Tag: suffering

Job and His “Friends”

Many know the story of Job, how Satan inflicted great pain and suffering on Him to try to show God that He only praised Him for His blessings. It was a test. This is a hard read, and I am sure I will not do it justice, but I will try.

As with all of us, He didn’t pass all of the test, but He kept his integrity and faith, even through his doubt and questioning. Job lost his children, his house, his wealth, his friends and family more or less abandoned him, even his wife told him to curse God and die. He was inflicted with disease, pain, and great suffering, but in the end, He stayed strong in his faith in God and eventually repented of his pride. But he had some so-called friends that came to him to explain why he was suffering based on their own experience and short-sighted knowledge. From the end of chapter 1 through chapter 31, the author writes of the debate between Job and his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, as well as Job’s complaints against God. You should read through this on your own, but I will give some of the highlights. In another post I will write about God’s reply and the encounter between God and Job, and God and Job’s 3 friends. Between these events, another person comes into the scene, Elihu, and reveals some flaws in the arguments of both Job and his friends. So this younger man, after listening and respecting his elders, gave his opinion which contradicted the other men, explaining the character of God and the shortcomings of their argument. God does not rebuke Elihu as He does his 3 , but reminds everyone who He is and His power and righteousness, and sets them straight.

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Do Not Fear

With God’s love there is no need to fear.  No matter what we are going through, God is always there to guide us through it.  Those of us who have faith in Christ know that we have eternal life with Him.  So why do we fear? Continue reading “Do Not Fear”

Anxiety and Worry

After the last series, I was not sure what to write about next.  I am still not sure where to go from here.  I need to be patient and listen to the Holy Spirit to guide me.  In the meantime, I have been struggling looking for work.  I was laid off the end of July and it has been frustrating, getting few calls.  There also has been a couple family issues to deal with.  So, this one is kind of reminding me that God is good and He provides.  He will take care of me and I don’t have to worry, because I can trust in Him for things to work out.  It is a time to remember that many in this world are struggling, a lot worse than I.  I have been very blessed, as most people are in this country and many of us take it for granted.  I have been to Haiti several times and each time I am reminded of this.  Though people are in poverty, sometimes in danger, they still can find joy.  I see it in their smiles, I see it in the love they have shown me.  This lady in the featured picture was always smiling and singing praises to God, though she lived in an impoverished, struggling country.  We can learn from people like her.  God doesn’t always give us everything we want or get us out of the storm, but He is always there to help us through it.  And I know there is more blessing ahead.  So, don’t worry. Continue reading “Anxiety and Worry”