Our readings from Psalms and Lamentations today speak from a place of suffering. Of grief. Of distress. Of terror. From the depths of despair. The writer of the Psalm hopes for God’s deliverance and favor for themselves. The writer of the Lamentation asks for payback, curses, and destruction for their enemies. That sounds familiar. Relief from troubles. Retribution for grievances. Vengeance for the violence committed. And if I’m honest, yes, I’ll have what they’re having, pl

The words of Job 13:13-19 are directed to Job's well-intentioned, but painfully misguided friends. As they attempt to console Job in his grief and desolation, they try to diagnose him. They are convinced that they know the cause of his suffering and what he can do to fix it. A little earlier in the chapter, after enduring their speeches and assumptions and a barrage of unsolicited advice, an exasperated Job lets them have it– he says, “You are worthless physicians, all of yo

Romans1:1-5 Suffering is a part of the human experience on this planet. As much as we try to avoid pain and suffering, it seems to find us.

Have you ever felt that God has forsaken you? The first two verses of Psalm 22 are a cry of utter despair, expressing this very feeling.

Jesus wants us to be a church that runs towards scary moments and offer love, kindness, empathy, and hope to people who are in pain.

God does not ask us to wallow in shame or self-hatred. When we recognize how our own hard-heartedness has impacted others, we begin to heal.