[Vision]: Dealing with suffering

Sermons from All Souls Church

In this talk Joe examines how discipleship—being with Jesus, becoming like him, and doing what he did—shapes our response to suffering. Using Job’s story, he explores three types of comfort: the “bad comfort” from Eliphaz, who moralized Job’s suffering; the “better comfort” from Job himself, who openly lamented to God; and the ultimate comfort found in the gospel. Suffering, like Jacob’s limp after wrestling with God, isn’t always holy or meaningful, but it can transform us. Disciples are called to comfort others with food, rest, and presence, not explanations, trusting God amidst life’s unanswered questions.