How Can Christians Maintain Their Faith as They Go Through Chronic Suffering?

Ask Dr. E

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12d ago 11:27

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Q: Do you have a book, sermon, or other resource to help Christians to maintain their faith as they go through chronic suffering? My daughter has a debilitating disease that she got in her early 20’s and it has progressively got worse in 3+ years. She says she can’t forgive God for not healing her and even if he healed her now she asks why he didn’t heal her before. She’s so angry with God she’s giving up on a relationship with Him and ready to completely walk away from any faith. Please help.

Summary

In this episode, Dr. E offers wisdom to a father whose daughter is wrestling with debilitating illness, anger at God, and a fading faith. Dr. E shares that while he’s never asked God “why,” he’s often asked Him “how” — how to live well through pain, how to endure with grace, and how to resist bitterness. Drawing from his own chronic suffering journey, Dr. E unpacks the difference between entitlement and surrender, encouraging listeners to reframe suffering in light of God's sovereignty.

He offers gentle but clear guidance: some “why” questions may never be answered this side of heaven, and continuing to ask them may only deepen bitterness. Instead, he urges us to ask “how” — how can I respond faithfully today? Recommended resources like A Place of Healing by Joni Eareckson Tada and How Long, O Lord? by D.A. Carson offer paths to healing and spiritual perspective. Ultimately, Dr. E reminds us that we can't carry others’ faith, but we can lead, love, and trust that God is still writing the story — even in the pain.

Takeaways

Asking “how do I live?” leads to faithfulness; asking “why did this happen?” can lead to bitterness.
Chronic suffering may never come with clear answers — but God offers sustaining grace.
We cannot force someone else’s faith, but we can lead them gently through love.
Surrendering our sense of entitlement is key to enduring trials with spiritual maturity.
There are some “why” questions in life that will never be answered — and that’s okay.

Links Mentioned

A Place of Healing by Joni Eareckson Tada

Pain And Providence by Joni Eareckson Tada

Beyond Suffering Bible by Joni Eareckson Tada

How Long, O Lord by D.A. Carson

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