Resources by Topic: Suffering and Evil

In an earlier blog, Stephanie Anderson, on our Eternal Perspective Ministries staff, told the story of her disabled son Isaiah who died before his birth. Here Steph speaks of her beloved sister Tricia, who had a different disability. When she speaks of God’s sovereignty in birth defects, she speaks with an extraordinary amount of experience and insight.

Today’s guest post is from author and counselor Pam Vredevelt, related to her new book Empty Arms Journal: A 21-Day Guide for Healing After Pregnancy Loss. Many of you have been personally touched by a pregnancy loss or know someone who has been. Nanci and I have known Pam for many years and deeply respect her. I think you’ll find her perspectives helpful and God-honoring.

Several months ago, when I was sent links to large portions of this Bible, I was immediately captivated by it. I was walking with friends of ours in the raw grief of their tragedy, and I found myself reading the Beyond Suffering Bible not only through my eyes but also theirs.

Mother Teresa devoted her life to helping the poorest of the poor. After observing her arduous work among the filth, disease, and suffering of Calcutta, a television commentator told her, “I wouldn’t do what you’re doing for all the money in the world.” She replied, “Neither would I.” What we wouldn’t do for all the money in the world, we are called to do out of obedience to Christ, compassion for others, and anticipation of eternal reward.

J.C. Ryle wrote, “Health is a good thing but sickness is far better if it leads us to God.” May we accept health as God’s blessing and its absence as God’s severe mercy, and seek to glorify Him through both.

Müller recounts how he prayed when he discovered his wife had rheumatic fever: “Yes, my Father, the times of my darling wife are in Thy hands. Thou wilt do the very best thing for her, and for me, whether life or death."

Tozer, one of my all-time favorite authors, makes a great analogy in this sermon, shared in the book The Attributes of God Volume 2: Deeper into the Father's Heart.

God “has set a day when he will judge the world with justice” (Acts 17:31). But why a future day of judgment?

We won’t all, in this life, meet someone whose story will suddenly shed light on God’s purpose in our loved one’s suffering or death. But I think most of us will have that very experience one day on the New Earth.

John G. Paton (1824-1907) served as a missionary in the South Pacific’s New Hebrides islands. As a successful young Scottish preacher, Paton determined to leave Glasgow to minister to this unreached people group. But most of his Christian friends urged him to do something more sensible with his life.

I never presumed that If God Is Good would work magic or make anyone’s problems disappear. But my prayer, then and now, is that readers will not only find help for themselves, but also life-changing insights to share with others—believers and unbelievers, family and friends, neighbors and co-workers—in their time of greatest need.

In January 2016, Randy Alcorn spoke at Hope Chapel Maui in Kihei, Hawaii on the subject of Heaven. In this clip, he explains how a Christian should prepare for suffering. For more information, see Randy's Heaven book.

In January 2016, Randy Alcorn spoke at Hope Chapel Maui in Kihei, Hawaii on the subject of Heaven. In this clip, he shares how we can view suffering with a Biblical and heavenly perspective.  For more information, see Randy's Heaven book.

Like all of you, I was greatly saddened to hear of the attacks in Paris last Friday. Nanci’s and my prayers have been with the people of France.