With God: In Suffering | POD 068

Introduction:

In this special episode, Andrew DeKanter who is a pastor and the founder of Better Stories Ministries, sits down with Jacob Nannie to share a personal story of loss, faith, and hope after tragedy. Together, they reflect honestly on walking with God through suffering and how a supportive community makes all the difference.

3 Main Takeaways:

1.The Importance of Presence in Suffering

Both Jacob Nannie and Andrew DeKanter emphasize that the most helpful response to those who are grieving is not polished answers or quick fixes, but simply being present—“weeping with those who weep”—and carrying burdens alongside them (26:06).

2.The Reality of Spiritual and Emotional Complexity

Andrew DeKanter describes the intertwined experience of mental health struggles, spiritual warfare, and grief following the loss of his son Moses (08:49, 33:23). He highlights both the material and spiritual realities at play in suffering, affirming the existence of real evil but also the sovereignty and goodness of God, even amidst deep questions and loss (36:13).

3.God’s Sovereignty and Redemptive Hope

Even in the midst of unfathomable loss, Andrew DeKanter clings to truths from Scripture: that God is sovereign, that he is good, and that suffering can have purpose (40:03). Andrew DeKanter finds healing in seeing God use his pain to help others, particularly through his current work with college students—a reminder that God can bring redemptive good from even the deepest grief (44:42).

Resources:

https://www.betterstoryministries.org/

https://youtu.be/xQwnH8th_fs?si=2jIoxkEskLQ6Z_bU

https://youtu.be/GswSg2ohqmA?si=jZyfn8LnbAQsFxTb

https://youtu.be/5vp9hV8bOjk?si=EQtbAmrmGbAk25Ld

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594634408/?bestFormat=true&k=walking%20with%20god%20through%20pain%20and%20suffering&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k1_1_17_de&crid=1HDV5WQIAR55F&sprefix=walking%20with%20god%20

Crisis support: call or text 988 if you are in the United States.

Timestamps:

02:39 — Andrew DeKanter shares memories of his son Moses, describing his personality, talents, and spiritual life.

12:20 — Andrew DeKanter recounts the events leading up to Moses' passing and the family's experience of grief and loss.

20:01 — Andrew DeKanter outlines three common (often unhelpful) ways people respond to others’ suffering and highlights the importance of "weeping with those who weep."

31:41 — Andrew DeKanter reflects on the theological lessons learned from Job and the grounding truths he held onto during grief.

44:22 — Andrew DeKanter discusses how God is bringing healing in his life, particularly through ministry to college students after the loss of his son.

Keywords

Suffering, Grief, Suicide, Loss, Job (Book of Job), Mental health, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), Religious scrupulosity, Faith, Hope, Spiritual warfare, Presence, Compassion, Church community, Healing, Redemptive suffering, God’s sovereignty, Support in crisis, Ministry, Trauma, Covenant love (Hesed), Lament, Pain, Family, Vulnerability, Authenticity