When life is hard and God seems silent, it can make you wonder if he really cares or if he is even there. In the middle of pain and heartache, learning to lament protects our heart from the temptation to cynicism and unbelief and opens the door to deeper intimacy with God instead.

Suffering isn’t just something to bear with, but something God also uses for good in our lives.

If you want to persevere in doing good in the midst of suffering, you must
have the right mindset. 

We should seek to do good even when we suffer for it, having confidence in God who blesses his servants.

The visit of a family member often gives space and opportunity for reflection. The question typically driving the conversation is: What has happened in your life since the last time we saw one another? There is one of two directions this conversation might go.