What do you do when suffering just doesn't make sense? What about suffering that seems to have no clear reason? Does everything happen for a reason? How do you support someone who is going through an intense time of suffering? As Steve and Rich continue the conversation on suffering from last week, they do their best to address and answer these questions. They spend a few minutes on the idea of there being a "reason" or even a "punishment" seen in suffering. It can be incredibly damaging when believers try to tell others what the reason for their suffering might be. Rich talks about the suffering seen in Luke 13:1-5 and how Jesus responds. Steve and Rich both share more personal stories this week as they talk about the theology of suffering. The phrase "God will never give you more than you can handle" is one that is problematic. Many things are addressed in this episode, but the key takeaway is that no matter what God will be in the midst of suffering, He is the God of all comfort. He will never leave or forsake. 

Steve Engram's testimony on The Stories Collective, Episode 100
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Rich Holland's testimony on The Stories Collective podcast, Episode 45
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Trials of Many Kinds by Rita Springer + Brooke Ligertwood

Sign up for the Resident Strangers email list

Questions or comments?
Email [email protected] 

Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.