When we hurt, God doesn't always give us lots of words; he gives us the Word; the Word made flesh who is intimately acquainted with our grief and suffering. That's what helps the most.

God's purpose in increasing our trials is to sensitize us to people we never would have been able to relate to otherwise.

The truths of the Bible are never just abstract concepts; they're always related to real people.

God is more concerned with conforming me to the likeness of His Son than leaving me in my comfort zones. God is more interested in inward qualities than outward circumstances - things like refining my faith, humbling my heart, cleaning up my thought life and strengthening my character.

God wrote a book on suffering, and its name is Jesus.

Heartache forces us to embrace God out of desparate, urgent need. God is never closer than when your heart is aching.

In the Christian faith, God really puts suffering front and center. He doesn't get squeamish about it.