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

Even at the cross, God permitted what he hated - the unjust and agonizing death of his own precious Son - in order to accomplish something he prized above his own Son's cruel death; that is, salvation for a world of sinners. So the world's worst murder becomes the world's only salvation.

Contentment ... has an internal quietness of heart that gladly submits to God in all circumstances.

When I look at Jesus' warm and intimate friendships, my heart fills with praise that Jesus was. . . a man. A man of flesh-and-blood reality. His heart felt the sting of sympathy. His eyes glowed with tenderness. His arms embraced. His lips smiled. His hands touched. Jesus was male! Jesus invites us to relate to him as the Son of Man. And because he is fully man, we can relate to Jesus with affection and love.

...we will stand amazed to see the topside of the tapestry and how God beautifully embroidered each circumstance into a pattern for our good and His glory.

Now, most people who suffer realize that the Bible contains answers for their plight; they just don't know where to look.

If you had never known physical pain in your life, how could you appreciate the nail scarred hands with which Jesus Christ will meet you?