The Lesson of Job

What is your normal reaction when things go awry? Do you react with strong negative emotions? Does your reaction change the situation? Do your negative emotions continue to build on themselves, getting worse? Have you considered a different way to react?

When things go bad, we often react negatively. When things go from bad to worse, our countenance falls to the floor. We may reach the point of giving up. We may be beyond consolation. Yet, there is another way, a better way to react to such circumstances.

Job was a man who lost everything but his wife and his home. He was a very rich man. His five hundred oxen and five hundred donkeys were taken by thieves and many of his servants were killed. His seven thousand sheep were destroyed. His three thousand camels were stolen. His three daughters and seven sons were killed. Only a few of his servants escaped the destruction to report to him what had happened.

Job was hit hard. He was in anguish. He wept. And he worshiped. Though Job had lost nearly everything, he did not blame God. Can you imagine having to bury 10 of your children on the same day? Job not only had to do that, but had seen the wealth he had built over the course of his life disappear.

When things go badly for us, we may experience anguish. But that doesn’t mean we should blame God for our situation. Instead, we should bow to God in worship. We should trust that God is still in control. It may be painful for a while, but God has something good planned for us. God may not double our wealth as he did for Job, but he will provide for us. It will only be later, when we look back over time, that we will see how God has worked in our lives.

I pray we all learn the lesson of Job. I pray we trust God to provide in all circumstances. I pray each one of us will choose to worship God in all circumstances, trusting he is in control. Worship God. Trust God. Know he is always with you. Know he will provide for you.

Job 2:9-10 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still persist in your integrity? Curse God, and die.” But he said to her, “You speak as any foolish woman would speak. Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.