How to Think about the COVID-19 Crisis and Suffering in General
CHBC Family and Friends,
Again and again in life we run into the questions of suffering and evil. Until Christ returns this will be a timeless question, because we live in a fallen, broken, sinful world. All of creation groans. Romans 8:19-23 say, “19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.”
The coronavirus COVID-19 is another opportunity for us as Christians to help people address the problem of evil and suffering, and to provide a gospel-centered hope. This is especially critical in our own homes. Many of you have asked how to talk with your children or teens about this, and we are here to help. Even if no one in our families gets sick or dies from this virus, we are all suffering the loss of things, and emotional pain is creating questions of God’s goodness and God’s sovereignty.
I am including links to some helpful resources for you and your family. You may also see these on resource lists from other staff members, and that is because we want you to be adequately equipped to walk what will likely be one of the most memorable events in some of our lives. Take a look at the resources, and please reach out to myself, our other pastors, or Mrs. Cheryl if we can talk with you.
- From Ligonier Ministries and RC Sproul: Surprised by Suffering, a teaching series
- From the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC): A God-Centered Theology of Suffering, a podcast
- From AWANA: How to Help our Kids Deal with the Corona Virus, an article
- From Desiring God Ministries and John Piper: How to Talk to Children About Coronavirus, a podcast
- From CHBC and Mark D. DeMoss: Sermons from Lamentations, a sermon series
Mark D. DeMoss, Senior Pastor