Dealing honestly, wisely, and compassionately with human pain is an integral part of our job description as followers of Jesus Christ. No one gets through this life unscathed. Everyone deals with pain and suffering at some level. If someone insists she hasn’t, she’s either lying, in denial, or has amnesia. And since God’s second most important command is for us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, it behooves us to learn how to better comfort ourselves as well as our neighbors—both those we rub shoulders with daily, and also our global neighbors, who make up the lost and dying world we’re called to care for.
But let’s deal with the proverbial bull in the china shop, which is the fact that what happened to Job wasn’t what we like to think of as “fair.” I mean, goodnight! The very beginning of this Old Testament book describes Job as a really good guy who was doing really good things with his life. The mention of Job rising early to pray for his kids (Job 1:5) is a common Hebrew idiom denoting a conscientious habit, which means praying for his family was something he did consistently.
Reading about this righteous guy losing pretty much everything—his wealth, his health, and all ten of his children—it’s like biting into a warm brownie and breaking your tooth on a rock. This “divine test” is surprisingly unfair. Surely Job didn’t deserve such devastating loss.
In the New Testament, Jesus blows the idea of human deservedness right out of the water. In His Sermon on the Mount, He teaches that God throws fairness out the window to bless even the unrighteous (Matthew 5:43–45). In another place, He explains that bad things do indeed happen to good people (Luke 13:1–5). And in His parable about the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16), He thoroughly deconstructs any notion that we can earn God’s blessings.
The bottom line is this: No matter how many Bible studies we’ve done, or meals we’ve served to the homeless, we cannot earn one of those immunity sticks like they do on Survivor. None of us can get “good enough” to shield ourselves and those we love from suffering. Job proves that “good” people, including people of faith, can and do experience horrific things through no particular fault of their own. And if you want to really blow your mental hard drive, reread Job chapter 1, which suggests that while Job’s faith was truly strong, it did not safeguard him from hardship (v.8).
In the economy of God, Job’s suffering was an honor, a privilege. After all, “should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” (2:10). Our Creator and Redeemer handpicked Job for the honorable position of carrying the weight of pain. While God is not the author of evil (Psalm 5:4), He did choose Job with the foreknowledge that he would carry suffering well, because even our pain is a great conduit for God’s glory.
Can you imagine how different our lives could be if we began to view some of our pain and disappointment as a divine privilege? What if we saw a difficult journey as one God handpicked us to take, knowing that He Himself would strengthen us to make the trek, and more importantly, that His glory would be illuminated through our efforts? Changing our perspective on suffering—viewing it as an honor instead of dumb luck or cruelty—could absolutely change the course of our lives and deeply impact the world around us.
Prayers for all who are going through suffering in their lives right now.
I have been going through what I have been referring to as my period of Job. That’s why I decided to do this plan to delve deeper into why we have to face adversity. This passage I strengthening me to keep praising HIM even when I cry why me. Sometimes we need the hardships to appreciate the good.
Im married and have kids…I just recently found out I have PTSD from my last relationship. I never thought I would be in this type of position because I’m in such a healthy place and relationship. All of a sudden my brain just went completely left. To the point I couldn’t sleep because I thought someone was going to hurt and etc. I prayed and prayed why would god do this after all the hard work I put into being healthy spiritually and mentally. I just felt he was against me and it just wasn’t fair for my head to go back to the past when I obviously have a husband who treats me good and I didn’t think it was fair for him neither. We prayed and I got guided to Job. Just reading this chapter I feel like I should just appreciate what god gave me to handle and keep pushing forward even if it doesn’t fall accordingly to my plans. I’m prepared to what else this book gives me.
This study is perfect timing. As someone who has struggled with chronic pain for over 18 years, I definitely battle with God over why this is happening. I think most people struggle with the pain and suffering that this world brings. I’m excited to shift my perspective
I’m going through a break up with a man I love. And we ended things off by telling each other how much we care and love one another. But he needs to go thru this and as the week went on, he realized .. he does not know gods love for himself. It’s tough being on the other hand. Feeling like Job! I pray, I love, I serve, I do everything “right” by the books and yet suffer. But this gave me encouragement that hey — my story in all of this, gods glory will reign forevermore.
Last night I cried myself to sleep…and occurrence which has repeated itself throughout the week. The man who I thought God sent into my life left me, I am overextended financially and the very first day in an extremely long time that I woke early to pray and read my bible was the same day I got “let go from work” due to restructuring. The first thing I did was ask God why me, why now, when I was barely coping as it was. But this study has shown me that it’s a matter of perspective; God is trying to show me something and I should see this suffering as a privilege. I am praying that these painful endings for everyone here are a symbol of new beginnings in Gods abundance and favour. I am choosing to let my pain be a conduit for God’s glory (as hard as it is) because I know he has a greater plan for my life. Praying that the rest of this study continues to be a blessing.
I love this . I am a freshman in college dealing with my own “ struggles “ , even if minor to some. College has been fun but challenging . Life has shown to it change regardless of setting . I’ve found myself already having to motivate myself to get out of bed when battling with my problems . I found myself forgetting that when I put everything, every worry in God’s hand the load gets a little lighter and more bearable . ❤️
I had a hard day at work…well it hasnt been an easy journey in my new job.
Today was exceptionally hard. I couldn’t sleep and was led to this app and I asked God to show me which book to read He guided me to Job.
In the midst of the storm even though I’m all exhausted and stressed up, I am confident and assured that our Father is always with us walking the journey with us. I thank Him for polishing me up by putting me through this trail. I’m looking forward to walking out of this journey in Hid timing.