how selfish a man’s priorities are. A perverted conscience cannot return to primitive innocenceA perverted conscience cannot return to primitive innocence, but , but

projects its perversion into “primitive” contexts. - Ex: projects its perversion into “primitive” contexts. - Ex: Spirit of the Spirit of the RainforestRainforest by Mark Andrew Ritchie (2000) by Mark Andrew Ritchie (2000)

What if getting rid of a repressive conscience does not eliminate What if getting rid of a repressive conscience does not eliminate suffering?suffering?

World Denies GenocideWorld Denies Genocide

The Coalition for International Justice puts the death toll at a low of 180,000 and a high of 400,000 in the Darfur region.

The U.N. refuses to call it genocide.

The U.S. is reluctant to call it genocide.

China insists there is no genocide in Sudan.

What about the history of genocide in China?

World APATHY is not new:

Embarrassment?

Guilt? Complicity?

Impotence?

Who cares about suffe

ring?

A ChalA ChalIIenge to Faithenge to Faith

Suffering is a scandal that Suffering is a scandal that either draws us to faith, or either draws us to faith, or becomes its biggest becomes its biggest obstacle.obstacle.

Isn’t God “the protector of Isn’t God “the protector of the innocent”? Why the innocent”? Why doesn’t He intervene?doesn’t He intervene?

If God is unable to protect If God is unable to protect Zosia, isn’t He powerless?Zosia, isn’t He powerless?

Can God be good who Can God be good who allows Zosia to be tortured?allows Zosia to be tortured?

Have we been cheated? Is Have we been cheated? Is our suffering proof that our suffering proof that God has betrayed, God has betrayed, abandoned us?abandoned us?

The slaughter of 180 million from wars and violence in the 20th century has blown away the idea of an interventionist God. – Open Theology (Greg Boyd, Tyron Inbody …)

Is God Really to Blame?Is God Really to Blame?

““I have wounded” Deut 32:39. “I create darkness, I I have wounded” Deut 32:39. “I create darkness, I bring …disaster” Is 45:7.bring …disaster” Is 45:7.

God permits evil and disaster that may afflict the God permits evil and disaster that may afflict the innocent along with the guilty innocent along with the guilty Is 31:3bIs 31:3b..

In the end, His judgment on wickedness and evil is In the end, His judgment on wickedness and evil is eternal suffering.eternal suffering.

Does that mean ALL the suffering we see is God’s Does that mean ALL the suffering we see is God’s punishment of sin and evil? punishment of sin and evil?

NO. Isaiah 57:1NO. Isaiah 57:1“ … “ … no one understands that the righteous are taken no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared of evil.”away to be spared of evil.”

Who Authors Evil and Who Authors Evil and Suffering?Suffering?

Evil was found in Satan and man, whose acts of rebellion cause Evil was found in Satan and man, whose acts of rebellion cause suffering.suffering. God permits these acts, but not forever. God permits these acts, but not forever.

God lowered the perfection of creation to match our spiritual God lowered the perfection of creation to match our spiritual state (Rom 8:20-22).state (Rom 8:20-22). The natural effect of a fallen creation is that The natural effect of a fallen creation is that even good things can have evil by-products.even good things can have evil by-products.

God’s righteous judgment in Eden involves provisional suffering:God’s righteous judgment in Eden involves provisional suffering: Painful childbirth, toil and death. Painful childbirth, toil and death.

God allows this provisional suffering as an act of mercy God allows this provisional suffering as an act of mercy to to awaken us from our present state of spiritual death and its awaken us from our present state of spiritual death and its ultimate end: ultimate end: eternal separation from God and His glory, the eternal separation from God and His glory, the worst of all sufferingsworst of all sufferings (the future fate of Satan also). (the future fate of Satan also).

When it seems unfair,When it seems unfair, we are the ones who would hasten God’s we are the ones who would hasten God’s judgment on evil.judgment on evil. But God’s longsuffering benefits us! But God’s longsuffering benefits us! Jn 3:16Jn 3:16

Meanwhile, God offers HOPE for His sons who suffer (eternal life, Meanwhile, God offers HOPE for His sons who suffer (eternal life, redeemed creation). He also disciplines those whom He loves.redeemed creation). He also disciplines those whom He loves.

Disasters & diseases may strike indiscriminately (apparent Disasters & diseases may strike indiscriminately (apparent injustice), yet God is able to bring good in spite of them.injustice), yet God is able to bring good in spite of them.

Transforming CommunitiesTransforming CommunitiesFractured by Radical EvilFractured by Radical Evil

Radical group evil Radical group evil dysfunctional community dysfunctional community The “Politics of Healing” must stop the endless cycle The “Politics of Healing” must stop the endless cycle

of violence in context of violence in context VictimsVictims

SurvivorsSurvivors PerpetratorsPerpetrators

Symbiotic RelationshipsSymbiotic Relationships There is no healing for one group without the others, as they are bound There is no healing for one group without the others, as they are bound

together in a web of inter-connected relationships.together in a web of inter-connected relationships. Radical Faith, Hope & Love must mediate the process of Radical Faith, Hope & Love must mediate the process of

forgiveness, repentance and solidarity in community for forgiveness, repentance and solidarity in community for new life.new life.

Radical FaithRadical Faith

Case of JobCase of Job: : Suffering Suffering can easily turn to self-can easily turn to self-pity.pity.

Yet Job rests his faith Yet Job rests his faith on his assurance of a on his assurance of a redeemer.redeemer.

God vindicates and God vindicates and restores Job because restores Job because of his faith.of his faith.

Persevering in faith in Persevering in faith in the midst of suffering the midst of suffering pleases God.pleases God.

Hebrews 11:35-38Hebrews 11:35-38

Recovering Lament Recovering Lament RadicalRadical Hope in the Midst of GriefHope in the Midst of Grief

“ “For if He causes grief, then He will have For if He causes grief, then He will have compassion ... compassion ... For He does not afflict willingly For He does not afflict willingly or grieve the sons of menor grieve the sons of men.” Lam 3:31-33.” Lam 3:31-33

Blessed are ye that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matt 5:4Blessed are ye that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matt 5:4

Radical LoveRadical Love Radical empathyRadical empathy 1 Co 12: 25-261 Co 12: 25-26 Radical forgivenessRadical forgiveness Does it violate justice?Does it violate justice? “They view “They view

it as presumptuously arrogant it as presumptuously arrogant when someone who is not the when someone who is not the victim proclaims he or she forgives victim proclaims he or she forgives the offender. the offender. Only the victim Only the victim herself has the moral right to herself has the moral right to forgiveforgive an offense against heran offense against her, , which makes murder a crime no which makes murder a crime no human can forgive, since the human can forgive, since the victim is dead.”victim is dead.”Schimmel, Solomon. Schimmel, Solomon. Wounds Not Healed by Wounds Not Healed by Time. New York: Oxford University Press, Time. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.2002.

““Whatever you did for one of Whatever you did for one of the least of thesethe least of these brothers of mine, brothers of mine, you did it unto me…you did it unto me… ”” - Matt 25:34-46 - Matt 25:34-46

GodGod Who-is-ThereWho-is-There

Satan’s Final SolutionSatan’s Final Solution For Satan and His minions, the “final solution” is For Satan and His minions, the “final solution” is the genocide of the genocide of

God’s peopleGod’s people Rom 2:9-10Rom 2:9-10 As we near the time of Jacob’s trouble, God’s people, As we near the time of Jacob’s trouble, God’s people, the persecuted the persecuted

remnants of Israel and the churchremnants of Israel and the church realize more and more they have realize more and more they have the same enemies. the same enemies. Rev 12:13-17Rev 12:13-17

The sufferings of Jews and Christians are relatedThe sufferings of Jews and Christians are related as part of the as part of the mystery of judgment beginning at the house of God. mystery of judgment beginning at the house of God. 1 Pet 4:171 Pet 4:17

The coming Tribulation is the time of greatest suffering and The coming Tribulation is the time of greatest suffering and greatest harvestgreatest harvest, when the iniquity of Jacob & the arrogance of the , when the iniquity of Jacob & the arrogance of the nations are removed, the Great Commission is fulfilled and the nations are removed, the Great Commission is fulfilled and the Bride becomes One, undivided, reconciled in Christ, the Holy One Bride becomes One, undivided, reconciled in Christ, the Holy One of Israel. of Israel. Rev 19:7Rev 19:7

God’s Final SolutionGod’s Final Solution

““The weight of the biblical view of suffering is not on The weight of the biblical view of suffering is not on the origin of evil, but on what God in Christ has done the origin of evil, but on what God in Christ has done about evil.”about evil.” – James Cone, – James Cone, God of the OppressedGod of the Oppressed..

Jesus Christ is God’s Final Solution,Jesus Christ is God’s Final Solution, God’s final healing God’s final healing through reconciliation, unity and peacethrough reconciliation, unity and peace, , for the people for the people of God and for all the nationsof God and for all the nations. .

So what about Zosia?So what about Zosia? “When I see the face of a child, I do “When I see the face of a child, I do not see the face of God , but of His enemy. Rather than not see the face of God , but of His enemy. Rather than showing us how the tears of a small girl suffering in the dark showing us how the tears of a small girl suffering in the dark were necessary for the building of the kingdom, were necessary for the building of the kingdom, God will God will instead raise her up and wipe all tears from her eyes, and instead raise her up and wipe all tears from her eyes, and there shall be no more pain, nor sorrow, nor crying.”there shall be no more pain, nor sorrow, nor crying.” - Hart, - Hart, David B. David B. The doors of the Sea: Where Was God in the The doors of the Sea: Where Was God in the Tsunami?Tsunami? Eerdsmans, 2005. Eerdsmans, 2005.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

The Suffering ServantThe Suffering Servant

Immanuel - God with us Immanuel - God with us in our sufferingin our suffering

Made perfect through Made perfect through suffering - Heb 2:10suffering - Heb 2:10

Sympathizes with our Sympathizes with our weakness - Heb. 4:15, weakness - Heb. 4:15, 1616

Learned obedience from Learned obedience from suffering - Heb. 5:7-9suffering - Heb. 5:7-9

The Suffering of ChristThe Suffering of Christdeprived of food and waterdeprived of food and water

separated from the Fatherseparated from the Fatherphysically beaten and maimedphysically beaten and maimed

verbally abusedverbally abused

rejected by His closest friendsrejected by His closest friends

despised by those He had createddespised by those He had created

tormented by feartormented by fear

imprisonedimprisoned

CRUCIFIEDCRUCIFIED

The Defilement of GloryThe Defilement of GloryToday He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross. Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross. He who is King of the angels is arrayed in a crown of thorns. He who is King of the angels is arrayed in a crown of thorns. He who wraps the heaven in clouds is wrapped in the purple of He who wraps the heaven in clouds is wrapped in the purple of

mockery. mockery. He who in Jordan set Adam free receives blows upon His face. He who in Jordan set Adam free receives blows upon His face. The Bridegroom of the Church is transfixed with nails.The Bridegroom of the Church is transfixed with nails.

Fifteenth Antiphon of The Lenten TriodionFifteenth Antiphon of The Lenten Triodion

What Does the Cross Teach Us What Does the Cross Teach Us About Suffering?About Suffering?

It ended!It ended! God was exalted!God was exalted! He was victorious!He was victorious! He was vindicated!He was vindicated! Divine justice was Divine justice was

met!met! God’s truth was God’s truth was

upheld!upheld!

That through death He might render powerless him That through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death - Heb. 2:14who had the power of death - Heb. 2:14

Suffering in the BibleSuffering in the BibleRomans 8:18-24Romans 8:18-24

Suffering not worthy to be Suffering not worthy to be compared with the Glory to compared with the Glory to come, (v.18)come, (v.18)

All creation is waiting for All creation is waiting for the sons of God to be the sons of God to be revealed (v.19)revealed (v.19)

All creation is suffering All creation is suffering (v.22), even us (v.23a)(v.22), even us (v.23a)

As we wait for the As we wait for the resurrection promised in resurrection promised in Christ (v.23b)Christ (v.23b)

Preparing for HeavenPreparing for Heaven George McDonaldGeorge McDonald ““The The

Son of God suffered unto the death, not that men might Son of God suffered unto the death, not that men might not suffer, but that their sufferings might be like His.not suffer, but that their sufferings might be like His.” - ” - 1 Thess 3:3-4; Jas 1:121 Thess 3:3-4; Jas 1:12

C.S. LewisC.S. Lewis ““Suffering is God's will in preparing the believer for Suffering is God's will in preparing the believer for heaven and for the full weight of glory that awaits him heaven and for the full weight of glory that awaits him there.there.” - 2 Thess 1:5; Rom 8:17; 1 Pet 1:5-7” - 2 Thess 1:5; Rom 8:17; 1 Pet 1:5-7

Suffer for Lord’s sake, not own sinSuffer for Lord’s sake, not own sin - 1 Pet 2:19-21; - 1 Pet 2:19-21; 2 Cor 2:9; 1 Cor 10:132 Cor 2:9; 1 Cor 10:13

Shared pain & comfort in Christ Shared pain & comfort in Christ 2 Cor 1:52 Cor 1:5 Rejoice in sufferingsRejoice in sufferings - Rom 5:3-4, 1 Pet 4:12-13; Jas - Rom 5:3-4, 1 Pet 4:12-13; Jas

1:2-31:2-3 Remember those who sufferRemember those who suffer - Heb 13:3 - Heb 13:3

Counseling a Trauma VictimCounseling a Trauma Victim(A Pastoral Response)(A Pastoral Response)

How How Should Should

One One Respond ?Respond ?

Listen Listen LearnLearnHonor…Honor…

How to be a Good How to be a Good ListenerListener

1.1. AllowAllow the Person to the Person to Tell Tell Their Story Their Story However They Can…However They Can…

1.1. AllowAllow the Person to the Person to Tell Tell Their Story Their Story However They Can…However They Can…

Some Ideas: Some Ideas:

Pictures, Music and DancePictures, Music and Dance

3.3.Don’t Give Flippant Advice, but Reflect Don’t Give Flippant Advice, but Reflect on their Feelings.on their Feelings.

3.3.Don’t Give Flippant Advice, but Reflect Don’t Give Flippant Advice, but Reflect on their Feelings.on their Feelings.

2.2. Ask Good Informative QuestionsAsk Good Informative Questions2.2. Ask Good Informative QuestionsAsk Good Informative Questions

4.4.Don’t Try to Fix Them…Don’t Try to Fix Them…4.4.Don’t Try to Fix Them…Don’t Try to Fix Them…

Changing the Physical does Changing the Physical does not change the Emotionalnot change the Emotional

If you could “fix” or “solve” If you could “fix” or “solve” the problem…the problem…

What would it mean What would it mean anyhow …?anyhow …?

Are you satisfying your Are you satisfying your own desire of “helping”?own desire of “helping”?

If the person is still in If the person is still in physical danger how can physical danger how can you fix them?you fix them?

Medicalizing SufferingMedicalizing Suffering

Pain, guilt, fear, loneliness Pain, guilt, fear, loneliness areare usefuluseful warning systemswarning systems that something is amiss, that something is amiss, wrong or dangerous.wrong or dangerous.

Ignoring theIgnoring the root cause root cause while getting rid of the while getting rid of the symptom of pain leads to symptom of pain leads to greater paingreater pain..

Quality of lifeQuality of life is not just is not just physical, but also spiritual.physical, but also spiritual.

Ultimate spiritual healing Ultimate spiritual healing and restoration is found at and restoration is found at the feet of a healing God.the feet of a healing God.

Identify Identify WhatWhat is is TraumaticTraumatic

Driven by their spouse…Driven by their spouse…

Who was aiming for Who was aiming for them purposely…them purposely…

Because they wanted Because they wanted the insurance money…the insurance money…

In order to move to a In order to move to a tropical island with tropical island with someone else.someone else.

A person is hit by a car…A person is hit by a car…

What is traumatic to you, may not be traumatic to someone else

Adam’s Trauma

People TraumaPeople Trauma

When another person is When another person is involved in the origin of involved in the origin of the traumatic event it will the traumatic event it will have a greater impact on have a greater impact on the victim. the victim.

People Trauma denotes a People Trauma denotes a direct purposeful attack.direct purposeful attack.

Nature Nature TraumaTrauma

These traumas consist These traumas consist of catastrophic events in of catastrophic events in nature; tornados, nature; tornados, hurricanes, massive hurricanes, massive floods etc. These floods etc. These traumatic events are traumatic events are devastating, but they are devastating, but they are also sporadic in also sporadic in appearance.appearance.

Ultimately does the Ultimately does the person blame God?person blame God?

How to LISTENHow to LISTEN Provide SafetyProvide Safety Give RespectGive Respect AllowAllow the Person to the Person to

Tell Their StoryTell Their Story PicturesPictures MusicMusic DanceDance

Learn what type of Learn what type of Trauma it isTrauma it is

Nature Nature PeoplePeople

Learn how the Learn how the person is feelingperson is feeling

Learn what the Learn what the person is afraid ofperson is afraid of

What you are What you are LearningLearning

Allow the Person to Tell Their Story Allow the Person to Tell Their Story Ask good informative sincere questionsAsk good informative sincere questions Give a funeral, if neededGive a funeral, if needed

How to HonorHow to Honor

Pastoral CounselingPastoral Counseling

ListeningListening helps a person find meaning in their helps a person find meaning in their pain pain

EmpathyEmpathy enables shared meanings that enables shared meanings that encourage patience and trust in the process of encourage patience and trust in the process of restoration.restoration.

Acceptance Acceptance enables shared meanings that can enables shared meanings that can dissolve anger, denial, doubt, guilt … dissolve anger, denial, doubt, guilt …

Appropriate responsesAppropriate responses: Rom 12:15; 1 Pet 5:7: Rom 12:15; 1 Pet 5:7 Inappropriate responsesInappropriate responses: Prov 25:20: Prov 25:20

How Not to Help the AfflictedHow Not to Help the Afflicted Adding a burden of guilt or doubt Adding a burden of guilt or doubt

““You must have committed some sin”You must have committed some sin” ““I told you so”I told you so” ““Just remember Romans 8:28” (Do I not love God enough Just remember Romans 8:28” (Do I not love God enough

if He doesn’t turn the evil into good?)if He doesn’t turn the evil into good?) Platitude & fake empathyPlatitude & fake empathy

““We’re all going to die some day”We’re all going to die some day” “ “I know how you feel” (share burden not feeling)I know how you feel” (share burden not feeling)

Focus on loss of Focus on loss of thingsthings rather than rather than peoplepeople Insensitive speculation and minimizingInsensitive speculation and minimizing

““This has probably spared you from worse problems…”This has probably spared you from worse problems…” Enhances feelings of entrapmentEnhances feelings of entrapment

““Don’t think about any major changes”Don’t think about any major changes” Treats an emotional problem as if it’s an intellectual oneTreats an emotional problem as if it’s an intellectual one

““If you’d just change your view of God, all would be fine”If you’d just change your view of God, all would be fine” Anticipates a conclusion sufferers must reach on their ownAnticipates a conclusion sufferers must reach on their own

““You should rejoice God has chosen you to suffer”You should rejoice God has chosen you to suffer” ““You should be thankful for your situation (1 Thess 5:18)”You should be thankful for your situation (1 Thess 5:18)”

When You Are Suffering:When You Are Suffering: Seek refuge in God and find reasons for hopeSeek refuge in God and find reasons for hope Count your blessingsCount your blessings Focus on present day and its responsibilities Focus on present day and its responsibilities Receive care from others Receive care from others Help others who are sufferingHelp others who are suffering

VisitVisit Offer practical help - food, cleaning, etc. Offer practical help - food, cleaning, etc. Affirm your love and careAffirm your love and care Listen - the worst fear is that no one caresListen - the worst fear is that no one cares Be silent if you don’t know what to say, but be Be silent if you don’t know what to say, but be

PRESENT!PRESENT!

When Another Is When Another Is Suffering:Suffering:

Adapted from John Feinberg’s Adapted from John Feinberg’s Deceived by God?Deceived by God?

The Silent CompanionThe Silent Companion I had come in the I had come in the house of mourninghouse of mourning, where there is , where there is

nothing anyone could say. All I needed was silence.nothing anyone could say. All I needed was silence. My soul was left desolate.My soul was left desolate. I must drink my bitter cup I must drink my bitter cup

alone. alone. First a soundless cry, then a wailing lament, First a soundless cry, then a wailing lament, then waves of turbulence …then waves of turbulence …

I had to I had to be stillbe still. . Not to push away the onslaught, or to Not to push away the onslaught, or to deny what had happened, but to let the pain complete deny what had happened, but to let the pain complete its furious dance upon my soul. its furious dance upon my soul.

There I was There I was utterly powerlessutterly powerless before my Maker. I had before my Maker. I had to make peaceto make peace somehow.somehow.

Patience, my soul, listenPatience, my soul, listen. Don’t move too quickly, . Don’t move too quickly, God God will meet you there in the painwill meet you there in the pain, where emptiness, , where emptiness, futility, horror or despair invade your sanity. futility, horror or despair invade your sanity.

In silence is wisdomIn silence is wisdom. There refuge is real, regret gives . There refuge is real, regret gives way to repentance, and forgiveness is possible. way to repentance, and forgiveness is possible.

Healing Healing the Broken-Heartedthe Broken-Hearted

Crushed SpiritCrushed Spirit: Ps 34:18; Ps 51:17, Is 61:2-3 : Ps 34:18; Ps 51:17, Is 61:2-3 Hope & ReconciliationHope & Reconciliation: Ps 126:5; 2 Cor 5:19: Ps 126:5; 2 Cor 5:19 Prayer & ComfortPrayer & Comfort: Is 40:1; Is 65:24;: Is 40:1; Is 65:24; Matt 5:4; 2 Cor 1:4-6 Matt 5:4; 2 Cor 1:4-6

Jas 5:14-16; Matt 18:19-20Jas 5:14-16; Matt 18:19-20 Laying Hands on the sickLaying Hands on the sick: Lk 4:40; Acts 8:17; 1 Tim 4:14 : Lk 4:40; Acts 8:17; 1 Tim 4:14

Uses of SufferingUses of Suffering TeachingTeaching DisciplineDiscipline CorrectionCorrection Spiritual MaturitySpiritual Maturity 1 Pet 1:7 1 Pet 1:7

John 15:2John 15:2 (endurance, (endurance, character, pruning, training in character, pruning, training in righteousness, “refined in the righteousness, “refined in the fire,” holiness )fire,” holiness )

SacrificeSacrifice 1 Cor 12:261 Cor 12:26 (dying to self, help needy, (dying to self, help needy, overcome evil with good)overcome evil with good)

Testimony / EvangelismTestimony / Evangelism 1 Pt 3:15; 2 Cor 1:3-4; Jn 9:31 Pt 3:15; 2 Cor 1:3-4; Jn 9:3 (encourage others, (encourage others, martyrdom, glory of God)martyrdom, glory of God)

Fellowship of His Fellowship of His SufferingsSufferings

I want to know Christ and I want to know Christ and the power of his the power of his resurrection and the resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. resurrection from the dead. (Phil 3:10-11)(Phil 3:10-11)

““Think it not strange, then, Think it not strange, then, concerning the fiery trial concerning the fiery trial which is to try you; but which is to try you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s partakers of Christ’s sufferings.” (1 Pet 4:12) sufferings.” (1 Pet 4:12) 

The Persecuted ChurchThe Persecuted Church

Persecution of Christians has always been the means through Persecution of Christians has always been the means through which dry, hard soil has been tilled for the seeds of the Gospel.which dry, hard soil has been tilled for the seeds of the Gospel.

Acts 8:1.2 The stoning of Stephen led to the persecution and Acts 8:1.2 The stoning of Stephen led to the persecution and scattering of the early church. This was the means by which the scattering of the early church. This was the means by which the Gospel was spread to India and Ethiopia. Persecution forced Gospel was spread to India and Ethiopia. Persecution forced them out of a comfortable life.them out of a comfortable life.

We offer a message contrary to the world and will be met with We offer a message contrary to the world and will be met with persecution. In the West we tend to fear persecution and persecution. In the West we tend to fear persecution and suffering because we see so little of it, yet those who have suffering because we see so little of it, yet those who have served God in this way have a depth of faith and have served God in this way have a depth of faith and have accomplished feats in the heavenly realm that we, in our accomplished feats in the heavenly realm that we, in our comfortable lives, rarely attain.comfortable lives, rarely attain.

Suffering for Suffering for the Gospelthe GospelWhat can you do? What can you do?

Prayer is the least, Prayer is the least, yet the MOST we yet the MOST we can do for our body can do for our body that is being that is being persecuted. persecuted.

Know their stories, Know their stories, get your church get your church involved.involved.

Christians in China share the Christians in China share the Gospel despite great cost.Gospel despite great cost.

“ “Chinese pastors are taught Chinese pastors are taught these three things: these three things:

(1)(1) Never turn down an invitation Never turn down an invitation to preach; to preach;

(2)(2) Look for a place to run when Look for a place to run when you are finished preaching; you are finished preaching;

(3)(3) Be ready to die that day." Be ready to die that day."