suffering Archives - Flowing Faith

It’s OK to Not Be OK

October 13, 2020 Mari-Anna Stålnacke @flowingfaith Comments 0 Comment

The message I want to share with you today is very simple yet it seems very needed: It’s OK to not be OK. You have biblical permission to be not okay. You don’t believe me? That’s okay. But please do believe Jesus. I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory…

Read More Read More

Embracing God’s Perspective

January 31, 2020 Mari-Anna Stålnacke @flowingfaith Comments 0 Comment

There are some puzzling Bible stories of what Jesus did, like turning tables of money changers and telling Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan!’ It’s a bit shocking to hear Jesus reacting this way but when we look at the stories a bit closer, we find deep wisdom in them. Today I want to talk about the latter story. It will help us to understand the importance of embracing God’s perspective. From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that…

Read More Read More

Temporary Setbacks

April 9, 2019 Mari-Anna Stålnacke @flowingfaith Comments 0 Comment

A cold snap, anyone? When your heart is ready for daffodils and coffee on a terrace and then spring suddenly retreats and winter comes back with a force. Sigh. And it’s not any better to get other kinds of setbacks in life. But they are part of life so we need to get used to temporary setbacks. Because they are inevitable and literally temporary. The God of all grace is at work behind the scenes. And after you have suffered a…

Read More Read More

We Are Healed in Jesus

March 27, 2018 Mari-Anna Stålnacke @flowingfaith Comments 2 comments

Sometimes we might wonder whether God can understand what’s going on in our lives. You know, how awful it feels to get rejected or be shunned from the coffee table discussions at work. How could God understand what it feels like to lose a friend, right? But then I’m reminded that Jesus is God. And Jesus went through awful things, especially during the time we call the holy week. Jesus got rejected, shunned, cast off. His friends unfriended him, he…

Read More Read More

How to Be Prepared for Tough Times

February 16, 2018 Mari-Anna Stålnacke @flowingfaith Comments 6 comments

Often we have big why questions when horrible things happen. But that question does not help us to deal with disasters. Because we can’t understand why certain things happen. Some of the evil things are caused by humans, directly or indirectly. But there are a lot of mysterious, inexplicable suffering in the world too. Whatever the cause of the current suffering is, taking it all in is taxing. Then it’s just time to lean on God, trust Him for seeing…

Read More Read More

Help Is Near

July 22, 2016 Mari-Anna Stålnacke @flowingfaith Comments 8 comments

Are you in need of help? But are you too embarrassed or too proud to ask for help? Or do you think no one can ever understand what you’re going through so why bother? I hear you. Being vulnerable and weak is not fun. But denying our need for help does no good for anyone. That way we don’t get the help we’d need but we also deny others the blessing to help us. And we’d all miss God’s hand…

Read More Read More

Blaming God ?

April 18, 2016 Mari-Anna Stålnacke @flowingfaith Comments 6 comments

Are you blaming God for your difficulties? Or are you angry at God for letting you suffer? I have news for you. It’s natural but not Biblical to think life, even for a follower of Christ, should be smooth sailing. The Bible does not promise life without difficulties or give an exempt for suffering. Actually, we are promised quite the opposite. I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have[perfect] peace. In the world you have…

Read More Read More

Do Not Skip Good Friday

March 25, 2016 Mari-Anna Stålnacke @flowingfaith Comments 8 comments

Are you tempted to skip Good Friday and hop straight over to Easter? I hear you. I think it’d be great to pretend that all the cruel things on Good Friday did not happen. And, especially, denying our part in it, right? But that’s not how God planned out our salvation. It does involve blood, suffering, and dying. All for our sake. Our salvation was costly. We can’t forget that. We can’t skip Good Friday. Otherwise, our Easter joy would…

Read More Read More

How Can We Be Merry?

December 15, 2014 Mari-Anna Stålnacke @flowingfaith Comments 6 comments

The world news seem to be getting more horrific all the time. Kidnappings, massacres, wars, murders, accidents. It all feels terrible, especially in the season of love and peace. How can we be merry? How can we rejoice when the world is full of tears and heart-break? But do we then forget what is the reason of the season? Do we forget why Jesus came into the world? The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord…

Read More Read More

When Life Is Heavy and Hard to Take

November 7, 2012 Mari-Anna Stålnacke @flowingfaith Comments 20 comments

I am utterly thankful that the Bible includes Lamentations. Just as life in general spiritual life is not always sunshine and smooth sailing. When life is heavy and hard to take, you don’t need to hide from God. Actually, that is exactly when you most need Christ. With the words of Jesus: “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting the sin-sick, not the spiritually-fit.” (Mark 2:17, MSG) God sent his only son to the world…

Read More Read More