Feeling sorry for yourself? Is it because of the “inconvenience” you have had to suffer during recent days? Wouldn’t honesty force most of us to say that is about all we have experienced?
The question God asked Satan two times (Job 1:8, 2:3) might be worth thinking about if you are feeling sorry for yourself. Remember how it began? “Have you considered My servant Job. . . ?”
Why should we consider Job? For one thing, we will see a man who faced more adversity than any of us will likely ever face. Prosperous, even rich, yet his material possessions disappeared! A big family, yet lost all ten of his children in one day! Good health was changed to an existence of pain and agony! His own wife tried to get him to curse God and die! Friends, who were supposed to comfort him, instead falsely accused him and continually berated him! Was Job “inconvenienced”?
Why consider Job? Because, in spite of all the tragedy and suffering, Job 1:22 says, “In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.” Many others have sinned and have charged God foolishly, in spite of lesser difficulties.
Adversity can test our faith in such a way that it exposes how shallow it is. Some want to serve God as long as He provides a carefree life for them. When difficulty comes, they become bitter and want to blame God. Job asked his wife, “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10)
Instead of letting this uncertain time draw us away from God, why not use it to draw closer to Him? Strengthen your faith by increased Bible reading and study. Pray more often. Encourage the faith of others. Keep reminding yourself that only the life ahead (eternity) will be free from difficulty.
-Allen Hahn
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