The Prodigal Prophet: Jonah and the Mystery of God's Mercy

by Timothy J. Keller

Another way God works through suffering, Newton writes, is that suffering now “prevents greater evils” later.5 The greatest danger of all is that we never become aware of our blindness, pride, and self-sufficiency. We naturally believe that we have far more ability to direct our lives wisely than we really have, and that we are far more virtuous, honest, and decent than we really are. These are deadly errors, and Satan would be happy to let you have a charmed and prosperous life for many years so that you don’t see the truth until it’s too late. God, however, out of love, wants to wake you up to your condition so you can do something about it. In many lives he uses storms.