Why Christians suffer losses
A while back my email inbox had an article from John Piper in it: "When Satan Hurts Christ’s People: Reflections on Why Christians Suffer Losses ." Knowing loss (to some degree) first hand in my life and desiring to want to learn how to grieve better, I was enamored with the topic. Indeed "Why?" is one of the predominant questions in our society, and we as Christians want to not just give pat answers (argh!) but to love and encourage and be able to communicate God’s answers (which people may not want) for questions they are asking, and in forms they can readily grasp.
In this article pastor Piper was noting about a recent lesson while reading from Revelation chapter 2 with his young daugther, and the questions they discussed as a result. The main question he asked his daughter was, "Is Jesus stronger than the devil?" Yes, but how; and then why is there suffering and pain and evil? Near the end of brief article he pointed to the mysterious ways of God:
"We cannot answer every why question. But there is always this answer: My faith is being tested. And our Lord never wastes his tests. Whether we believe this truth is, in fact, part of the test. In the mind of Jesus, the promise that he would give them the crown of life was enough to sustain the Christians in Smyrna."
[Read the entire brief article ]
One thing I appreciate about Piper is that he does not shrink away from wrestling with difficult subjects, and has a passion for people while wanting to have as much clarity from God Almighty to speak into situations.
Whatever comes our way, may Jesus graciously hold us in His sovereign hands.
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