Alison Ross

@RyanGawrych @birdchadlouis Interesting. Compassion fatigue in the OT

Why Job’s Friends Failed Miserably at Comforting There sat Job. A man who had lost all ten of his children in one day. A man who had lost all his riches in one day. A man who had lost everything, including his health. There he sat atop an ash heap, his body infested with loathsome sores, scraping his skin. To such a pain-racked, grief-stricken, disconsolate man, what does one say? Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, the three “friends” of Job, each said the same thing in their own way: “Obviously, Job, you are harboring some secret sin. Confess and turn to God. Then he will restore you.” In the theology of these men, there was no room for an innocent sufferer. Job must have committed some sin that prompted God to punish him. For these men, the righteous are rewarded and the wicked are punished. A cut-and-dried theology. A always leads to B. This same thinking was expressed by the disciples of Jesus, who said of the man born blind, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2). This same thinking still infests people today, especially those who attribute worldly success or riches to a God-pleasing life, and sickness or suffering to a God-displeasing life. “If you have enough faith, if you please God, then he will reward you with material prosperity or physical healing.” A always leads to B. The story of Job plants a fist in the face of this lie. Indeed, the only perfect, sinless, truly innocent man who ever lived, Jesus, suffered more than any man before him or since. Why do people suffer? Yes, sometimes for their sins, but also for any number of reasons—the fallenness of the world, the evildoing of others, and sometimes for reasons of which God alone knows. Rather than answering “Why?,” the Scriptures point us to the “Who?” Who is with us in suffering, upholds us, and carries us through it? The Man of sorrows and suffering himself, Jesus the crucified, who will one day restore all believers in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.

Do you have what it takes to manage our sponsorships and drive our growing sponsorship programmes? Visit our Vacancies page to learn more about what we're looking for as our Sponsorships Manager... worldinneed.org.uk/vacancies/

Join us on the 12th June for a walk on the South Downs to raise money for World in Need. To make a £10 donation and for futher information, click through to our news page. worldinneed.org.uk/latest-stories…

Make a difference to our World in Need communities while enjoying the beautiful East Sussex countryside. Come and join us for a lovely walk and chance to meet other supporters! worldinneed.org.uk/latest-stories…

Our pastor in Thailand is thankful for God's continued provision for his family, but his mission faces rocky times during lockdown. Read here about the challenges facing our pastor... worldinneed.org.uk/latest-stories…

Our pastor in Sierra Leone is finding new ways to minister to people during lockdown. Read more here... worldinneed.org.uk/latest-stories…

An ode to the moors - a delightful new slow read on our site: undiscovered-wales.co.uk/2021/03/02/in-…. Put the kettle on and be transported @VisitCambMtns @TheCambrianWay @visitwales

In a world where the most vulnerable are often passed by, we believe child sponsorship matters. Read why here: worldinneed.org.uk/latest-stories…

Our latest project to help communities in Northern Uganda has been launched! worldinneed.org.uk/latest-stories…

Choose from a range of Christian gifts to donate this Christmas... worldinneed.org.uk/gift-shop/

Psalms 5:11-12" But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing #Bible mydailybible.org/dv/esv/2019-01…

Why has giving money been unquestionably recognized as an element in Christian devotion, and fasting so disputed? We have as much Biblical evidence for fasting as we have for giving. Perhaps in our affluent society #fasting involves a far larger sacrifice than the giving of money

@safestyle Disgusted to see a stream of litter being thrown from this van on the A470 this afternoon. Take litter home! #litterlout

Promise Land unashamedofjesus.org/2016/10/21/pro… via @unashamedojesus #TrumpBookReports #WNBAFinals #ShoutOutToMyExVideo #Aberfan #Battlefield