When trials befall us, we’re often tempted to question God’s goodness or power, and because we want an end to our pain, we try to figure out why God has allowed particular trials into our lives. We reason that if we can just understand what God is doing, we can work towards a way out of our suffering. I am so excited to share with you guys my conversation today with Pastor Matt Howell, as we discuss some profound questions about suffering. Pastor Matt grew up in Dallas, TX and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2003. After graduation, he served as an intern with RUF at LSU for two years where he developed a heart for pastoral ministry and met and married his wife, Kathryn. After 11 years of being a campus minister with RUF, Matt now serves as a pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, in Memphis, Tennessee. While we can’t know God’s specific reasons for the trials that he allows into our lives, we do know that He has a big-picture purpose for the sufferings we endure. This was truly one of my favorite conversations to date, and I hope it encourages you as much as it did for me!

Timestamps:

0:00 Where is God in our suffering
1:01 The philosophical, theological, & deeply personal aspects of suffering
9:16 What are God's purposes in suffering?
15:14 Prayer and faith in suffering
16:55 Reconciling scripture with suffering
30:58 Is it a sin to be angry at God?
35:14 What does Paul mean when he says to "rejoice" in our sufferings?
38:15 Finding hope in hardship
47:46 How to address anxieties of the future

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