“A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.”- Isaiah 42:3 In Chapter 12 (“Weeping”) of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Timothy Keller begins with a reminder that none of the individual strategies the Bible lays out for walking through […]
Earlier in Chapter 11 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Timothy Keller introduced the Biblical metaphor of walking as a means of facing affliction. As the chapter concludes, the author expands that topic. Pastor Keller explains that walking consists of repeated actions kept up in a sustained way for a long period of […]
Near the end of Chapter 11 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Timothy Keller lists seven lessons we can learn in the furnace of suffering: 1. Finding out who we are, our strengths and weaknesses. We must be tested in order to truly understand ourselves. 2. Becoming a compassionate person who reaches out […]
In Chapter 11 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Timothy Keller references the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3). Pastor Keller takes particular note of the three men’s response to King Nebuchadnezzar, stating that their words are a paradoxical balance of confidence and humility (v. 18). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego express […]
“When through fiery trials your pathway will lie, My grace, all sufficient, will be your supply. The flames will not hurt you; I only design Your dross to consume and your gold to refine.”- How Firm a Foundation, v. 4 Timothy Keller opens Chapter 11 (“Walking”) of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering with […]
As Timothy Keller concludes Chapter 10 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, he emphasizes that just as every affliction is virtually unique, so too are the pathways through that affliction. These aspects of affliction are not always properly understood by those seeking to offer a Biblical perspective to our loss. For example, Job […]
Toward the end of Chapter 10 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Timothy Keller discusses the diversities of temperament involved in those experiencing adversity. Citing Simone Weil’s classic essay “The Love of God and Affliction”, Pastor Keller describes five facts of suffering observed by Ms. Weil: 1. Isolation. Following our ministry downsizing or […]
Today, in Chapter 10 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Timothy Keller discusses the last of four types of suffering spoken of in the Bible. The suffering of mystery fits in the “none of the above” category, although it may overlap with one or more of the three previously described kinds of suffering. […]
Today Timothy Keller continues his presentation of the four kinds of Biblical suffering by discussing the sufferings of betrayal and loss, found in Chapter 10 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering. Pastor Keller states that the suffering of betrayal is caused by good and brave behavior. Such behavior, as seen in the lives […]
“Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.”- The Princess Bride (1987) “The same sun that melts wax hardens clay.”- Old saying Timothy Keller begins Chapter 10 (“The Varieties of Suffering”) of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by noting: (1) that people who haven’t suffered much are almost always fragile […]
In the final pages of Chapter 9 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Timothy Keller stresses the importance of preparing the mind for suffering. The author notes that philosopher Simon Weil once wrote that a soul in the midst of affliction finds it difficult to love anything, falling “into something almost equivalent to […]
As Timothy Keller concludes Chapter 9 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, he states that in order for suffering to lead to growth, we must be prepared in our mind and heart before it strikes so we can face that suffering patiently and faithfully. Pastor Keller adds that these lessons are very difficult […]