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Suffering is not the exception; it is the norm. Those of us who live in an affluent, technological society have lost sight of this essential truth. Even as you are reading these words many millions of people in the world are suffering oppression, hunger, pain and hardship. Others are physically and financially flourishing, but they labor under the emotional grief and loneliness of shattered relationships, heavy weight of guilt or shame for their past failures, or a the suffocating sense that there is nothing to live for. Read more… |
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The mental health of soldiers and Marines has been a growing issue as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have required more troops to return to the combat zones multiple times. In May, the Pentagon released a study that found one-third of soldiers and Marines had reported mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, after returning from combat. Maybe you are reading this right now and I have just described you. Perhaps you are currently on active duty or even in the reserves. Maybe you have recently separated from the military, or maybe you are a war veteran of Korea, Vietnam, or the First Gulf War. Maybe you have written a similar email or letter crying out for help. If so, it is no accident that you find yourself reading this article. I encourage you to finish it to the end for I believe the answer you and many others have been searching for is only a few words away. If you are not in the military but find yourself reading this article, I also encourage you to continue to the end for you may know a veteran that could use the help that is found in this article. Read more… |
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“First-time” sufferers often don’t know what to do or where to turn. They are overwhelmed, confused, exhausted. They want to find some sense and direction from the Lord and His Word. But meaningful personal Bible study can be virtually impossible—mentally, emotionally. This is kind of like doing all the research to diagnose and treat your own spiritual malady—while you have this horrendous affliction consuming all your time and attention and thoughts. Read more… |
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Sometimes the humor about failing memories is not as funny as it used to be. When it becomes personal, it can become painful. But God will still bless his Word, and we can still claim His promises. I once heard a lady say, I don’t have a very good memory any more, but I still have some very good memories. Good memories are some of the greatest blessings we carry with us into the winter of our lives. Read more… |
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I don’t have a formula that will work for every trial. I don’t even have a formula that will work for my trial. It has been hard. Some people say, “I can’t imagine what you’re going through.” I believe that’s true – you can’t imagine the trial of losing your mate, but there’s something else that you can’t imagine and that is God’s grace. As Carole and I talked of her homegoing we both experienced a peace that God gave to us at the very end. But it didn’t fully come till the last week. Read more… |
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After eight weeks in two different hospitals, I took Mrs. Williams home in my arms. She was down to 84 pounds, her arms in the fetal position, and her legs turning in toward each other. Her feet turned down off her legs, her toes curled under her feet, and her hands were deformed. One side of her face appeared like a stroke victim’s face, her eyes and neck were locked. It was a very trying time, but I felt that I had to take her home and nurse her there. Read more… |
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Bitterness is indeed the poison that guarantees spiritual death. Maybe you are carrying some physical defects that have made you angry or hostile; maybe you have been hurt very deeply by someone; maybe you don’t like where God has put you; maybe you don’t like the family God has put you in — but I promise you that God can deliver you from your bitterness. Read more… |
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As we consider our circle of acquaintances or read the daily news, we see that sorrow is indeed a part of life. Sometimes, from our viewpoint, we may even think that some people have more than their share of sorrows. and we cannot help but wonder about its purpose. God does not allow sorrow to come into our lives just for sorrow’s sake. Sorrow is not an end in itself. If it were, we could not bear it. We would become hopeless, broken, and bitter. Read more… |