Trinity Forum Conversations Affirming God's Goodness Amidst Suffering, with Alan Noble
Mar 3, 2026
Alan Noble, associate professor of English and writer on faith and culture, reflects on living amid suffering and mental health. He explores invisible burdens, the limits of techniques for coping, and the strain of modern individualism. He urges small outward acts, intentional friendships, and doing the next right thing as ways to witness hope and affirm God’s goodness.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Book Born From An Essay That Resonated During COVID
- Alan Noble wrote On Getting Out of Bed after emails from readers of his essay revealed widespread struggle with why to live during COVID.
- He shifted from sociological diagnosis to practical theological care, asking given the crisis, how do we simply get out of bed.
Self Ownership Creates Hidden Suffering
- Noble links modern rise in invisible suffering to the idea that we belong to ourselves and must self-fashion meaning and purpose.
- Social media and competitive comparison exacerbate this burden, making identity creation overwhelming for young people.
Don't Turn Self Care Into Blame
- Avoid putting ultimate hope in technique alone, because techniques can make you blame yourself when they fail.
- Use practical habits (sleep, exercise) but resist treating them as moral proof you solved your suffering.
