November 2025
Issue 236

The puzzling purpose of suffering

You and I have asked that question ourselves, especially when we're in the midst of a painful experience. It doesn't seem right.

It seems even more wrong for us believers to suffer. After all, shouldn't we get preferential treatment? Why should we go through the same misery as people who reject God and sin as much as they please?

November's feature article explores these questions. If you're not suffering right now, you have vivid memories of it, and experience tells you it will visit you in the future. No human being can escape it.

Knowing the reasons why won't necessarily get you out of it faster (which is what we all want), but it can demolish some of our wrong thinking. It can bring humility.

Most of all, knowing the reasons behind suffering can keep us from blaming God.

Jump into the purpose of suffering.

He is there

You followed, you prayed,
you thought you did right.
Now it hits you again
all alone in the night.

Your 'why's' go unanswered.
The silence is loud.
The pain wraps around you
as tight as a shroud.

So you cry, so you cry,
until something within
makes you try to surrender
and reach out again.

Just when you think
you've had all you can stand,
He comes down to you
and grabs onto your hand.

His touch is commanding.
His compassion is sure.
His mercy overwhelms you.
His love is the cure.

Now you can go on.
He has answered your prayer.
No matter what happens,
He is there, He is there.

~ Jack Zavada, www.inspiration-for-singles.com, 2025 ~

Some truths on why you matter

Jesus never cared about anybody's marital status. That doesn't matter to him. You do, as a unique individual.

Don't let social media tell you your worth. It's not based on exotic vacations, fancy meals, a big house, or a loving family. When everybody's posting those photos, remember who you really are: a child of God.

You are a person whom Jesus went to the cross for. He loves you so much he wanted you to spend eternity with him. Realizing that takes your breath away.

I put together some reminders for you. Check out this article on why you matter.

Are you really ready for marriage?

Wait. What if you started working on your problems now, before you get married?

Hope for Hurting Singles. can help you do just that. You'll find proven principles for tackling loneliness, shyness, rejection, depression, fear, low self-esteem, and bitterness In fact, you can read the entire first chapter about loneliness f/ree, right here as a sample.

Hope for Hurting Singles. is down to earth, written in a conversational style you'll enjoy. Not only will you learn what works, you'll learn what methods don't work, based on the author's 45+ years in the single life.

Let's face it: Marriage is going to be a major challenge for you. Don't take your current problems into it. Start solving them now, with Hope for Hurting Singles.. You'll be glad you did.

For $10.99 in paperback or $3.99 for the Kindle version, you can become a calmer, more caring partner for that new spouse you deserve!

November QOTM: Piper's wisdom

You and I are creatures of flesh and blood who live in a solid, material world that seems more real to us than the invisible spiritual realm.

The shocking truth is our Unseen God is the ultimate reality. Everything we can touch and see will one day pass away. God never will.

Contentment in God comes from knowing only He can meet our deepest needs. A spouse can't, nor can anything else in this world. We learn this only by being disappointed by worldly things. Suffering is the instrument that teaches us.

God is not cruel. He allows suffering to drive us to him. In him is the love, peace, and joy we seek. Even if it goes on for decades, suffering is temporary. God's love is forever.

Choose kindness and surprise people

It doesn't take much to compliment someone or do a small good deed for them. Really, with all the nastiness in the world, kindness is unexpected. I think you'll find when you take a minute to be thoughtful, the good feeling rebounds back on you.

Give, and you can't help receiving.

It doesn't have to be elaborate. Tell a friend you value your relationship. Hold the door open for someone or let them go ahead of you in the checkout line. Slow down to let another driver merge. Donate to a food pantry. Hug a relative and tell them you love them.

When we're building Christlike character, as we discussed in the last issue, we can do that by being kind. Let God's love overflow from you onto others.

Here are some reasons to choose kindness.

What if you don't feel thankful?

I can relate. One past Thanksgiving I was recovering from cancer treatments and was still very sick. Another Thanksgiving I was unemployed. On four Thanksgivings I had a broken heart from major losses.

With the grace of God, we get through the holidays as best we can, trying not to bring other people down and spoil their celebration. It's hard to force happiness, but we can be brave for one day.

When we're hurting, it's easy to forget our God is a good God. Our problem is so overpowering we can't feel his love. But it's there. God is a loving Father who mourns with his children when we're in pain. As you saw in this month's feature article, God has not abandoned you.

We can't trust our emotions to tell us the truth about God's love. We can trust his Word:

"Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, NLT)

Despite our hurts, we can find simple things to be thankful for: our family, our home, enough food to eat, our computer or phone which can help us find encouragement. And, of course, we can thank God every day for our salvation.

The Christian life is not an easy one, but it is the right one. May God bless you this holiday and always

The most satisfied singles in the world…

This will be a standing feature every month. Remember, I cannot know your identity if you use only your first name on the Contact Form. I will even omit your state or country. And if you are still too embarrassed to send in a prayer request, please at least pray for the people who do:

Dawn: emotional healing for her sister.

Lisa: physical healing for her brother.

Jenny: emotional healing.

If you'd like to send a prayer request for the December issue, please use our secure Contact Form, which will route it to my personal inbox.

Finally, I am thankful for you Inspire-O-Gram subscribers who allow me to visit you every month. We have a kind, holy God who lavishes his unconditional love on us, and I am privileged to help spread his gospel.

Until the December issue, I leave you with this quote from evangelist Charles Spurgeon: "It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness."

PS: Not a Christian yet? Find out how to become a Christian.