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suffering

The Lament of Faith

In the wake of TGC US’s “Lament for Racial Justice,” some readers have asked about whether it is appropriate to voice our complaints to God. We asked our Job scholar, Andy Prideaux for his thoughts. Now and not yet – Good groaning The Christian life is a paradox of joy and suffering. To the Ephesians, Paul writes: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3) And, to the church in Rome: … but we ourselves, who have the first fruits...

Andrew Prideaux

When Sorrows Come …

Des Smith

See Part 2 here ‘When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions.’ That’s Shakespeare’s way of saying, ‘It never rains but it pours.’ It certainly feels that way  this year, doesn’t it? First, we had the bushfires. Now, we’ve got the coronavirus. Once this is over, it makes you dread what will happen next this year! In one of his reports on the virus, ABC journalist Andrew Probyn called 2020, ‘The year God forgot.’ Is he right? In one of his reports on the virus, ABC journalist Andrew Probyn called 2020, ‘The year God forgot.’ Is he...

If I am happy in Jesus, why am I so sad? Eight Inspired Images for Grieving with Hope

S. Thomas

Amidst a season of intense suffering, a colleague says, “unless we’re the happiest people in this city, no one will want to become Christians.” Is this true? Rather than disclose details of my own recent sufferings, I hope instead to share some reflections on eight inspired images. If you will forgive how fragmented and unfinished, these reflections may comfort and encourage as you prepare to grieve with hope in Jesus. 1. The Painful Production Line In Romans 5:3-5, Paul boasts in sufferings because he knows the painful production line. Indeed, this chain from suffering to endurance, endurance to character, and...

Why Me? Why Now?

Heidi Tai

What strange times we live in. Everywhere I turn, fear and anxiety is bursting at the seams. Our haven which was once propped up with lofty idols of health and wealth have toppled overnight like dominoes. Who knew that even first-world armour was paper thin? I have pinched myself many times, hoping to wake to the norms of yesterday, only to find myself firmly planted in a world that’s gasping for breath, and desperate for hope. With borders closing and industries collapsing, many of us are left wondering whether things will ever be the same again? Who knew that even...

The Cross that Changes Everything

David Ould

A week ago, about five minutes drive from where I am writing this, a tragic event happened here in Sydney. Around 8pm, on Febraury 1st, a drunk driver veered-off the road, mounted the footpath and ploughed into a family out walking to get an ice cream at the end of a very hot Sydney day. His reckless action left four—three siblings from one family along with one of their cousins—dead. Another child remains in hospital. I can’t imagine how I would respond if that happened to my children. I know how I would like to respond now, with all the...

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