As Selwyn states: There is no easy answer to this question – ‘Why suffering?’
It’s my view that the full reason for suffering is hidden from us. We get some clues from Job, that sometimes the faith of righteous people is tested by Satan, and God allows this form of testing. In addition, we live in [...]
Selwyn now looks at ’some of the issues and struggles that arise in our hearts and minds’.
The first issue he looks at is doubt: people may doubt, for example, whether God loves them, whether He answers prayer, or whether the Bible is true. Selwyn, further on, makes this observation: “Keep in mind, that many doubts are not [...]
I’m often told that men like to try to solve problems; women like to listen to problems, and receive comfort that others are suffering in the same way. Consequently, when I read today’s study, I recalled this (alleged) fundamental difference between men and women. Is this a true difference – I ask in honest humility – [...]
Selwyn starts his study, by saying: “Caring is giving hope. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to care for something if you couldn’t offer hope? … I am referring, however, to a specifically Christian hope: the assurance, based on God’s Word and character, that in every trial and difficulty help will come from God. [...]
I think the most useful point Selwyn makes, is this: “As a listener, when you respond with empathy, what is the effect on the other person? They realise that you are listening to them with your full attention, and really trying to understand them. Such attentive caring is both a great compliment and a precious [...]
I think today’s study is fairly straightforward, and summarised well by Selwyn: “respect means that we care for people too much to judge them, categorise them, label them or manipulate them. Instead, we spend time offering love, concern and a willingness to bear their burdens, and so fulfilling the law of Jesus.”
The verses, Paul’s letter [...]
Meeting discouragement
I thought it was an interesting point Selwyn makes: “A lot of work has been done in recent years on discouragement, revealing that it sometimes has a physical cause. If a person is discouraged for a considerable period, it may be because of poor sleeping habits, a chemical imbalance, a physical infection or an inadequate [...]
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