Timothy Keller Podcast

This morning I was listening to his podcast and felt it was a great message to share. Keller begins speaking about 6 mins in and his message is about 30 min total. Here are some of the main points. But it is definitely worth listening!!

Timothy Keller podcast: https://gospelinlife.com/peace/

Karmic Religion: Suffering is just...Christianity says some suffering is unjust...Jesus and Job.

Buddhist Religion: Suffering is not real, it exists because of too much desire...Christianity says suffering is real and solution is more love not less.

Shame and Honor cultures: Be stoic, soldier on...Christianity says no you may cry out.

Secularism: No strategy for helping people with suffering. Pain avoidance is it's motive. The freedom of choice becomes overwhelming in its seductive call to possess things within our grasp and suffering takes those things away. Christianity says that our ultimate joy is found outside of this world so that we can still experience joy within it.

4 ways that the Bible gives us to handle and thrive in the midst of suffering:

• Weep but trust: Job and Jesus are two of the examples. Job questions everything, Jesus asks if there is another way. Both are in the midst of intense emotional pain and are real and honest in their anger and weeping, but never cease clinging to God. 
• Pray but think: God acknowledges and affirms Job's questions and frustrations because he never stopped communicating with God.
• Re-order your Loves: Often when suffering happens, priorities change. No one wishes for more things or success on their death bed. Don't love career more than family and God.
• Hope: "Is everything sad gonna come untrue." - Lord of the rings. Christianity says yes!!