Category Archives: Suffering

What Matthew Henry Was Thankful For

Posted on November 22, 2023 by russellmckinney

Matthew Henry was an English preacher in the late 1600s and early 1700s. He is best remembered for the legendary commentary set that bears his name. He died from a stroke while on a preaching tour in June, 1714. Once, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Complaining, Contentment, Disappointment, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Problems, Revenge, Sanctification, Suffering, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Ducking Those Spears & Arrows

Posted on October 20, 2023 by russellmckinney

In The Making of a Man of God: Studies in the Life of David, Alan Redpath gives us a wonderful quote concerning the man of God in relation to the people of the world. He writes: It is impossible for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Commitment, Courage, Criticism, Disappointment, Doing Good, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God's Love, God's Provision, God's Work, Ministry, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Don’t Let Yourself Be Stopped

Posted on October 2, 2023 by russellmckinney

A missionary society in South Africa wrote to David Livingstone, the legendary Scottish missionary who blazed trails in Africa for over thirty years. The letter read: Have you found a good road to where you are? If not, we want … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Commitment, Confession, Courage, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God's Work, Leadership, Ministry, Missions, Pastors, Persecution, Perseverance, Priorities, Problems, Repentance, Service, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Humility Through Character-Building Experiences

Posted on August 23, 2023 by russellmckinney

The noted preacher and author Chuck Swindoll tells of a man who won a plaque for being the most humble man on earth. The man took the plaque home and placed it prominently on the mantle in his living room. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Complaining, Disappointment, Faithfulness, God's Omniscience, Humility, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal, Personal Holiness, Pride, Problems, Sickness, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Don’t Bail Out

Posted on July 10, 2023 by russellmckinney

Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” (John 6:67, N.K.J.V.) A pilot announced to his passengers that three of the plane’s four engines had conked out. A few seconds later he came out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Choices, Christ's Miracles, Commitment, Complaining, Decisions, Depression, Disappointment, Discipleship, Disobedience, Doubt, Eternal Security, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Will, Obedience, Perseverance, Problems, Rebellion, Service, Suffering, Temptation, Trials, Trusting In God, Truth, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ministering to Difficult People

Posted on June 12, 2023 by russellmckinney

New Yorker Stephen Merritt was an interesting guy. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, he served Christ as both a minister and an undertaker. (He was the undertaker for the funeral of Ulysses S. Grant.) In addition to these … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Character, Complaining, Confession, Conscience, Conviction, Discipleship, Doing Good, Extending Forgiveness, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Revenge, Service, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

A Good Word of Prophecy About Environmentalism

Posted on June 7, 2023 by russellmckinney

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ's Second Coming, Christ's Return, Creation, Prophecy, Restoration, Suffering | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Find Things for Which to Be Thankful

Posted on December 30, 2022 by russellmckinney

A subway car was overly crowded, causing several people to have to stand. Naturally, most of them were griping about the situation. As the car pulled into another station where still more people boarded, one standing man said to those … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Complaining, Contentment, Disappointment, Perseverance, Problems, Salvation, Suffering, Thankfulness | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“My Cross Is Too Big for Me to Bear”

Posted on December 9, 2022 by russellmckinney

A Christian woman was forced to continually deal with a ongoing problem in her life. Eventually, she faded into total self-pity. Time and time again she told people, “My cross is too big for me to bear.” One night she … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Complaining, Contentment, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Perseverance, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How Optimistic Are You About Your Future?

Posted on November 11, 2022 by russellmckinney

Flagstaff, Maine, was chosen as the site for a huge hydroelectric installation. The installation would include a dam that would impound miles and miles of water and bury the town under water. Consequently, in the late 1940s, the process of … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Assurance of Salvation, Attitude, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Comfort, Contentment, Depression, Disappointment, Elderly, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Eternity, Faith, Heaven, Peace, Problems, Reward, Salvation, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment