‘Maintaining Hope through Suffering‘ is the title of a paper written by my Dad (David Bourne) for the Fellowship of Word and Spirit.
My mum experienced a great deal of personal suffering throughout her life, largely through a series of illnesses. Dad was obviously very much a part of this suffering. In this talk he outlines the situations we faced as a family and how we have been able to maintain a right view of both God and the suffering, how we have maintained hope when all seems lost, when suffering seems pointless, and when God seems far. We do indeed have a great hope in Jesus!
You can download the talk script.
Also, he also gave a talk, based on similar thinking called – “Suffering and a God of love – no way!” – much of this thinking has been influenced of course by personal circumstances as well as the writings of John Piper, Alec Motyer and others. If you want to know a little more about my family, my mum & dad, as well as I trust, some encouragement through suffering, then listen to this talk!
Two books which have personally helped me through difficult times are:
God in the Storm, by Marc Maillefer
This is a book which seeks to find a Biblical perspective on suffering while at the same time offering pastoral encouragement in light of the author’s own experience of suffering.
Spectacular Sins, by John Piper
Although not specifically about suffering, John Piper draws on the themes of evil, Sin and suffering, to show that even through the dark times in life, God is very much at work. Not simply allowing suffering, but ordaining and using suffering for his glory and our growth.
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