What do you do when suffering just doesn't make sense? What about suffering that seems to have no clear reason? Does everything happen for a reason? How do you support someone who is going through an intense time of suffering? As Steve and Rich continue the conversation on suffering from last week, they do their best to address and answer these questions. They spend a few minutes on the idea of there being a "reason" or even a "punishment" seen in suffering. It can be incredibly damaging when believers try to tell others what the reason for their suffering might be. Rich talks about the suffering seen in Luke 13:1-5 and how Jesus responds. Steve and Rich both share more personal stories this week as they talk about the theology of suffering. The phrase "God will never give you more than you can handle" is one that is problematic. Many things are addressed in this episode, but the key takeaway is that no matter what God will be in the midst of suffering, He is the God of all comfort. He will never leave or forsake.

Steve Engram's testimony on The Stories Collective, Episode 100
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Rich Holland's testimony on The Stories Collective podcast, Episode 45
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Trials of Many Kinds by Rita Springer + Brooke Ligertwood

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Why do bad things happen to good people? Why is God doing this to me? This might be the most vulnerable, real and raw episode of Resident Strangers yet as Steve and Rich do their best to address these questions. This conversation begins a series of episodes on suffering while being under God's sovereignty. A key mindset to have when thinking through this is remembering that as believers this world is not our home. One day we will experience perfection, but that day has not yet come. Steve brings up the story of Cain and Abel to talk through how God's sovereign hand was present in the midst of tragedy and sin. Another big factor is remembering that no matter what happens believers are called to represent Jesus and live like Him. That can be easy to understand but harder to do. Rich and Steve both reference a lot of scripture passages to support these ideas while also speaking from the heart. They each share very personal stories about suffering in their own lives. Thankfully God is at work in both the good and the bad; He can redeem any tragedy. Steve, Rich and Sarah pray this conversation speaks to you right where you are.

Steve Engram's testimony on The Stories Collective, Episode 100

Rich Holland's testimony on The Stories Collective podcast, Episode 45

Trials of Many Kinds by Rita Springer + Brooke Ligertwood

Sign up for the Resident Strangers email list

Questions or comments?
Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.

What are spiritual gifts and what are they for? What is the difference between a talent and a spiritual gift? Today's episode is a continuation of the conversations from the last few weeks. Steve defines a spiritual gift as a special enabling that a Christian is given to primarily serve the body of Christ and to build up the body of Christ. Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4 are where much of the understanding about this comes from. Each believer in Christ has been given a spiritual gift so that the person can function in a local body of believers for Christ's honor and glory. With this in mind it is important to know that no gift or person is better or more important than another. Every part is needed for the health of the body of believers. Rich describes it beautifully by saying that each believer is a gift to the Church. What is the connection between a spiritual gift and a natural talent? Steve and Rich break that down and give insight into how to use natural abilities for the Church. An easy way to sum up this whole episode would be to say that if you have placed your faith in Christ when the Holy Spirit came to reside in you, He gave you a spiritual gift. Exercising this gift in the body of Christ is so important, it is the main purpose. It is so important that every Christian grasps and understands this.

S.H.A.P.E. Test

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Questions or comments?
Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.