Like a doctor slapping a smiley face sticker over a cancerous tumor, all some Christians know to do in the face of calamity is to pave it over with platitudes. But Lamentations teaches us, “Don’t downplay your suffering.” Minimizing suffering is more than just unhelpful to the pained, it’s also unappreciative of God’s plan. And by staying in a state of denial we deny ourselves and others true comfort and a unique opportunity to glorify God.

What other word can we have for you but “partner”? It is not just your giving, but your example, that encourages us to be faithful to the work that God has entrusted to us. You are part of our TMS family. You train men for gospel ministry.

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus warns that the deceitfulness of riches chokes the Word that falls on thorny soil. But money is just a thing, how could it be deceitful? Or perhaps a better question, what exactly are the lies money tells? If we aren’t careful, even Christians can fall prey to these fiscal falsehoods.

Psalm 46 was written as a refuge for God’s people in this age of suffering. Whatever storm we are facing, if God is our Savior and stronghold, we will not be shaken. Since God is the only real source of safety and security in times of great disaster and danger, the true believer need not fear because God’s protection and ultimate victory over the world is inevitable.