“You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” Job 42:3

Reality Check

Have you ever uttered (or muttered) these words to God in response to suffering? “What did I ever do to You?” Recently, when I was in great pain, I said aloud, “What have I done wrong?” Hidden meaning: WHY is this happening to me? WHY have You allowed this pain in my life?

Job was in that place, too. Not only was he suffering physically(great illness and pain in his body), and emotionally (ALL 10 of his kids had died in a freak storm), and financially (ALL his great wealth was lost to marauders), but also spiritually (since he was a righteous man, he could not fathom WHY God allowed all the tragedy.)

In my own despair, God gave me a reality check, as He did for Job. I needed what suffering brought—and God knew it. Everyone who thinks they are spiritual needs it. “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

The reality check for me involved a subtle, previously un-considered thought that the reason I haven’t endured much deep suffering is because I am righteous—chosen, adopted, sanctified, saved, called, and anointed. While all these adjectives do describe believers, faith isn’t an inoculation against suffering. Suffering is not a disease that can be prevented.

Job really was blameless and upright (God said so in Job 1:1)—no doubt far more so than I ever hope to be. Yet, he clearly thought his righteousness should have prevented the suffering. “Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, so that I am a burden to myself? Why then do You not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity…” (Job 7:20-21). In other words, if this suffering is because I’ve sinned, then forgive me so I can move on!”

In the end, God revealed Himself to Job. Not His reasons for what happened, but HIMSELF. The reality check is enough for Job, and it is enough for you and me. The process of deep inner changes accomplished through our suffering is a mystery, but at the minimum we come away with a necessary acceptance that we aren’t “all that.” Eventually we find that God has developed in us exactly what we need to help others through similar suffering, thereby building them up on their “most holy faith” (Jude 1:20). If we are wise, we will run into His arms for comfort and peace—for He is, and ever shall be, our Rock, our Hiding Place, and our Strong Tower.

“Jesus, even You suffered, and certainly we are not above You in anything. Teach us what we need to know, and if possible, would You shorten our suffering and help us to bear it. Nevertheless, Your perfect will be done in us. Amen.”