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Lament
In his personal crisis of faith, how did Job work through his excruciating pain?
Job somehow accepted the good with the bad. Just as he had said, “The Lord gives” earlier, here he recalls that he’s accepted the good things the Lord’s given. Why curse God when He allows trouble? Job didn’t expect a God who allowed no pain in the world, but one in whom he could trust.
Job’s friends helped with their presence. But for the rest of the book they spouted ignorance instead of truth, according to God’s post-debate debrief. Their best moments involved merely sitting in silence with their hurting friend.
Eventually Job voiced his lament. In fact, he cursed the very day he came to life, apparently deeming that better (and safer?) than cursing God. The Lord, silent over Job’s suffering and pleas for the first 37 chapters, hears Job’s case. As Job wrestles over suffering and faith with his friends and the Lord, this hurting man certainly makes mistakes. But by the end God forgives entirely any sins committed by a repentant Job, restoring him fully.
You’ll likely never experience the hardships that Job faced, but you do face difficult times. So do others you know. Would it help to pour out your heart to God aloud, on paper, or in some other way? Do you know a struggling friend who could benefit from your presence—not to share your advice, but simply to hang out together?
About this Plan
When life hits like a tornado, where do we go? When we’re anxious about the future, to whom do we turn? Over thousands of years, God’s people have faced setbacks, even disasters. Their experiences show us ways we can respond and how our faith in God can remain intact—and maybe get even more real.
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