Posts from June 2024

Suffering Well…Through ALS, part 2

This is part 2 of an interview conducted by Nathan Oates with Eric C. in Feb. 2024. If you missed the previous post, part 1, please start there. E: I was losing my ability with my right arm. I thought it was carpal tunnel. July 6, 2022 was the last day I ever ran… All of that was ALS. But even then I thought, “God, if you want me to continue running or to continue in school you must give…

Suffering Well…Through ALS

The following reflection is the first of two from an interview of Eric C. by Nathan Oates recorded on February 12, 2024: This is what God has for me…not that he gave ALS to me… but it is for his glory… N. What have you learned through this experience?E. Our bodies have a life…we all have a battery…we’re losing charge. We’re all going to die. I’ve learned to be grateful for every breath I have because ultimately ALS will take…

Suffering Well…Through Childhood Trauma

a reflection by Heather N. Suffering. It is unavoidable. It is tethered to the human experience. Suffering looks different for each individual, but it is inevitable. For me, suffering looks like severe childhood trauma; it looks like a dysfunctional and emotionally abusive relationship; it looks like a physical expression of pain from an imploding emotional state. For you, maybe suffering is so much bigger, or not as intense, but to each person their suffering is excruciating and no one can…

Suffering Well… After the Loss of a Spouse

A reflection by Craig D. How does one suffer well? In my case, unintentionally. Yes, I’m a follower of Jesus and I know all the stock verses and sayings. But that presumes my brain and my heart were functioning normally. Neither was. My heart was broken. My best friend, my precious Judi, was gone. My mind was a fog, it couldn’t put thoughts together and process them. So, if I suffered well, it wasn’t because of me or my actions.…