Resources by Topic: Suffering and Evil

Randy visited California Baptist University in Riverside, California where he shared at their chapel. He spoke about suffering, Heaven, and the goodness of God, and also about his wife Nanci and her faithfulness through cancer. The date he spoke was actually the one-year anniversary of the day the Alcorn family of 11 gathered around her bed, and Nanci spoke powerfully into their lives. A week later, she went to be with Jesus.

Randy visited Liberty University and spoke to the student body about a theology of suffering. He shared some of his personal experiences of hardship, and also talked about the hope of Heaven and what that means to him now that his beloved wife Nanci is there.

On March 21, I gave a 30-minute chapel message at California Baptist University. They asked me to talk about suffering and Heaven, in light of Nanci’s homegoing, so I shared about Nanci and quoted from her journal. That date I spoke was actually the one-year anniversary of the day our family of 11 gathered around her bed, and Nanci spoke powerfully into our lives. A week later, she went to be with Jesus.

On December 29, 2018, Nanci wrote in her journal, reflecting on the year since her diagnosis in early 2018: “Last year at this time, I was impressed in my heart that 2018 might be the best year of my life. I had few tangible reasons why I felt this way.”

We may want to turn away from world suffering and refuse to reflect on the significance of our own pain; we just want it to go away. But despite the superficiality of our culture, we remain God’s image-bearers—thinking and caring people, wired to ask questions and seek answers.

The basic problem with the health-and-wealth gospel is that it is man-centered rather than God-centered. When approached from the prosperity posture, prayer degenerates into coercion, where we “name it and claim it,” pulling God’s leash until He comes through. We attempt to arm-twist the Almighty into underwriting comfortable, suffering-free lifestyles.

“In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Faith is like a forward memory, allowing us to believe as if what is promised has already happened. One day we will see how Romans 8:28 was true all along, even in those moments we most doubted it.

Please remember that it takes time to reach that place of perspective. Be patient with yourself during this process. It can take three or more years just to get past the fog and confusion of a major loss.

Joni Eareckson Tada says, “Suffering is meant to press us up against Jesus. It’s not so much about us...it’s about how I can hear His heartbeat and identify with Him in His sufferings.” And, “My paralysis is about knowing Jesus better.”

I’m so sorry to hear about your best friend. You are in a vulnerable space as you grieve and process this loss. There’s a quote attributed to Elisabeth Elliot that says, “Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith.”

I can’t imagine the depth of grief you’re experiencing. It must seem as though life has come to a standstill at times, but everyone around you just keeps on living. Grieving is such a long, difficult, and sometimes lonely process.

In March, my beloved wife, Nanci, lost her four-year battle with colon cancer. All 54 years I’ve known her, Nanci loved Jesus. But from a front-row seat, I watched a wonderful—and supernatural—change in those last four years.

Certainly God sometimes graciously answers our prayers to relieve our suffering. This too testifies to His greatness, and we should praise Him for answering. But when He answers no, we should recognize that He desires to demonstrate His greater glory. May we then bend our knees and trust His sovereign grace.

I honestly don’t see any way God could have made us anything other than automatons unless He gave us the freedom to choose something other than Him. He loves us and wants us to love Him. Forced or legislated love isn’t love.