Why Does Suffering Exist?

How can a loving God allow suffering to exist? This question may be one of the most asked questions about Christianity. Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle begin a new series on the Problem of Pain where they respond to this question. They begin by discussing why suffering exists, why God allows it to exist, and where God is at in our suffering.

Snippet from the Show
Suffering becomes transformed in the cross and resurrection. It becomes something that purifies and refines us so that we can draw closer to our Lord and grow our compassion and humility.

Shownotes

Quotes from the Show

• Of all the countercultural teachings of the Church, the Catholic view of pain and the acceptance of pain rank among the most countercultural.
• Suffering is not just something that we endure with stoic indifference. Suffering becomes transformed in the cross and resurrection, both of them, into something that is salvific.
• The Gospel is above the culture which is why it's able to change any and every culture.
• Suffering can disrupt in months what existed for years of faithful discipleship. Suffering is serious discipleship business.

Resources

• Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com  
• Text “EKSB” to 33-777 to subscribe and be added to the Every Knee Shall Bow email list.
• Visit Dave’s website   www.thecatholictruthaboutangelsanddemons.com  and www.artofevangelization.com 
• Visit Mike’s website at www.layevangelist.com

Dave VanVickle fell in love with the Lord at the age of fourteen and has since dedicated his life to bringing others into a radical relationship with Christ. He is a speaker and retreat leader who focuses on proclaiming the universal call to holiness, authentic Catholic spirituality, spiritual warfare and deliverance. Additionally, Dave has over ten years of experience assisting priests with their ministries of exorcism and deliverance. Dave married his late wife Amber in 2010. He now resides in Pittsburgh with his five children: Sam, Max, Judah, Josie and Louisa.

Michael "Gomer" Gormley spent 17 years in full-time parish ministry and is now the Mission Evangelist for That Man Is You!, a men’s apostolate for Paradisus Dei. Michael is a frequent speaker at conferences, retreats, and parish missions all over the US and Canada. He is the founder and creative director of LayEvangelist.com, and hosts three Catholic podcasts: Every Knee Shall Bow, Catching Foxes, and Becoming God. Michael is married to his college sweetheart, Shannon, and has four beautiful and hilarious children: Kateri, Cecilia, Noah, and Thomas.