Thankfully, God brought wise Christian friends alongside to help me discover life-transforming precepts in his Word.

God always seems bigger to those who need him most. And suffering is the tool he uses to help us need him more.

Most of the verses written about praise in God’s Word were voiced by people who were faced with crushing heartaches, injustice, treachery, slander, and scores of other difficult situations.

Nothing will convince and convict those around us like the peaceful and positive way you and I respond to our twentieth century hurts and distress. The unbelieving world-your neighbors, the guy at the gas station, the postman, the lady at the cleaners, your boss at work-is observing the way we undergo our trials.

God uses suffering to purge sin from our lives, strengthen our commitment to Him, force us to depend on grace, bind us together with other believers, produce discernment, foster sensitivity, discipline our minds, spend our time wisely, stretch our hope, cause us to know Christ better, make us long for truth, lead us to repentance of sin, teach us to give thanks in time of sorrow, increase faith, and strengthen character.

The Bible isn't quick to give answers; it mainly gives the Answer.

Cancer is such a wake-up call to remind us how high the cosmic stakes really are and how short and brief and frail life really is.