Scripture
Why is life so hard? Why do we suffer?
Observation
Job suffered more in a short episode of his life than most of us do in a life-time. His question is reasonable: Why is his life so hard? Is God unhappy with him? Is it some kind of curse? Is it karma- judgment for deeds in a previous life?
Job certainly didn't understand why his life was so chaotic, but he did hold on to God.
Even at the end of the story there is no answer given to his question “Why is life so hard?”
Application
There are no easy answers for the pain which we all suffer at various points in our lives. The “Why?” questions often carry several layers of meaning and a simple answer defies the depth of the question.
We do know that most people see God more clearly in times of pain than in times of ease. We also know that much of the pain and suffering in the world is a direct result of the terrible disruption caused to creation by Adam and Eve's sin.
The answer to the “Why?” question can only be really worked through when we cling to God in grim determination, knowing that His love sustains us.
Prayer
Father, you have promised never to leave us. We don't understand why things happen to us, but we do know that you love us and that somehow even the painful things are working together for good. Help us to trust you even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Amen.
Oh I believe this! With my whole heart! When my marriage of 29 years ended, I couldn't believe it was happening to me, but I just KNEW that God had something better for me. Once it was over, I realized the tremendous stress I had been living under for so many years. It was as if someone lifted a huge weight from me!
ReplyDeleteSo often we are like ants who can only see the next centimetre-- but God sees the whole picture of our lives and knows how to redeem our lives.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad He does!
ReplyDelete