Carrie Hahn, author of Limping Heavenward, shares her experiences with chronic and comprehensive suffering, exploring how the church can support those experiencing these kinds of feelings. She discusses the importance of genuine presence and friendship, practical help, and not being a miserable comforter. Hahn also talks about the story that only sufferers can tell, that God is worthy of worship and trust even in the midst of suffering, and how our faith can be made more evident through endurance and perseverance. [... more]

Comprehensive and chronic suffering can disrupt most or all of life's major categories, leading to profound disruptions in one's relationship with God. Christians can struggle to sense God's presence, and their theology of suffering may not be rightly drawn from the scriptures. A biblical lament is a necessary component of life in a fallen world, connecting us to God in pain and sustaining our faith and communion with Him. [... more]

The story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel serves as a reminder that we all have to make a choice between serving God or serving idols. Our idols can be good things turned into ultimate worth, such as money, family, or romance, but they can also lead to a life of limping between two opinions, never fully committed to God or to the world. The Bible teaches us that we need to choose one way and get on with it, serving God with all our heart and following Him wholeheartedly. [... more]