243. What's On Our Mind- Why God Allows Suffering: A Conversation About Pain, Purpose, And Presence GOD: An Autobiography, As Told To A Philosopher

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243. What's On Our Mind- Why God Allows Suffering: A Conversation About Pain, Purpose, and Presence

2M ago 34:00

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In this moving episode of What’s On Our Mind, Scott and Jerry revisit one of the most difficult questions in spiritual life: why does suffering exist?

Drawing from God: An Autobiography, As Told to a Philosopher, they reflect on God’s response to Jerry’s early questions about pain and meaning. God doesn’t minimize suffering—He calls it “the law of growth in the universe.”

Jerry and Scott explore how suffering shapes the soul, how grief expresses love, and how even ordinary moments—taking a photo, mailing a letter—can be spiritually rich. They also challenge the belief that suffering is a punishment or sign of guilt, offering instead a divine perspective that invites growth, presence, and compassion.

Whether you’re struggling or simply wondering, this episode speaks to the human need to find meaning in life’s hardest moments.

Related Episodes:

242. What's Your Spiritual Story? Rosemarie Proctor: A Chaplain’s Journey Through Grief, Healing, and Faith

241. Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue- What We Learn Through Love and Suffering

240. From God to Jerry to You- When Suffering Strikes: Finding Meaning, Love, and God in Hard Times

Other Series:

The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:

The Life Wisdom Project – Spiritual insights on living a wiser, more meaningful life.

From God to Jerry to You – Divine messages and breakthroughs for seekers.

Two Philosophers Wrestle With God – A dialogue on God, truth, and reason.

Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue – Love, faith, and divine presence in partnership.

What’s Your Spiritual Story – Real stories of people changed by encounters with God.

What’s On Our Mind – Reflections from Jerry and Scott on recent episodes.

What’s On Your Mind – Listener questions, divine answers, and open dialogue.

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Chapters

1. 243. What's On Our Mind- Why God Allows Suffering: A Conversation About Pain, Purpose, and Presence (00:00:00)

2. Introduction to God: An Autobiography, The Podcast (00:00:17)

3. Introduction to What's On Our Mind: Why Suffering? (00:01:10)

4. Suffering Makes Life Serious (00:02:23)

5. God's Words on Pain and Growth (00:05:36)

6. Regret, Grief, and Love in Suffering (00:09:01)

7. Finding Meaning in Real Experiences (00:11:40)

8. Breaking the Link Between Suffering and Guilt (00:13:09)

9. God’s Unconditional Love and Self-Worth (00:16:07)

10. Reflections on Rosemarie's Spiritual Story (00:17:43)

11. Moments of Knowing: Photography and Presence (00:20:28)

12. Sacred Mundanity: Mailing a Letter (00:24:19)

13. Isolation vs. Divine Encounters (00:26:44)

14. The Blessing of Enacted Love (00:28:44)

15. Outro and Contact Information: Stay Connected (00:32:00)

249 episodes