This collection of conference messages has convinced me that we cannot limit God's involvement in our suffering and loss to the fact that he "allowed" it; we must grapple with the truth that in his sovereignty, he ordained it.
As if Joni's radiant life were not a strong enough refutation of the health-and-wealth gospel, her soundly scriptural exploration of suffering convinces us that while God does not promise to remove our suffering, he does promise to redeem it.
Sittser, with a unique depth of wisdom and the compassionate companionship of someone who has "been there," invites the possibility that God can use our seemingly senseless loss for good.
Lewis's raw emotions in the throes of losing his beloved helped me to feel not so alone. I weep again when underlined phrases remind me how it first felt to read, "Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything."
Perhaps the most lingering insight is Yancey's suggestion that we surrender our quest to understand "why?" and instead begin to ask, "to what end?" thus infusing the struggle with purpose and meaning.