Why God Allows Suffering

By Sarah Buchholz

Dive into a 40 day devotional journey. Dig into scripture for strength and encouragement, especially during trials and tribulations. Designed for busy lifestyles, each day will take a short amount of time. Grow your grace, faith and strength by asking yourself and discovering the answers to the following questions:
What if our hardest days and toughest moments had a purpose? What if they came with a glimmer of hope instead of feelings of hopelessness? What if every single bad experience you have encountered could be used for good?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sarah Buchholz
• Release date: Mar 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393050230

Book preview

This book is dedicated to my husband, Chris, who has never stopped believing in me. Your support, strength and selflessness did not go unnoticed throughout this endeavor. I love you, today, and forever.

I further dedicate this book to my two daughters, Haley and Adalynn. Haley, who has overcome obstacles despite tremendous opposition and Adalynn, whose faith never falters. I love you both and please know how much of an inspirational purpose you both served in me writing this book.

Further dedication goes to my mama. A woman who has faced many struggles, yet has an untouched stamina and strength to battle every struggle she faces. A woman whose unconditional love for me never waivered, even despite my many sins. Thank you, mama. I will always have my faith, hope and love because of what you have taught me, knowing the greatest of these is love.

Finally, to my best friend, Lindsie. God made no mistake in bonding our friendship. Lindsie, you have taught me grit and grace. Goals are non-negotiable and when I set one, you’ve led by example to go all in and not to stop until it is reached. Yet, every time I trip over a stone on my way to the goal, you’ve equally shown me how important grace is. Thank you for your unending support and friendship. Love you!

Preface

WHAT IF OUR HARDEST days and toughest moments had a purpose? What if they came with a glimmer of hope instead of feelings of hopelessness? What if every single bad experience you have encountered could be used for good?

Sarah’s earliest remembered bad experience was when she was two years old. Her mother and father were fighting. She tried to break it up, but she was not strong enough to stop the fists of her father from swinging at her mother. She wasn’t strong enough to catch the dishes before they were thrown and broken against the kitchen walls. So she hid. She hid in the closet, holding her newborn baby sister, until the fighting ended. She was fearful and questioned where God was in this moment. Was somebody going to protect her and her sister? Would life always be this way? Why couldn’t they be a normal family?

In brief moments, hope occurred. Sarah’s mother chose to leave her father. A life free from abuse, fearful nights, and hopelessness appeared to be on the horizon. Or so Sarah thought. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case. Sarah’s mother continued to choose relationships that resulted in domestic violence to the point of near death.

Sarah was five years old when her mother’s boyfriend broke into their home. He held a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her. Sarah and her younger sister were clinging to their mother’s ankles, sobbing and praying he would let her live. In that moment, Sarah’s mother began to recite the Lord’s Prayer. Immediately, the knife was dropped, a look of immense fear came over the boyfriend’s face, and he ran from the home, never to be involved in their lives again.

In that moment, the moment the knife hit the floor, Sarah no longer felt afraid. She knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that God existed. Not only did He exist; but He loved her enough to save her that day. Not just physically either, she would be eternally saved. She would experience heaven one day. Her suffering led to her salvation.

Of course, life wasn’t easy after that. It took years of intense therapy, broken relationships and grace before this family was fully repaired. Sarah grew up; with the typical trials and tribulations that resulted from a traumatic childhood. Eating disorders, binge drinking, and her own abusive relationships, among others, were all the things she had to work through. But God never gave up on her. His grace was sufficient in her weakness. She grew up and grew in ways unimaginable. She had a heart for child welfare. She graduated from college, had a 10-year career in the social work field, adopted a child in need, and created a family of her own. And now; she writes this book to you, to help you understand why God allows suffering.

Day 1

You Are Not Alone

Isaiah 43: -  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Chances are, you bought this book because you are in a time of suffering. Maybe you have lost a pet. Maybe you are facing an unwanted divorce. Maybe you just lost your job and have no idea how you are going to provide for your family in just a few weeks’ time. Maybe you are suffering an unexpected injury or illness that has changed your life completely. Maybe you just lost somebody who meant the world to you. Maybe you don’t know what in the world to do or where to go from here.

You feel alone. Helpless. Without purpose. You’re in bondage to the fear that this suffering will never end. Listen, it’s okay to feel this way. But it’s not okay to stay stuck here. Today, you can take the first step in breaking free. Free from feelings of helplessness. Free from fear and bondage. Free from allowing suffering to define your life. You are not alone!

Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us,  Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Start today by thanking God for never leaving you alone. Leave your suffering at His feet; and write out a prayer asking Him to heal you. Include specifics about your situation, suffering, and steps on how to move forward.

Moving Forward

Look up and record a verse about loneliness from the Bible. Commit to memorizing that verse this week. (Psalms is a good book to go to -if you need a starting point.)