5 mind blowing truths about PAIN.

I don’t always get Job.

The book confuses me. I know Job’s friends end up being the bad guys, but sometimes they sound so right. Are they right some of the time?

Job gets hosed in the short run. Why? Was this just a cosmic showdown with Job as the pawn?

Why does God take so long to show up?

<sigh>

What I do get about Job.

My life has seemed to work out pretty smoothly. I’ve had ups and downs, but get this list:

• I went through high school without any major issues (addictions, trouble with the law, bad grades, etc).
• I got through college with a degree and NO debt.
• I’ve been happily married for over 18 years.
• I have 4 healthy and whole children.
• I have good and solid friends.
• I have a faith that has never really wavered.

In 2009 things began to change…

• I lost $100,000+ in business.
• I had to lay-off family members from that business.
• We found out one of our children has epilepsy.
• We ate through savings to keep afloat.
• We bought and sold property at a loss.
• We left 2 family businesses.
• We moved 30 minutes away from the only home my kids have known.

Overall, I know this is nothing compared to what others have gone through, but it was a shock to my system.

Pain hurts.

There is no way around that statement. Pain will come, and it will hurt.

This is what I understand about Job.

I understand wrestling through my pain with God. God where are you? God why are you allowing this? Those aren’t calm questions. They are questions full of doubt and anger.

Amazingly, this is what God wants. He wants me to wrestle with Him. He’s okay with it. He can handle Himself. He knows it’s how I truly know Him.

Job finally makes sense…

I should back up. You might not know the story of Job.

Due to a type of wager between God and Satan, Job has lost everything (family, massive wealth, house, health). He has 3 friends who show up to comfort him. Comfort in Job’s day seems to be tied to debating. Job and his friends debate about God, sin and punishment. They go back and forth arguing their given points (Job’s main point is I’m innocent and God screwed me. Job’s friends’ main point is you must have sinned; God only punishes the guilty).

Finally, both sides rest there cases. Then pops up Elihu – Job’s younger friend. According to most scholars, Elihu is the most accurate in his assessment of the situation. In the midst of Elihu’s monologue, he lets loose with this:

God is leading you away from danger, Job, to a place free from distress.
He is setting your table with the best food.

But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged.
Don’t worry, judgment and justice will be upheld.

But watch out, or you may be seduced by wealth.
Don’t let yourself be bribed into sin.

Could all your wealth
or all your mighty efforts
keep you from distress?

Do not long for the cover of night,
for that is when people will be destroyed.

Be on guard! Turn back from evil,
for God sent this suffering
to keep you from a life of evil.  -Job 36:16-21

5 Mind-blowing Truths you’ve been waiting for!

If you are in the midst of dealing with something more painful than words can relate, let me encourage you. The above is great news. In fact, there are 5 incredible truths you need to cling to.

1. God is leading you AWAY from danger.
2. God IS setting your table.
3. Justice WILL be upheld.
4. Wealth & effort is NOT your Savior.
5. God will use your pain for HIS Glory.

You probably can’t see it; your pain is blinding you from the truth. Believe me…those 5 things are the truth.

When you are able to see those 5 things clearly, what you are walking through (and walking towards) becomes mind-blowing. My best encouragement for you is to keep walking…keep walking…keep walking.

Keep walking.

Keep.

Walking.