Some people encounter circumstances in their life that are as bad as it gets. Poor health, for example. Such was the case with Mindy* and Larry*. Larry had health problems as long as he could remember. His parents even told him that he was kept in the hospital for a month after he was born. When he asked them what had been wrong with him, they were unable or unwilling to answer. Still, his health seemed stable until his mid-twenties. It was then that he developed a degenerative physical ailment. With a lifetime spent in and out of surgery, he has of late become depressed. His recent dual diagnosis of hip deterioration and diabetes has sent him spiraling into a place that he has been before, depression.
Mindy* has a lot to be grateful for. A loving husband, who directs their church choir. Three amazing adult children who love the Lord and assist their ailing mother whenever possible. But, life has not been easy for her. Just like Larry, Mindy has dealt with years and years of physical and mental health challenges. When we are in pain, or we see those we love in pain, we often struggle spiritually with the questions that are raised.
The question for a Christian is often, how can I see circumstances in my life through God's lens.The question of suffering is dealt with extensively throughout the Bible. There is much comfort and many answers to those questions to be gleaned in God's Holy Scriptures. I think of Larry and Mindy as I read the Book of Job.
The Book of Job is one of the oldest books in the Bible. The fact that the Bible tackles the painful issues of our earthly existence goes far to explain the loving nature of our God. We have a God who loves and cares for us. In Job, we see a man who has suffered great physical and emotional pain. Job says in Chapter 7 of that book in verses two and three, "Like a slave who longs for the shadow, and like a hireling who looks for his wages, so I am allotted months of emptiness, and nights of misery are apportioned to me."
Never be ashamed to discuss or explore the painful truths that may exist in your life. The Bible encourages us to do that. Take Job for example. In the forty-two chapters of that book we have layed out before us (in a nutshell) all that can go wrong in a life and some of the thoughts and feelings that emerge when we are confronted with suffering.
As we open this book, we get a rare opportunity to be privy to the affairs of the heavenly realm. Chapters one and two detail the ancient and continual battle that is fought between God and Satan for our heart, mind, and soul. As a result of that battle, sin and disease have entered the world. We learn that the realm of Satan is to tempt and convince us to abandon the one true God. As we continue on in the book we learn that many disasters befall Job including financial loss, death in the family and painful health issues.
I really relate to the next part of the book which records a series of conversations between Job and his friends. These conversations remind me of similar discussions I have had with those close to me, as I struggled to understand some of the bitter occurences which have come my way. It appears to me that God gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the battle between Him and Satan in the Book of Job so that we may have a deeper understanding of our earthly problems.
Job cries out to God and pours his heart out to his friends in an attempt to find some meaning behind all that has happened. He looks for comfort from his friends but, as is so often the case, those around him judge and blame him. Still, I am touched as I see this group of friends stand by Job in all his troubles. This Book presents a picture of humanity as we grapple with the basic questions about the meaning of suffering. We don't fully get it because we don't have the full knowledge of that heavily realm that we are (here) given a glimpse of.
Yet, we learn in the Book of Job that God is fully in control. He is a wholly good, redemptive and trustworthy God. Job's suffering is not meaningless to God and was not God's plan when He created the world. Pain can cause a spiritual crisis, besides all else, and we must be careful not to slip in our relationship with God. We also must try to maintain contact with people that we love and keeping on working out the relationship issues that exist between people in our life. Chronic pain is difficult for those suffering with it, as well as those caring for people with it. Remember, just like with Job's friends, sometimes those closest to us don't understand what we are going through and they give us wrong advise. It is important that we be patient in such circumstances.
We must go to God frequently in prayer as we try to manage chronic health concerns. Only God can give us the strength to hold on during times of crisis. Like Job, I hope we can all take a look at the bigger picture, understanding that there are spiritual truths that must not be take for granted. God bless you all.
* the names have been changed.
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