Difficulties abound in life, but take heart! (Part 2)

Each of us may have gone through some painful losses, personal struggles, some unfair treatment, headaches and heartaches. The man Job who lived long time ago was not immune to these either. In a matter of hours, he had lost virtually everything he possessed- from wealth to his health, then rejection, slander and the test on his relationships. Unfortunately for him, he had no idea of what was going on or the trigger of his calamity. His attitude and ultimate vindication gives us the confidence to walk with him and to obtain some valuable wisdom to guide us too in our days’ difficulties.

In our previous devotional, these three principles were considered. We can develop a good relationship with God, even during turbulent times in life. We learn that God is still God. Our blessings must never be taken for granted. Now let us consider some other helpful lessons in the Book of Job.

4. In times of losses, some things can still stand. Why will Job shower blessings upon the Lord when it appeared all were already lost? Well, he may have suffered a great deal of things in life, but he had the most important of them all still standing: Job had God and had his faith in God unshaken. So rightly, Job voiced out, 'Blessed be the name of the Lord'. (Job 1:21b). We can also develop a daily and strong relationship with God, even at the threatening face of grave losses. Our trust in God and our sense of His nearness to us is a great asset. Let us effusively shower praises through the fruit of our lips (Heb. 13:16) unto the Lord for what He does and works in our lives. We can do this by enriching ourselves with the word of God in all wisdom. (Col. 3:16a)

5. We learn to persevere and remain faithful. I have often thought that it's a great job to go through Job-like experiences- and none of us would want to have anything to that effect. A friend who had to go through years of loneliness due to marital challenges now confesses of having the best prayer life, even after things have stabilized. The other who had a broken relationship has now developed such genuine love for both God and others. Has it occurred to you when you became much content, fulfilled and strengthened through a barrage of troubled moments? I remember when I had to go through temporal persecution after my conversion from Islam. It has made me stronger and given me a better scope than how I saw things initially. Glory to God! James mentions that 'As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance...' (James 5:11). Thus, faithfulness to the end will yield a reward that will be lasting. (Rev. 2:10)

6. With God all things are possible. The hymn writer truly states:

Secure, is life from mortal mind,

God holds the germ within His hand,

Tho' men may search, they cannot find,

for God alone does understand.

When we think the end is here with us, God begins from there. Our inherent limitations do not permit us to see the total picture. What is important is who has the final say. For Job, his own wife, his close friends, the society and even the evil one had their say. Job himself had his own speculations. But one thing was clear about what Job knew ultimately. He said, 'For I know that my redeemer lives' (Job 19:25a). And at the end of it all Job still declares what he still knew; 'For I know that you can do all things, and that no plan of Yours [God] can be thwarted' (Job 42:2). In like manner, let us also trust God and see His promises for us through the eyes of faith.

Difficulties abound in life, but take heart! (Part 1) || More