Dissecting the Dark Night of the Soul (4 of 8)
Series: Job
Robert Dawson
Job 2:11-3:26
C.S. Lewis was once asked, ''Why do the righteous suffer?'' After a brief moment of reflection, he replied, ''Why shouldn't they? They are the only ones who can handle it.'' I think we understand the sentiment and the reasoning behind that statement. We agree with it based on our beliefs about God, His sovereignty, His grace, His presence and provision, but I also know that we would question whether that statement is completely accurate because of our own personal experience.
- While we may know the right answers, the right things to say, the theologically correct things to say, I doubt there is anyone here, when faced with deep suffering, who would say, ''I've got this. I can handle it. No problem. I'm equipped for this.''
- When the quicksand of suffering pulls us under and is crushing the life out of us, we don't feel as if we have this under control or can hold up under its weight; rather, we feel as if we are going to die.
The real problem we face in suffering is not the suffering itself, though it's taxing enough. It is not the difficult circumstances or physical pain often connected to our suffering but the emotional, mental and spiritual turmoil it brings.
- Every trial, even if we have walked through one like it before and feel as if we have been there, done that and bought the t-shirt, brings its own unique set of questions and emotions which we feel compelled to answer and grapple with.
- Every trial, in some way, develops into a wrestling match where we forced to try and reconcile our circumstances and feelings to our faith.
- We may believe that God is sovereign and knows what He is doing but those things are not always obvious to us and sometimes, the reasons behind suffering in our lives are not ours to know. They are God's and God's alone to know.
- That makes us uncomfortable and invites questions and doubts in ways that times of uninter ...
Series: Job
Robert Dawson
Job 2:11-3:26
C.S. Lewis was once asked, ''Why do the righteous suffer?'' After a brief moment of reflection, he replied, ''Why shouldn't they? They are the only ones who can handle it.'' I think we understand the sentiment and the reasoning behind that statement. We agree with it based on our beliefs about God, His sovereignty, His grace, His presence and provision, but I also know that we would question whether that statement is completely accurate because of our own personal experience.
- While we may know the right answers, the right things to say, the theologically correct things to say, I doubt there is anyone here, when faced with deep suffering, who would say, ''I've got this. I can handle it. No problem. I'm equipped for this.''
- When the quicksand of suffering pulls us under and is crushing the life out of us, we don't feel as if we have this under control or can hold up under its weight; rather, we feel as if we are going to die.
The real problem we face in suffering is not the suffering itself, though it's taxing enough. It is not the difficult circumstances or physical pain often connected to our suffering but the emotional, mental and spiritual turmoil it brings.
- Every trial, even if we have walked through one like it before and feel as if we have been there, done that and bought the t-shirt, brings its own unique set of questions and emotions which we feel compelled to answer and grapple with.
- Every trial, in some way, develops into a wrestling match where we forced to try and reconcile our circumstances and feelings to our faith.
- We may believe that God is sovereign and knows what He is doing but those things are not always obvious to us and sometimes, the reasons behind suffering in our lives are not ours to know. They are God's and God's alone to know.
- That makes us uncomfortable and invites questions and doubts in ways that times of uninter ...
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