Resources for the Waiting Room
If you’re walking through a difficult season, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. I’ve gathered a few resources that I’ve found helpful or that I believe are worth exploring. They come from different Christian perspectives, because I think it’s important to ask questions, wrestle with Scripture, and think carefully about what we believe.
1. Joni and Friends
Joni and Friends
Joni Eareckson Tada has spent decades helping people think about disability, suffering, faith, and hope. Her ministry offers practical and biblical resources for people living with disability or chronic suffering, as well as for their families and churches. If you’re struggling with the question of where God is in the middle of suffering, you’ll find a lot here that is worth exploring.
Link: https://joniandfriends.org/posts-by-joni/sufferings-reveals-the-goodness-of-the-father/
2. Christianity Today
Christianity Today — Faith, Disease & Suffering
Questions about suffering, illness, healing, and unanswered prayer are not new. Christianity Today has collected a number of thoughtful articles looking at these questions from different Christian perspectives. I appreciate that the conversations don't try to give easy answers to very difficult questions.
Link: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2020/04/disease-suffering-pain-christianity-today-archives/
3. The Gospel Coalition
The Gospel Coalition — Suffering, Prayer & Healing
What do we pray when we're sick? What does it mean to trust God when healing doesn't come? The Gospel Coalition has a number of articles that dig into these questions from a biblical and theological perspective. You may not agree with every perspective you read, but I think wrestling with different viewpoints is important when we're trying to understand what we believe.
Link: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/topics/suffering/
4. BioLogos
BioLogos — Faith, Science & Medicine
Sometimes faith and medicine are treated as though they’re on opposite sides. I don't see it that way. Science, medical treatment, prayer, and faith can all be part of the story. BioLogos explores the relationship between Christian faith and science and offers thoughtful resources for Christians who want to engage both honestly.
Link: https://biologos.org/
5. Desiring God
Desiring God — Suffering & Unanswered Prayer
One of the hardest parts of suffering can be wondering whether we're doing something wrong when God doesn't answer the way we hoped. Desiring God has a number of resources dealing with suffering, prayer, healing, and God's sovereignty. Some of the material is challenging, but it can be helpful when you're trying to work through these questions from Scripture.
Link: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/when-prayers-go-unanswered