No Peace or Rest - Only Troubles and Worries

When Job finally breaks the silence, it’s with a cry of anguish directed at God, his creator. Why was I born? Why can’t I die?

Job has lost his peace. He accepted the loss of all his possessions and even his family with amazing calmness, but now he lashes out. His passionate outburst is common to those who suffer deeply—whether physical, emotional or spiritual.

We have no idea how long Job had been suffering before his friends arrive, but after a week of sitting with them in silence, he begins to vent his emotions; however, even his intense suffering doesn’t cause him to curse God. What he does want is a curse put upon the day he was born. He challenges the creator God to “un-create” him by blotting out that day. And if not that, then let him die.

We learn through Job’s experience that when life falls apart, an honest expression of our thoughts and feelings is better than a pretense. Job doesn’t pretend. He shows us how to be real with himself, his friends and especially with God.

When life is difficult, we need to give voice to our deepest pain. Finding our true voice is the first step on the journey to a deeper relationship with God. We need to uncover the hopeless places—the places in our lives that steal our peace!!

When have you been there? It’s comforting to know that God can handle whatever we are feeling at any time, in any circumstance.

When we are in pain let us be encouraged by Job’s honesty. And if someone we know is suffering, our first role is to listen, allow them to vent their feelings, and share their pain. Job needed to be heard. So do we.

Respond in Prayer

Lord, you are the master listener. Help me to listen with your ears—to hear even the whispered voice of those who need to be heard. Help me to encourage them to be real, honest, and truthful. May I help them to know that you hear the deepest cry of their hearts. Amen.

Lynn Smith