A Primer on Maintaining Sanity through Suffering

A preview of January's email-only article.


Owen Beard


Did you know I write a monthly article just for email subscribers? It's true!

This month we're discussing the isolating effect suffering can have on its victims, but how Jesus is able to empathize with every trial we face.

Here's how it starts:

 

I don't know what kind of trials you are enduring right now, but I assure you Jesus does. And he can relate. 
 
You might think being a God-man would be an easy task with access to the supernatural at his fingertips. But remember, Jesus willingly limited himself to serve as the role model for humanity. Think you've got it tough, or have your fair share of temptations? I'm sure you do. But Jesus had it worse: 
 
We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 
 
The life of Christ even before the crucifixion wasn't exactly a cakewalk. Once he began his ministry and claimed spiritual authority, the Pharisees and other religious leaders tested him ad nauseam. More than once they threatened to kill him. Many of Jesus's own family and also his hometown rejected him. Though he was an incredible teacher and healer, he had no possessions at the time of his death. 
 
Such a reality should serve as a source of encouragement to us, knowing that whatever type of trial or struggle we could go through, Jesus has already endured it. 
 
Have you ever undergone some sort of ordeal and no one around you could relate?

 

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What I Read in 2020

Four of my favorite books from 2020, plus I'm giving one of them away!

Darren Richardson

Whatever else you can say about 2020, time spent sequestered at home afforded the opportunity to read more than usual. And, although I conclude just about every year wishing I had spent more time reading, I navigated my way through some good books these past twelve months. Here's what I read.