Finding Hope and Clarity in Suffering Through Faith

 

Summary

In today's reflection, I explored the profound journey of navigating pain and suffering through a framework of understanding and faith. Using the ABCDE model, I encouraged everyone to identify the antecedents of their troubling emotions, recognize the beliefs that fuel these feelings, and understand the consequences they bring. By disputing these beliefs, we can find a path to peace and confidence, realizing that there is no barrier to joyfully serving God today. This process is not just a mental exercise but a spiritual one, where we bring our pain to God and seek His clarity and guidance.

I also addressed the deep and often unanswerable question of why God allows suffering, especially when it affects our loved ones. The pain of parents, in particular, is unique and profound, and I acknowledged the indescribable nature of such suffering. I shared insights from authors like Nicholas Wolterstorff and Kate Bowler, who have grappled with these questions in their own lives. Their works remind us that lament is a biblical practice, a way to express our grief and confusion to God.

In the midst of suffering, I emphasized the importance of community and the power of mourning with those who mourn. The Bible calls us to share in each other's burdens, allowing the Spirit of God to flow into our lives in transformative ways. The God of the Bible is one who enters into human suffering, choosing to bear our pain and bring redemption through the cross.

Ultimately, the choice between despair and hope is a fundamental one. I believe that there is meaning and hope in existence, that we are moving towards a future where suffering and evil will be redeemed. The greatest good for human life is union with God, and this is what He is moving us towards. While we may not understand all the events that cause us pain, we can hold onto hope, trusting that God will one day wipe every tear from our eyes.

Key Takeaways:

1. ABCDE Framework for Emotional Clarity: By identifying the antecedents, beliefs, and consequences of our emotions, we can dispute negative thoughts and find peace. This process is not just mental but spiritual, inviting God into our pain to provide clarity and guidance. [12:16]

2. The Unique Pain of Parenthood: The suffering of parents, especially when their children are affected, is profound and unique. Acknowledging this pain and bringing it to God can be a source of comfort and strength. [16:24]

3. The Power of Lament: Lament is a biblical practice that allows us to express our grief and confusion to God. It is a way to protest and seek understanding, reminding us that we are not alone in our suffering. [18:27]

4. Community and Mourning Together: Sharing in each other's burdens and mourning with those who mourn allows the Spirit of God to work in transformative ways. This fellowship in suffering is a powerful testament to God's presence. [21:31]

5. Choosing Hope Over Despair: In the face of suffering, we have a choice between despair and hope. Believing in the ultimate redemption of pain and the triumph of justice gives us a reason to hold onto hope. [22:32]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [12:16] - Understanding Emotions with ABCDE
- [13:30] - Joyfully Serving God Today
- [15:16] - The Question of Suffering
- [16:24] - The Unique Pain of Parenthood
- [18:03] - Books on Suffering and Faith
- [19:22] - God's Role in Suffering
- [20:11] - Insights from Kate Bowler
- [21:08] - Mourning with Those Who Mourn
- [21:46] - God Entering Human Suffering
- [22:32] - Choosing Hope Over Despair
- [23:42] - The Moral Arc of the Universe
- [24:21] - The Greatest Good: Union with God
- [25:48] - Pain and Eternal Perspective
- [26:56] - Closing and Encouragement

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 121:3 - "He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber."
2. Romans 12:15 - "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
3. Revelation 21:4 - "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the ABCDE framework mentioned in the sermon, and how does it help in understanding and managing emotions? [12:16]
2. How does the sermon describe the unique pain of parenthood, especially when children are suffering? [16:24]
3. What role does lament play in the biblical context, according to the sermon? [18:27]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of community in times of suffering? [21:31]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the ABCDE framework be applied in a spiritual context to invite God into one's pain and seek His guidance? [14:22]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the pain of parenthood can be brought to God for comfort and strength? [16:24]
3. How does the practice of lament, as described in the sermon, help believers express their grief and confusion to God? [18:27]
4. What does the sermon imply about the transformative power of mourning with those who mourn, and how does this reflect the presence of God? [21:31]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you experienced troubling emotions. How can you apply the ABCDE framework to find peace and clarity in that situation? [12:16]
2. If you are a parent, how do you cope with the unique pain of seeing your child suffer? How can you bring this pain to God for comfort and strength? [16:24]
3. Think of a time when you felt the need to lament. How did expressing your grief to God impact your faith journey? [18:27]
4. How can you actively participate in mourning with those who mourn in your community? What practical steps can you take to support someone in their time of suffering? [21:31]
5. In moments of despair, how do you choose hope over despair? What practices or reminders help you hold onto hope in the face of suffering? [22:32]
6. Consider a specific area in your life where you struggle to see God's presence. How can you invite Him into that space to experience His guidance and peace? [14:22]
7. How does the promise of God wiping away every tear influence your perspective on current struggles and future hope? [26:14]

Devotional

Day 1: Understanding Emotions Through the ABCDE Framework
In the journey of navigating pain and suffering, understanding our emotions is crucial. The ABCDE framework offers a structured approach to this understanding. By identifying the antecedents of our troubling emotions, we can recognize the beliefs that fuel these feelings and understand the consequences they bring. This process is not merely a mental exercise but a spiritual one, inviting God into our pain to provide clarity and guidance. Disputing negative thoughts through this framework can lead to peace and confidence, allowing us to joyfully serve God today. [12:16]

"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." — Hebrews 12:11 (ESV)

Reflection: What negative belief about yourself or your situation can you bring before God today, asking Him to help you see it through His eyes?


Day 2: The Unique Pain of Parenthood
The suffering of parents, especially when their children are affected, is profound and unique. This pain can feel overwhelming, yet acknowledging it and bringing it to God can be a source of comfort and strength. Parents often carry the weight of their children's struggles, feeling a deep sense of responsibility and helplessness. In these moments, turning to God and seeking His guidance can provide solace and hope, reminding us that we are not alone in our journey. [16:24]

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." — Psalm 127:3 (ESV)

Reflection: How can you invite God into the specific challenges you face as a parent, trusting Him to guide and support you?


Day 3: The Power of Lament
Lament is a biblical practice that allows us to express our grief and confusion to God. It is a way to protest and seek understanding, reminding us that we are not alone in our suffering. Through lament, we can voice our deepest pains and questions, knowing that God hears us and is present with us. This practice is not about finding immediate answers but about being honest with God and allowing Him to meet us in our brokenness. [18:27]

"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!" — Psalm 130:1-2 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to lament before God, expressing your true feelings and seeking His presence?


Day 4: Community and Mourning Together
Sharing in each other's burdens and mourning with those who mourn allows the Spirit of God to work in transformative ways. This fellowship in suffering is a powerful testament to God's presence, as we support and uplift one another. In community, we find strength and encouragement, knowing that we are not alone in our struggles. By being present with others in their pain, we embody the love and compassion of Christ, creating a space for healing and hope. [21:31]

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." — Galatians 6:2 (ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community is currently mourning or struggling, and how can you be a source of support and comfort to them today?


Day 5: Choosing Hope Over Despair
In the face of suffering, we have a choice between despair and hope. Believing in the ultimate redemption of pain and the triumph of justice gives us a reason to hold onto hope. While we may not understand all the events that cause us pain, we can trust that God is working towards a future where suffering and evil will be redeemed. This hope is not just wishful thinking but a confident expectation rooted in God's promises and His faithfulness. [22:32]

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." — Romans 8:18 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to despair, and how can you choose to hold onto hope, trusting in God's ultimate redemption?

Quotes


it uses the letters a b c d and e and if you find yourself brooding or troubled or in pain or something write down a that stands for antecedent that's what's going on in my life that's prompted these troubling feelings so i start with that and then b is for the belief what's the belief in my mind that's causing me this pain [00:12:06]

and then c stands for uh the consequence what is the emotion that i experience because of this anger resentment sadness defeat guilt shame and then d is dispute and i will simply write down uh for instance this morning the thought and i've thought it many times over the last year plus when i was thinking about the future and its uncertainty [00:12:46]

there is no barrier to my joyfully serving god today i get from one moment to the next like right now i get to talk with you i get to see your names i get to think about what matters most together with you hey sean palmer good morning man how good to see your name um and then in the next moment i will get to be on grandparent duty today [00:13:13]

i get to put the dishes in the dishwasher away i get to write somebody i get to learn something there is no barrier to my joyfully serving god today and there is none for you today either and so that dispute really helps me and then e is for uh the effect of all this uh after i have disputed that thought and today what i found was i had a greater sense of peace [00:13:34]

and i will simply write down uh for instance this morning the thought and i've thought it many times over the last year plus when i was thinking about the future and its uncertainty uh the thought that i wrote down under disputes there is no barrier to my joyfully serving god today [00:13:01]

and i won't read all of it i don't want to identify or do things that could identify the person but this note said my wife and i are strong believers we have four children our oldest is mentally challenged we recently found that our son has multiple sclerosis why does god allow such devastation without answering prayer [00:15:29]

jesus says ask anything in my name or he says in the sermon on the mount if you earthly fathers being evil fallen broken know how to give good gifts to your children how much more will your heavenly father give good things to those who ask and if there are statements like that in the bible how do i understand them in light of the horrible pain [00:15:54]

that is going on in my life in the life of my children and there's so much i don't understand i know that the amount of pain in the world is indescribable and that the pain that a parent feels is unique and i i know how deeply that's true for so many parents who are part of this community and i think of people who have lost a child [00:16:23]

and voldersdorf writes about how he would be haunted by a phrase in psalm 121 that's a psalm that i was reciting when my dad died i say it every morning and the psalmist says in there about god he will not let your foot slip and nicholas walters writes about how that's how his 21 year old beloved son died his foot slipped and so how do i understand that [00:18:48]

and uh part of where we begin with this in pain is there is no easy formula or explanation for it and one place where i start and waltersdorf writes about this in the book is i do not believe god causes these things i don't believe god says up there's a plane full of people i will cause the engine to stop working and crash it [00:19:14]

and she writes towards the end of that book about um here are things not to say to a suffering person and then here are things that you can say and and of course the the fundamental advice that we're giving in scripture is from the apostle paul who just says mourn with those who mourn he doesn't say explain their morning to them [00:20:46]

mourn with them and somehow when we mourn with people the spirit of god flows into situations in ways that he does not it doesn't otherwise somehow there is a fellowship together in suffering and uh a deep part of the answer to this question or at least where i find faith in the midst of great pain is that the god of the bible [00:21:23]

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Transcript
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