Table of Contents

Introduction     9
To Live Is to Suffer     17
Remembering Our Story     18
Sinful Roots     22
Experiencing Evil     26
Knowing Our Limitations     36
A Suffering World     41
God Expects Us to Ask "Why?"     47
The Universal Question     51
The Road to Meaning     52
Seeking Purpose     56
Asking in Faith     61
The Mystery of God's Response     67
Not All Suffering Is Punishment     71
Getting to Know Job     73
Suffering Sent by God?     78
Wading Through the Depths of Mystery     85
Putting the Pieces Together     92
God Wills Salvation, Not Suffering     97
Embracing God's Love     98
The Complexity of the Cross     105
Saved But Still Suffering     111
God Is on Our Side     116
Jesus Gives Pain Purpose     127
Doing Good by Suffering     131
Suffering for Jesus     132
Suffering with Jesus     141
Making the Leap of Faith     153
Suffering Calls Forth Love     157
The GoodSamaritan     158
The Way to Life     165
Am I a Neighbor?     169
Following the Master     177
Acknowledgements     183
Endnotes     185