There are seasons in the lives of all when it is not easy, no not even for Christians, to believe that God is faithful. Our faith is sorely tried, our eyes bedimmed with tears, and we can no longer trace the outworkings of His love. Our ears are distracted with the noises of the world, harassed by the atheistic whisperings of Satan, and we can no longer hear the sweet accents of His still small voice. Cherished plans have been thwarted, friends on whom we relied have failed us, a profest brother or sister in Christ has betrayed us. We are staggered. We sought to be faithful to God, and now a dark cloud hides Him from us. We find it difficult, yea, impossible, for carnal reason to harmonize His frowning providence with His gracious promises.
— A.W. Pink (1886–1952), Theologe
Topics: Suffering & the Question of God, Faith & Trust, Doubt & Hard Questions
Occasions: Comfort
A.W. Pink
Arthur Walkington Pink (1886–1952) war ein englischer Pastor und theologischer Autor, der nach Stationen in den USA, Australien und England zuletzt weitgehend zurückgezogen in Schottland wirkte. Er vertrat eine kompromisslose reformierte Theologie, die die absolute Souveränität Gottes sowie persönliche Heiligung betonte und ihn zu Lebzeiten in kirchliche Isolation führte. Für Bibelleser bieten seine Schriften gründliche, streng am Text orientierte Auslegungen, die nach seinem Tod maßgeblich zur Wiederbelebung puritanisch-reformierten Denkens beitrugen.
In our own woundedness, we can become sources of life for others.
Henri Nouwen
Ultimately mourning means facing what wounds us in the presence of One who can heal.
Henri Nouwen
C.S. Lewis
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become.
Henri Nouwen
He has chosen not to heal me, but to hold me. The more intense the pain, the closer His embrace.
Joni Eareckson Tada
Etty Hillesum
God writes straight even on crooked lines.
Paul Claudel
God lets us walk no path that he himself has not walked, and on which he does not go ahead of us.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer