God permits what He hates in order to accomplish something that He loves.

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

Suffering always prompts heart-wrenching questions: if God is good, why would He allow this pain in my life? Is God truly sovereign over accidents and birth anomalies, or does the devil set the world's agenda? How do I counsel people who are despairing of their condition?

The problem of suffering is not about something but about someone.

When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, with imitating him and quoting him and speaking of him. But only in suffering will we know Jesus.

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

The weaker we feel, the harder we lean on God. And the harder we lean the stronger we grow.