Paschal Igwe

Understanding Our Human Struggles in the Light of Our Christian Faith Paschal Igwe

I must say that I was very delighted to hear many people asking to know when my next book would be published. I understand by that question that they must have read and valued my previous publications. This book is a response to that request, but it also stems from my desire to share the riches of God's bounteous grace. I believe the word of God speaks to us today with a compelling urgency, just as it did in the time of the apostles. There is a plethora of evidence to indicate that there is a lot of suffering in our world today, and many a time, our suffering not only impacts our physical and emotional well being but it also tends to crush our spiritual life line. In times of suffering, it is not uncommon for people to want to renounce their faith, denounce God's goodness, or even disengage from Church activities due to our limited understanding and zero tolerance for suffering. No wonder C. S. Lewis, in his book the problem of pain, said, that we are not imperfect human beings seeking for an improvement; we are rebels who need to lay down our arms. Recall that when Jesus was told about the sickness of Lazarus, he quickly responded that his sickness was not unto death. What else could that mean other than the fact that the sickness of Lazarus would not result in his spiritual death for the simple reason that those who believe in Jesus do not die, nor do they suffer in the next life. Our life here on earth is simply the starting point, for the main life we are called to live still lies ahead. Is it any wonder that St. Paul tells us that we are citizens of heaven? It needs to be said that when we suffer in the right spirit, we stand to reap our spiritual reward, but when we suffer with bitterness and acrimony, we become losers the second time. This present life is but a necessary preparation for the life to come, and to ensure that we reach our goal, Jesus has left us with his teachings to guide us on our way. There is no doubt that God could use suffering to draw o