I’m sorry you’ve all been sick, Christine. Definitely no fun! Kids are little germ factories! We live with grandkids so also get some exposure but less than the parents since our cottage is separate. The good news is after maybe age 10 or so, they get sick less often.
About redemptive suffering, I’ve seen good come out of every painful event of my life—usually personal and/or spiritual growth—so I do experience a kind of redemptive suffering. But of course it still can hurt like hell while you are in it, and I’d never point out the good of suffering to anybody who is in the midst of it. They just need love and comfort. They will (hopefully) find the growth that came from it at a later time, and in their own way. Take care and feel better!
Thanks Chuck! I'm just bracing myself for being sick most of the next 4 or so months and hoping my anxiety starts to go down around sickness. :( I didn't know you lived in an arrangement like that - sounds lovely!
Agree about finding something redeeming or growth-giving from hard events. Most of the time 😜
I agree that hoping for an “end product” of suffering is not always the best or right or helpful way to cope. It’s far to American and Western. Eleonore Stump has a profound book on Job (and other biblical stories of suffering) called Wandering in Darkness: Narrative and the Problem of Suffering. I was stunned by her simple observation that Job has the longest face-to-face conversation with God of any character anywhere in the Bible. And that God says of Job twice, speaking to his “friends”: “You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” Job got really, really, *really* angry with God. And yet God says Job “spoke of me what is right.” I use those observations a lot with my clients. You can read an interview about the book here: https://cct.biola.edu/wandering-in-darkness/.
Ooh that's interesting about the American/Western notion of needing an end product from suffering - another outpouring of our productivity culture, I suppose!
That looks like am amazing interview, just from scanning the cliffnotes! Thanks for sharing!!
Very true. Plus I'm try to think a lot in terms of seasons - both literal, and metaphorical! (as I stare down winter and enjoy our unseasonal but wonderful last warm days...)
I’m sorry you’ve all been sick, Christine. Definitely no fun! Kids are little germ factories! We live with grandkids so also get some exposure but less than the parents since our cottage is separate. The good news is after maybe age 10 or so, they get sick less often.
About redemptive suffering, I’ve seen good come out of every painful event of my life—usually personal and/or spiritual growth—so I do experience a kind of redemptive suffering. But of course it still can hurt like hell while you are in it, and I’d never point out the good of suffering to anybody who is in the midst of it. They just need love and comfort. They will (hopefully) find the growth that came from it at a later time, and in their own way. Take care and feel better!
Thanks Chuck! I'm just bracing myself for being sick most of the next 4 or so months and hoping my anxiety starts to go down around sickness. :( I didn't know you lived in an arrangement like that - sounds lovely!
Agree about finding something redeeming or growth-giving from hard events. Most of the time 😜
I agree that hoping for an “end product” of suffering is not always the best or right or helpful way to cope. It’s far to American and Western. Eleonore Stump has a profound book on Job (and other biblical stories of suffering) called Wandering in Darkness: Narrative and the Problem of Suffering. I was stunned by her simple observation that Job has the longest face-to-face conversation with God of any character anywhere in the Bible. And that God says of Job twice, speaking to his “friends”: “You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” Job got really, really, *really* angry with God. And yet God says Job “spoke of me what is right.” I use those observations a lot with my clients. You can read an interview about the book here: https://cct.biola.edu/wandering-in-darkness/.
Ooh that's interesting about the American/Western notion of needing an end product from suffering - another outpouring of our productivity culture, I suppose!
That looks like am amazing interview, just from scanning the cliffnotes! Thanks for sharing!!
As usual, Christine, you're asking all the right questions.
Personally, I go by "Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." Lets God off the hook.
Very true. Plus I'm try to think a lot in terms of seasons - both literal, and metaphorical! (as I stare down winter and enjoy our unseasonal but wonderful last warm days...)